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Aimé De Gendt joins Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

Aimé De Gendt joins the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The 31-year-old from Denderhoutem, Belgium lives in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes and brings a wealth of experience to the team after having already been a professional rider for ten years. He is the only remaining De Gendt (not related to Thomas) in the pro peloton now.

“This year everything came together,” De Gendt said. “I had a good classics season, the team needed some reinforcements there and I have known Kurt [Bogaerts] for many years now. The team appeals to me in how they manage to progress each and every year. The team looks great with good equipment and structure. I hope to contribute to further growth.”

8 September 2025

De Gendt comes from a generation inspired by Belgian greats like Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert. He started racing when he was twelve and gradually moved through the youth ranks into juniors. He became Belgian time trial champion and won highly rated junior races in Belgium and abroad.

“As a junior in my time it was all a bit more playful then it is now. We did all sorts of races and didn’t really specialize just yet. Your body is developing and you are finding out how it all works. I still see many of the guys from those days in the pro ranks. In my years as a pro rider I have developed into someone who is always part of the first group in the classics. Behind the absolute top riders like Van der Poel and Pogacar there is a big group. As Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team it will be good to have multiple cards to play there.”

Having been part of the pro peloton for a decade, his heart is in the Classics. He has been a constant factor in all of them in the past years. He loves the climbs and the cobbles with La Houppe as favorite.His favorite races are the Ronde van Vlaanderen which passes by his house every other year, and the Classics’ season opener Omloop het Nieuwsblad. This year De Gendt scored a seventh place in E3 Harelbeke. With Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team he hopes to progress even more.

“From the outside the team looks very professional with bikes, tyres and clothing and everything you need. At this level every little details counts. I think this team is very active with those details. I can’t wait to work with new staff to see what I can still learn. I think it’s good to always stay ambitious and have that inner drive to win but winning at this level is never easy, especially with my sprint so I also look forward to helping others win.”

“We are delighted to welcome Aimé De Gendt to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team,” said General Manager Doug Ryder. “Aimé is a true classics rider, and his consistency and depth of experience will add real strength to our team in these demanding races. The Classics are such an important part of the sport’s heritage, and we want to honor and respect that tradition by racing with passion, resilience and respect for our competitors and the fans. Aimé embodies these values, and together we look forward to challenging at the highest level while continuing to inspire and progress as a team.”

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