Cycling: Since January of this year, the DSM team no longer rides under the German flag, but under the Dutch flag. The good results - which could still be achieved in 2020 - did not materialize across the board. And if we look at the transfers, we don't expect any improvement for 2023 either.
Only the year 2020 saves the balance sheet of the team
You don't have to be a mathematician to realize that the last two years were not enough for the DSM team to stay in the class. With only 4.887 points this season and 3.982 points last season, DSM is one of the weakest teams on the WorldTour. Only the year 2020 saves the Dutch team with a whopping 7.582 points. Nevertheless, there were some highlights to marvel at this season as well. So the regained strength won Romain Bardet the Tour of the Alps and finished sixth in the Tour de France. With Andreas Leknessund and Nico Denz DSM was able to win two days at the Tour de Suisse. And Thymen Arensmann won a section both in Poland and at the Vuelta a Espana.
DSM loses good men on every terrain
Without a doubt: Team DSM has lost quality in recent years, which can definitely be seen in the results. This is exactly what seems to be continuing for 2023. Because the Dutch team loses some important cornerstones. From a German point of view there are of course Nico Denz and Nickias Arndt to name, both of whom are turning their backs on the team after several years. They have always been good for stage wins and are known in the peloton as loyal helpers. With the two Danes Casper Pederson and Soren Kragh Andersen two strong all-rounders left the team, who always liked to go in groups, could prepare sprints and were also good at classics. And that's not even including the two most painful exits. Because even Thymen Arensmann and Cees Bol will no longer drive for DSM in 2023. The strong climber and the fast sprinter have not renewed their contracts either. In return, DSM catches up Harm Vanhoucke a good climber and with Patrick Bevin an experienced all-rounder. The other commitments will be able to support the team, but will not be winners. With that, we can definitely call Team DSM one of the big losers of the transfer window.