“Finding that balance is even more the challenge of this year than results” – Thymen Arensman talks Tom Dumoulin and the mental struggles of professional cycling
Cycling
Thymen Arensman recently shared some fascinating insights
about Tom Dumoulin and his own experiences in professional cycling on the De
Wielerredactie podcast. His reflections touched on hero worship, personal
struggles, and a shift in mentality as he continues to find the best approach
for his career.
Arensman began by recalling a special moment from his junior
days, when he had the chance to train alongside Dumoulin and Wilco Kelderman at
the 2017 World Championships in Bergen.
"I can express how I look at you with a beautiful
story," he said directly to Dumoulin. "You may remember: the World
Championships in Bergen, 2017. Daan Hoole and I did the time trial for juniors,
so we were allowed to go with you and Wilco Kelderman to reconnaissance. That
was really a dream come true. So for me, it is also very special to have this
conversation, as a hero or idol."
It’s clear that Dumoulin's influence on the younger
generation of Dutch riders has been profound. His success in Grand Tours and
time trials made him a reference point for talents like Arensman, who have
since followed in his footsteps.
However, Arensman’s journey in professional cycling has not
been without struggles. He opened up about the mental and physical toll of
striving for improvement, admitting that overtraining and extreme attention to
diet did not always bring positive results.
"In 2023, I felt that for the first time. You really
want to, but sometimes it has the opposite effect. It is then very difficult to
break that circle, but hopefully, I will have succeeded this winter."
To address these struggles, Arensman has made key changes to
his training philosophy, including working with a new coach who has encouraged
him to focus less on strict nutrition and extreme training hours.
"He says: you do less, and you don't focus so much on
nutrition. He slows me down enormously. I have surrendered to it. His most
important rule is to have fun. That makes such a big difference, that you are
not wringing yourself out. Too much focus on weight, weighing food, or doing
those 6.5-hour rides... that does not necessarily make you better."
This shift in perspective comes after a particularly
difficult period, with the Giro d’Italia in 2023 marking a low point in his
career.
"In Romandie, I had no power anymore, but in the first
stage of the Giro, I was very disappointed. When Narváez did win for the team,
but I cried in the back of the bus. I had been working on that for months, but
something had gone wrong. Then I realized that it might not work for me to be
under 70 kilograms."
His struggles with self-doubt have also been an ongoing
battle. Even before smaller races, Arensman finds himself worrying about his
ability to perform, particularly in team-oriented events like the Valencia team
time trial.
"I notice that I get nervous before competitions.
Before Valencia, it was so in my head that I could be dropped in the team time
trial, that I called my coach for two hours. That is the uncertainty of a
professional cyclist. Finding that balance is even more the challenge of this
year than results."
Despite these challenges, 2024 is set to be a major season
for Arensman, as he will make his Tour de France debut. While he admits to
feeling more connected to the Italian and Spanish racing culture, he is
intrigued by the brutal opening week of the Tour.
"I have more in common with the Italian and Spanish
culture, but maybe the Tour is fun. Did you see that first week? Those are
eight classics in a row, those stages."
Ultimately, Arensman is chasing a sense of fulfillment in
his career, rather than being obsessed with winning at all costs.
"I want to get the most out of my career and body and
be satisfied when I stop, whatever that is. A satisfied feeling, that's what
I'm after. Whether that's with a victory, third or sixth place, doesn't matter
to me. Tadej Pogacar is also a good example of that: an absurd talent, but he
also just has a lot of fun."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as 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. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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