Team LottoNL-Jumbo will reward the leader of the Dutch Topcompetitie young rider classification with a trainee contract. The contract will start in August, just before the last race in the prestigious league. Besides that, the Dutch WordTour team becomes the main sponsor of the jersey for best young rider.

“Talent development is key for Team LottoNL-Jumbo. It doesn’t start with our own talents, but it starts at the level of the club competition. Over there, we’re working together with cycling club De Jonge Renner," Managing Director Richard Plugge said.

“The partnership with the Topcompetitie suits our philosophy of talent development. We want to win on top, but we also want to encourage development of cyclists. It would be great if we have our own development team at a continental level. But for now, the trainee contract is a good initiative for the Topcompetitie, the rider, as well for Team LottoNL-Jumbo.”

The Topcompetitie is a classification of eight Dutch races. To begin with De Ster van Zwolle this Saturday. Because the contract starts in August, the team will announce the trainee after the individual time trial on July 9. Riders under the age of 23 may take part in the young rider classification. The competition has three flat races, three hilly races in Limburg, an uphill time trial and a flat time trial.

In 2015, Twan Castelijns won the Topcompetitie. Now, he has been a Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider since 2016.

Team LottoNL-Jumbo has been involved with the Dutch Topcompetitie for a long time. Race Director Nico Verhoeven has been part of the board of directors since the beginning.