Thymen Arensman: "It will be a huge voyage of discovery to see what I can do in three weeks"

Thymen Arensman has been for several years hinted as one of the stage-racers to follow. He hasn't managed to evolve as some of his fellow generation members, but 2022 has seen him grow immensely and now he's ready to show his talent leading Team DSM at the Vuelta a Espana.

It will be a huge voyage of discovery to see what I can do in three weeks. I am very happy with the opportunity that Team DSM offers me," Arensman told Wielerflits. “Maybe I'm not good enough either. Then I switch to chasing breakaway success. But if it does manage to go for three weeks, that's great".

"The team gives me a lot of freedom in that, I like that. This way I can really discover what my own body can do. We already drew up this plan last winter, during the training camp in December. The intention was to prepare from there for the Giro d'Italia, to learn from Romain Bardet there," Arensman revealed. Although only 22 years old, this is already Arensman's third year at World Tour level and he has since his under-23 days been touted as an upcoming supertalent in the stage-races.

This year he began showing it, with a very strong performance at the Tour of the Alps, and two second places in the final week of the Giro d'Italia - where throughout most of the time, he was helping Romain Bardet who eventually abandoned the race. He has taken a step up mentally this year, and comes as Team DSM's undisputed leader for the overall classification.

"I think I've grown quite a bit this yea. It's great that I now get that chance and especially that I've been able to do my own thing. That way I was able to prepare myself mentally," he explained. “Especially during the altitude training camps, where I spent a lot of time with Romain... What he leaves for it and how much he is away from his wife and child. As a classification rider you really have to make a lot of sacrifices. It is a very stressful and hard life and it takes a lot, both mentally and physically. That's why I want to take it easy. According to Romain, I can ride at the highest level for years to come.”

Now the time has come. The Dutchman has prepared for the Vuelta with a clear goal in mind, and showed his form during the Tour de Pologne where he won the time-trial and finished second in the overall classification. “The Tour of Poland was of course not very bad. That shape can't be very far away. You just never know with the strong field of participants at the start, or what you will encounter on the way in Spain".

DSM come as underdogs for the Vuelta, both in the fight for stage wins or the GC. Arensman will figure what he will be capable of doing throughout the race, however a GC stint seems to be the initial plan. “I'm curious and healthy nervous. I really can't say what I'm dreaming about".

"I can't put a result on my ambitions yet. Also because I put unnecessary pressure on myself. I really just want to discover what I can do. Three weeks is so long and asks so much of me, so much can happen", Arensman reflected.