{"id":43560,"title":"Ridley Racing Team","description":"A brand new multi-national cyclocross team burst onto the world of professional cyclocross with the launch of the Ridley Racing Team.\nFind out more about this talented cyclocross and gravel team, the bikes, the company behind their success in the field and an exclusive interview with popular Spanish cyclocross star Felipe Orts.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

A brand new cyclocross squad burst onto the world of professional cyclocross with the launch of the Ridley Racing Team.<\/p>

Find out more about this talented cyclocross and gravel team, the bikes, the company behind their success and an exclusive interview with popular Spanish cyclocross star Felipe Orts.<\/p>

\"FelipeFelipe Orts of the Ridley Racing Team. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

The announcement that the iconic Belgian racing bike brand Ridley was to launch its own dedicated cyclocross and gravel team is one of the most exciting developments in cyclocross in recent years.<\/p>

Men\u2019s professional cyclocross has, over the past few seasons, been dominated by two teams - Baloise Trek Lions and Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal. At the end of the 2023-24 season, five of the top six places in the UCI\u2019s male cyclocross rankings were held by riders from these two teams.<\/p>

Only Mathieu van der Poel who claimed the fifth spot was able to break their stranglehold. Ridley secured the second and ninth-best-placed riders in the UCI cyclocross rankings when they signed Joris Nieuwenhuis and Felipe Orts to their new squad.<\/p>

\"RidersDaan Soete, Felipe Orts, Lore Sas, Joris Nieuwenhuis. Image: Ridley Racing Team<\/em><\/p>

Both riders had their best seasons in 2023-24 and they are joined by Daan Soete and Lore Sas in the brand-new UCI Cyclo-Cross Team.<\/p>

Ridley Racing Team launch<\/h3>

I have to admit at this point that I\u2019m a big fan of Ridley bikes, owning two Ridley X-Nights and a road bike. When Rijden received an invitation to attend the team launch I was disappointed, due to prior commitments, to miss out on a special occasion.<\/p>

The team\u2019s launch was held at Ridley\u2019s Belgian Bike Valley conveniently located in Beringen where the the opening round of the Exact Cross would take place the next day.<\/p>

Fortunately, I was able to grab a quick interview with Felipe Orts at the Ardooie Kermiscross. In between a snack and warming up for his race, the Spanish Champion provided an insight into why he'd signed for Ridley. Check out Felipe\u2019s interview at the end of this article.<\/p>

\"ImageDaan Soete stress tests his Ridley X-Night RS. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

EXPLAINER<\/strong>: Belgian Bike Valley<\/em><\/strong><\/a> provides a range of services for individuals and teams including a wind tunnel, bike-fitting, climate room, paramedic centre, factory tours, showrooms, cafe and more.<\/em><\/p>

About Ridley bikes<\/h2>

Birth of Ridley<\/h3>

Ridley\u2019s CEO and founder Jochim Aerts was born in Balen which falls within the Belgian province of Antwerpen.<\/p>

It's a short distance from Mol where the Zilvermeercross is held, and not far from the legendary course at Zonhoven. It's no wonder the young Jochim developed a passion for cycle racing.<\/p>

By his late teens, he was wise enough to realise that his racing ambitions were not matched by his latent talent, and in 1990, he set up shop in his parents\u2019 garage.<\/p>

\"ImageRidley bikes have a long and successful connection with cyclocross. Image: Rijden<\/em><\/p>

Fast forward a decade and by 2002 Jochim established Belgian Cycling Factory to build his Ridley brand of racing bikes, named after the legendary British film director Sir Ridley Scott. The venture blossomed enough to snap up the ailing Eddy Merckx bikes, thus ensuring the survival of the most famous name in cycling within the pro-peloton.<\/p>

EXPLAINER<\/strong>: Jochim Aerts\u2019s choice of Sir Ridley Scott as the inspiration for his bike venture was based on admiration for the director\u2019s films.<\/em><\/p>

It\u2019s almost certainly a coincidence that Sir Ridley Scott produced and directed one of the UK\u2019s most famous and much-loved TV adverts for Hovis Bread. \u201c<\/em>Boy on the Bike<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u201d, filmed at the cobbled Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset. It featured a bread delivery boy pushing his bicycle up the hill.<\/em><\/p>

Cyclocross<\/h3>

The name of Ridley is synonymous with cyclocross. A quick glance at the bikes belonging to amateurs and masters at a typical Flemish event reveals their popularity amongst those who choose their own frames.<\/p>

Within the professional ranks, Ridley frames have carried some of the most famous names in cyclocross to glory.<\/p>

Former professional Mario De Clercq became Ridley\u2019s first Cyclocross World Champion when he crossed the line first in 2002 at Heusden-Zolder. Richard Groenendaal, now Sports Director at Ridley Racing Team, was fourth on that occasion.<\/p>

\"ImageFelipe Orts and Euro Champion Michael Vanthourenhout riding Ridley bikes. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

De Clerq\u2019s victory was followed by an incredible run with the Ridley-equipped Fidea Cycling Team. Bart Wellens, Erwin Vervecken, and Zdenek Stybar all captured the coveted rainbow jerseys. More recently, Niels Albert, Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock, Laurens Sweeck, Eli Iserbyt, and Michael Vanthourenhout have all clinched prestigious titles on Ridley bikes.<\/p>

Road racing<\/h3>

Ridley\u2019s frames have been a constant presence in the upper echelons of professional road racing for the last two decades, most recently with Lotto-Dstny. Through their ownership of the Eddy Merckx brand of frames, Ridley has supported UCI ProTeam Team Flanders-Baloise since 2009.<\/p>

Ridley has just signed a decade-long sponsorship deal with the distinctive Uno-X Mobility team from 2025. It appears to be a shrewd move.<\/p>

\"ImageSister brand Eddy Merckx bikes are long-term supporters of Team Flanders-Baloise. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

The team with its mix of Norwegian and Danish riders triumphed on twenty-six occasions in 2024 including the Antwerp Port Epic, Elfstedenronde Brugge, Brussels Cycling Classic, stages of the Baloise Belgium Tour and the Veneto Classic.<\/p>

The team grabbed press attention with their attacking style of racing in the classics and at the Tour de France. It seems likely that more of the Uno-X Mobility riders will join the band of road riders who race gravel, especially as Norway and Denmark have some of the best roads for gravel in Europe.<\/p>

Gravel<\/h3>

Next year, we can expect to see the Ridley Racing Team in action at international gravel races but Ridley bikes have already been making their mark on the dust trails and mud tracks around the world.<\/p>

\"ImageRidley\u2019s top-of-the-range Astr RS gravel bike. Image: Ridley Racing Team<\/em><\/p>

Classified Gravel Team\u2019s Piotr Havik was fourth in the 2024 Unbound Gravel 200 and second in the UCI Gravel World Series at Limburg.<\/p>

Mountain biking<\/h3>

Former Olympic champion Bart Brentjens\u2019 mountain bike team KMC Ridley MTB Racing Team will operate under the umbrella of the Ridley Racing Team from now on.<\/p>

Ridley Racing Team<\/h2>

The Ridley Racing Team is starting small but has ambitions to become a strong presence in cyclocross, gravel racing and mountain biking. The initial team of four will focus on cyclocross and gravel but we can expect the numbers to swell in the future.<\/p>

Joris Nieuwenhuis<\/h3>

Joris Nieuwenhuis had a standout year last season, capturing the Dutch cyclocross title, winning the UCI World Cup Val di Sole, and finishing runner-up to Mathieu van der Poel at the World Championships in Tabor.<\/p>

He concluded the year as second overall in both the UCI World Cup and Superprestige series plus second in the UCI cyclocross rankings.<\/p>

Multiple successes by the Baloise Trek Lions riders led to a financial issue for the team. The budget didn\u2019t stretch to holding on to such a wealth of talent and Joris left amicably in the summer.<\/p>

\"ImageThe Ridley Racing Team will combine gravel racing with cyclocross. Image: Ridley Racing Team.<\/em><\/p>

Unfortunately, his season has been delayed by Shingles but hopefully, he\u2019ll be back soon to carry on where he left off.<\/p>

Felipe Orts<\/h3>

After a year as a lone privateer, the popular Spaniard and by far Spain\u2019s best cyclocross professional joins the multi-nation team at Ridley Racing Team. We managed to interview Felipe - check out the interview below for more.<\/p>

Daan Soete<\/h3>

Belgian Daan Soete has joined the Ridley Racing Team from Deschact-Hens-Maes. The former Belgian Junior Cyclocross Champion has a reputation as a solid performer with bronze medals at the Belgian Championships in three different disciplines.<\/p>

\"ImageDaan Soete in action at the Ardooie Kermiscross. Image: Rijden<\/em><\/p>

He\u2019ll be looking forward to the 3rd of January 2025 when he should start his favourite race in the famous sand of Koksijde where he was eight in 2021 when it was part of the UCI World Cup series. His best World Cup place of third both came in the USA at Iowa and Waterloo.<\/p>

Lore Sas<\/h3>

Lore Sas could be considered to be the baby of the team as she will only turn nineteen in December. She\u2019s one of the exciting young Belgian talent that aims to break the Dutch grip on women\u2019s cycling.<\/p>

Lore will continue to ride for Acrog-Tormans on the road and combine her racing with studying Psychology at the University of Gent.<\/p>

Team management<\/h3>

Joining the team as Sports Director is cyclocross legend and 2000 World Cyclocross Champion Richard Groenendaal. In an impressive sixteen-year career as a professional cyclocross rider, he racked up eighty-nine victories.<\/p>

During the 1997-1998 season he triumphed in more than half the races he took part in. The Dutch rider retired at the end of the 2008-09 season and acted as Sports Director for rivals Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal in 2022.<\/p>

Bob De Cnodder will fulfil the role of Team Manager. Bob has been the Sports Director at several professional teams including Vacansoleil-DCM, Sean Kelly\u2019s An Post Chain Reaction team and most recently Hess Cycling Team.<\/p>

Ridley Racing Team bikes<\/h3>

Of course, the Ridley Racing Team\u2019s four riders will get to use the latest incarnations of their top-range cyclocross and gravel bikes - the Ridley X-Night RS and Astr RS respectively.<\/p>

As to be expected, Ridley\u2019s flagship cyclocross bike the X-Night RS has received favourable reviews from the press. I\u2019ve not had a chance to try one yet (if that\u2019s not a hint I don\u2019t know what is) but being a proud owner of two Ridley X-Night bikes, it looks like yet another step forward in the evolution of this iconic frame.<\/p>

\"ImageBike envy - the flagship Ridley X-Night RS cyclocross bike. Image: Ridley Racing Team.<\/em><\/p>

Interestingly, along with a new seat post-arrangement and a nod to aerodynamics, it claims to cater for tyres up to 42mm wide. That\u2019s of appeal to those people whose main interest is cyclocross but who wish to dabble in gravel.<\/p>

The rather lovely-looking green Ridley X-Night RS team frames are paired with Shimano equipment, DT Swiss wheels and Vittoria tyres from the famed Dugast range of tubular tyres.<\/p>

Felipe Orts interview<\/h2>

Felipe and I share two things in common. We both have a deep passion for cyclocross and Belgium is our favourite travel destination. But that's where the similarity ends.<\/p>

The talented cyclocross professional has been Spanish National Champion on six occasions and finished runner-up in the 2017 U23 World Championships behind teammate Joris Nieuwenhuis.<\/p>

When he's in Flanders, Felipe stays with a host family in Betekom, conveniently close to the Sven Nys Centre at Baal and not far from the famous cyclocross training location at Lichtaart.<\/p>

Q. Congratulations on signing for the Ridley Racing Team. After the last few years of riding for a road racing team and last year of riding for your own Forts team, what difference do you think it will make riding as part of a dedicated cyclocross and gravel team?<\/em><\/p>

A. Last year I started my own team because I needed specific things for cyclocross. Normally in Burgos BH, I\u2019m OK but I need some things for the winter. I always hoped to ride for a professional team in Belgium and now it\u2019s a reality.<\/p>

In the team, all the riders are professionals. Richard Groenendaal is the Director Sportif. His experience will make a difference. We are a big team, not in terms of the number of riders but in the level of support. The equipment is perfect, and we\u2019ll ride all the top races and there are other things too like the motorhomes.<\/p>

\"ImageFelipe Orts follows teammate Daan Soete. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

Q. You\u2019ve ridden for the road team BH Burgos and raced on the road. When and why did you decide to concentrate on cyclocross?<\/em><\/p>

I always concentrated on cyclocross. My move to Burgos was as a cyclocross racer not as a road racer. Road races were only for training during the summer. But the team is fully focused on the road.<\/p>

They could help me a bit in the winter but I needed specialist help like a cyclocross mechanic, motorhome, and specialist equipment. Burgos has lots of support for their road riders but they could only provide me with so much help for cyclocross in Belgium.<\/p>

Q. You have a reputation for really good skills in cyclocross. You were born in Valencia which I assume has quite fine weather even in winter compared to Northern Europe. How did you manage to develop the skills necessary to cope with Flemish mud?<\/em><\/p>

Yes, it\u2019s super different but I started my cyclocross career in the Basque country. Every weekend we travelled to the Pays-Basque, Cantabria and Asturias. It\u2019s the best place in Spain for cyclocross. After that, I went to Belgium and raced twenty to twenty-five races a year there.<\/p>

\"ImageFelipe has a fleet of Ridley bikes at his disposal. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

It\u2019s a bit different racing in Valencia but it\u2019s a good time now for cyclocross in Valencia, we have the World Cup in Benidorm. and there are a lot of races in the Valencia region.<\/p>

Q. Last year looked like your best season yet. Is that a question of starting to hit your physical peak or are there other reasons, perhaps focussing more on cyclocross, that made the difference?<\/em><\/p>

I think that I started at a higher level than in previous years. Each year I\u2019m just one step higher than the previous. This year I want to achieve another step forward.<\/p>

Q. Do you live in Belgium during the season?<\/em><\/p>

No, normally I don\u2019t live in Belgium. During October there are a lot of races and mid-week races so I\u2019m not going home to Spain. I\u2019ll go home before the European Champs. Normally, if I don\u2019t have any races during the week I\u2019ll go back home. Normally my home is in Alicante.<\/p>

Q. Is Dutch a difficult language for Spanish people to learn?<\/em><\/p>

Yes, it\u2019s one more difficulty for me. (laughs)<\/p>

Q. We don't get to hear much about Spanish cyclocross in the UK and don't see many Spanish cyclocross riders racing at the front in Europe. This year there are two Spanish UCI cyclocross teams and nine registered riders. What is the state of cyclocross in Spain? Is it growing as a sport?<\/em><\/p>

Yes, I think it is a good moment for cyclocross in Spain. This year we have the European Cyclocross Championships in Spain and the World Cup in Benidorm but we need more Spanish riders in Belgium.<\/p>

Belgium is the centre of the world of cyclocross. That is difficult for Spanish riders. The travel is long and expensive. You need to have campers, equipment and mechanics in Belgium. It\u2019s much more expensive for a Spanish rider than a Belgian one. But now for me, the team is here, and the camper is here.<\/p>

\"FelipeFelipe carries the name of his home town on his helmet. Image: Riden.<\/em><\/p>

Q. I think you were born in Villajoyosa which means \"the joyful town\". Are the people of Villajoyosa happy with your success?<\/em><\/p>

Yes, it\u2019s the first time a Spanish rider raced for a professional team in Belgium. The town continues to support me. Although I have changed teams I still have the name of my home town on my helmet.<\/p>

Q. The World Cup in Benidorm is minutes away from where you were born. What's it like racing there? Do you get lots of support from non-cyclist friends when you race there?<\/em><\/p>

It\u2019s amazing for me. It\u2019s only five kilometres from my home. It\u2019s crazy because always I travel a lot of kilometres from my home and finally the World Cup in Benidorm was a perfect idea. Everyone is happy with the race - the riders, the supporters, the Spanish people. It\u2019s super nice for everybody and of course the Spanish cyclists.<\/p>

Yes, everybody comes to Benidorm for the cyclocross and supports me - cycling fans and non-cycling fans.<\/p>

1 November 2024, Tim Costello<\/em><\/p>

Thanks fo Ridley Racing Team\u2019s Press Officer Ann Lomans for arranging the interview and Malcolm Cross for his camera work.<\/p>

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