Team DSM bets on young talents to avoid relegation in future - "When these guys develop , they will score more points every year"

Team DSM barely made it onto the UCI's WorldTeams list. In spite of this, the team has decided not to change the strategy of cultivating the young talent, hoping one day they will turn into big names and contribute to the team's success.

The team is well known for producing some well know names, but they always find it hard to retain them after success. They recently promoted six riders to WorldTeam from development squad. "Yes, we lost already a lot of names that we developed in the past," Sports director Roy Curvers told Cyclingnews. He continues, "But we lost also a lot of names that started with us as no-names and then developed and became really good riders with us, scoring really good points."

Team DSM avoided relegation, but licenses for the second and third years are conditional. However, Curvers already has a plan for it. “I think when these guys develop three years more, they will score more points every year. And in that way, we will not be so afraid that in three years we are again facing relegation.”

He believes that it is better to concentrate on multiple riders rather than one in case they leave for better opportunities. “I think you just have to make sure that you have a lot of guys improving. If we make one step ahead in the development of the majority of our riders, I think we have a successful season, and then more results and more victories will be the outcome of that of that step that everybody individually and we as a team make,” concluded Curvers.