# Rising Star: Harry Sweeny Joins Lotto Soudal as a Professional Cyclist
As the new cycling season unfolds, Lotto Soudal proudly welcomes a group of promising newcomers, including Harry Sweeny, who steps up from the Lotto Soudal U23 team to join the ranks of the WorldTeam. This 22-year-old cyclist hails from Queensland, Australia, and is ready to make his mark in professional cycling.
“Leaving Australia behind to pursue your cycling dream sure is tough,” Sweeny reflects. “It is definitely something that European pros never have to experience, leaving behind your entire family, friends, girlfriend… Sometimes, it is quite difficult and it is something you never get used to. However, it is always in the back of your mind that you are in Europe for a clear purpose.”
This upcoming season, Sweeny has settled in the picturesque south of France. “I have got a nice apartment set up for myself in Nice and the area really is incredible. Of all the places I’ve been to in Europe, Nice probably feels closest to Australia. With the beach nearby and the mountains within reach, it just feels perfect. The sun is almost always there, so the training conditions are ideal. Everything’s looking nice for the season ahead,” he shares.
Having already gained experience with Lotto Soudal as part of their U23 team, Sweeny made a significant impact by winning Il Piccolo Lombardia, the U23 version of the prestigious Tour of Lombardy.
“The transition into the WorldTeam has actually been quite smooth,” he explains. “I already knew a lot of the staff members, and the equipment is also the same, which makes it easier to integrate with the team. I already know several guys like Caleb Ewan, with whom I’ve done some training in Australia. It almost feels like I haven’t really switched teams, and to be amongst several guys from the Lotto Soudal U23 team is also really nice.”
Reflecting on his achievements, Sweeny says, “Winning Il Piccolo Lombardia was definitely an absolute highlight from last season. At the pros, races like these are maybe a little too hard for me, but I really like the one-day races where it’s full gas all day long. I hope to turn into a versatile rider in the future. Of course, I hope to become an essential part of Caleb’s lead-out, but I’d also like to explore my own qualities as a rider. I think I might do well at the Classics; I think that races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix will really suit me. But I hope to discover some other races as well, just to know where my ceiling is.”
Having a background in triathlon, Sweeny is set to embark on his first professional race at the UAE Tour, marking a significant milestone in his cycling career.
“My road to the pros has actually been quite funny,” he reflects. “I started off as a triathlete and my first road season was in 2015, where I went straight from triathlon to join the cycling program at my local institute of sports. Since then, it’s really been a case of adding on to my performances each year and building myself into the rider I am now today. I feel like I am ready to be a pro now.”
With ambition and determination, Harry Sweeny is poised to become a standout cyclist this season, ready to tackle the challenges ahead as he embraces the professional circuit.
