During a summer marked by the absence of cycling competitions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, professional riders from Team Sunweb took the time to pass on their advice and expertise to cyclists of all ages and levels in UCI Bike Region Valkenburg – Limburg, lying in the south of the Netherlands.
Team Sunweb – which has both a UCI WorldTeam and a UCI Women’s WorldTeam - enjoys a partnership with the Province of Limburg. Many members of both the women’s and men’s professional teams and the Development Team live at Team Sunweb’s Keep Challenging Center, located in the Limburg town of Sittard next to the Tom Dumoulin Bike Park.
This provided the perfect setting for some special summer projects organised jointly by Team Sunweb and Limburg Cycling – the platform for cycling activities in this cross-border Bike region. While Team Sunweb riders are now back on the racing circuit, they have left some of their knowledge with a host of cyclists who took place in clinics aimed to increase their confidence and skills on the bike.
At the end of June, young riders from clubs across Limburg received time trialing tips from Team Sunweb riders Nils Sinschek and Franziska Koch as well as two Limburg Cycling coaches. For many of the participants, it was their first experience training specifically for racing against the clock, and all came away with a Team Sunweb time-trial suit.
Nils Sinschek enjoyed the teaching experience: “It is great to give advice to all these young riders, especially because I am from Limburg myself,” he said.
A month later, as part of Limburg Cycling’s “Women’s Cycling Action Plan”, the organisation joined with Team Sunweb to host a pro clinic exclusively for women.
Six of the UCI Women’s WorldTeam riders, all residents of the Keep Challenging Center, took participants through the ins and outs of climbing, descending, cornering, riding cobbles and other technical aspects of cycling.
Also taking place on the Tom Dumoulin Bike Park, the clinic was attended by 35 women aged 16 to 60.
Milan van Wersch, manager of Limburg Cycling, said: “We see that Ladies Only cycling activities are very popular. And that these six pro riders want to share their expertise with great enthusiasm is unique and extra special.”
Meanwhile, due to the ongoing pandemic, the five Masterclasses jointly organised by Cycling Limburg and Team Sunweb are being given online this year.
Limburg-Valkenburg is one of 14 cities and regions to have received the UCI Bike City/Region label for not only hosting major UCI events but also investing in developing community cycling through the provision of adapted infrastructure and the organisation of different programmes. It is well known for short tough climbs such as the Cauberg and the Keutenberg, regularly attracting professional teams – such as UCI Women’s Continental Team Boels Dolmans Cycling Team - for training camps.
More information about UCI Bike Region Limburg-Valkenburg can be found on www.limburgcycling.com