"I think it's embarrassing... they haven't accomplished anything all year": Bjarne Riis slams Picnic-PostNL after failed bid for Tour’s first green jersey

Team Picnic PostNL endured a disappointing start to the 2026 Tour de France after an aggressive attempt to claim the race's first green jersey unravelled during the opening team time trial in Barcelona. The Dutch team set the fastest time at the first intermediate checkpoint but quickly lost momentum after Warren Barguil was dropped by the pace, forcing his teammates to wait before continuing.

Their early benchmark was soon surpassed by Netcompany INEOS, Lidl-Trek, Visma and UAE, and Picnic-PostNL eventually slipped to second-last place on the stage, finishing only ahead of XDS-Astana, whose ride was disrupted by three crashes.

Robbe Dhondt was the team's best finisher, crossing the line 1 minute and 55 seconds behind stage winner and first yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard.

The disappointing performance came as Picnic-PostNL seeks crucial UCI ranking points to avoid relegation from the WorldTour in 2028, having recorded just one victory so far this season (Casper van Uden at stage 5 of Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye). As of now, the team has only obtained 1717 points, which is around 3500 less than the next World Tour team (Education First with 5351 points).

Former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis strongly criticised the team's display, questioning both its ambitions and level. "I think it's embarrassing. Also what they've delivered all year. There's something completely wrong," Riis said.

Riis also singled out Barguil after the Frenchman lost contact early in the time trial. "That a rider like Warren Barguil loses wheels so early, a class rider like him, it's just not good enough. It's clear."

The Dane argued that the team's overall standard has fallen below WorldTour expectations. "At the WorldTour level, you have to be better. They are not a new team. I think it's unambitious. It really disappoints me. They haven't accomplished anything all year. I'm afraid it will be a bit the same here. It's time to change."