High sprinter Dylan Groenewegen has signed for the Unibet Tietema Rockets on a two-year deal till 2027, departing Jayco-AlUla after 4 seasons.
With 75 skilled victories to his identify and as a six-time Tour de France stage winner, Groenewegen is the most important signing made to this point by the ProTeam, based by ex-rider-turned-YouTuber, Bas Tietema.
The staff’s ambition is to at some point flip WorldTour and experience the Tour de France, and Groenewegen’s arrival is a giant push in direction of that aim, bringing possible success in sprints, and one of many peloton’s high riders to construct round for the subsequent two seasons.
Groenwegen is joined in his transfer by trusted companion Elmar Reinders, additionally from Jayco-AlUla, who will certainly make up a part of the Dutchman’s dash prepare at Unibet Tietema Rockets.
The French-registered ProTeam, with Dutch roots, introduced the marquee signing on their YouTube channel on Tuesday, with a behind-the-scenes take a look at the method of getting Groenewegn to return on board with the venture.
“Signing Dylan marks an enormous step ahead for our venture,” stated Tietema within the announcement.
“We need to encourage individuals by displaying what’s doable while you dream huge, having a confirmed winner like Dylan on board reveals we’re critical about taking this staff to the subsequent degree.
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“For us, it was by no means nearly signing a giant identify. It was about discovering somebody who actually believes in what we’re constructing right here and is ready to convey that to a better degree.”
Key to each events concerned was perception within the venture that’s being constructed, a pursuit of the very high, which Groenewegen believed he might be part of, and the staff trusted that he knew what their ambitions have been.
“I like the way in which the Rockets dare to do issues otherwise, and I imagine of their plan to construct one thing particular. I’m excited to be part of this journey and I can’t wait to win races collectively,” stated Groenewegen.
“Earlier in my profession, I used to be a part of a staff that was nonetheless constructing in direction of the highest. Again then at Jumbo-Visma, not all the things was good but, however wanting again, these have been in all probability the years I loved probably the most in my profession.
“There’s one thing particular about being a part of a venture that’s rising and combating to show itself day-after-day. I see that very same vitality and ambition at Unibet Tietema Rockets, working in direction of the massive aim of using the Tour de France. I can’t wait to assist write the subsequent chapter collectively.”
Tietema, who runs the staff alongside associates and co-founders Josse Wester and Devin van der Wiel, stated he knew Groenewegen was the person for the job, even from their earlier conferences.
“From our very first talks with Dylan, it was clear he understood our imaginative and prescient and needed to be a part of this venture,” added Tietema. “His starvation to win, mixed along with his perception in our imaginative and prescient, makes him the proper match for the place we need to go as a staff.”
Groenewegen and Reinders are the second and third transfers made by Unibet Tietema Rockets for 2026, with Czech rider Matyáš Kopecký becoming a member of his brother Tomas on the ProTeam, additionally on a two-year contract.