The first to score a win for the team was 21 year old Laurens Sweeck, who is currently ranked 6th in the world. He raised his hands in the air on 13 September at the opening round of the EKZ CrossTour in Baden, Switzerland.  Sprinting alongside him to the line was fellow STEVENS Super Prestige rider Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Corendon). 

The team only had to wait a week until the next win came in, courtesy of Kevin Cant.  It was at the Belgian National race of Koningshooikt. He claimed top prize over 58 other racers.  While Kevin was thrilled to take his first win of the season, it was no surprise that it came so soon.  He started his season off directly with a podium at Belgium’s National race of Kessel, following it up with a fine 4th place at Steenhuffel. 

As for podium placings, those started to pour in sooner than expected with Radomir Simunek’s back-to-back podiums at China’s Qiansen Trophy’s two events held in Yanqing and Qiongzhong on 30 August and 2 September.  The victory on the second day could have been Radomir’s, but instead he placed satellite-team loyalty over his own ambitions.  When BKCP-Corendon’s Wietse Bosmans began to have breathing difficulties while the two of them rode off the front of the charging peloton, instead of riding away from him, Radomir stayed with Wietse so that he could cross the line first and earn the much needed International UCI points to get himself back into the top 50 ranking which allows him to race World Cups.  It was a class act move to those who saw it live.  

Next podium into the team came from Laurens at the first Belgian event on the UCI Calendar held on 26 September.  Laurens placed 3rd to Wout van Aert and Kevin Pauwels.  At the start, he suffered a delay in clipping in, causing him to hit the dirt back in 15th position.  It took him quite a while to catch back up to the front, but once there, his twin brother Diether who was sitting on his wheel left a gap, allowing Laurens to jump away.  Soon after Laurens was joined by the Wout/Kevin duo but as the pace was too high he had to eventually let them go and ride in for 3rd.  Julien Taramarcaz came in for a solid 6th, followed by Diether in 9th.  

The next day at Erpe-Mere, Julien and Diether again had nice finishes, coming in 13th and 14th respectively while Laurens dropped out due to back problems.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Kevin Cant chose for Belgian National race in Hoboken where he placed 2nd.

Making it three podiums in three days was Radomir.  In a sprint for the win at the opening round of Czech Republic’s Toi Toi Cup, he landed 3rd.  The win went to former teammate Marcel Meisen.

In the last two weeks, there have been three more events held on Dutch-speaking soil. The first of the three was the opening round of the Superprestige Series held in Gieten, in the Netherlands.  Julien led the team home with a fine 10th place, with Laurens just behind in 11th.  Diether was 18th  and Radomir 28th.  

The following week was the opening round of the BPost Bank Trofee Series, held in the picturesque town of Ronse.   While Julien felt great in the race, he suffered from some bad luck – falling a few times.  Maybe it was the curse of riding around with #13 on his back? Coincidentally he finished in 13th place.  Laurens was 17th, Radomir 19th and Diether 20th.  

But it was no worries for Julien as four days later he was back to his top level, landing on the podium with a 3rd place at Kermiscross Ardooie. Sharing the podium with him were winner Tom Meeusen and Sven Nys.  The day after Ardooie, Julien enjoyed yet another beautiful moment with the birth of his son Axel.

Sunday, 18 October, is the second round of the World Cup series to be held in Valkenburg, Holland.  You can be sure that Julien will fly back for it, motivated as ever to ride his way to the front of the field.

The first World Cup of the season was held mid-September at Cross Vegas, in USA where Laurens led the team home with a strong 7th, followed by Julien at 11th, Radomir 19th and Diether 25th.

As for Heinrik, the older brother of Laurens and Diether, his season has been unfortunately delayed due to surgery he had on 21 August.  They removed tissue layers around his butt muscles for a better blood flow to the thighs to combat his continuous cramps. Four years ago he also underwent a similar type of surgery on his calves. He is expected to join the rest of his team shortly in the dirt.