Our team for GP Oetingen

AG Insurance – Soudal will be at the start line in GP Oetingen on Wednesday, with a dynamic selection of U23 talents, led by the experienced elite rider Anya Louw. Along with Julia Gregoire, Jade Linthoudt, Margot Marasco, Noëlle Rüetschi, and Laura Lizette Sander, the team is determined to make an impression in the Pajottenland region.

The race will get underway from Oetingen, where the riders will cover a short neutral zone of 2.5 km, before the real work will begin in Gooik. With a challenging course of 121.8 km ahead, including cobblestone sections, it promises to be a tough race day. The riders will also have to take on the Congoberg and Rensberg in Vollezele, after which they will embark on the seven local laps on the Flemish Brabant roads of Oetingen, Neigem, and Liefferinge.

“One of the advantages of having both a WorldTour team and a development squad is that we can combine them for races we do. This means we can give some of our U23 riders the chance to participate in bigger races alongside the elite riders, or allow some elite riders the opportunity to join the U23. By being in the same race and having to work together, we can enhance the learning process of our U23 riders. At the same time, we can give riders who usually work for others the opportunity to race for their own success.

GP Oetingen is a prime example of this; predominantly ridden by U23 riders who will hopefully learn as much as possible from Anya. Anya, in turn, gets the opportunity to go for her own chance in Oetingen. It's a win-win situation where the learning curve can be optimally utilized. Or to put it in Dutch: it's a situation where the knife cuts on both sides.

The riders will face a challenging course where our young group will have to give their best. By racing aggressively, we hope to make our mark and pick up as many lessons along the way as possible”, added team director Christian Kos.