Rik Verbrugghe Appointed as New General Manager of Ridley Racing Team
Rik Verbrugghe Appointed as New General Manager of Ridley Racing Team
Ridley Racing Team has appointed Rik Verbrugghe as its General Manager. In this role, Verbrugghe will take on the team’s overall leadership, a position that had been temporarily filled by our CEO, Jochim Aerts. With his extensive experience as a cyclist, sports director, commentator, national cycling coach, and sporting manager, Verbrugghe is the ideal candidate for this position.
Exactly one month ago, our new off-road team was officially launched at a press conference held at Bike Valley in Beringen. The new team immediately hit the ground running, securing a silver medal last weekend at the European Cyclo-cross Championship in Pontevedra with Spanish rider Felipe Orts. Dutch champion Joris Nieuwenhuis is currently recovering from shingles. The team also includes Daan Soete and Lore Sas, both of whom have already achieved several top-10 results.
In his new role, Verbrugghe will lead the team. Richard Groenendaal will serve as Sports Director, while Bob De Cnodder will take on the role of Team Manager. Currently, the Ridley Racing Team primarily identifies as a cyclo-cross team. In 2025, there are plans to expand the gravel team, along with ongoing collaboration in mountain biking through the KMC Ridley MTB Racing Team.
Exactly one month ago, our new off-road team was officially launched at a press conference held at Bike Valley in Beringen. The new team immediately hit the ground running, securing a silver medal last weekend at the European Cyclo-cross Championship in Pontevedra with Spanish rider Felipe Orts. Dutch champion Joris Nieuwenhuis is currently recovering from shingles. The team also includes Daan Soete and Lore Sas, both of whom have already achieved several top-10 results.
In his new role, Verbrugghe will lead the team. Richard Groenendaal will serve as Sports Director, while Bob De Cnodder will take on the role of Team Manager. Currently, the Ridley Racing Team primarily identifies as a cyclo-cross team. In 2025, there are plans to expand the gravel team, along with ongoing collaboration in mountain biking through the KMC Ridley MTB Racing Team.
Uno-X Mobility
Under the motto WE RIDE OUTSIDE, the Ridley Racing Team is not only bridging the gap between different off-road disciplines but also hinting at connections with road cycling. A cross-over with Uno-X Mobility (which will partner with us starting in the 2025 season) seems a natural possibility, and it will be the new General Manager’s task to manage and develop these connections.
Additionally, Verbrugghe will work on strengthening the relationship between the youth team ACROG-Tormans and the Ridley Racing Team. Under the chairmanship of Jef Robert, the Balens youth team has maintained an excellent relationship with us for many years.
About Rik Verbrugghe
Rik Verbrugghe etched his name in cycling history in 2001 with a win at La Flèche Wallonne, the fastest time trial ever in the Giro d’Italia, and a memorable stage victory in the Tour de France. At the end of 2008, he retired from racing and began his career as a sports director with teams such as Deceuninck-Quick Step, BMC, IAM, and Bahrain-Merida. In November 2018, he was appointed as national coach by the Belgian Cycling Federation, a role he held until the end of 2020. In recent years, he has served as the sports manager at Israel-Premier Tech. He has also demonstrated his communication skills as a co-commentator with RTBF.
Additionally, Verbrugghe will work on strengthening the relationship between the youth team ACROG-Tormans and the Ridley Racing Team. Under the chairmanship of Jef Robert, the Balens youth team has maintained an excellent relationship with us for many years.
About Rik Verbrugghe
Rik Verbrugghe etched his name in cycling history in 2001 with a win at La Flèche Wallonne, the fastest time trial ever in the Giro d’Italia, and a memorable stage victory in the Tour de France. At the end of 2008, he retired from racing and began his career as a sports director with teams such as Deceuninck-Quick Step, BMC, IAM, and Bahrain-Merida. In November 2018, he was appointed as national coach by the Belgian Cycling Federation, a role he held until the end of 2020. In recent years, he has served as the sports manager at Israel-Premier Tech. He has also demonstrated his communication skills as a co-commentator with RTBF.
Jochim Aerts (CEO, Ridley):
"I am extremely pleased that we were able to convince Rik to join our project. Over the past few weeks, we have had numerous discussions about the future of cycling, and it became clear that we share the same vision. By bringing together various parties from our networks, we are creating tremendous added value for everyone."
Rik Verbrugghe:
"At the Ridley Racing Team press conference, I was impressed by the team’s clear and ambitious vision for the future. With this new step in my career, I’m committing to a project in which I wholeheartedly believe. I am convinced that there is still much to achieve within the off-road world, and I am grateful to Jochim for this unique opportunity. WE RIDE OUTSIDE!”
Daan Soete (Rider, Ridley Racing Team):
"Rik Verbrugghe is a big name in cycling. When I was young, I saw him shining on television as a rider, and later he became a respected figure in the peloton. I am confident that I can learn from his years of top-level experience across different areas. The fact that someone like Rik has chosen our team shows the strong belief in our sporting project. The future looks promising!"
Archive photo of Rik Verbrugghe and header: Photo News
"I am extremely pleased that we were able to convince Rik to join our project. Over the past few weeks, we have had numerous discussions about the future of cycling, and it became clear that we share the same vision. By bringing together various parties from our networks, we are creating tremendous added value for everyone."
Rik Verbrugghe:
"At the Ridley Racing Team press conference, I was impressed by the team’s clear and ambitious vision for the future. With this new step in my career, I’m committing to a project in which I wholeheartedly believe. I am convinced that there is still much to achieve within the off-road world, and I am grateful to Jochim for this unique opportunity. WE RIDE OUTSIDE!”
Daan Soete (Rider, Ridley Racing Team):
"Rik Verbrugghe is a big name in cycling. When I was young, I saw him shining on television as a rider, and later he became a respected figure in the peloton. I am confident that I can learn from his years of top-level experience across different areas. The fact that someone like Rik has chosen our team shows the strong belief in our sporting project. The future looks promising!"
Archive photo of Rik Verbrugghe and header: Photo News
