August 21, 2014 (Montreal, QC) – Top Canadian rider Joëlle Numainville made it public on Aug. 19 that she had left the Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies squad to immediately join the Belgian Lotto-Belisol team.

“It’s a new chapter! I am going there to perform and help the team win the biggest races. I’m going to a team that can showcase me until the next Olympics,” said the Quebec native enthusiastically.

August 1st is the start date when cyclists can start negotiations with professional teams in order to secure contracts for the 2015 season. However, it’s rare that an athlete immediately change teams during the season. Numainville will replace Brit Emma Pooley at Lotto-Belisol, who recently announced her retirement.

“Team Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies did not require me to race for the rest of the season and the people at Lotto-Belisol were ready for me, so I did what I had to do. I’m really happy and it saves my season,” explained the 2013 Canadian road and ITT champion.

The impact of a concussion
Numainville suffered a devastating crash in the spring of 2013 which affected her plans to compete for the past year-and-a-half. It took several months to diagnose the concussion after her fall, and it wasn’t until the end of last year that she had the verdict.

“It took me so long to get over it and I never thought it would take so long! I shouldn’t return to competition being 95% of my ability, but 100%. I realized that my career was hanging by a thread and it made me think. If doctors did not give me the green light, it is clear that I wouldn’t come back,” said Numainville, who plans to pursue a career in the financial world following the Olympic Games in Rio and continue working towards a Masters degree.

During her long rehabilitation process, Numainville indicated publicly that she did not like the way her former team had managed her return to competition with few race starts.

“I do not know and I want to turn the page,” explained Numainville. “Yes, I would have thought I’d have more support from them after my concussion. Nevertheless, the termination of our agreement was still done properly.”

Back on the Old Continent
The addition of Numainville to Lotto-Belisol marks a return to Europe for the athlete who raced for the French team ESGL-GSD Gestion in the past. This European comeback is welcomed by Numainville as over the past two years the Canadian national team hasn’t offered the opportunity for the best female riders to participate in World Cups

In 2012, Numainville finished third at the women’s Tour of Flanders as part of a Team Canada campaign.

“Before, I could ride for an American team and ride in European projects with the Canadian team, but now it is no longer possible,” said Numainville, who was already planning a return to Europe for 2015.

The first European competitions for Numainville will be the Trophée d’Or and the Grand Prix de Plouay, the final race of the World Cup season.

Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies has not issued an official release regarding Numainville.