Lonneke Uneken has signed a new agreement with VolkerWessels Cycling Team covering the 2027 and 2028 seasons, extending her stay with the Dutch Women’s ProTeam after a year in which she returned to winning form. The 26-year-old has become one of the squad’s most reliable options for fast finishes, combining three victories in 2026 with a series of podiums and top-ten placings.
VolkerWessels had already confirmed earlier in October that Uneken would remain for 2027, alongside Maaike Boogaard and Maud Rijnbeek. The latest announcement clarifies the longer commitment, keeping Uneken with the team until the end of 2028.
“I’m very happy with my contract extension,” Uneken said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve made some great progress over the past two years and hope to continue on this path.” The Dutch rider is already looking towards the spring Classics as she prepares for another season in VolkerWessels colours.
Midwest Cycling Classic victory highlights a productive season
Uneken’s most eye-catching success of 2026 came at the Midwest Cycling Classic in March. She narrowly defeated Martina Alzini of Cofidis in a photo finish, timing her final effort better as the Italian celebrated before the line. It was a particularly satisfying result after the pair had contested several close finishes earlier in their careers.
The race offered a reminder of Uneken’s ability to hold her position and deliver a sprint after a selective day. ProCyclingUK’s report from the Midwest Cycling Classic covered the decisive finish, which provided an early indication that the Dutch rider had the speed to take more victories during the season.
Further success followed at the Giro Toscana in August, where she won the short opening prologue in Chiesina Uzzanese. That performance highlighted a different aspect of her ability: generating speed almost immediately over a short effort, without the benefit of the bunch positioning that plays such a major role in her one-day results.
Uneken also finished second at Dwars door de Westhoek, third at the Argenta Classic in Deurne and fifth at Veenendaal–Veenendaal. Her sixth place at La Choralis Fourmies Féminine and fourth at Binche-Chimay-Binche in October showed that she could remain competitive against increasingly strong fields as the season progressed.
Eneco Tour prologue provides another late-season result
One of Uneken’s final results of 2026 was third in the Eneco Tour Women prologue in The Hague. She finished eight seconds behind winner Lieke Nooijen of Visma | Lease a Bike and recorded the same time as runner-up Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech. The result came in an event that mixed short time-trial efforts with flat sprints and more demanding road stages.
That opening ride added to a season in which Uneken showed she could be competitive beyond straightforward bunch finishes. It also underlined her progress since joining VolkerWessels for 2025 after several seasons with Team SD Worx, where she established herself at WorldTour level but later endured an extended period without regular victories.
The team’s confidence in her now appears to be backed by both results and a clear role within the squad. Uneken can contest finishes herself while also contributing to the positioning and lead-out work that smaller teams need when facing deeper WorldTour line-ups.
VolkerWessels secure continuity for 2027 and 2028
Uneken’s agreement is part of a wider effort by VolkerWessels to retain a core of experienced Dutch riders while strengthening its roster. Maud Rijnbeek has also committed through 2028, providing the team with stability across consecutive seasons.
The squad is adding new riders too, including Olha Kulynych for 2027. With new arrivals joining established performers, VolkerWessels can continue to approach smaller Classics as opportunities for wins while using the larger races to develop its riders against WorldTour opposition.
Uneken has already made her priorities clear. “I’m looking forward to having a strong spring season and representing the colours of VolkerWessels,” she said. Her return to regular victories in 2026 gives that ambition a credible foundation, and the two-year extension gives both rider and team time to build on it.
