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Taco van der Hoorn and Boy van Poppel extend the adventure with IWG

By winning stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia last May after a heroic solo effort, Taco van der Hoorn offered a historic success to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux. His attacking style of racing, combined with his ever present smile, has earned the admiration of many cycling followers this season. Besides his fabulous feat on the Giro, he notably distinguished himself on the Benelux Tour, where he won a five-man sprint after a 160-kilometer breakaway. He left his mark on almost each of the races in which he took part, for example by fighting his heart out during 270 kilometers in Milan – San Remo or by winning the jersey of intermediate sprints on the Tour de Pologne. The 27-year-old rider from Wageningen will remain loyal to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux for another three years.

At the age of 33, Boy van Poppel has proven to be a great asset to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux, both in the role of lead-out man and in the classics. In addition to his experience at the highest level which makes him an exemplary road captain, his speed allowed him to clinch the first top 10 in a bunch sprint of the Tour de France for the first time of his career. In addition, he finished 12th in Dwars door Vlaanderen, finished fifth in the Dutch championship, grabbed a the top 10 on Dwars door het Hageland (7th), the Heistse Pijl (8th) and the Ronde van Limburg (8th). Boy van Poppel, who joined in 2020, continues the adventure with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux for an additional season.

I'm so happy with this extension that I can't wait to scream from the rooftops! It’s a nice feeling to work with serenity for the coming seasons. In my eyes, this contract extension was all but logical. I love this team, not just for the role I have and the racing program it offers me, but also for its unique atmosphere. I feel at home here. Sacrificing myself for my teammates is part of my DNA, but I also had the chance to play my personal card, on the attack in the breakaways. The emotion triggered by my stage victory in the Giro will be forever engraved in my memory. I realize today what this means for the structure and for myself as well. I want to thank the team for trusting me.

I am thrilled to receive the confidence of the team for the coming year. This team helped me reach my best level, at 33 years old, and made me feel at home even though I joined last year. Being a road captain on a growing structure is something special. I can help the youngsters by sharing my experiences and it is a rewarding mission for me. I am also looking forward to a new challenge alongside Alexander Kristoff. With the advices of our trainers and our nutritionist, we can get the most out of everyone regardless of their age, and I am proof of that. My best form allowed me to achieve great results this summer, on the Tour de France in particular. Reaching the Champs-Elysées is an unforgettable moment for me and I hope to share others next season with the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux family.

We are very happy to rely on Taco and Boy for the future. We enjoy working with our riders for the long term, so it became obvious to us to extend these two riders. Taco has shown, in the Giro d’Italia and again this Wednesday on the Benelux Tour, that he is a specialist capable of turning breakaways into victory. Something that suits our team's attacking style of racing and, I am sure, will bring us more unforgettable moments. Boy van Poppel is a loyal teammate, a crucial part of the sprint train. Boy has also shown on the Tour de France that he is capable of positioning himself in the bunch sprints. In that sense, we are happy to rely on him in our squad for one more year, as he will be a major asset in leading Alexander Kristoff and our other sprinters towards, hopefully, many successes.

We were quickly convinced of the qualities of Taco van der Hoorn. He confirmed our impression of a great professional, with valuable knowledge that he enjoys sharing with the management and his teammates. Thanks to his commitment, he pushes everyone to perform at a higher level. His contribution is particularly welcome for our project, which is constantly developing. Taco is a hard worker who strives to improve every detail and make the most of his qualities. He has managed to find the balance between playing his own card and the interest of the team, which makes him an exceptional rider, that anybody would want. His profile will be a huge asset to us in the seasons to come. Boy van Poppel's contract extension is also more than deserved, as his professional attitude has translated into a big step forward this season. Boy brings his suggestions for improvements in nutrition or training, which shows just how motivated and committed he is. His qualities as a road captain are recognized by all. Boy performed at a high level this year, if we look at his achievements in the classics and on the Tour de France. Getting the best out of a rider as experienced as Boy and bringing him to a new level is a nice compliment for the performance team. The Dutchman is feeling good here so I am delighted that he continues to fulfill his important role in the sprint train and in the classics next season.

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