Crisis at Picnic PostNL deepens? Key sports director set to leave for Decathlon
CyclingWednesday, 02 September 2026 at 09:00
There's no secret that the situation around Team Picnic PostNL is quite unsettling. Strong riders are not in a rush to sign with the Dutch team, while leading figures are on their way out. And that doesn't apply only to cyclists, but to performance staff too. According to cycling journalist Daniel Benson, sports director Matt Winston is leaving after eight seasons. His next steps will likely lead to Decathlon CMA CGM.
Winston became part of Picnic's staff in 2019, starting at the Development team. But his qualities quickly earned him a promotion to the main team where he stood behind many of Picnic's big victories, including 2020 Tour de France stage wins, or Oscar Onley's 4th place at 2025 Tour de France.
And even then, his insights continued to help shape the new generations of riders joining the team. The success of under-23 programme graduates Felix Gall, Pavel Bittner, Tobias Lund Andresen, Oscar Onley or Max Poole are self-explaining credentials.
Winston's legacy at Picnic will live on
Even in the hard times, the team was able to produce at the very least two WorldTour-ready talents in Matteo Vanhuffel and Jurgen Zomermaand who are expected to take the step up with Picnic PostNL in 2027.
"After eight years with the team, Matt has decided to leave the organisation and take on a new challenge elsewhere," according to a team press release. "After eight years of working together, the team looks back on a strong and valuable period and thanks Matt for his dedication and contribution to the team. The team wishes him the best of luck in the next chapter of his career."
More changes
Winston isn't the only one leaving. "Coaches Davide Gani and Melvin Rulliere are also leaving the team at the end of the season," reports Picnic PostNL. "The team thanks both of them for their dedication and contributions during their time with the team and wishes them all the best for the future."
Read also
Replacing Winston is his current colleague Roy Curvers. The Dutchman has been a part of the Dutch formation from all the way back in 2008 when the formation was still known as Skil - Shimano. He witnessed both highs and lows of the team, and now hopes to contribute to a period where the positives overweigh negatives.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Come on, put some effort in to the prediction please. Simply predicting Santiago Buitraigo for stage 12 is an easy way to avoid predicting what will happen with the GC. If you do think a breakaway will win, at least also mention what will happen in the favourites group, as that is a race of its own
Rafionain-Glas02-09-2026 - There is a saying in motor sport "In order to finish 1st first you have to finish"BevEvans02-09-2026
- This team is on the decline!!!mij02-09-2026
- Bahrain-Victorious's Slovenian environment is betterRafionain-Glas02-09-2026
- Can see that - why burn the matches in vain - it’s a long race, riders have other goals and ambitionsCrashjames02-09-2026
- Hah now it’s a race!Crashjames02-09-2026
- Stef Clement is an "analyst,"... with the BS he said? Really, are you serious? Does he know that crashes in numerous occasions are inevitable and unavoidable? No he doesn't. If he did, he wouldn't be spitting this #$"@§%&/()=* nonsense around. PS: Did Jonas, Van Aert, Remco, Roglič...etc etc. crash so many times because they knew they were the best and became careless? Answer this one Clement... just don't insult my intelligence. Capish?PogiSloFans02-09-2026
- What a stupid thing to say! Niki Lauda raced again 42 days after he burned out. If he's ready, he will race.MajorPayne02-09-2026
- So, based on that logic, there should be an asterisk next to every XC rider that is not Pidcock and ever cyclocross rider that isint van der Poel?Theleg402-09-2026
- Carapaz will ride for Carapaz and Carapaz only.jad2901-09-2026
Loading
Write a comment