'For too long I've felt a lot of pressure to perform': Tom Dumoulin on his decision to step back from cycling

Team-mate Wout van Aert has also said the decision is less surprising to him than has been to the outside world

Tom Dumoulin (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tom Dumoulin has expanded on his reasons to take a step back from cycling and consider his future.

The Dutchman says he needs time to get things clear in his head, and that for too long he's felt pressure to perform, with Jumbo-Visma team-mate Wout van Aert saying the decision isn't as big of a surprise to him as it has been to the outside world.

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Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.

Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).

I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.