Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team has announced the signing of Dutch cyclist Milan Vader on a two-year contract through 2026. A rising star in the cycling world, Vader brings a unique blend of talent, determination, and versatility to the team, having already made waves in both mountain biking and road cycling.
At 28 years old, Vader has built a compelling record, first making his mark as one of the world’s top cross-country mountain bikers. He claimed the the Cross Country Elite National Dutch Champion title twice, secured multiple World Cup podiums and was a strong contender at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, representing the Netherlands. His success in mountain biking set the stage for his smooth transition to road cycling in 2021, where he continued to showcase his all-around talent, particularly excelling in climbing races.
After having spent his first three road cycling seasons at a WorldTour outfit, Vader is eager to continue his development and capitalise on more opportunities at our Swiss-registered team.
“I’m really motivated to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. If you look at the team and there’s a forward movement, the equipment is great and it looks super professional. I’m very much looking forward to getting more of my own chances. I have a solid explosive sprint and can do really well in shorter races with an uphill finish. That sort of races suit me really well and I proved that last year in Guangxi. I believe I will get more opportunities and more freedom to achieve what I really want: win races.”
LIFE-THREATENING CRASH
In 2022, Vader was involved in a life-threatening crash, but his recovery and return to racing has been nothing short of remarkable. With the GC win in last year’s edition of Tour of Guangxi Vader consolidated his comeback to full form.
Speaking about the signing, Doug Ryder, General Manager of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, said: "We are excited to welcome Milan Vader to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. With a strong foundation in cross-country mountain biking, Milan has made remarkable strides since transitioning to road cycling. His explosive climbing skills will be a key asset to our team.
"Milan’s journey, especially his inspiring recovery from a serious crash two years ago, speaks to his resilience and determination. We believe he's just at the start of an extraordinary road cycling career and we look forward to achieving great things together in the years ahead."