The 27-year-old Belgian makes the leap into the WordTour for next two years
Trek-Segafredo is pleased to welcome Otto Vergaerde as a new member of the Team for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Twenty-seven years old, born in Ghent, Belgium, Vergaerde is a product of the Flemish cycling school. He turned professional with team Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise and in the last three seasons has raced in support of Mathieu Van der Poel.
Vergaerde assumed the role of a reliable domestique in the most important cobbled Classics, first in Corendon-Circus and then with Alpecin-Fenix. From next year on, his goal will be to support, over the same terrain, Jasper Stuyven and Mads Pedersen.
Otto Vergaerde: “I had no hesitation in considering Trek-Segafredo as the right step for my growth. I am facing a new challenge for my career, though starting from an already good knowledge base, which is the friendship with Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theuns. I’m really excited to join them! But most of all, I’m ready for this new experience with the knowledge I’m joining a solid and ambitious group for the Northern races, my favorite terrain, and where I gained my domestique experience.
“This Team will be a new chapter in my career and I’m excited to discover it. A full WorldTour calendar, a solid team structured also for the Grand Tours, a different approach to racing. It will be an important opportunity to learn and improve.
“My expectations are to satisfy the trust of the Team, first of all. I look forward to being a reliable helper for my leaders in the Northern Classics. Every leader has their needs and I really want to be ready as soon as possible to give Jasper and Mads the best support on the road.”
Luca Guercilena, Trek-Segafredo General Manager: “With Vergaerde we add experience and reliability to our roster for the Classics. He is a serious professional with a remarkable knowledge of racing in the North. He will be a valuable domestique. In the context of consolidating a group with great potential, his profile perfectly meets our needs.”
