Development Team DSM recruit Patrick Eddy, Bart Hordijk, Lorenzo Milesi and Lorenzo Ursella

With their continued focus on talent identification and development, Team DSM are delighted to announce four new signings to their Development program in 2022, with Patrick Eddy, Bart Hordijk, Lorenzo Milesi and Lorenzo Ursella all riding in the team’s colours until at least the end of 2023.

Photo Credit: © Hikari Media

Patrick Eddy (AUS)

Eddy had two successful seasons in the junior ranks, taking the national championships double as a first-year junior in 2019, before going on to defend his time trial title and finish runner-up in the road race the following year. Combining track and road while in Australia, 2021 has seen the powerful Eddy crowned as the national team pursuit champion, while becoming a bronze medallist in the individual pursuit and securing the same result in the road time trial in his first year at U23 level.

Eddy said: “I’m super excited to make the next big step in my career in joining Development Team DSM next season. The transition to Europe for an Australian rider is a major one, and I can see that the team provide the best environment and support for that transition, on and off the bike, to be as successful as possible. I’m looking forward to riding in some of the big, tougher races and learning from some of the more experienced riders in the squad. I hope to learn more about myself as a racer and work towards becoming a world tour rider in the future.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna continued: “Patrick is a former Australian champion in the junior category and someone that has shown a lot of potential. At the junior level he has done well in sprints and classic-style races, but he is also quite a complete rider overall. Next to that on a personal level, he’s coming from Australia to build on his career which takes a lot of drive and commitment and that is something we really value and appreciate as a team. We’re looking forward to working with Patrick to take the next steps in his development and help him find his feet racing in Europe.”

Bart Hordijk (NED)

Coming from the Netherlands, Hordijk has had a good 2021 riding in the junior ranks, racing throughout the continent and collecting a good set of results, particularly in France. Winning the opening time trial at La Cantonale Juniors was enough to secure the overall title at the race, while a strong all around showing at the Boucles de l’Oise Juniors also saw him take home the GC crown, before a win in Belgian one-day race GP Ernest Beco. Alongside other good results at tough races in Spain and Germany, Hordijk is relishing the step up to the next level with the team.

Hordijk said: “I wanted to join Team DSM’s Development program because I think their way of working suits me well. They have proven to be good at talent development and I want to take advantage and benefit from their knowledge to improve myself. I’m looking forward to working in a professional environment with new people and new ideas. I hope to be a part of as many race wins as possible with the team, and to improve my climbing and time trial further to develop myself as a GC rider in the future.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna added: “Bart is a talented climber-type of rider and someone that we’ve had our eye on for a while. His team, Willebrord Wil Vooruit Juniors, brought him to our attention and we want to thank them for their great work they’ve done with him so far. We did a scouting day from our Keep Challenging Center in Limburg and there Bart also showed his potential with some strong tests and good training rides. We are happy he’s joining Development Team DSM next year and we want to continue his broad development to begin with, also focusing on improving his positioning within races and time trials, helping him to become a more complete rider with the team.”

Photo Credit: © Bettini Photo

Lorenzo Milesi (ITA)

A strong and powerful rider, Milesi had a consistent and impressive opening year to the junior category in 2019 where he took six top ten places, including a great ride to take second at the Italian national championships in the time trial. 2020 saw Milesi’s exploits against the clock continue, racking up four wins which included claiming the famous green, white and red tricolor in the time trial. Alongside the wins, he took third at the European championships too, while also picking up top tens in road races, including a fine third place overall at the Trofeo Buffoni Juniors. This season has seen Milesi find his feet at the U23 level, with some strong rides in support of teammates and gaining valuable experience riding against the professional peloton in races such as Coppi e Bartali.

Milesi said: “I wanted to join Team DSM because I think the team is the best way to improve my skills and keep developing so that I can continue to grow in and outside of cycling. I’m looking forward to starting the new season, doing my best to get results for and with the team. I’ve raced against quite a lot of my new teammates, and I know how strong they are so I’m excited to ride with them and learn from them, as well as the staff on the team. I think being in that environment will help me to improve a lot and keep developing as a rider.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna continued: “Lorenzo is a powerhouse of a rider and at this moment his main quality is his strong time trialling ability. His numbers suggest that he can also become a good climber in the future, and we want to develop him further in those aspects. We had some nice talks with Lorenzo about his development project and he is someone that we’re excited to work with as he also buys into and believes in our plans for him. It’s great he makes the step from Italy to ride for Development Team DSM and we’re looking forward to working together.”