Since its inception in 2017, Team dsm-firmenich have seen 18 riders come through their Development program and promoted to their Men’s program, and they can now proudly announce that the number will rise to 21 with the promotions of Patrick Eddy, Enzo Leijnse and Frank van den Broek. Eddy and Leijnse have a contract with the team that sees them ride in the two-striped jersey through 2025, while Van den Broek is set to be with the team through the 2026 campaign.
Patrick Eddy
Hailing from Bendigo in Australia, Eddy made the move over to Europe ahead of the 2022 season where he joined the team’s Development program. Before that, he had a successful time racing in Australia as a junior – winning the national title twice in the time trial and once in the road race before a solid opening year in the U23 ranks. Since joining the Development program Eddy has progressed as a rider, working hard for his teammates, and gaining valuable experience when riding alongside the Men’s program as part of mixed line-ups. This year has seen him continue to make steps with more strong team riding as part of the lead-out but he’s also taken his chances too; with his first UCI level top three in a sprint finish at the Flèche du Sud. Following on from that he’s showed his powerhouse potential with a fine ninth place finish in the ZLM Tour prologue against WorldTour level opposition.
Eddy expressed: “It was a big transition for me coming to race in Europe for the first-time last season, but the environment in the Development program has really helped me improve on my weaknesses and build on my strengths. I’ve already been lucky enough to do some races with the Men’s program and it’s been great to learn from the older guys. I know already that this is the best environment for me to continue to grow as a rider. The team has a great mix of experienced professionals and talented young guys who are all equally motivated for success. I’m excited to be part of this group and continue to build something special over the next few years.”
Team dsm-firmenich head coach Rudi Kemna added: “Patrick has made some nice steps with us since he joined the team in 2022. He is a strong rider, and a guy that we think can continue to make big steps with our sprint group and as part of the lead-out. Patrick is a switched-on guy who takes the different aspects of his development professionally and seriously, so we’re looking forward to continuing to help Patrick develop and make the next steps in his career as a cyclist.”
Enzo Leijnse
Now finishing his fourth season with the Development program, Leijnse has improved year-on-year as he has progressed through the ranks. In his opening season he was part of the team time trial winning squad at the Ronde de l’Isard and provided his power to the Dutch national squad the following year at the Tour de l’Avenir where they also won the team time trial. Clearly adept against the clock, 2022 saw Leijnse claim a strong bronze medal in the Dutch U23 national championships time trial. Alongside that, he gained valuable experience racing alongside the Men’s program where he performed ably in support of the team’s goals. This season saw Leijnse take on more opportunities as finisher in the Development program, fighting at the front of races, and his big breakthrough came at the Olympia’s Tour where he claimed a superb win from the breakaway. Proving his strong legs, Leijnse continued his upwards trajectory in the U23 time trial, claiming the Dutch tricolour after a strong ride in Elspeet.
Leijnse said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time with the team so far and throughout my years with the Development program I have made steps in my level each season and I want to continue to make them now as I make the move to the Men’s program. I’m extremely happy make this step-up, it’s a dream to turn professional and I’m really looking forward to the next years with the team and achieving some nice things together.”
Team dsm-firmenich head coach Rudi Kemna continued: “A stalwart of our Development program since 2020, Enzo has made progress year-on-year and he has been a pleasure to work with. Eager to listen and learn, he will always push to get the best out of himself and those around him. A strong time trial rider in the U23 category; that is an area we will look to further develop with him as he makes the step up to the WorldTour, but we will also aim to continue his general progression as a rider too. From that, we will utilise Enzo’s physical potential and possibilities as best as possible in a variety of different races throughout the season.”
Frank van den Broek
Coming through club and amateur teams in the Netherlands, Van den Broek had a good 2022 season which saw him picked up by Continental level team ABLOC CT for the start of the 2023 season. Continuing his development with the team, he took impressive results such as the overall title at Ronde de l’Oise, an attacking eighth at the elite Dutch national championships, and his first professional victory at Tour of Qinghai Lake. These results saw him make a mid-season switch to Team dsm-firmenich’s Development program and since then he has continued to impress. His debut in the distinctive two-striped jersey could almost not have gone any better where he took a stage win and third overall at the demanding Tour Alsace. Building on his good form, he ably supported the team to some top results at the ProContinental level Deutschland Tour, where he himself finished 16th overall. More recently he impressed many with a brilliant attacking ride at the SUPER 8 Classic where he unfortunately crashed out of the winning move; but it was a ride which highlights his potential for the future.
Van den Broek said: “In the short time I’ve been with the team, I’ve genuinely sensed the trust and confidence they’ve placed in me, and I appreciate the opportunities that have come my way. I’m especially thrilled to have turned my initial opportunity at the Tour Alsace into a success, by securing a win in the final stage. What stands out to me, and what I value most about this team, is the growth mindset approach applied around racing. Stepping up to the WorldTour marks a new chapter in my career, where I can challenge myself against the best in the world and contribute to our goals. In the coming years, my aspirations are high. I aim to make meaningful contributions to the team’s success, to compete at the highest level, and to continue learning from the experienced riders and staff around me.”
Team dsm-firmenich coach Rudi Kemna added: “A recent addition to our team, Frank has really impressed us with not only his ability but also his attitude to bike racing. He is a real racer that can read situations on the road well, and he always likes to ride on the front foot; making him an ideal person to bring us the option for more open and aggressive racing. He is a driven individual and his character fits in well with the team, so with the help of our experts and trainers, we hope to continue bringing him to the next level as he makes the next physical steps with us.”