Rally Cycling has signed promising talent Wessel Krul to its ranks for the 2022 and 2023 cycling seasons. The 21-year-old from Enkhuizen in the Netherlands joins from SEG Racing Academy, and will become the second Dutch rider on the roster alongside compatriot Arvid de Kleijn.
Krul calls joining a ProTeam “a dream come true.” The Dutchman, who has proved himself as a powerful sprinter and time trialist at under-23 level, will be a crucial part of the 2022 sprint train.
“I had a really good feeling when talking to Jonas [Carney] about the team and I’m looking forward to experiencing the American approach to racing,” said Krul. “Jonas believed that I was going to be a good addition to the lead-out train, so that was something that really attracted me. He has a plan and I really like it.”
Like other powerful bunch sprinters such as Marcel Kittel, Krul started off in the sport as a talented time trialist at junior levels. In 2021 however, he showed his qualities in bunch sprints where he finished second twice and won the points classification at Course de la Paix U23, won a bunch sprint in the Flanders Tomorrow Tour and placed seventh in a quality field at Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen.
“I really want to focus more on the sprints and learn from Arvid,” Krul added. “I can gain a lot of knowledge from the experienced riders about not just lead-outs and sprints but also how you have to live as a pro and how you have to approach racing.”
Performance director Jonas Carney is excited at what Krul’s acquisition means for the team’s prospects next season.
“Wessel is a very powerful young rider and with this signing it’s clear that the team will mean business in bunch sprints,” Carney said. “As a young rider, Wessel has the potential to excel in many different areas, so it is exciting to have such a talent join the team.”
The understanding between sprinter and lead-out rider, when done right, is almost symbiotic, something Krul and de Kleijn are keen to develop. “It’s a good sign when you have a one-hour phone call,” Krul said on speaking to de Kleijn. “I can see Rally Cycling is a really good place to develop myself as a rider and also be able to help my other teammates.”
The team is delighted to be adding Krul to the line-up for 2022. Look out for our next set of rider announcements next week.
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