Cycling NSW inks three-year Dutch development opportunity

Junior cyclists from NSW will have the opportunity to race an international program in Europe, thanks to a three-year partnership announced today.

Cycling NSW has partnered with the Dutch development team of TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg to enable up to three male under-19 cyclists to race with their squad each year.

Under the agreement, TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg will also facilitate a direct connection to a Dutch women’s team, providing up to three female cyclists with the opportunity to do the same each year.

The cyclists will race a national and international road program in and around the Netherlands. They will have access to team training sessions, training camps, staff and race support as they experience a different style of race program to that available in Australia.

“Like a student exchange or overseas internship, this will be an incredible opportunity for our young cyclists,” said Graham Seers, CEO of Cycling NSW. “We already offer what I think is the best junior program in Australia. This will allow our riders a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step forward in their development by racing overseas.”

“I’m very thankful that TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg has offered this chance to NSW cyclists.”

“TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg is based in a region where Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands meet and this international perspective is in our team’s DNA,” said Stan Bertram, team manager of TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg. “It is great to offer enthusiastic young Australian cyclists the opportunity to experience cycling here in Europe. We are sure that it will contribute to both their personal and physical development.”

TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg is an amateur cycling association from the Limburg province in the south of the Netherlands, where the Amstel Gold Race is held. It is active in road racing, cyclocross and BMX, with a focus on youth development through its junior teams.

The association recently announced a partnership with Team Jumbo-Visma Academy, which is linked with the WorldTour team of grand tour winners Primož Rogli? and Tom Dumoulin and, from 2021, Marianne Vos.

By coincidence, one of NSW’s young cyclists is already riding with the team. Earlier this year, under-19 Robbie Matthews (Sydney Uni Velo Club) moved to the Netherlands to study, and is riding with the Dutch outfit.

Today’s announcement follows a 2019 pilot opportunity which saw then under-17 riders Aiden Sinclair and Will Kirkham race in the Netherlands for the first time.

More information about how under-19 cyclists can access this partnership with TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg will be announced in due course.