Kaat Hannes becomes team leader for her partner Laura Verdonschot at De Ceuster Bonache CT: “She will have to listen to me” (Lille)

Kaat Hannes starts her new assignment with ambitions. “De Ceuster wants to show itself more in smaller road races this season,” Hannes explains. “They attracted, among others, former Belgian champion Jesse Vandenbulcke (Belgian champion in 2019, ed.) On. Because of her presence, our cyclo-cross riders will also have a goal in the summer. What will my task be? Helping to achieve the team’s objectives, together with Camiel van den Bergh, Rob Peeters’ replacement.”

With a Belgian road title in 2016, two-time Belgian military champion and three World Cup participations, Kaat Hannes can boast a few nobility. Unfortunately, her career came to an end in 2020 due to a groin injury. “I could no longer perform properly. Just muddling through, that’s not me. The stress of always wanting to perform started to weigh on me. And that’s why I decided to quit.”

Laura Verdonschot

The race has never really been far away from Hannes. For example, she was previously a team leader of a training team and in the summer she was sometimes seen as a replacement in the team car of De Ceuster Bonache CT. This is not surprising since De Lilse is the partner of rider Laura Verdonschot. “I have indeed been familiar with the team for some time. So it’s not a real surprise. (laughs) It is simply the right time to take up a position in the cycling environment again. I’m looking forward to it with great enthusiasm.”

And what if Jesse Vandenbulcke and Laura Verdonschot are together at the top of the race? “I then make the best choice depending on the legs and the competition conditions. And yes, Laura will have to listen. I’m also looking forward to that,” the new team leader concludes with a smile.