Jumbo-Visma DS: There are some big talents coming out of Britain
The WorldTour team sees great potential in the current crop of British riders
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

This season, for the first time in over 30 years, Jumbo-Visma will ride with a Brit on their men’s roster.
The Dutch team, which topped the UCI's 2022 rankings, welcomed 21-year-old Thomas Gloag as a trainee last year, elevating him to their WorldTour squad for 2023.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Grischa Niermann, Jumbo-Visma sports director, praised the wealth of British riders breaking into the men’s peloton.
“I think right now there are a lot of young riders coming out of Britain who are really big talents,” Niermann told Cycling Weekly.
Earlier this month, the team invited 19-year-old Finlay Pickering, formerly of Groupama-FDJ’s continental squad, to their winter training camp in Alicante, Spain.
Asked if Jumbo-Visma are consciously monitoring British riders, Niermann replied “no”.
“[We look at] talents that we think suit well into our programme, into our team," he added. "It’s probably not likely that that is a Colombian rider, for example, but Northern Europeans, Scandinavians, British riders.
“We didn’t sign Thomas and we didn’t invite Finlay because they are British, but because they’re big talents."
Finlay Pickering riding for Groupama-FDJ at the 2022 Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge.
This season, Pickering will wear the jersey of British Continental outfit Trinity Racing, the same team Gloag rode for last year. Niermann highlighted that Jumbo-Visma has developed a “good relationship” with the British squad, which is managed by agent Andrew McQuaid.
Speaking about Gloag, Jumbo-Visma's first British rider since Dave Rayner in the early 1990s, Niermann said he expects a "big future".
“I think he will be good in the one-day Classics, in the hilly Classics, like Lombardy and Liège," he added, outlining that the new recruit is unlikely to ride a debut Grand Tour this season.
"We don't want to take giant steps with him," he said. "We want to do it bit by bit, but he will do a lot of nice races.”
Could Gloag be a future Grand Tour contender? “I think that’s something time will tell,” Niermann said. “When we signed Jonas Vingegaard we didn’t sign him as the future Tour de France winner, we signed him as a young talent that had a lot of margin to gain. That’s what he showed and now he’s won the Tour de France.”
Thank you for reading 10 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
Tom is one of Cycling Weekly's news and features writers. In 2020, he started The TT Podcast, covering both the men's and women's pelotons and featuring a number of British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
Adrie van der Poel reveals banter exchanged with Mathieu before CX World Championships
Van der Poel senior says that his sons cyclo-cross season has been ‘perfect’ preparation for a strong start to the cobbled classics
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
From Grand Tour victories to gold medals: The nine best signings of 2022
We look back at the signings that made the biggest impacts during this year's season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Watch: Jumbo-Visma 2023 team launch
Stream the Dutch super team's presentation
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wout van Aert moots building gravel world championships into 2023 programme
Belgian rider says gravel racing has a ‘great future’ as he considers worlds participation next year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
As Cristiano Ronaldo puts the boot in, Jumbo-Visma talk to Manchester United about tactics and managing egos
The Dutch team’s senior sports director has spoken to Manchester United’s manager for sporting advice
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
Primož Roglič says rehabilitation from shoulder surgery ‘going as planned’ ahead of 2023 season
Slovenian had surgery in October in attempt to fix repeated shoulder dislocations ahead of new season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I didn’t have the legs': Primož Roglič looks fallible at the Vuelta a España
The defending champion went from being the virtual leader to trailing his rivals on stage six
By Adam Becket • Published
-
‘Bernard Hinault laughed at me’: Tom Gloag avoids embarrassment at the Tour de l'Avenir
20-year-old Gloag in the yellow jersey at the Tour of the Future but nearly came a cropper on the podium
By Tom Thewlis • Published