Vérandas Willems-Crelan was a prominent Belgian UCI Professional Continental cycling team that made its mark in the world of professional cycling from 2013 to 2018.
In this article, you will learn about Vérandas Willems-Crelan’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Vérandas Willems-Crelan’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Vérandas Willems-Crelan |
| Country | Belgium |
| Discipline | Road cycling and cyclo-cross |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Dissolved | 2018 |
| UCI Status | Professional Continental (2017-2018) |
| General Manager | Nick Nuyens |
| Notable Rider | Wout van Aert |
Early Career
Vérandas Willems-Crelan began its journey in 2013 as a UCI Continental team under the name Vérandas Willems.
During these early years, the squad gradually built its reputation and roster, laying the foundation for future success.
The team’s commitment to nurturing young riders and its presence in both road cycling and cyclo-cross events set it apart from many of its contemporaries.
Professional Career
In 2017, Vérandas Willems-Crelan made a significant step up to UCI Professional Continental status, allowing it to compete in larger races and attract more high-profile riders.
This period saw the team achieve some of its most notable successes, particularly with the addition of Wout van Aert to the roster.
Van Aert, already a star in cyclo-cross, began to make his mark on the road with the team, securing victories in races like the Ronde van Limburg and Danmark Rundt.
Vérandas Willems-Crelan ’s Net Worth Details
Vérandas Willems-Crelan’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000 as of 2025.
Contract
Van Aert joined Vérandas Willems-Crelan in 2017. He had a contract with the team through 2019.
In September 2018, Van Aert unilaterally terminated his contract with the team.
In June 2021, a Belgian labor court ordered Van Aert to pay €662,000 ($806,000) to his former manager Nick Nuyens for breach of contract.
Van Aert had already agreed to terms with LottoNL-Jumbo (now Jumbo-Visma) for 2020.
Sponsorships
As a professional cycling team, Vérandas Willems-Crelan relied on various sponsorships and partnerships to support its operations. Some of the team’s key sponsors included:
- Vérandas Willems (title sponsor)
- Crelan (co-title sponsor from 2017)
- Stevens Bikes (bicycle supplier)
- Vermarc Sport (clothing supplier)
Career Stats
| Year | Major Wins |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Overall Flèche du Sud (Gaëtan Bille) |
| Prologue Sibiu Cycling Tour (Olivier Pardini) | |
| Grand Prix de la ville de Pérenchies (Gaëtan Bille) | |
| 2015 | Overall Tour de Normandie (Dimitri Claeys) |
| Stage 4 Tour of Croatia (Dimitri Claeys) | |
| Overall Paris–Arras Tour (Joeri Calleeuw) | |
| Prologue Volta a Portugal (Gaëtan Bille) | |
| 2016 | Nokere Koerse (Timothy Dupont) |
| Multiple stage wins in Tour de Normandie (Timothy Dupont) | |
| Overall Paris–Arras Tour (Aidis Kruopis) | |
| 2017 | Ronde van Limburg (Wout van Aert) |
| Bruges Cycling Classic (Wout van Aert) | |
| Grand Prix Pino Cerami (Wout van Aert) | |
| 2018 | Stage 4 Étoile de Bessèges (Sean De Bie) |
| Overall Danmark Rundt (Wout van Aert) |
FAQs
1. What was Vérandas Willems-Crelan?
Vérandas Willems-Crelan was a UCI Professional Continental cycling team based in Belgium. Founded in 2013, the team competed in road cycling and cyclo-cross events. It was known for its participation in major races, including the Spring Classics and cyclo-cross competitions.
2. Who were some notable riders on Vérandas Willems-Crelan?
The team featured prominent cyclists like Wout van Aert, a three-time cyclo-cross world champion, and Stijn Devolder, a two-time winner of the Tour of Flanders. Other key riders included Sean De Bie, Tim Merlier, and Zico Waeytens.
3. What equipment did Vérandas Willems-Crelan use?
In 2018, the team raced on STEVENS Xenon road bikes and STEVENS Super Trofeo time trial bikes. These were equipped with SRAM eTap shifting systems and Zipp carbon wheels, showcasing a high-performance setup for competitive racing.
4. What happened to Vérandas Willems-Crelan in 2019?
In 2019, Vérandas Willems-Crelan merged with the Dutch team Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij to form Roompot-Crelan. This merger aimed to create a stronger Belgian-Dutch cycling team following the loss of key sponsors like Vérandas Willems.
5. What races did Vérandas Willems-Crelan compete in?
The team participated in prestigious races such as Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, and various cyclo-cross events. They also competed in smaller stage races like Etoile de Bessèges and one-day races like Grand Prix Cycliste la Marseillaise.
6. What was the controversy involving Wout van Aert and the team?
Wout van Aert left the team in 2018 after disputes with management over contract issues and dissatisfaction with communication during the merger process. This led to legal action by the team against Van Aert for breach of contract.
7. How did Michael Goolaerts impact the team’s history?
Michael Goolaerts, a young rider on the team, tragically passed away in 2018 after suffering cardiac arrest during Paris-Roubaix. His death was a significant moment in the team’s history and deeply affected the cycling community.
8. What role did Sniper Cycling play in Vérandas Willems-Crelan?
Sniper Cycling was the management company behind Vérandas Willems-Crelan. It handled operations and facilitated key decisions such as sponsorship agreements and mergers with other teams like Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij.
9. Why did Vérandas Willems-Crelan merge with another team?
The merger with Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij occurred due to financial challenges and sponsor withdrawals. The collaboration aimed to combine resources and talent to sustain competitive performance at the professional level.
10. Did Vérandas Willems-Crelan have a focus beyond road cycling?
Yes, the team was active in cyclo-cross during the winter season. Cyclists like Wout van Aert excelled in this discipline, making it an integral part of the team’s identity alongside road racing.
