Two players from Lotto Soudal's under-23 development team, Viktor Vermeer and Florian Vermeer, have signed contracts with Lotto Soudal's senior team until the end of 2022.

John Lelangue, general manager of Lotto Soudal, said in a press release about the acquisition of Vermeers: "Florian is a strong talent with great potential, and the 2019 season will be just his first year as a serious road cyclist. The 2019 season is only his first year as a full-fledged road cyclist.

"Before that he was a successful cyclo-cross rider and last season we could already see the potential of other cyclo-cross riders [on the road]," said Lelangue, who will probably be joined by Dutch and Belgian stars Mathieu van der Pol (Corendon- Circus) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).

"Florian convinced us not only with his (U23) national road title, but also with many races, including the Tour de Moselle (where he won 3 out of 4 stages and also the GC). He will probably get off to a slow and smooth start at the Tour of the Baloise Belgians (June 14). After that, he could do other smaller stage races. Our young talent, formed by Kurt Van de Vouwer, will get a chance to develop without being rushed.

"This is the perfect way to join a WorldTour team," added the 20-year-old Vermeer. 'I can wear the championship jersey for the first few months of the season and be ready to step up to the highest level without being rushed.'

"I am confident that it will help me grow as a rider. Right now, at the training camp in Mallorca, I am riding with champions like Philippe Gilbert, Caleb Yuan, John Degenkolb, and Tim Wellens. I only knew them on TV. Now we train together and I have already learned a lot from them."

"It was my dream to become a professional rider, and my dream came true," Vermeer said.

The 21-year-old Vershave finished second behind American rider Kevin Vermaerke (Hagens Berman-Axion) at the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège in April and ninth overall at the Giro Ciclistico d'Italia (so-called "Baby Giro") in June. He came in ninth place.

"Not having to find a team in 2020 means a stress-free year.

"I'm already impressed every day with the pro riders at the training camp in Mallorca. Everything here is so professional, down to the smallest detail: nutrition, bikes, special training, etc. I can't wait for the season to start. I can't wait for the season to start."