Jens Debusschere (33) hasn't yet hung up his bike after the B&B debacle. The former Belgian champion has set up a one-man team so that he can say goodbye to cycling and his fans in a nice way at the BK in Izegem. "Become Belgian champion again? I believe in it," says Debusschere.
When his B&B Hotels team suddenly closed the books last winter, Jens Debusschere was out of work from one day to the next.
The 2014 Belgian champion didn’t find a new team. But Debusschere wouldn't end his career in this way and found a solution.
"When I was watching a cyclocross race on TV this winter, I saw Jens Adams racing with an individual jersey with individual sponsors on it. That gave me ideas," says Debusschere.
"A few days later, the course of the BK on the road in Izegem was presented. The course is not far from Wielsbeke, where I became Belgian champion."
For Debusschere that was the absolute trigger - just like Jens Adams - to set up a one-man team.
I came up with the idea while watching a cyclocross race on TV this winter.
Belgian Championship
Debusschere started looking for partners and the one-man team was born. "I will continue up to and including the BC through fairground races and gravel competitions."
"The Belgian title in Wielsbeke in 2014 was the start of a great career. On June 25 I can then close my career in a wonderful way at the BC in Izegem. The circle will then be complete."
Can Debusschere - just like in Wielsbeke 9 years ago - become Belgian champion in Izegem? "If I didn't believe in it, I wouldn't have started the project."