| Esmée Peperkamp will join Team DSM from next season, with the Dutch rider wearing the team’s two distinctive Keep Challenging stripes for the 2021 season.
Picking up a number of solid results in her opening year riding in the peloton, Peperkamp's second season on the road in 2020 was stunted. Whilst only riding two races in 2020, she still claimed a strong seventh place over some tough terrain and against talented opposition at the Trophée des Grimpeuses. A rider with plenty of room left to develop, Peperkamp can cope well on both the short and long climbs, while also producing good efforts against the clock.
Peperkamp said: “I have always wanted to race at the highest level of cycling, and to do so with Team DSM for 2021 feels like a dream come true. I have always been a fan of the approach Team DSM has to cycling, I really like their Keep Challenging philosophy and desire to improve, and I can’t wait to contribute to this. I want to develop myself to become a better rider in all areas and I think Team DSM is the perfect place for me to do so because of their focus on development combined with a lot of experience and knowledge within the team. I am really looking forward to learning as much as possible from all of the experienced girls in the team and riding with them next year. I am really thankful to be given this opportunity and am dedicated to get the best out of myself and to support the team during the races.”
Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna continued: “Esmée just started cycling a few years ago and every year has progressively made solid steps. We conducted some tests at our Keep Challenging Center which confirmed her strong ability on the bike, with Esmée producing some high numbers and showing that she is a physically gifted athlete, and one that suits the climbs. Esmée has only been racing in the peloton for a short time so still needs to adapt to the rigours and tactics required to race at the top level, but she has shown that she has the attitude to develop that. There is no pressure on her as she joins, and she will need to make these steps gradually but we’re confident that with our group of experts, trainers and coaches – she is in just the right place to do that." | 