DSM rider takes legal action against team in hopes of ending contract
More upheaval at the German team, amidst rumours more riders could be leaving


A Team DSM rider has launched legal action against the team in the hopes of bringing his contract to an end.
Ilan Van Wilder, a 21-year-old Belgian pro, and his agent have chosen to issue a legal challenge in order to bring the rider’s contract to an early end.
A hugely promising talent in the junior ranks, Van Wilder stepped up to WorldTour level with Team DSM, formerly Team Sunweb, last season on a three year contract.
Following rumours that he wanted to leave the team before the end of his contract in 2022, Van Wilder has now launched a legal action in the hopes of breaking free from the German-registered team.
A statement from Team DSM confirmed the news: “We are aware that one of our riders, Ilan Van Wilder and his agent have chosen to take legal action to break Ilan's employment contract with Team DSM . In this way they hope to make a switch to another team possible before the end date of the existing agreement. We are obviously very disappointed with this procedure.
“Instead of taking the right approach, actually asking for a transfer, a negative media campaign has been chosen, discrediting the team and those who work with Ilan on a daily basis, in order to force a premature termination of the agreement .”
“Let it be clear that the people in the squad have absolutely fulfilled their responsibilities and obligations to work with Ilan. During the legal proceedings, Team DSM will not comment further on this matter.”
Team DSM has been at the centre of major upheaval in recent years, starting with the departure of Tom Dumoulin and a slew of key backroom staff at the end of 2019.
Since then, there have been a number of high-profile departures from the squad, most notably rising star Marc Hirschi who broke with his contract to join UAE Team Emirates.
The team has previously disputed reports of unrest in the team, saying that “the rumours you're talking about are mostly about internal stuff, things that don't have to come out.”
Most recently, a report from cycling news site Wielerflits suggested that Classics talent Tiesj Bennoot was looking to break his contract early, after signing a contract extension last summer.
>>> Egan Bernal and Peter Sagan among field for first ever Giro d’Italia Criterium race
Benoot, a former Strade Bianche winner, joined DSM in 2020 from Lotto-Soudal, winning one stage of Paris-Nice with the team.
DSM declined to comment on the rumours of Benoot’s departure.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Sprint teams mess it up in Treviso: Five talking points from stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
This was supposed to be a bunch sprint, right? Right?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CamelBak MULE Commute 22 backpack review
There is a lot to like about the CamelBak MULE Commute 22 backpack: it works perfectly for a variety of tasks from work, to travel, with all errands in between
By Paul Grele • Published
-
Juliette Labous takes a first top tier victory with Burgos GC success
The French rider finished second behind Demi Vollering on the final stage, with enough time to take the overall
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
'I still can't believe it happened' — Alberto Dainese becomes first Italian winner at the 2022 Giro d'Italia
Team DSM sprinter charged to victory on stage 11
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Meet Max Poole, DSM's 19-year old from Scunthorpe who got into cycling through window cleaning
The Briton helped Romain Bardet to victory in his first race, the Tour of the Alps
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Romain Bardet sees himself, Mikel Landa and Richard Carapaz as maybe the 'three best' at the Giro d'Italia
Team DSM's Frenchman sits in third overall on second rest day
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Team DSM choose not to use adjustable pressure system at Paris-Roubaix
Dutch squad will debut system at Tour de France instead
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Lorena Wiebes rules Scheldeprijs winning her second edition with long-range sprint
DSM proved they have the best lead out in the women's peloton monitoring the gap and delivering Wiebes to victory
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Lorena Wiebes peerless in taking the win at Danilith Nokere Koerse
The Team DSM rider backs up her win at Ronde van Drenthe to secure her third successive victory
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
'We have protocols in place to the aid of everyone': Team DSM sports director delivers impassioned response to claims of team being overly strict
The team picked up eight wins in 2021, three coming at the Vuelta a España
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published