Nicolas Roche’s Team Sunweb has confirmed the long rumoured news that its leader Tom Dumoulin is leaving the squad for Jumbo Visma.
The Dutch rider’s new team for next year said he was
signing for it as they shared the same dream; winning the Tour de France.
Dumoulin said it
was hard to leave Team Sunweb but that he felt he needed a change in his
career.
“After the
disappointment of missing the Tour and finding myself sitting at home, I started
to consider that a new environment
could be refreshing,” he said.
“That’s
why I decided to focus on the interest of some teams. There were great offers
and this phase of my career felt like the right time to take it.
“It really does hurt to leave. My heart is here and
together we have achieved great things that I’m very proud of.
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“I’ve
proven with Team Sunweb that winning a Grand Tour is possible with this team
and I have no doubt that I could do it again with them.
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“I know
that the grass will not always be greener than at Team Sunweb and I want to
emphasise that without them, I could never have got to where I am today.
“I will
always remain grateful for the opportunities that I have had, and the
opportunity that the team now grants me to allow me to explore my options
within a new team.”
Team Sunweb CEO Iwan Spekenbrink said: “It’s been a difficult year for Tom with the setbacks he has experienced and it’s normal for any person at this age to take a step back and reassess their situation.
“Tom opened up to thoughts that a new environment could be refreshing and we decided to respect his request and cooperate to make a move possible.
“We’re of course sad to see him leave, but in the end that’s top sports, athletes go and next generation promising athletes come.
“However, we are choosing to look back positively and with enormous pride on our amazing years with a truly fantastic athlete, Tom Dumoulin.
“We are thankful for the years with Tom and wish him all the best for the future.”
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