Van Compernolle earns pro contract

Kenneth Van Compernolle (Sunweb) (Image credit: Niels De Wit)

Under-23 stand-out Kenneth Van Compernolle signed a two-year contract with the Sunweb-ProJob team beginning January 1, 2009. The Belgian will continue to race as an espoir, according to team manager Jurgen Mettepenningen.

For Van Compernolle it is a dream come true. "Of course anyone who begins racing hopes to be awarded a professional contract. A few months back I had never dared to hope. But with my excellent performances lately everything is happening much faster than expected. It is a good sign of appreciation by the team . This year I will stick with my planned programme. Next year I will try for the espoirs classification and will occasionally take on a 'cross with the professionals."

Van Compernolle was third at the under-23 European Championships and won the espoirs races in Niel, Koksijde and Gieten. When his professional status begins on January 1 he will no longer be able to compete in B-category 'cross events, and must race the at the professional level in the Belgian road championships. In all cyclo-cross events, the World Championships, World Cup and Belgian championships, he can continue to race at the espoir level.

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.