This year abounds in talented young riders making their debuts in professional ranks, and we had pointed out to Mike Teunissen as one of those worth watching even before the season kicked-off. The 22-year old Dutchman claims to be excited before lining-up at the start of Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne on Sunday as a part of the LottoNL-Jumbo team and compares that experience to going to school for the first time.

„It's a bit like going to school for the first time,” Teunissen said, according to Wielerupdate. „It's exciting."

„For many years I've been spending this weekend watching those man racing and hoping I would become one of them one day. I'm finally here, it's a dream coming true,” said the 20-year old Dutchman in an interview for the 1Limburg.

Teunissen is perfectly aware what his role is going to be and that first year in the professional ranks is all about gaining a valuable experience and getting accustomed to the entirely new enviromnemt.

„It's about learning a lot, clocking race kilometers, lerning how to listen and use knowledge of other riders. If everything goes well, I hope to be provided with somewhat freer role in next few years..”

Like many riders originating from this part of Europe, the 22-year old Dutchman hopes to turn himself into a classics specialist in the future.

„I hope to make a step forward every year and to catch up with the best at some point. That's obviously what everyone dreams about,” he concluded.