With Mathieu van der Poel opting out of this year’s UCI World Championships, all eyes turn to Thymen Arensman as the Netherlands unveil a climbing-heavy men's elite selection for the 2025 edition, set to unfold in the high-altitude terrain of Kigali, Rwanda from 21–28 September.
National coach Koos Moerenhout has named a well-rounded squad designed to handle the attritional nature of the Rwandan parcours — a route expected to reward endurance, race savvy, and serious climbing legs. Arensman, fresh from two stage victories at the Tour de France and continuing to mature as a Grand Tour GC threat, will shoulder leadership duties in a team built around depth rather than star power.
“We don’t have a standout favourite this year like we did with Mathieu in the past,” Moerenhout acknowledged in a KNWU press release. “That gives us the chance to approach the race with more flexibility. Thymen has shown incredible form — he’ll be one of our key cards to play — but we’ve also given others the freedom to get involved when it matters.”
Alongside Arensman, the road race line-up features experienced climbers and breakaway specialists: Bauke Mollema, Wout Poels, Koen Bouwman, Sam Oomen, and rising talent Frank van den Broek. It's a group more than capable of thriving in the grinding, high-altitude conditions expected in Kigali, with several riders boasting Grand Tour pedigree and strong records in mountainous terrain.
The omission of Van der Poel — the defending champion and a rider who typically draws race-day attention — shifts the Dutch approach from the usual all-in-for-one strategy to something more dynamic and opportunistic. With Rwanda’s punchy climbs and potential for a war of attrition, the race could play into the hands of a rider like Arensman, who excels in long, selective races where strength and patience prevail.
Moerenhout is realistic about the challenge but optimistic: “This will be a hard race. The best will rise to the front naturally — it’s that kind of course. Our riders have prepared well, they have the qualities, and I hope to see several of them in the final shake-up. And maybe, just maybe, we can pull off something unexpected.”
Van der Poel led the Dutch at the 2024 World Championships
Arensman will also double up in the individual time trial, a discipline where he’s shown steady progression. Rwanda’s technical and potentially hilly course could suit his powerful, tempo-driven style, even if medal contention will be a tall order against the specialist chrono machines.
Technical director Wilbert Broekhuizen underlined the team’s long-term planning for this unique Worlds location: “We’ve prepared specifically for Rwanda — the altitude, the conditions, the travel. It’s a demanding setting that needs a tailored approach. We believe this group has the right mix to adapt and perform.”
Dutch Elite Men’s Selection | UCI Road World Championships 2025
Road Race
Thymen Arensman
Bauke Mollema
Wout Poels
Koen Bouwman
Sam Oomen
Frank van den Broek
Bauke Mollema
Wout Poels
Koen Bouwman
Sam Oomen
Frank van den Broek
Time Trial
Thymen Arensman
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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