Van Aert to ride for Aqua Blue Sport as Irish team acquires Verandas Willems
Aqua Blue Sport announced today that they have acquired Sniper Cycling, the company behind the Verandas Willems-Crelan squad of cyclo-cross world champion Wout Van Aert. The budding Classics star will remain with the new structure through 2019, according to the press release.
"Aqua Blue Sport, the company behind the www.aquabluesport.com e-commerce platform and the Irish-registered Pro Continental squad of the same name, have confirmed the purchase of Sniper Cycling team and all of its assets in a move designed to broaden the reach of its online cycling marketplace," the team announced.
Van Aert, who placed third in Strade Bianche, ninth in his first Tour of Flanders, and 13th in Paris-Roubaix, was under contract with Verandas Willems-Crelan for one more season. However, with the Belgian squad's future uncertain, he was heavily courted by several WorldTour squads, including LottoNL-Jumbo, with whom he was reported to have agreed to a three-year deal beginning in 2020. He also was reportedly entertaining offers from Bahrain-Merida, Team Sky and Lotto Soudal.
With Aqua Blue Sport, Van Aert can compete in both cyclo-cross and road races. His current general manager Nick Nuyens will move across to the new organisation.
"Aqua Blue Sport is going from strength to strength, on the road and also off it. I am very excited to be able to be involved in the team going forward," Nuyens said.
"There is a lot of potential, and it is a dream for me to be working with the riders that are already there, and will be joining soon. It's a good day for Sniper Cycling and Aqua Blue Sport."
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