Lot Soudal has decided to use 14 players on the 2022 women's team.

Anna Prikta, Abby May Parkinson, and Elise Vander Sande will continue.

"We want to take a different direction with the women's team and aim to develop young players," coach Kurt Van de Wouwer said in a press release.

"That is something we have done successfully with the men's U23 team over the last few years, and that is what we want to achieve with the women's team now. That is why we chose to become a continental development team."

"We have Belgian talent on our team, but we are also looking at players from across the border. We want to offer a balanced race program that gives our athletes a taste of the classics. For example, races like the Lotto Cycling Cup. We want to give the athletes time to grow and learn with the professional support of Lotto Soudal."

18-year-olds Mara Sigmund (Germany), Meinje Geerts (Netherlands), and Ines van de Pahl (Belgium) will be joined by 19-year-old Czech rider Kristina Brulover, Belgian rider Esme Geerkens (20), British rider, Josie Knight (24) will make her elite debut with a two-year contract. Other newcomers include Eefje Brandt (19), Katrijn De Clercq (19), Mieke Docx (25), Sterre Vervloet (17), and Kylie Waterreus (23).

"In the future we will focus entirely on the youth of our women's team. These changes are reflected in an almost new team for next season," Van de Wouwer said.

"Three players will remain with the team: Anna Prikta, who joined the team in 2021 and signed a two-year contract, and Abby May Parkinson, who is entering her third season, are experienced players. Elise Vander Sande will get a chance to develop further as a rider."

Gault joined the team this year on a two-year contract after winning the Vizcay Korolek (Nations Cup stage race for juniors). Sigmund, a national champion in track, will continue to compete in the event. Knight is a member of the British Team Pursuit team that won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and will combine road and track.

Dirk Ongena, who has coached for Belgian Cycling and Cycling Vlaanderen, will join the team as directeur sportif.

Withdrawal [21]