U19
Delano Heeren and Lars Peers join RBH development programme
Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe has signed two of Europe’s most promising young talents: Delano Heeren and Lars Peers.
Young riders who prove themselves in the mud during the winter bring riding technique, acceleration and competitive grit to the road – qualities that determine success or failure. Delano Heeren (Netherlands) and Lars Peers (Belgium) embody precisely this profile. Since 1 September, the two talents have been wearing the grenke – Auto Eder jersey, further strengthening the youth development structures at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe.
Delano Heeren (Netherlands) capped off last winter with the greatest success of his career to date. At the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst, Netherlands, the 2009-born rider claimed the junior rainbow jersey. He also took gold in the mixed team relay. He finished second at the Dutch Championships and fifth at the European Championships in Middelkerke. Among other victories, he triumphed at the Azencross in Loenhout.
I’m looking forward to working hard together, developing my skills and achieving great results with the team.
“I am incredibly happy and proud to be part of this team,” says 17-year-old Heeren. “The professionalism, high standards and shared drive within the team really appeal to me. I’m looking forward to working hard together, developing my skills and achieving great results with the team. This is an exciting new step for me, and I’m highly motivated to give my all to help us achieve our goals together.”
Lars Peers (Belgium) is just 16 years old and has already enjoyed success across three disciplines. Born in 2010, he won the Belgian Cyclo-cross Championship in the Nieuwelingen category at Heusden-Zolder, secured a European title in his age group in mountain biking, and has also claimed victories on the road. Wearing the grenke – Auto Eder jersey, he will continue to compete in all three disciplines.
I couldn’t have imagined a better opportunity than this team
The fact that he doesn’t have to commit to one discipline early on was a decisive factor for him: “I couldn’t have imagined a better opportunity than this team,” says Peers. “And I’m over the moon that I can combine the three disciplines I love most.”
“Delano and Lars are two riders who learnt at a young age how to read a race and make decisions under pressure,” says Tim Meeusen, Director of Development at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. “You can’t train for that; it’s something you’re born with. Our job now is to provide them with the right framework and develop them step by step. We’re in no rush – we want them to be fully-fledged cyclists in a few years’ time.”
Heeren will contest his first race for grenke – Auto Eder this very weekend as part of the Dutch Gravel Championships. Pers will compete in his first cyclo-cross race in Meulebeke on 17 October.
