LottoNL-Jumbo strengthened its team with 23-year-old Dutchman Daan Olivier. The two-year contract is a big step up for the talented climber Olivier, who stopped cycling in July 2015 for one year.

"It has always been my dream to race for the Dutch professional team,” Olivier said. “After a pleasant conversation with the team, I immediately knew that it was good. Team LottoNL-Jumbo supports me with training and coaching. I get the time to develop myself as an athlete, and also as a person.

"I had lost the balance between training and relaxation. A year after I decided to stop, my desire to be a professional rider returned. Fun is the most important thing for me and I found it back on the bike.” 

Nico Verhoeven

Olivier has raced for Giant-Shimano before stopping. Now he will race a couple of races on elite level. Before starting as a pro. 

"Daan Olivier stopping was a surprising move, and it's certainly unique that he has started again,” said Sports Director Nico Verhoeven. “We found that his motivation is back, and the talent that he has not vanished.

“Daan Olivier is good uphill and as a pro, he already showed good things. Together we want to help him finding his way to the top again and we have to take time to do so. An important stage in his development has been the rediscovery of fun."

Olivier is no stranger to the team, he worked with team trainer Mathieu Heijboer before.