Team Giant-Shimano and the province of Limburg in the Netherlands have agreed to work together on a joint project called the Limburg Cycling Academy.
The goals of the Limburg Cycling Academy are to develop Limburg into an international elite sports training area. Investing in this elite sports infrastructure will help attract national and international talent to the province.
Limburg is perfectly suited for training and racing and is already well known in the world of cycling, as the area is home to the Amstel Gold Race and has hosted the road world championships six times, most recently in 2012.
Team Giant-Shimano will base its international riders in Limburg, allowing them to benefit from the top-quality housing, education, scientific and technical innovations, and training facilities.
Team Giant-Shimano and the province of Limburg will also work together on talent development. In addition to Team Giant-Shimano, USA Cycling also has its European base in Limburg and is using these facilities. This is how new Team Giant-Shimano signing Lawson Craddock (USA) came to the attention of the team.
The province of Limburg will draw on the expertise of Team Giant-Shimano to further develop the project and obtain the necessary elite sports input and perspective. Another joint mission is to stimulate and contribute to recreational cycling in Limburg through events and communication.
“To build a team, you need to invest in the development of individual athletes,” said Iwan Spekenbrink, general manager of Team Giant-Shimano. “It is our vision to guide our riders intensively, using the modern facilities here. The Limburg Cycling Academy is an important development in the world of cycling. Excellent facilities are concentrated in an area that is perfect for cycling and where the sport is popular and embraced by the local people.
“Our riders are looking forward to spending time in Limburg and benefiting from these outstanding facilities between races and the training camps at our training base in Spain.”
Another important component of the partnership is the development of the planned Technodrome, for which a feasibility study is currently being conducted.
Regional minister of sports Noël Lebens said: “With the establishment of cycling teams in Limburg, there will be more and more potential users of the proposed Technodrome. A dream is coming true.”
