Unibet Rose Rockets bounce back from Tour de France upset with a load of wildcards: "These are fantastic opportunities"
Cycling
When the wildcards for the 2026 Tour de France were announced, ASO did justice by rewarding Caja Rural - Seguros RGA’s work and inviting the Spanish team to this year’s Grande Boucle. That also sparked criticism from those unmoved by meritocracy, arguing Unibet Rose Rockets should have been the team selected.
Despite the massive signings made by YouTuber Bas Tietema’s squad, Dylan Groenewegen and Wout Poels were not enough to convince the Tour de France. They have, however, opened doors at other races on the calendar, such as Milano–Sanremo, Strade Bianche, and Amstel Gold Race, among others.
Invitations are starting to set the rhythm of the season for the Rockets, and inside the team the feeling is clear: excitement, pride, and a strong desire to prove this project keeps taking steady steps forward. That’s the message from Tietema, who reacted publicly with enthusiasm to the cascade of confirmations received in recent weeks.
Through the team’s official channels, Tietema confirmed invites to a top-tier block including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, Milano–Sanremo, In Flanders Fields, Dwars door Vlaanderen, Amstel Gold Race, and La Flèche Wallonne. A list that speaks for itself about the recognition the structure is starting to earn.
Sweet spot for Amstel
Within that calendar, Amstel Gold Race holds a very special place for the Dutch manager: "Amstel Gold Race remains a very special race for us. It was where we made our WorldTour debut. Since then, we’ve experienced strong growth," recalls Tietema.
There’s as much emotion as sporting ambition: "The race also holds a special place in our hearts because of all the fans we’ve had the pleasure of seeing in our little corner over the last few years. Thinking back to that time really excites me this year. We can’t wait to see them all there again."
Bas Tietema celebrates the Unibet Rose Rockets wildcards
More dreams to chase
The Flemish spring gains fresh intrigue with the team’s presence at In Flanders Fields (original name: In Flanders Fields, known as the former Gent–Wevelgem), a race that fits the Unibet Rose Rockets identity particularly well.
"It’s a race that suits our team and our racing style perfectly: intense, unpredictable, and full of chances to take the initiative. Being on the start line is another fantastic opportunity for us in the spring Classics campaign," explains Tietema.
But the good news is not limited to Belgium and the Netherlands. Italy also looms as a major stage for the team’s growth. "Alongside Amstel Gold Race and In Flanders Fields, we received more fantastic news earlier this week: invitations to Strade Bianche and Milano–Sanremo. These are races you grow up with as a cycling fan."
For a young project, taking the start in Monuments is a huge step. "Starting another Monument is hugely important for a young team like ours. We’re eager to make our debut in these iconic Italian Classics," concludes Tietema, who does not hide his ambition to keep fighting for a Giro d’Italia invitation.
An increasingly powerful calendar, a message brimming with belief, and a clear intent: Unibet Rose Rockets want to show up, learn, and compete on the biggest stages in world cycling.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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