Maëva Squiban and Lotte Claes are set to make significant moves in their professional cycling careers by joining the Arkéa-B&B Hôtels team in 2024.
Maëva Squiban, a 21-year-old professional from Finistère and Vice-champion of France U23 against the clock, is returning to Brittany after riding for the Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime team since 2021. She won the Tour de Charente-Maritime this season and will wear the Arkéa-B&B Hôtels colours from 2024. She shared her enthusiasm by saying:
“Being a rider in the ARKEA-B&B HOTELS team in 2024 means a lot to me. There is motivation and great pride in wearing the colours of a team in my region. On the sporting level, I am a type of rouleur-puncher. My objectives in 2024 will be as a domestique to help my mountain leaders to achieve good performances. I also want to continue my progress on an individual level, by winning a class 1 race next year after winning a class 2 race this season, in the Vuelta Extremadura.”
Emmanuel Hubert, General Manager, highlighted Squiban’s talent, stating, “Maëva Squiban is a pure product of Breton cycling. Silver medalist at the European Junior Championships in 2019, 2nd in the French U23 Women’s Time Trial Championships recently, Maëva, a promising rider, who obtained her STAPS license in sports management, will complete her post-training at the highest level within the Arkéa-B&B Hôtels team over the next two seasons.”
Lotte Claes, a Belgian climber known for her great climbing skills, will also join the women’s team of Arkéa-B&B Hôtels. She expressed her feelings by saying, “I come from the duathlon, and I chose cycling three seasons ago. I like difficult races with a mountainous profile, it is on such types of courses that I express myself best. I am certain that the Arkéa-B&B Hôtels team will suit me because its racing programme includes many events with such mountainous profiles, whether for one day or for stage races. I like the state of mind, the cohesion that reigns within the team, the way of running put in place. I also know a few riders from this team, which will allow me to integrate very quickly from January 1, 2024, into this squad. Everything is professional within this structure, and it is necessarily an aspect that one appreciates when one is a top-level athlete.”
The General Manager also acknowledged Claes’s capabilities, saying, “Lotte Claes is a Belgian rider. She is a climber who has already expressed her qualities in this area. She has just distinguished herself recently during the European Climbing Championship, taking 4th place. Lotte will be a reinforcement in the climbing options of the Arkéa-B&B Hôtels team.”
These additions to the Arkéa-B&B Hôtels team reflect an investment in talent and a strategic move to strengthen their presence in competitive cycling. Both riders bring unique skills and a strong desire to contribute to the team’s success.
