D’hoore adds Belgian firepower to ORICA-SCOTT for 2018

Four-time national champion Jolien D’hoore is set to add some Belgian firepower to ORICA-SCOTT, joining the Australian outfit in 2018.

D’hoore, who boasts an impressive palmares with a host of stage, one-day and overall wins to her name, will further boost ORICA-SCOTT’s genuine winning options after their best season to date this year.

The 27-year-old adds another speedy finish to the team’s assets, as well as a host of experience in her ‘home’ Spring Classics.

“The team has a good mix of experienced riders and youngsters,” D’hoore said. “I know some of the riders and they really impressed me this year.”

“I'm looking forward to working together with them and to winning as many races as we can.

“I'm more a classic rider or sprinter so I will be focusing myself on the Spring Classics and the sprinter’s and stage races. We have a strong line-up for the Classics so I'm really eager to show what we've got in the races in my home country.”

D’hoore, who joins ORICA-SCOTT after three years with Wiggle-High5, shared her enthusiasm for joining the team.

“My biggest motivation to join ORICA-SCOTT is the professionalism there is in the team,” she said. “The team is really structured and well-organised with a motivated group of riders and staff. I can't wait to meet everyone and to race together with the girls.”

“I hope to help the team whenever I can when they need me.”

Sport director Gene Bates said he is confident the 27-year-old will be a real asset for the ORICA-SCOTT outfit having carefully considered the new signing.

“We are very pleased to have secured Jolien D'hoore for the 2018 season,” Bates said. “We have been looking at her now for a while, and it is great there was an opportunity to work together.”

“Jolien has won some of the world’s biggest bike races, and we hope to provide an environment that will see her continue to do this. Her strengths obviously lie in sprinting, but I think she can also be very versatile moving forward - we are very excited about her ability to develop further with us.

“I think Jolien will fit very well in with our team, which is something we really try to evaluate before signing new riders. Our team culture is always at the forefront of our selection processes.”

Jolien D’hoore

Date of Birth: 14 March 1990 (27)

Place of Birth: Ghent, Belgium

Turned Pro: 2008

Major results:

Four-time Belgian road race champion

World champion and Olympic medalist on the track

Multiple World Cup winner – Ronde van Drenthe (2015), Crescent Vargarda (2015)

Two-time Madrid Challenge by La Vuelta winner

Major Tour winner – BeNe Ladies Tour (2016 and 2015), Tour of Chongming Island (2017)

Photo courtesy of TDWsport.