The adage that adversity is opportunity in disguise has rung true for young Mid Canterbury cyclist Logan Currie.
The 22-year-old has been signed by high profile Belgian professional team Lotto-Dstny for 2024 after riding opportunities in the major UCI tours looked to have dried up following the demise of his Bolton Equities Black Spoke team.
Currie, one of the most promising young kiwi road riders, was a key part of Black Spoke, the first New Zealand team to ride in the UCI Pro Tour until their sponsorship funds for a fifth year in 2024 dried up and the team folded.
After urgent calls to his cycling contacts, Currie secured an opportunity with Lotto-Dstny, who have been a WorldTour team for decades before dropping to the UCI ProTour this year.
As the top ranked of the relegated WorldTour teams, Lotto-Dstny gain starts in major WorldTour races including the Grand Tours, with the team focus fixed firmly on a return to the top league.
Currie, fourth last year in the under-23 time trial at the world championships, won the Oceania under-23 time trial the same year and has been the national TT champion for the last two years.
In the UCI Pro Tour this year he won the best young rider honours in the Tour of Hellas and Tour of Denmark, runner-up in the Ronde de l’Oise and third in the Belgium Tour.
“This is another big step in my career which is awesome and I am excited to head back overseas to experience a new team and new lifestyle,” said Currie.
“The Lotto offer came about by a whole lot of networking as fast as possible once we found out about the team folding. I talked to a few teams but nothing came until some luck with Lotto Dstny and hard work from Franky Van Haesebroucke, our Black Spoke DS, who helped get me across the line.”
While disappointed that the Black Spoke team folded, Currie is thankful for the experiences which have led to his new venture.
“I would not be where I am now with Lotto without the Black Spoke experience. It was all down to Murray (Bolton) putting the funds in for four years, and with Scott Guyton managing the teams. It was awesome and I am sure all the guys are appreciative of what they did.”
Currie has been signed for one year, but is aware that strong performances could lead to an extension, the opportunity to compete in a Grand Tour and ultimately the chance to ride on the World Tour.
He joins the team mid-February with some clear targets before he goes.
That includes some work on the family farm in Methven, training and some family time, with a family fishing trip to Stewart Island high on the agenda.
“The national championships in Timaru will be my first big goal of the season. It’s just down the road which is perfect. I have done a fair few races down there and enjoy the courses they have down there which will be fun.”
No doubt he would like nothing more than to score the first national championship of 2024 for his new pro team and wear the national champion’s jersey in Europe next year.