Arensman reveals he turned down Jumbo-Visma & Bora-Hansgrohe to join INEOS

As you will probably know by now, Thymen Arensman will ride for the INEOS Grenadiers in 2023. What you may not have been aware of however is the fact that the Dutchman actually turned down offers from Jumbo-Visma and BORA - hansgrohe when leaving Team DSM.

In an interview with RIDE Magazine, Arensman tells the story of how he came to his decision. "I had decided for myself that I only wanted to talk to four teams. Those were INEOS Grenadiers, Jumbo-Visma, Team DSM  and BORA-hansgrohe." The 22-year-old says. "I then put all these proposals against each other. They were so close that my feeling was the deciding factor.”

That gut feeling Arensman mentioned was that he wasn't ready to be a GC leader just yet. As he says himself, "I would be faster leader at both Jumbo and DSM. But that is not necessarily necessary for me." Arensman realises there is no rush, time is on his side. "Don't forget: I'm still only 22 years young.”

Arensman was also quick to point out his pride at having, as he puts it "the two best teams in the world" battling it out for his signature. “The plans of Jumbo and INEOS with me were very similar," he says. "That is very special. I just think INEOS can take me much further, at the moment."