Thomas De Gendt chooses Ridley as bike partner of the Powerplus Gravel Team
The international gravel peloton welcomes a new and ambitious team: the Powerplus Gravel Team. New in name, but built on experience. Last season, Thomas De Gendt completed his first full gravel year and now deliberately takes the next step in the discipline. Arno Van den Broeck has been active in the gravel scene for several seasons and brings valuable experience into the project. Together, they opt for their own team structure, with Ridley as trusted bike partner.
A deliberate choice for trust and continuity
For Thomas, the partnership with Ridley feels like a logical continuation of a long shared history. During his years in the WorldTour with Lotto-Soudal he rode exclusively on Ridley bikes, achieving some of the most memorable victories of his career. That foundation of trust plays an important role in his move towards competitive gravel racing.
When the new gravel team was being formed, Ridley seemed like a no-brainer to partner with. I spent most of my World Tour career riding Ridley bikes, so I know the quality standards the company delivers. Ridley is also very committed to gravel and is one of the most innovative brands in this discipline.
Thomas De Gendt Powerplus Gravel Team
Arno is equally familiar with Ridley. Two years ago, he was part of the Classified–Ridley Factory Team, competing at the highest international level. He rode events such as Unbound and the Traka 360, where he held his own under particularly heroic circumstances. That experience in long and demanding gravel races now comes along to the Powerplus Gravel Team.
The team may be new, but both riders know what the discipline demands. Their first seasons were about discovery, adaptation and gaining race experience in long and often unpredictable competitions. Now they enter a team aiming to grow, with a clear focus on performance.
The team may be new, but both riders know what the discipline demands. Their first seasons were about discovery, adaptation and gaining race experience in long and often unpredictable competitions. Now they enter a team aiming to grow, with a clear focus on performance.
Ridley as bike supplier
As bike partner, Ridley supports the Powerplus Gravel Team with race-oriented gravel bikes developed for speed and control over long distances and mixed terrain. The option to run wide tires allows riders to tailor their setup to course and conditions, while frame shapes and tube profiles are clearly optimized for efficiency and aerodynamics.
Long-term vision
Thomas De Gendt’s ambitions are mainly medium-term. In the coming years, the Powerplus Gravel Team aims for controlled growth, both sportively and structurally. By 2027 the goal is a core of four riders, growing to six in 2028. Long-term the dream is clear: by 2030 a squad of ten to twelve riders able to combine gravel and road racing.
Today the project still runs on a modest budget, but the pronounced growth plans show that the team looks far beyond a single season. Step by step, building with clear sporting ambitions and room to evolve towards a fully professional program.
With Ridley as bike partner and a team built on experience, the Powerplus Gravel Team is ready to claim its place in the gravel peloton!
Today the project still runs on a modest budget, but the pronounced growth plans show that the team looks far beyond a single season. Step by step, building with clear sporting ambitions and room to evolve towards a fully professional program.
With Ridley as bike partner and a team built on experience, the Powerplus Gravel Team is ready to claim its place in the gravel peloton!
ASTR RS
The new standard for performance gravelThe ASTR RS is a high-end racing gravel bike that combines aerodynamics and light weight to meet all the needs of the modern gravel circuit. With a tyre clearance of 52 millimetres (1x setup), you are armed for the roughest terrain on the ASTR RS. The accompanying geometry stands for stability and speed.
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