"In sports they don't reward seniority" - Oliver Naesen re-signs with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team despite smaller contract

Officially re-signing with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team for another two seasons and taking his time with the team to nine years, Oliver Naesen is by now a stalwart of the French-based outfit.

"I told my manager Yannick Prévost that I felt good where I was. But perhaps the moment was ripe to look elsewhere. I added that I wanted to sign before the start of the Tour de France anyway," Naesen recalls of his internal debate surrounding his future in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. In the end, a contract extension would be signed although, the terms of the contract are lesser. "I like stability. Financially I have taken a step back. In sports, they don't reward seniority."

As mentioned, Naesen is one of the most experienced riders in the team and at the end of his new contract, may stick around longer as part of the backroom staff. "A position as an extended arm of the management, and specifically towards the younger riders, is a role that appeals to me," he explains. "That's a bit of a captain's role. Then I really am a kind of piece of furniture."

But what can he still show on the road in the next two years? "I suspect that my role as assistant in the stage races will take over. That's actually been going on for a few years. For example, I am often better in the Tour de France than in the spring. And so I am of added value," he says realistically. "Things like that do evolve. In 2019 I would of course have been the new Tom Boonen or I would have preferred to be in Wout van Aert's shoes. However, it is not that simple, that is sport."

One man who won't be alongside Naesen next season though, is Greg van Avermaet. The former Olympic gold medalist having retired at the conclusion of 2023. "I think it will make quite a difference that Greg is no longer with the team. He already enjoyed a lot of respect in the peloton. You always felt that when you rode with him. That part is going to disappear and that's a shame," says Naesen.

"Greg was someone I could communicate with very easily during the race. That was always very natural and easy. Races, especially the classics, are extremely hectic. It is then not easy to talk to each other. That is not given to everyone. That always went well with Greg. We will also miss that piece of leadership."