Belgian bank Crelan first started sponsoring cyclocross in 2008 and during the next decade, it counted Sven Nys and Wout van Aert among sponsored athletes during that time. Crelan exited cyclocross before the 2018/19 season, but it returns this year as a title sponsor of another world champion.
Veldritkrant.be reported Crelan is joining IKO as a title sponsor of the IKO – Crelan Women’s Elite team that includes three-time World Champion Sanne Cant.
Three-time World Champion Sanne Cant will head up the IKO – Crelan team. 2019 Cyclocross World Championships, Bogense, Denmark. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
During the past several seasons, Cant has ridden for IKO – Beobank, a development team under the umbrella of the Corendon – Circus program run by Phillip and Christoph Roodhooft. In previous seasons, Cant’s official UCI team was listed as the Corendon – Circus program, but this year, her team has registered as its own UCI team.
Joining Cant on IKO – Crelan will be Loes Sels, who recently broke her contract with Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal, and Karen Verhestraeten.
Sanne Cant’s cousin Loes Sels joins the IKO – Crelan team. 2019 Brussels Universities Cyclocross. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Crelan’s sponsorship of the team also includes the launch of the Crelan – IKO Women’s development team. The Devo team will sponsor U17 and U19 riders, with a focus on young Belgians, and feature Cant as a team mentor.
Crelan’s commitment extends through 2022.
