Team Picnic PostNL have bolstered their men’s roster for the upcoming season by adding two new Dutch riders, Frits Biesterbos and Timo de Jong, both of whom bring a blend of emerging talent and solid experience. Biesterbos signs through 2027, while De Jong will remain with the squad until at least the end of 2026.
Biesterbos continues his rapid rise
For Frits Biesterbos, the move marks another step forward in what has been a swift transition from mountain biking to the professional road scene. The Apeldoorn native spent 2025 with BEAT Cycling Club, where a string of strong results confirmed his potential. Early-season podiums in Slovenia set the tone before he achieved a career-best second place in the final time trial of the Sibiu Cycling Tour, finishing just fractions of a second behind the stage winner.
The highlight of his season, however, came in the Dutch gravel championships, where Biesterbos claimed the national title before going on to take silver at the Gravel World Championships in Limburg. His aggressive yet composed racing style drew attention from several teams, but Picnic PostNL had already been tracking him for months.
“Joining Team Picnic PostNL feels like the natural next step for me,” Biesterbos said. “The team’s structure and focus on steady development really appealed to me. I’m still learning on the road, so I want to find out what kind of rider I can become. I’ve done well in the hills so far, and my mountain bike background helps with technical sections. For now, it’s all about growing and contributing to the team’s success.”
Head coach Rudi Kemna confirmed that Biesterbos had been on the team’s radar well before his standout World Championship ride. “We first noticed him during the Belgian one-day races where he rode with real intent,” Kemna explained. “His gravel performances just reinforced what we already knew. He’s got power, explosiveness and endurance – the type of rider who can thrive in a range of terrains. We’ll give him a varied race calendar to see where his ceiling lies.”
De Jong earns full-time deal after impressive stagiaire spell
Joining Biesterbos is Timo de Jong, who signs after an impressive late-season stint with the team as a stagiaire. The Zeeland-born rider, who has spent six years with VolkerWessels Cycling Team, made the most of his 2025 campaign, claiming a stage win and second overall at Olympia’s Tour and following that up with victory at the Midden-Brabant Poort Omloop.
His consistency and resilience earned him a trial run with Team Picnic PostNL in the latter half of the season, where he adapted quickly to the demands of higher-level racing. De Jong capped off the year in style with a memorable stage win on the VAM-berg at the Tour of Holland, finishing seventh overall in the general classification.
“After my stagiaire period, it was an easy decision to stay,” De Jong said. “From day one, I felt at home here. I see myself as a classics-style rider who can read races well and position effectively in key moments. I want to use those strengths to help the team in the major one-day races and contribute whenever I can.”
Kemna praised the 25-year-old’s race awareness and tactical intelligence. “Timo is one of those riders who always seems to make the right move,” he said. “His positioning, timing and calm under pressure are impressive. He’ll play a key role in our lead-out and classics squad, bringing depth and reliability to the group.”
A statement of intent from Picnic PostNL
The double signing of Biesterbos and De Jong highlights Team Picnic PostNL’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent while maintaining a competitive edge in international racing. Both riders represent different pathways to the professional ranks – one through off-road and gravel success, the other through years of domestic perseverance – yet their arrival reflects the same principle: a focus on long-term growth and smart development.
With two more Dutchmen added to the roster, the team continues to reinforce its identity as one of the country’s most promising development platforms, combining ambition with a clear vision for the future.
Main photo credit: Cor Vos
