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Classified welcomes Thomas De Gendt to its gravel team for 2025. As a member of Classified’s professional factory team, De Gendt, a stage winner in all three Grand Tours, is ready to continue his remarkable cycling career in an exciting new direction. The Classified X Ridley Factory Team, powered by Foodmaker, founded in 2023, was the first factory-backed team to compete on the popular gravel circuit.
Source: Press Release – Photos: © Photo News/ © Classified
Known as an escape specialist, Thomas De Gendt is synonymous with aggressive racing and audacious, adventurous rides. His legendary victory on the Stelvio at the 2012 Giro d’Italia is etched in cycling history. He now aims to bring his exploits to the gravel scene with the Classified Gravel team.
The factory team achieved impressive results last year in the UCI Gravel World Series and in prestigious gravel races such as Unbound and Lords of Tierra de Campos. By recruiting De Gendt, the team underscores its ambitions to reach new milestones and bring gravel racing to a wider audience.
“Thomas De Gendt brings immense experience to our team, says Mathias Plouvier, CEO of Classified. He possesses unparalleled perseverance and a passion for tough racing, which is a perfect match for gravel racing. Above all, his pioneering spirit makes him the ideal addition to our Classified factory team and an excellent ambassador for our innovative technology.”
A new challenge for Thomas De Gendt
Joining the Classified Factory team marks a significant transition for De Gendt as he ventures into the growing world of gravel racing.
“Switching to gravel is a new challenge that I’m really excited about,” says Thomas De Gendt. “What I love about gravel is the combination of endurance and technique. With Classified’s Powershift hub system, I can tackle any terrain with confidence and without compromise. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together and I look forward to a successful season with the team. The roads may change, but the hunger remains.”
Classified’s innovative Powershift hub, designed and manufactured in Antwerp, sets new standards in cycling technology. Featuring ultra-fast shifting under load, zero power loss, and exceptional efficiency, the system offers revolutionary performance while providing a wider gear range than any other system on the market.
A historic year for Classified
Earlier this year, Classified made its debut at the highest level of professional cycling. The Ineos Grenadiers team used the Powershift hub during the time trials of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, achieving impressive results.
The Classified Gravel team also delivered outstanding performances this season, including:
- Toby Perry: Silver at the European Championships and victory at the UCI World Gravel Series in Halmstad, Sweden.
- Annabel Fisher: Winner of the British Gravel Championships.
- Piotr Havik: Fourth place in the prestigious Unbound Gravel Race and victory at Lords of Tierra de Campos.
Team director Nick Sannen expressed his enthusiasm for De Gendt’s arrival: “Thomas brings a wealth of Pro Tour experience that will be a tremendous asset to the team. He will share his knowledge with his teammates, while we provide him with the necessary support to excel in gravel racing.”
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