“It will be a tough race" - Picnic Post NL head to Vuelta a Espana without clear leader but optimistic as they target stage wins
CyclingMonday, 17 August 2026 at 19:00
Team Picnic Post NL arrive at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana chasing victories in stages and with no clear leader. In what's been a challenging season for the Dutch team, the squad have been under pressure both financially and on the road in recent months.
After disappointing results in both the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, the team will attempt to save their season the roads of Spain. To do so, they've named an eight-rider squad all aimed towards stage wins, with little general classification goals.
Max Poole has lost his race for fitness for the Grand Tour and hasn't raced since February after his Epstein-Barr virus diagnosis in August 2025, with the British rider initially planned to return at the Giro, then the Tour and now also missing the last Grand Tour opportunity at La Vuelta.
Looking ahead to the race, the team hope they can hack the heat of the Vuelta kitchen and serve up some late season treats. Hunger reamins strong within the team through challenging times.
"We are opting for a selection that can go for stage wins"
“It will be a tough race. I think we can count on high temperatures as we head along the east coast towards Granada. It is usually warm there, so that will pose an extra challenge,” team manager Phil West said.
West named Juan Guillermo Martinez as one to watch for a mountain breakaway, while Chris Hamilton and Timo Roosen offer experience in the team. Also part of the squad are Mattia Gaffuri, Henri-François Haquin, Timo de Jong, Oliver Peace and Gijs Leemreize.
“As far as the riders are concerned, we are opting for a selection that can go for stage wins, rather than focusing on the general classification. We have a number of riders who can go for the breakaway in the high mountains.
He added: "Our Colombian rider Juan Guillermo Martinez could be one of them, but we also have several other climbers who can compete on days like that.”
Team Picnic PostNL
Picnic Post NL at La Vuelta
| Cyclist | Nation |
| Mattia Gaffuri | Italy |
| Chris Hamilton | Australia |
| Henri-François Haquin | France |
| Timo de Jong | Netherlands |
| Gijs Leemreize | Netherlands |
| Juan Guillermo Martinez | Colombia |
| Oliver Peace | United Kingdom |
| Timo Roosen | Netherlands |
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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