The Collective
Dr. Sarah Ruggins
UK
The power woman
In the space of 2 years Sarah has progressed from buying her first bike to embarking on a world record attempt. No stranger to challenge, Sarah was a competitive track and field athlete in Canada who suffered a career ending illness that paralysed her for several years. Since her rehabilitation, she took it upon herself to learn to ride a bike and hasn’t looked back, using her platform to raise funds for small charities through participation in the Transcontinental races. Off the bike, Sarah puts her doctorate in Finance to work for an Investment Management Team in London, U.K.
Wietse Bosmans
BE
The comeback kid
A former cyclocross pro, Wietse is setting his sights high for the UCI gravel races. After stepping away from cycling for a few years, he’s ready to make a strong and determined comeback.
We’re incredibly proud to have Wietse on our team. His mentality perfectly aligns with our vision. After several years as a professional cyclist, he’s now dedicating his free time to this remarkable comeback. No one has ever doubted his talent—least of all us. His determination to fight his way back after years away from competitive racing speaks volumes about his resilience, passion for the sport, and deep appreciation for everyone involved in it. We’ll be there every step of the way, ready to support and cheer him on as he pursues his goals.
Manu Catrysse
BE
Bike wizard
Meet Manu Cattrysse, a Bike Wizard who breaths the spirit of adventure. He is a skilled bike mechanic by day and an ultra-cyclist by night. With a passion for all things off-road, Manu thrives on tackling technical terrain that pushes his limits. When he's not fine-tuning bikes, he's out exploring nature with his partner Katrien and their two boys, introducing them to the joys of mountain biking and taking them on bikepacking trips.
His competitive nature has propelled him onto the stage of some of the most renowned ultra-bikepacking races, where he is gearing up to claim victory in 2025.
Katrien De Smet
BE
Banana Bass Racer
Katrien is an experienced ultra racer who shares her love for adventure and racing with her partner, Manu. With a career in the cycling industry, Katrien’s life truly is all about bikes, as she now also passes that enthusiasm on to her children. Balancing a full-time job, family life, and a packed race calendar—whether racing alongside Manu as a pair or going on solo trips. While she enjoys the competitive aspect of racing, her number one priority is always to explore new places and have fun along the way.
Erik Van Holland
NL
Polka dot summit slayer
Erik is a passionate ultra gravel cyclist with a talent for climbing, making tough ascents look easy. A style enthusiast and photographer, he captures the beauty of his rides while exploring the world in his vintage VW camper van. Always driven by a love for the outdoors, Erik blends adventure and elegance in everything he does.
Bram Bourgonjon
BE
Team doctor
Despite his demanding job at the hospital, Bram is determined to be the best version of himself at the start of every gravel race.
Bram is gearing up for an exciting 2025 with two major targets in mind: conquering Unbound, the legendary gravel race, and taking on the UCI Gravel Series. These events aren’t just about the thrill of competition—they’re key stepping stones in his journey to the ultimate challenge: the UCI Gravel World Championships!
With a year packed full of preparation, adventure, and lots of gravel under his tires, Bram is ready to make 2025 unforgettable.
Annemie Gommers
The explorer
Annemie discovered bikepacking only 1,5 years ago and immediately got hooked to the thrill and sense of freedom every journey brings. Now she is always on the hunt for her next adventure. She’s been on numerous bikepacking trips and absolutely loves exploring new routes and regions. Annemie can also often be found on the trails, out for a good run.
BE
Nils Luypaert
BE
It’s all in the mind. co-founder
Nils, as the team and sponsorship manager, is the driving force behind the collective. Always eager to push his limits, he thrives on adventure. Ultra racing and bikepacking journeys are his true passions.
For Nils, it’s all about the journey!
Jochen Sablon
BE
Le music connaisseur. co-founder
A true adventurer, he loves exploring new regions on his bike and sharing those experiences with friends and family. On top of that, he’s a genuine creative mastermind!