Undoubtedly, 2023 will be remembered as Frank van den Broek's "breakthrough year." Prior to this season, he was a relative unknown, but after a remarkable campaign, he is set to return to DSM-firmenich in 2024. The cycling world eagerly anticipates this exciting discovery, as the 22-year-old from Warmond shares in an interview with IDLProCycling.com.
Van den Broek's cycling talent was already recognized in the Netherlands. Representing the JEGG-DJR Academy, he secured the mountain jersey in a Polish U23 race in 2022 and finished sixth in the national U23 time trial championship. ABLOC took notice and elevated him to the continental level, where his career took off last season.
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Frank van den Broek
In several Dutch spring races, he displayed his attacking style before astonishing both friends and rivals in June with a remarkable victory in the Ronde de l'Oise, a French 2.2 stage race. This win served as perfect preparation for the Dutch National Championship (NK) later the same month. At the NK, Van den Broek first impressed by claiming a remarkable sixth place in the elite men's time trial. A few days later, he maintained a strong position within the leading group during a substantial part of the race, ultimately finishing in eighth place.
These performances were no fluke, as he secured a stage win in the Tour of Qinghai Lake (2.Pro) and signaled his potential for a higher level. DSM-firmenich recognized his talent and included him in the training team for the initial months. Competing for this team, he clinched a stage victory in the Under-23 category during the Tour Alsace (2.2), where he also secured a third-place finish in the overall classification. Additionally, while representing the DSM WorldTour team, he impressively finished sixteenth in the Tour of Germany after an aggressive race.
Adjusting to a new environment took some time, but Van den Broek has adapted well. Following his remarkable performance in Germany, DSM selected him to participate in prestigious races such as the SUPER 8 Classic, the CRO Race, Gran Piemonte, and Paris-Tours. The day after his final race, DSM announced that Van den Broek, along with Enzo Leijnse and Patrick Eddy, would make the transition to the WorldTour team in 2024.
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Van den Broek after the NK
What an incredible year, and what a journey it has been. The Dutch National Championship (NK) in Limburg, where Van den Broek competed against heavyweights like Dylan van Baarle, Mathieu van der Poel, and Olav Kooij, only added to his achievements. "My agreement with DSM was already in place before the NK, but that race served as a confirmation," says the young Dutchman. He seems to be gradually comprehending the whirlwind he has experienced in just under six months.
As a member of DSM-firmenich, where he's contracted until the end of 2026, the expectations are higher. What kind of rider can we anticipate Van den Broek to become? "I'm not entirely certain yet, and I need to give it careful thought. I do need to specialize, but for now, I'm exploring various aspects of cycling to determine what suits me best.
I've already made progress in time trials, and I'm familiar with climbing in multi-day races. I believe I need challenging races to push my limits. Uphill and downhill, and in high mountains, I haven't had as much experience. The question is whether I can handle the Hors Catégorie climbs," he ponders. Fortunately, he's fortunate to have experienced riders like Romain Bardet to guide him on this journey. "These are riders from whom I can learn a great deal."