# Steff Cras and Matthew Holmes Extend Contracts with Lotto Soudal for 2024 Season
Climbers Steff Cras and Matthew Holmes have both committed to another year with Lotto Soudal, ensuring their place in the Belgian cycling team for the upcoming season. The 25-year-old Belgian and 27-year-old Brit have signed contract extensions which will mark their third year with the team.
Steff Cras, who joined Lotto Soudal two seasons ago, has faced several challenges during his tenure, including difficulties in the Tour de France and a Covid infection that hampered his performance this year. Despite these setbacks, Cras expressed optimism about the future, stating, “I really felt at home with the team the past two seasons. The future is looking bright with this young and talented group. Personally, my contract extension is a mental boost after two seasons, which were marked by bad luck.”
Reflecting on his goals for the upcoming year, Cras expressed his desire to concentrate on competitive stage races and the potential to secure a Grand Tour stage victory. “I want to focus again on riding a good GC in short stage races and winning a Grand Tour stage,” he added. “Besides, I want to assist the team the best I can.”
Matthew Holmes also joined the Lotto Soudal family in 2020 and quickly made his mark by winning the queen stage at the Tour Down Under. He showcased impressive climbing skills during the Giro d’Italia and the recent Vuelta a España. Holmes shared his enthusiasm for the future, stating, “It feels really nice to go into my third year with Lotto Soudal. I can’t wait for next year, especially after the recent team days, where we worked at everything else involved around the bike such as new equipment and training methods.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Holmes noted, “Overall, I look back on the past two seasons with great pleasure. Maybe this year has not fully gone to plan, but I still won a WorldTour race during my first pro contract. It’s an achievement which I’m still really proud of.” He hopes to capitalize on his experience in the WorldTour to target strategic breakaway opportunities in Grand Tours and other stage races next year.
Both riders aim to bring their climbing talents and team spirit to the forefront in the 2024 season, highlighting the potential for victory as part of Lotto Soudal’s promising lineup.
