Potential is only the beginning 

How Netcompany and the Racing Academy create space for new talent to grow 

Tour de l’Avenir puts emerging cycling talent on a bigger stage. Taking place from 20 to 26 August 2026, the race brings together young riders ready to test their abilities under greater pressure and against stronger competition.  

It is a visible moment in a much longer development journey.  

Talent may open a door, but lasting progress rarely happens through individual ability alone. People grow when they are given meaningful challenges, trusted with responsibility, and supported by others who understand what the next step requires.  

That idea connects the Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy with the way Netcompany develops early-career professionals.  

Trusted with something that matters 

 

At Netcompany, development combines structured learning, mentorship and hands-on experience. Netcompany Academy supports employees from their first day, while project work gives them opportunities to apply what they learn to real challenges.  

For Oliver Ahrenfeldt, responsibility came early. Only a few months into his first project, he was asked to design and implement complex functionality for a system critical to society, work that would usually be given to someone with more experience.  

»There was a strong sense of trust from the beginning. And when you’re trusted with responsibility, you feel motivated to live up to it. «  

The trust did not mean that Oliver was expected to know everything. It meant he was given a meaningful challenge, supported as he handled it and allowed him to show what he could do.  

»There was a strong sense of trust from the beginning. And when you’re trusted with responsibility, you feel motivated to live up to it.«  

Oliver Ahrenfeldt, Senior Consultant at Netcompany

For Racing Academy rider Mattie Dodd, development has similarly meant deliberately stepping into situations that stretch what he already knows.

At Olympia’s Tour in the Netherlands, he found himself facing a style of crosswind racing that was completely different from what he was used to.

Five difficult days later, he began to understand how to handle it. A few months on, at Gent-Wevelgem, that experience had translated into progress.

»I think it's that attitude where you know a race is going to be difficult and it's outside your comfort zone. That's really what lets you progress.«

Mattie Dodd, rider in the Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy

Support that makes challenge possible

 

On his second day as a Netcompany intern, Thanos Gkogkos chose the hardest mobile test automation task on his team’s list. His mentor, Varvara Menta, encouraged him to try and reassured him that they would work through it together.  

»I was nervous about failing, but Varvara made it feel safe to step up and take on more than I thought I could.«  

Thanos solved the task the following morning. But the story is about more than a quick technical result. It shows what can happen when someone is challenged without being left alone.  

The Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy has been created around a similar balance. Its young riders are exposed to standards that reflect the WorldTour environment, while receiving the structure and support needed to develop as racers and teammates.

For Davide Frigo, joining the Racing Academy has meant adapting to a new team, a more international environment and a demanding schedule while still finishing school.

»Joining a new team, adapting to a more international environment, and balancing school with training and travelling hasn’t been easy. The team has supported me really well through it, « Davide says.

He also describes the move into the new category as a significant step in his development:

»Moving into this new category was a big step forward for me, both mentally and physically. The team has helped me in the best way, and I think we’ll continue to improve together.«

»Joining a new team, adapting to a more international environment, and balancing school with training and travelling hasn't been easy. The team has supported me really well through it.«

Davide Frigo, rider in the Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy

Taking the next step

 

Young professionals and young riders develop in different environments, but the conditions for growth are recognisable.

They need opportunities that matter. They need people who will challenge them and offer honest guidance. Most importantly, they need to be trusted before they feel completely ready.

For Davide Frigo and Mattie Dodd, Tour de l’Avenir represents the next step in a development journey shaped by new challenges, learning and support from the team around them. Davide points to the importance of preparation and the confidence that comes from working closely with the team, while Mattie reflects on how each race adds experience, builds confidence and helps him understand more about what he is capable of.

Whether in technology or professional cycling, growth comes from being challenged, learning through experience and having the right people around you to help turn potential into something more.

Curious to see what growth looks like at Netcompany?

 

Explore more employee portraits and discover how our people grow through responsibility, support and meaningful work, and what working life at Netcompany looks like in practice.

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