Tim Wellens joins UAE Team Emirates after decade at Lotto Soudal

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Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) goes on the attack at the Challenge Mallorca
Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) goes on the attack at the Challenge Mallorca (Image credit: Luis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency©2022)

Tim Wellens will ride for UAE Team Emirates in 2023 after spending his entire career with Lotto Soudal.  

The 31-year-old Flemish rider had been linked with UAE Team Emirates in recent weeks as Lotto Soudal fight to avoid relegation from the WorldTour and develop a generation of new young riders. Wellens has signed a two-year contract.

"After ten great years with my former team I decided it was time for a new challenge," Wellens said.

"I feel like I’m joining a truly global team at UAE Emirates with a really professional structure and a lot of ambition. I’m very excited to get started and be part of the squad for 2023 and beyond."

Stephen Farrand
Stephen Farrand
Editor-at-large

Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at Cyclingnews. He has previously worked for Shift Active Media, Reuters and Cycling Weekly. He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).