August 19, 2014 (Montreal, QC) – Quebec cyclist Joëlle Numainville is taking on a new career challenge as she joins the professional Belgian team Lotto Belisol. This is a major development for the sprinter, who will now be able to compete full time in Europe in the lead-up to the Rio Olympics.

For Joëlle, joining the UCI Europe Tour is a dream come true. She believes this change will be highly beneficial for her road-racing career. “This is the best new avenue I could hope for,” she explains. “I’ll have a very busy schedule, which is what I wanted, and the team will give me a chance to get back into competition quickly, so I can be in top shape for the World Championships this fall.”

Until recently, the Olympic athlete was a member of the Optum Pro Cycling team in the United States. She asked to be released so that she could join the Belgian team. She will join her new team this week and should be taking part in the Trophée d’Or race in France, from September 23 to 27.

Lotto Belisol Ladies

The Lotto Belisol Ladies cycling team was established in 2006. The team is currently 13th in the UCI rankings and hopes to finish the year in the top-10 team rankings. Lotto’s members include the Belgian road-racing champion Jolien d’Hoore and until recently, the silver medallist in the Bejing Olympics and world time-trial champion Emma Pooley.

To view the calendar of races for the Lotto Belisol women’s team here.

Here are her best career finishes:

–       Top 25 World ranking in 2014
–       First place at the 2013 Canadian Championships
–       12th at the 2012 London Olympic Games
–       13th at the 2012 World Championships