Picnic PostNL Sets Sights on Stage Wins in the 2025 Tour de France
The 112th edition of the Tour de France may seem distant, but anticipation is already building, especially for the Picnic PostNL team. Several riders, including sprinter Fabio Jakobsen and rising star Frank van den Broek, have secured their spots in cycling’s most prestigious race.
jakobsen, eager to redeem himself after a challenging 2024 season, will be aiming for stage victories in the flat sprints. He’ll be supported by teammate Tobias Lund Andresen, forming a formidable duo in the fast finishes. Van den Broek, who made a name for himself with remarkable performances in the 2024 Tour, will be a key asset in the hilly and mountainous stages, alongside Oscar Onley.
Picnic PostNL unveiled its ambitious plans for the upcoming season during a media day in Calpe, Spain. Head coach Rudi Kemna acknowledged the high bar set by the team’s 2024 performance but remains confident. “While surpassing the success of 2024 will be a challenge, our primary goal for the Tour de France is to secure stage wins,” he stated.
Kemna highlighted the team’s strength in diverse terrains. “We have a powerful group of attackers for the hilly and mountainous stages, with riders like Oscar and Frank. We aim to see Fabio progress in the first half of the season, building momentum and confidence for the Tour, where he will be our designated sprinter in the flat stages, supported by Tobias.”
Jakobsen’s 2024 season with Picnic PostNL, following his transfer from Soudal quick-Step, fell short of expectations, yielding only a single victory. The 28-year-old Dutchman is steadfast to make amends.”When I dedicate myself fully to my sport, investing all my energy, I expect to achieve more than just one win,” Jakobsen shared in a recent interview with wielerflits. “I’m aiming for more, and I believe I have the potential to achieve it.”
Picnic PostNL’s Tour de France Ambitions: A Deep Dive with Former Rider, Sean Kelly
The 2025 Tour de France is still a year away, but teams are already laying out thier strategies, and the buzz around Picnic PostNL is growing louder. They’ve got an intriguing lineup, featuring sprinter Fabio Jakobsen and rising star Frank van den Broek. To discuss their chances, we sat down with cycling legend Sean Kelly, winner of the Tour’s green jersey four times, for his expert insights.
Interviewer: Sean, Picnic PostNL has made it clear they’re targeting stage wins in the 2025 Tour. Do you think they have the firepower to pull it off?
Sean Kelly: They certainly have the potential. Jakobsen is a proven sprinter, and if he can rediscover his top form, he could be dangerous in the flat stages. Van den Broek showed real promise in the 2024 Tour, and with another year of experience under his belt, he could be a factor in the hillier stages.
Interviewer: Jakobsen had a tough year in 2024 after his transfer from Soudal Speedy-Step. Can he bounce back?
Sean Kelly: He absolutely can. A change of team can be a destabilizing factor, and sometimes it takes a season to really settle in. but Jakobsen is a world-class sprinter, and he’s hungry. If he can build confidence in the early part of the season, he’ll be a serious contender for stage wins in the Tour.
Interviewer:
It truly seems Picnic PostNL has a good balance between sprinters and climbers. Do you think that’s key to success in the Tour?
Sean Kelly: Absolutely. The Tour de France isn’t just about one type of rider. You need a team that can be competitive across different terrain. Picnic PostNL seems to have identified that. Having both sprinters and climbers gives them options and makes them a more dangerous outfit.
Interviewer: Rudi Kemna, the team’s head coach, has stated that they want to surpass their 2024 performance. Do you think that’s a realistic goal?
Sean Kelly:
It’s a bold ambition, and it won’t be easy. 2024 was a strong year for them, but cycling is a constantly evolving sport. Other teams will be stronger next year. It’ll be tough to improve, but Picnic PostNL has shown they are enterprising and willing to work hard.
Interviewer:
What do you think will be the biggest challenge for Picnic PostNL in the 2025 Tour?
Sean Kelly: Competition.The Tour is the toughest race in the world.All the big teams will be vying for victories. Picnic PostNL has a talented roster, but they’ll need to be at their absolute best to make a real impact.
Interviewer: what’s your prediction for Picnic PostNL in the 2025 Tour?
Sean Kelly: I wouldn’t be surprised if they came away with multiple stage wins. They have the talent and the dedication. It’ll be engaging to see how they perform.
So, what do you think, cycling fans? Can Picnic PostNL live up to their ambitions and secure stage wins in the 2025 tour de France? Share your thoughts below!
