Sunday, January 12, was a crucial day for the team, with three different national championships on the calendar. Felipe Orts claimed his seventh consecutive Spanish title in As Pontes, while Joris Nieuwenhuis made his debut for the Ridley Racing Team and immediately secured a bronze medal at the Dutch National Championship in Oisterwijk. Meanwhile, Daan Soete battled his way to an impressive top-10 finish in Zolder. Plenty of positives to carry forward into the rest of the season!

Understandably, all eyes in A Coruña were on Felipe. Earlier this season, he had already taken second place at the European Championship in the northwest of Spain. In the Galician mud, our Spanish star put on a masterclass. By the end, he had nearly lapped the entire field. His closest rival crossed the finish line almost a minute and a half behind the winner.
For Joris, it was a special day for several reasons. First and foremost, it marked his debut with the team. After months on the sidelines due to shingles and the need for full recovery, he is clearly back on the rise. In Oisterwijk, he fought hard with Tibor Del Grosso and Pim Ronhaar for the title. Ultimately, he had to concede to his opponents, but the bronze medal was a rewarding consolation prize!

Finally, Daan lined up at the iconic Circuit Zolder for the Belgian National Championship. His start was less than ideal, but he managed to hang on with the second group. Eventually, he even bridged the gap to the leaders before settling into his own rhythm. In the final lap, a top-10 spot was still up for grabs. Thanks to his powerful engine and a long sprint, Daan clinched this admirable result in the end.

Road Season Kicks Off
In Australia, Nicole Frain made her debut for the team—not in cyclocross, but in the Australian National Road Championship. The 2022 champion showed her strong form, finishing in 17th place. Later this week, she will compete in the Tour Down Under, representing the national team.
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