The 2019 season is on its way and compared to last year, there have been some changes in the Team Hitec Products – Birk Sport selection. That makes it about time to introduce all riders and that we will do with interviews in the upcoming period. Starting with Lonneke Uneken, who is one of the three first year elite riders in the team. “In this team I get the time and space to learn and grow.”
Lonneke, who turned 19 in the beginning of March, is one of the young riders in the team. That however didn’t scare her and she already impressed with good results in the first races. She could do that, counting on a strong sprint. “My sprint is my strongest weapon”, she tells us. “Besides that, I like the cobblestones and short power climbs.”
Being Dutch, it is not a big surprise that Lonneke likes the classic races. “They are my favourites. Races as Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders are races that I really like and I want to get a good result in those races in the future. Besides that, The Healthy Ageing Tour is one of my favourite races because it is my home race, and there is always a big chance of echelons.”
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In 2018 Lonneke won two stages in the Healthy Ageing Tour for junior women. It was one of the things that impressed and team manger Karl Lima offered Lonneke a place on the team. “Team Hitec Products – Birk Sport feels for me as the right place to develop myself, since I can do a lot of races on the highest level and can learn from the older riders and staff. Besides that there’s is little pressure from the team.”
Working hard and having fun
So far, it has been a good first part of the season for Lonneke. Mostly because of the good atmosphere in the group. “I think that the ambiance in the team is really good. Even though the season just started, we feel like a good team that is willing to work for each other, and we have a lot of fun when we’re together.”
Develop myself
To make 2019 a success for herself and the team, Lonneke is ambitious. “2019 is my first year in the elite peloton. My main goal is to develop myself and to help my teammates as much as possible. But I would like to go for a good result myself if I get the chance as well.”
Do you want to know more about Lonneke Uneken? Have a look on her page on this website.
Photo’s: Sportfoto.nl
