Joris Nieuwenhuis partners with private sponsor, Ridley-Mettepenningen merger in doubt

Sportingly, things are not going well for Joris Nieuwenhuis at the moment. The 29-year-old cyclocross rider is struggling with knee problems after a crash in Antwerp and has had to skip several races. Meanwhile, his future is becoming increasingly clear: Nieuwenhuis has rejected Jurgen Mettepenningen’s offer and is exploring the option of a private sponsor.

In recent weeks and months, we have seen the ambitious Ridley project from CEO Jochim Aerts, for which the Dutchman is currently racing, collapse. Aerts wanted to build the best offroad team in the world and, sport-wise, with Nieuwenhuis, Daan Soete, and Spanish champion Felipe Orts, it was not bad at all. But the team never found that sought-after major title sponsor and was therefore not sustainable for the future.

For a while, a merger with Jurgen Mettepenningen’s Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw seemed like a dream outcome for all parties. That team already rides Ridley bikes, and Mettepenningen and Aerts have been good friends for some time. One problem: Nieuwenhuis was not keen on that destination. He will therefore soon return to the market.

Not with Mettepenningen
"The deal with Nieuwenhuis has fallen through," Mettepenningen tells us. Several sources confirm that the top cyclocross rider wants to join a private sponsor from the next cyclocross season and is currently reviewing his options.

"Mettepenningen wanted to take over his contract under the same conditions for the next two years," says Nieuwenhuis’ manager Richard Groenendaal. "But Joris says: that’s not the environment where I want to race. I don’t feel at home there. A solution is being worked on. He would very much like to start something around himself soon, also focused on his personal future after cycling."

But it is not straightforward, says Groenendaal. "He receives his salary, has his own soigneurs, coach, and nutritionist. His network is already private. He only still needs to find the money to pay those people. Then he can build something himself. That doesn’t have to start from March 1, when his contract ends. But you do need clarity by then. After the World Championships, no one talks about cyclocross anymore."

Jurgen Mettepenningen - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos

That changes everything for a possible merger. "Ridley remains primarily the bike supplier of Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw," says Mettepenningen. "Now that Nieuwenhuis is not joining the project, the cards are naturally different for me. I will still consider the option, but basically the main goal of that merger was to bring in Nieuwenhuis. That is now off the table."

Second team leader
Which puts Mettepenningen in a tough spot. After the loss of Eli Iserbyt due to a narrowed iliac artery—it doesn’t look like we’ll see the West Flander back in cyclocross mid-term—he is still looking for a second team leader alongside the successful Michael Vanthourenhout. "But there is currently no one available on the market."

"It’s waiting, waiting, waiting. We have to focus on the youth within our own team but also stay alert for young riders from other teams. Besides Michael, we could definitely use someone of top caliber. Gerben Kuypers is coming in January and we should be able to get him even better. Talents like Yordi Corsus and Kay De Bruyckere certainly deserve our trust. But well, if soon we see a chance to add someone, we will definitely not let it pass."

There seems to be more room to maneuver with the women. Mettepenningen is in talks with Amandine Fouquenet, but half the cyclocross world is after the Heusden-Zolder winner. "In women’s cycling, you have a bit more depth among top riders. On the other hand, these are also riders contracted for several years. It’s not easy to pry someone away. In football, it’s much easier; you can do transfers at any moment."