The days are getting longer, and fitness is improving! That means it’s time for our second social ride. On Wednesday, May 14, we’re heading into nature with the riders from the Ridley Racing Team. Follow in the tracks of pros Joris Nieuwenhuis, Felipe Orts, Daan Soete, and Aaron Van der Beken as we explore the local off-road routes. 60 km GRAVEL social ride – An accessible group ride starting and finishing at Bike Valley. Start at 6:00 PM – We leave right on time, so make sure you're there early. Meet the Ridley Racing Team – Ride in the slipstream of the pros and have a chat before they head to UNBOUND. Drinks and post-ride hangout – Stick around for a relaxed wrap-up. Location: Bike Valley – Start and finish at Tervantstraat. Parking available. To ensure everything runs smoothly, we kindly ask that you register in advance. This helps us plan for the number of participants and ensures everyone can fully enjoy the ride and the après-ride. Participation is free, but registration is mandatory. Sign up now and ride with us!

Early May marked a major highlight on the European gravel calendar: The Traka in Girona. Our riders delivered strong performances, with Daan finishing 6th and Nicole securing 7th place in the demanding Traka 200. A memorable and educational experience for the whole team! The weekend kicked off on Friday with the PNS Hill Climb Challenge, a 3 km uphill time trial to the iconic Sant Miquel Castle—an early test and a chance to improve start positions. Daan stormed to a 3rd place finish, while Violette claimed an impressive 5th. A perfect confidence boost heading into the main event. On Saturday, the team lined up for the Traka 200—the main event of the weekend. Daan rode a smart and assertive race, staying near the front throughout and ultimately crossing the line in 6th place—another top result in an already standout season. Aaron pushed through for 36th, just ahead of Felipe in 42nd. Joris, dealing with lower back issues throughout the race, still managed to finish in 60th place—showing resilience on a tough day. Nicole’s Strong Debut Performance Nicole delivered a performance that mirrored Daan’s consistency and grit. Not only was it her debut at The Traka, but also her first gravel race over this distance. After the early climbing sections, she found herself in the second group, and at kilometer 120, she launched a solo effort. In the final part of the race, she joined forces with Carolin Schiff, which helped carry her to the finish. Despite a small mistake in the closing kilometers, Nicole crossed the line in 7th. Violette capped off a long and adventurous day with a 42nd-place finish. This event marked our team’s debut at the very highest level of gravel racing. It was a big learning day, filled with valuable insights. We’re taking all of it with us as we set our sights on Marly Gravel and Unbound. Rider Quotes Nicole Frain: "This was my first time racing The Traka—and also my first gravel race over this kind of distance. It didn’t disappoint. I knew it would be a big day out, physically and mentally. I have mixed feelings about my result. Finishing 7th is something I’m proud of: I was strong, I kept fighting, and I trusted the process all day long. At the same time, I was a bit disappointed not to stay with the front group after the first big climbs—the pace was just too high for me. I love racing up front, so having to chase for most of the day required a real mental switch. Still, it was a huge effort and I know I’ll take some great training gains from this experience. I’m already thinking about coming back next year to see what more I can do!" Daan Soete: "Right from the start, I managed to get into the front group, where the pace was brutal—often over 500 watts. I rode cautiously on the descents, and in the flatter middle section, the lead group took a wrong turn, which allowed about 10 riders to rejoin. After the external feed zone, I lost both my bottles on a descent, so I had to grab some extra fluids at the final feed. Despite that, I really feel like I got everything out of myself today. I’m looking forward to Marly Gravel—it’s a course that suits me well, and I think it could be a strong race for Joris too."

For weeks now, Nicole Frain has been showing top form, but bad luck kept getting in the way. That changed this past weekend as she powered to a well-earned silver medal in the Monaco Gravel Race. After the first lap, she broke away with eventual winner Morgan Aguirre and secured her place on the coveted podium. With 2,500 meters of climbing over two 57-kilometer laps, Monaco promised to be a true test of strength. Nicole and American favorite Morgan Aguirre—already a winner at The Hills—opened up a gap early on, with Nicole feeling confident and in control on the descents. Around 30 kilometers from the finish, Morgan launched a decisive attack on a steep climb that Nicole couldn’t match, turning the final stretch into a solo time trial to defend second place. The last 10 kilometers were brutal, with German powerhouse Carolin Schiff—last year’s Traka 200 champion—closing in fast. But Nicole held her off and stepped onto the podium with a hard-fought silver medal, a just reward for the effort and dedication she's already poured into this season. Nicole Frain: “After the first climb, there were about five of us. I felt really confident on the descents, so I used that to my advantage and often created gaps. By the end of the first lap, it was just Morgan and me, and we worked well to grow our lead. Daan had a puncture and rode up to me to give time gap info, which helped us stay focused. About 30k from the finish, Morgan attacked on a steep section—I couldn’t follow that pace, so I settled into my rhythm. I really suffered in the final 10k but pushed as hard as I could." Tough Luck for the Men’s Squad Our men's team also lined up in Monaco, but the race turned into a war of attrition with a string of punctures affecting nearly all riders. While Mads Würtz Schmidt went on to take the win, Felipe Orts fought hard and finished in a solid 12th place. Aaron Van der Beken came in 20th after a promising start, and Daan Soete managed to finish 34th despite setbacks. For Joris Nieuwenhuis, it was a tough debut in the gravel season—he was forced to abandon after a puncture he couldn’t repair mid-race. Felipe Orts: “It went well! I think I built into the race. I had the top 10 in my hands, but I flatted on the final downhill and lost three spots. Still, I’m happy—I had good legs in the second half, and that’s important.” Aaron Van der Beken: “I had a good start and crested the first climb in third with Mads and Simon Pellaud. Unfortunately, I hit a rock with my front wheel and had to chase back. Then I flatted again in the final descent.” Daan Soete: “Joris and I were riding smart and staying well-positioned. We expected a lot of riders to fade in the second half. Just as Joris was about to rejoin my group, I punctured. I left the course to head back to the start area and luckily found someone with a pump. That got me going again. After a few stops to add air, I met our team manager Bob De Cnodder, who had a spare wheel. I was able to finish the race and felt good. I’m already looking forward to The Traka.” Joris Nieuwenhuis: “It actually went quite well, considering it was my first race back and I only recently resumed full training. After three hours I had a puncture I couldn’t plug, so I had to rush back to the start area before I was riding on the rim. The course didn’t suit me, but I’m looking forward to The Traka. Hopefully, I’ll have a bit more of a base by then.” Pictures: Julian Ripoll

Felipe Orts kicked off his gravel season this past weekend with an impressive performance, following a highly successful cyclocross campaign. Despite being relatively new to the gravel scene, our Spanish team leader immediately turned heads, finishing 6th in the Ibereolic Gravel Tierra de Campos. The race, part of the Gravel Earth Series, took place over three days in the Castile and León region of Spain. It all started with a 19-kilometer time trial, where Felipe had the misfortune of racing in the rain. Even so, he managed to limit his losses and secured a solid 12th place, just over two minutes behind the leader. © Matias Novo Stage two, a 74-kilometer ride through the picturesque town of Villalpando, came with last-minute course changes due to bad weather. Namibia’s Alex Miller rode to a solo victory, while Felipe battled his way to an impressive 5th place in the first chase group. The final stage took place in Morales de Rey, and once again, Felipe held strong in the lead group, finishing 7th on the day. His consistent performance earned him 6th place overall. “A great way to start,” Felipe said with a smile. “I’ve learned a lot this weekend and will carry that into the upcoming races.” Next up for Felipe are two major challenges: the Monaco Gravel Race next weekend, followed by The Traka in Girona — the biggest gravel event of the European season. With this strong debut, all eyes will be on him as he continues to grow in this exciting new discipline.

This past weekend, the Wörthersee Gravel Race took place in Austria’s Carinthia region. As part of the prestigious UCI Gravel World Series, this race has quickly become a standout fixture on the calendar. Against the scenic backdrop of Austria’s largest lake, both Daan Soete (6th) and Nicole Frain (8th) delivered impressive top-10 finishes—each earning not just results, but a strong mental boost. Situated between Villach and Klagenfurt, the Wörthersee is a popular summer destination for swimmers and sunseekers. But for our riders, it was all about business: a new semi-classic in the gravel season awaited. The course featured a 68-kilometer loop with 700 meters of elevation gain, tackled twice by the riders. Unfortunately, the race day started with some disappointment as Aaron Van der Beken had to withdraw due to illness. That left Daan to fly the flag in the men’s race—and he didn’t disappoint. Aggressive from the start, he raced smart and strong, but ultimately had to concede to an in-form Magnus Bak Klaris, who sealed yet another victory. Still, Daan’s 6th place is a performance to be proud of. In the women’s race, Nicole Frain and Violette Neza faced a highly competitive field. The level was incredibly close—less than 90 seconds separated the winner from 13th place. Nicole battled through bad luck mid-race and still managed to finish 8th, showing great resilience and mental strength. Violette crossed the line in 43th. Daan Soete: “I was in the lead group from the start with the front duo. After two hours I had to let them go—it was just a bit too fast. I knew I had to be with Magnus to win, but he was simply too strong. Still, I set my best-ever power numbers over 90 minutes and 2 hours, so I know my form is good! That early attack may have cost me a shot at the podium, but that’s the risk you take when you want to win. Overall, I’m really happy with how I raced.” Nicole Frain: “It was a fast race with a lot of wind. There were two main climb sections that initially split the group, but it kept coming back together. Eventually, it broke into a front group of 12. On the second lap, during the long climb, some girls crashed in front of me, and I had to run a section—I lost contact with the front. I worked with another rider to chase back, but it cost me a lot of energy and I felt that in the final. I finished just behind the front four, in a small group, and placed 8th. It was a good learning experience, and I take confidence from this type of race—especially after last weekend. Now it’s on to Spain for some training.”

Last Saturday, the Italian gravel classic The Hills took place in Veneto, delivering an unforgettable and mud-soaked edition. Riders were barely recognizable under layers of dirt as they battled the elements. Daan finished in a fantastic 7th place, with Aaron following in an impressive 15th. Unfortunately, Nicole and Violette had a tougher day on the course. This marked the first Italian round of the Gravel Earth Series, an event spearheaded by accomplished gravel rider Mattia de Marchi. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Prosecco Hills—an area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site—the race became a true test of endurance in brutal conditions. Photo: GravelEarth – The Hills After Turnhout Gravel last week, Daan had hoped for a race with less raw speed and more technical challenges. His wish was granted, and the Belgian rider thrived in Veneto. For much of the race, he was in contention for a podium spot, but in the final stretch, he couldn’t maintain the pace and had to settle for 7th place. Not far behind, Aaron fought his way to his best result of the season. Riding among elite names like Thomas De Gendt and Ramon Sinkeldam, he powered through to secure 15th place. Only in the last two kilometers did he have to concede his position to the group. Bad luck for our women Sadly, Nicole ran into bad luck. A crash early on forced her to straighten her handlebars, and the thick mud soon made shifting gears a challenge. When she was later taken down by a lapped age-group rider, she was forced to abandon the race due to back pain. Violette also faced setbacks—sand in her eyes caused her to veer off the course, ultimately leading to her withdrawal. Despite this, she remained positive: “The moment I was riding, I enjoyed every second,” she said. Next week, the action continues in Austria with the Wörthersee Gravel, a round of the UCI Gravel World Series.

This Sunday, the Kempen gravel festival was on the agenda in Turnhout. In this round of the UCI Gravel World Series, both Daan Soete (8th) and Nicole Frain (10th) secured strong top-ten finishes. Aaron finished in a respectable 25th place, while Violette made a successful debut for the team. A beautiful spring sun turned Bolero Turnhout Gravel into a high-speed race. In both the men's and women's categories, a large front group stayed together for a long time. Eventually, Danish rider Mads Würtz Schmidt managed to break away alongside Magnus Bak Klaris and Mathijs Loman. The 2015 U23 time trial world champion ultimately sprinted to victory. Daan competed in the peloton for 7th place and finished 8th. Aaron found himself in a second group halfway through the race and crossed the finish line in 25th place. The women's race was pure chaos. Starting behind the men, they quickly began catching some of the stragglers. In the end, it was Geerike Schreurs who, despite facing setbacks, rode to victory. Nicole was caught behind a crash in the final and finished 10th, just 15 seconds behind the winner. Violette set her own pace and crossed the finish line less than half an hour later. Atypical gravel race Daan Soete: "The race started at a really fast pace. After an hour, we had an average speed of over 40 km/h. That made it very hectic, with stones flying everywhere. If the whole season is like this, the paint on the frames won’t last long (laughs). In that sense, it was an atypical gravel race: after one lap, there were still fifty of us together. Because of all the jostling, it felt more like a road race. I’m already looking forward to the upcoming races, which will be tougher and where everyone will find their place more quickly." "I also noticed that I haven't fully regained my racing speed yet. I struggled particularly with short bursts of acceleration. My endurance is good, but with all the intervals, I could already feel my legs getting tired after one lap. Luckily, I managed to push through, but a podium finish was out of reach. I think this result was the best I could achieve today." Aaron Van der Beken: "I felt better than in Santa Vall. Turnhout is, of course, a fast and flat course, so I knew what to expect. In the sandy section, a rider in front of me lost his line and caused me to crash. From that point, I had to chase. I managed to maintain my pace and catch up with some riders, but this wasn’t the result I was aiming for." Nicole Frain: "It wasn’t quite the result I wanted, but it was a really tough course to make a big impact on the group. I tried to break away through the technical sections and singletrack, which I love, but it didn’t stick. Unfortunately, a crash on the singletrack (caused by a rider from the age groups) played a role in my final result, as it created a gap to the front four." Violette Neza: "I’m really happy. It was an amazing experience—my first big race ever. In the beginning, my legs weren’t with me; I think they were still on the plane flying to Europe. But in the second lap, my legs finally woke up, and I was pushing strong. There was a crash, and I got caught up in it as well. My handlebar bent, and I fell on my arm, with some pain in my knee. But it’s not too bad. I had a lot of fun, and it was a great experience. I’m looking forward to the next races!"

Ridley Racing Team proudly announces its seventh new addition. The Rwandan Violette Irakoze Neza (23) joins the ranks and will make her debut for the team this Sunday in the Bolero Turnhout Gravel. With this opportunity, Violette's dream of becoming a professional cyclist comes true. Ridley Racing Team provides her with the chance to focus 100% on training and racing. Furthermore, Violette will serve as a gravel ambassador on the African continent, where she aims to encourage women to take up cycling through her project, 'Komera NEWCT.'   Ridley Racing Team helps riders turn their dreams into reality. Last winter, Daan Soete was crowned Belgian beach race champion, while Felipe Orts secured a medal at the European Cyclocross Championships in his home country. Now, Violette also gets the chance to fully develop her potential as a professional rider. Once again, the team creates opportunities for young and international talent. Violette comes from the Kigali region, the cycling-mad capital of Rwanda. Since her debut in 2018, she has achieved several podium finishes in the national championships across various disciplines. She possesses exceptional talent, and with expert guidance from specialists like Richard Groenendaal, she will be able to reach her full potential.   In recent years, Violette has competed in major races worldwide, including the African Championships, Gorilla Gravel Race, Migration Gravel Race, Komoot Women’s Torino-Nice, the Giro-E, and the Traka. With Ridley Racing Team, she will race in events such as Turnhout Gravel, The Hills, Monaco Gravel Race, and the Traka—some of the biggest races where she can continue to grow as a cyclist.   An Inspiration   The factory team of bicycle manufacturer Ridley also carries a broader sporting mission. It aims to promote off-road disciplines globally and encourage enthusiasts to take up cycling. Cycling benefits both physical and mental health and serves as a sustainable alternative to car travel. The sport is also gaining momentum in Africa. Violette Neza’s transfer aligns with this vision, as Rwanda has become a major cycling nation and will even host the UCI Road World Championships in 2025.   In her home country, Violette has been a true inspiration for other cyclists, particularly young women. This ultimately led to the founding of Komera NEWCT, an initiative that organizes gatherings for women to develop new cycling skills and explore Rwanda together. The team also competes in races, already securing some impressive results. Through this project, young Rwandan women gain new opportunities in competitive cycling.   Violette’s contributions to cycling have not gone unnoticed by the UCI. The international cycling federation invited her to Hébergement Mon Séjour at its headquarters in Aigle, where she completed a coaching course. This experience helped her grow personally and better convey her message to African cycling talent.   Quotes   Violette Neza: “My dream is coming true with this team. In the past years, I had to manage everything on my own, but now I can fully focus on racing while receiving support for all other aspects. I hope to make significant progress and compete for victories in the biggest races in the world. Right now, I am still adjusting to everything, but I hope to reach full speed in the coming weeks. In this new chapter, I also hope to inspire young girls and show them that nothing is impossible if you truly believe in yourself!”   Richard Groenendaal: “Violette has been on our radar for a while, and we are delighted to officially welcome her. We believe in her potential as a rider and are confident that, with the best possible support, we can help her take the next steps in her career. With Nicole Frain, we already had an established name alongside our emerging talent Lore Sas. Now, we also have a third rider with a highly interesting profile. I am confident that we will achieve great success together with Violette.”

This past weekend marked our first race of the Gravel Earth Series, held in Sant Gregori (Girona), Spain, at the Santa Vall. Despite facing setbacks on the first day, Nicole Frain managed to secure a podium finish on the second day, placing sixth overall in the final standings. Santa Vall is a true gravel classic and serves as a first gathering for all enthusiastic gravel riders. We participated with three riders in Girona: Daan Soete, Nicole Frain, and our newest team member, Aaron Van der Beken, who made his debut in the team’s colors. Nicole experienced mechanical issues on the first day, forcing her into a long chase. She battled back successfully and, after riding solo for many kilometers, managed to claim an impressive sixth place. On the second day, she achieved a podium finish: “I learned from the previous day and thought I had just missed out on third at the line, but fortunately that wasn’t the case.” Nicole finished sixth overall in the standings. Our male riders also competed. Aaron admitted to making a few mistakes but still managed a respectable 28th place on Saturday. Daan, returning to racing after a few weeks of rest following his cyclo-cross season, wasn’t yet in top form and finished 39th on Saturday. On Sunday, Daan found his rhythm and secured a solid 12th place. Aaron made several steering errors and mentioned having too much air in his tires. He concluded with a 41st place in the second stage. Meanwhile, our cyclo-cross riders were also in action this weekend. Joris finished fifth on Saturday at the Waaslandcross and competed for the win all day Sunday, ultimately settling for silver behind Michael Vanthourenhout. Next week, he will compete in Oostmalle. Felipe wrapped up his season in style, finishing seventh and sixth in his races, further proving the progress he has made this year.

Ridley Racing Team proudly announces a new addition to its roster. Aaron Van der Beken will strengthen the team and take part in the most prestigious gravel races worldwide. The 24-year-old rider from the Flemish Ardennes endured a challenging year but is determined to reach his full potential in 2025. Growing up in Horebeke, the hills of the Flemish Ardennes served as Aaron’s regular training ground. He developed his skills at the traditional club ‘Onder Ons Parike’ and continued his progression with EFC-L&R Vulsteke and Lotto-Soudal U23. As an U23 rider, he competed in prestigious races such as the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia and the Tour de l’Avenir. A remarkable third place in the opening stage of the Ronde de l’Isard earned him a professional contract with Bingoal WB. Van der Beken reflects on two formative seasons as a pro, including a long breakaway in Nokere Koerse, participation in three Monuments, and strong results in national races. Unfortunately, his progress was hampered by physical issues. A worsening injury in his right leg eventually led to the diagnosis of iliac artery narrowing. He recovered swiftly from surgery but then faced a bacterial infection. Now fully recovered, Aaron is ready for a new challenge. Ridley Racing Team has full confidence in his talent and is giving him the opportunity to prove himself in international gravel races. In addition, Van der Beken will temporarily work as a bike fitter at the Performance Center of Bike Valley, under the guidance of Rik Verbrugghe. Aaron Van der Beken: "This past winter, I maintained my fitness in Spain, and my current power numbers are higher than ever. I am determined to prove this season that I belong in the professional peloton. Gravel racing is rapidly gaining importance, and with Ridley Racing Team, I have the chance to approach it in a highly professional way. I am confident this will lead to many highlights."

Last Saturday, Joris Nieuwenhuis claimed victory at the Noordzeecross in Middelkerke. The win on the Belgian coast marked his first triumph for Ridley Racing Team. Joris had been sidelined for months with shingles but recovered just in time for the Dutch National Championship. This new victory is the cherry on top of a highly successful winter campaign for the team! The Superprestige round in Middelkerke was only Joris’ sixth race of the season. His fresh legs proved advantageous in an exciting spectacle. Alongside Eli Iserbyt, he injected multiple bursts of pace into the race. Eventually, only Michael Vanthourenhout and Niels Vandeputte managed to stay in contention. In the final lap, Joris launched a long sprint, which was enough to secure the win. Felipe Orts was aiming for a strong result in the Superprestige standings. However, he never truly found his rhythm in Middelkerke and finished in 13th place. As a result, he secured sixth place overall in the Superprestige series—an impressive display of consistency following his eighth-place finish in the World Cup. Krawatencross On Sunday, Joris and Felipe also competed in the Krawatencross in Lille, part of the X2O Trophy. Felipe had a great start, while Joris spent much of the race chasing from behind. He only managed to join the front group in the closing stages but was unable to challenge for the top positions, ultimately settling for fifth place. Felipe was in the fight at the front until he was briefly halted by mechanical issues, though he still salvaged a tenth-place finish. Over the next two weeks, Joris will aim to capitalize on his strong form in the Waaslandcross, Brussels Universities Cyclocross, and the Sluitingsprijs Oostmalle. Felipe, meanwhile, will take a break after the Brussels race. Meanwhile, Daan Soete is already in full preparation for the start of the gravel season. Photo: Photo News

Last Sunday, the Cyclocross World Championships took place in Liévin, France. Under a beautiful winter sun, it turned into a true festival of the sport, featuring all the great champions of the discipline. Joris Nieuwenhuis ultimately just missed out on a medal, but after his long recovery period, this still feels like a small victory. Felipe secured a 12th-place finish. In the Pas-de-Calais region, spectators witnessed a one-man show from Mathieu van der Poel. Joris was briefly held up at the start but quickly managed to gain positions. After one lap, he was already riding in third place, with Felipe just two spots behind. From the back of the field, Wout van Aert powered his way through and overtook this group. Photo: Billy Lebelge What followed was a battle between Joris and Thibau Nys for the final podium spot. In the closing phase, the Belgian proved to be the stronger of the two. Joris finished in 4th place—an impressive result considering it was only his fifth cyclocross race of the season. After being forced to postpone his debut for the team for so long this winter, this performance truly feels like a victory. Further back, Felipe was fighting for a spot in the top ten. In the end, he came up against riders who had just a bit more freshness in their legs and had to settle for 12th place. After a long season, a period of rest will certainly be welcome, but first, Felipe aims to secure his 5th place in the Superprestige standings. The final round will take place this Saturday in Middelkerke. Photo: Billy Lebelge