15 May, 2017, Santa Rosa, California (USA)
Nathan Van Hooydonck, 21, is set to make the transition from BMC Development Team to BMC Racing Team at the end of May when he lines up at the Tour de Luxembourg.
Van Hooydonck, who has raced for BMC Development Team since 2015, will be the eighth rider to step up to the UCI WorldTour level with BMC Racing Team.
“Rather than join us for the start of the 2017 season, we wanted to give Nathan Van Hooydonck some extra time to mature as a rider and we feel this is the right time to welcome him to BMC Racing Team. We have enjoyed the most successful Classics season in our team’s history this year and we are always on the look out for up and coming talent to join our ranks. Van Hooydonck has showed great talent in his two full seasons with BMC Development Team, including his U23 Belgian National Road Race championship and multiple podium results at stage and one-day races,” BMC Racing Team General Manager Jim Ochowicz said.
“Van Hooydonck’s transition to BMC Racing Team is a testament to the success of BMC Development in identifying and nurturing young talent. We have seen great success from the seven riders who have joined us over the last few years and we look forward to continuing this tradition.”
Van Hooydonck is excited to step up and race at the Tour de Luxembourg for the first time with his new team.
“I can’t describe my excitement really. This had been the goal I have worked for my whole life. This is a dream come true! Joining BMC Racing Ream means that I will be amongst the best riders in the WorldTour, so I will try to keep my eyes and ears open to learn as much as possible,” Van Hooydonck said.
“BMC Development Team does a great job of preparing riders for the professional ranks. When you have a certain amount of talent, it will develop really well in BMC Development Team. I hope to show BMC Racing Team that they made the right choice by giving me the chance to step up and I want to show the fans what I’m capable of.”
