Unibet Rose Rockets add even more depth to its ranks; this time with an experienced DS of INEOS, Red Bull and Bahrain

Unibet Rose Rockets have made a bold splash on the transfer market. The team led by YouTuber Bas Tietema wants a wildcard to the 2026 Tour de France, and knows it must stand out in the early months of the season. Hence the marquee signings of Dylan Groenewegen and Wout Poels for the road, and a heavyweight like Marcel Kittel for the sports director role.

Kittel’s arrival at the Rockets’ organisation drew plenty of attention at the time. Unibet’s sports management keeps expanding at pace, even more so after confirming another addition: Roger Hammond.

The 51-year-old former rider dominated British cyclo-cross, winning the national title eight times. On the road his palmarès is less extensive, yet he still became a two-time British road race champion (2003 and 2004) and tasted podiums at Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Roger Hammond is no novice in the team car. He arrives from one of the WorldTour’s powerhouses, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, after gaining experience at Dimension Data, Bahrain Victorious and INEOS Grenadiers.

Roger Hammond enjoys the full confidence of Unibet Rose Rockets. Team manager Julia Soek highlighted the new sports director’s vast experience across all cycling disciplines, especially in Grand Tours. That ties back to the team’s ambition mentioned at the start: to reach the Grande Boucle with one of the 2026 wildcards.

Finally, alongside Hammond’s signing, the team confirmed the continuity of 30-year-old Martijn Budding as sports director, where he will work with Marcel Kittel on the sprinting unit.