Earlier today Team Ineos-Grenadiers announced it has signed Thymen Arensman on a two-year contract.

22-year-old Arensman (the Netherlands) currently rides for Team DSM and made a name for himself by impressively winning the Sierra Nevada queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2022 and finishing sixth in the general classification.

Arensman also won a time trial stage at this year’s Tour of Poland and took second overall in the race. Additionally, Arensman caught an eye by finishing sixth in the GC of Tirreno-Adriatico 2022 and crossing the finish line as runner-up in two stages of the Giro d’Italia.

Commenting on signing Arensman, Ineos-Grenadiers Deputy Team Principal Rod Ellingworth explained “Thymen is such an exciting rider and, as we’ve just seen at the Vuelta, joins a host of young GC riders that promise to be the foundation of our cycling sport for years to come.“ 

“He will bring a style of riding which fits completely into what we are looking to achieve going forward and having already tasted success at the very top ensures that we have a rider who will add significant depth to the INEOS Grenadiers team of the future,” Ellingworth added.

The Ineos-Grenadiers team has also added Connor Swift to its 2023 team roster, hoping to add versatility to its team while seeking to ensure sufficient support for its ambitions in general classifications of Grand Tours – hoping to take additional overall victories at the Tour de France, the Vuelta a Espana, and the Giro d’Italia. Swift previously rode for the Arkea Samsic team.

Arensman sees himself as a versatile rider and he will now look to take the next big step in his career as a Grenadier: “I decided to join the INEOS Grenadiers because the team really feels like the best step for me at this point of my career. It’s really my dream team and when I was younger, I was always really impressed by watching the Sky team ride on the front and take races on. To get the opportunity to ride for the same team is a dream come true.”

“My ambition is to develop myself further as a rider and human being. I feel I can still make steps in the crucial disciplines necessary for competing in a GC: time trialing and climbing and there is no better place to improve those skills than with the Ineos-Grenadiers team. Meeting a lot of pro cycling’s biggest stars in this team will also be a great learning experience for me.”

Winning at La Vuelta was an incredible experience for Arensman. Commenting on his Vuelta performance he said “I would describe myself as a powerful rider. I like long efforts on a high power, time trials and long ascents. I am not the most explosive or punchy rider, but am also really improving in that aspect. I do also like Classics, having come third in Paris-Roubaix U23 as a first-year rider, perhaps because of my cyclocross background. I hope to work on becoming a more versatile rider while improving my strengths.”

In the process of deciding what professional cycling team to join for the future Arensman explains he sought advice from his parents. “One of the biggest reasons for me joining Ineos is a question that my parents asked me. My mother asked me what team I looked up to as a little kid and dreamed about riding for. And INEOS Grenadiers (previously Team Sky) was my answer. The answer to this question, combined with me being aware of Ineos’ knowledge, resources and riders and staff members, helped me make a decision and it really feels like the correct step in my career as a professional cyclist.”