Kool and the gang: Team DSM bolster Women’s program

Team DSM bolster their Women’s program in 2022 with the signing of three exciting talents: Charlotte Kool, Léa Curinier and Francesca Barale. Kool joins the team until at least the end of 2022, while Curinier and Barale will race in the team’s distinctive two striped jersey through 2023.

Charlotte Kool (Ned)

At 22 years old, Charlotte Kool has steadily progressed through the cycling ranks, improving as a rider year-on-year. As a junior, Kool finished second in the 2016 Dutch national road race behind future teammate Lorena Wiebes, going on to find her feet in the elite peloton in the following years. With a good turn of speed, Kool has taken strong second place finishes at MerXem Classic in 2019 and Grote Prijs Euromat in 2020, before taking her first race victory at the Baloise Ladies Tour this season. With her punchy qualities, Kool will fit into the Women’s program sprint group well, where she will look to gain experience and play a role in the lead out as the team continues to hunt wins

Léa Curinier (Fra)

After strong performances in the junior ranks, including victory in the 2019 French time trial alongside a hatful of other good results, Curinier made the step up to the professional peloton in 2020. Finding her feet in her first season, 2021 has seen Curinier continue her development as a rider, growing in her abilities as a climber and puncheur. That skillset was put on display at the Thüringen Ladies Tour where Curinier was up there and fighting for good results each stage and claiming a strong second place in the best young rider’s competition. Looking ahead, Curinier will continue her general development with the team over the next two years.

Francesca Barale (Ita)

18-year-old Barale will make the step up to the WorldTour with the team next season after two very successful seasons as a junior. 2020 saw her take third place in the Italian national championships time trial before going on to dominate the road race, taking home the famous tricolour. Going on to win several regional races in Italy, Barale has continued her progression and development this season with fourth place at Trofeo Binda, second overall at the tough Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie, and claiming the national time trial crown. A talented climber who’s skilled on the bike, the ambitious Barale will look to develop overall in her first year’s with the team and get used to the racing rhythm in the professional ranks.