NSN Cycling Team is pleased to announce the promotion of Belgian rider Jens Verbrugghe from the NSN Development Team to WorldTeam for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
Verbrugghe turns professional after a successful progression through the team’s development pathway since joining in 2025, including standout performances this year with second place at Lotto Famenne Ardenne Classic off the back of two stage wins at Volta ao Alentejo.
General Manager Kjell Carlström highlighted Verbrugghe’s versatility as a key decision behind his promotion.
“It has been fantastic to see how Jens Verbrugghe has matured in the NSN Development Team over the past two years, really finding his feet this year, which has resulted in some strong performances,” explains Carlström. “As a Belgian, Jens is naturally at home in the Classics-style races, and one of our big focuses will be on developing him further to become one of our leaders in the Classics.
“At the same time, Jens has excellent positioning and race intuition, which means he will be a valuable member of our sprint lead-out train, especially in his first years as a pro as he continues to gain experience.”
For 21-year-old Verbrugghe, it’s a dream come true to reach the WorldTour ranks.
“It’s still hard to believe that I will be a pro rider and riding at the highest level of cycling for the next two years,” admits Verbrugghe. “It’s something I was dreaming of since I started cycling, and turning pro is something I’m really proud of. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of my family, friends, and all of the team staff members as well.
“I really feel at home in this team. I’ve had the opportunity to show myself at the highest level of Conti races, and I think it is one of the best development teams in the world. It is a real pleasure to ride for this team, and also for the WorldTeam in the opportunities I have had to race with them. I knew I wanted to stay with NSN in the future, so it was an easy decision to sign this new contract.”
Verbrugghe will concentrate on gaining as much experience as possible in the next two years with the WorldTeam.
“The Classics are the races I enjoy the most,” adds Verbrugghe. “I also enjoy sprint work with the lead outs and positioning, so I think there will be plenty of opportunities in the next few years to do some great work together with the team. I’ve always focused on time trialing as well, so I hope to continue to develop in that area. I’m looking forward to learning more from my experienced teammates and continue my progression, while aiming for some nice results.”
The move reflects NSN Cycling Team’s ongoing commitment to identifying and nurturing young talent, providing riders with a clear pathway from the development ranks to the professional level. Verbrugghe joins a long list of riders who have made the step up from within the NSN environment, including Brady Gilmore, Moritz Kretschy, Pau Martí, Rotem Tene, and Floris Van Tricht – all of whom have graduated within the last year under the guidance of NSN Development Team Manager Tim Elverson.
“It’s great to see another rider moving from the Development Team to the WorldTeam,” adds Elverson. “We work hard to develop the riders the right way, and we are consistently bringing them to the level it takes to be a strong WorldTour rider.
“Jens has worked hard to bring himself to a level where we are excited to see what he can achieve as he makes this next step in his career.”