'Things aren't going smoothly' – Picnic-PostNL acknowledge struggles as they lie 29th in UCI rankings with just one victory in 2026

Dutch WorldTour outfit Picnic-PostNL are facing a challenging start to their 2026 season, currently placed 29th in the UCI rankings with only a single victory so far, secured by Casper van Uden at the Tour of Turkey. This position places them below all other WorldTour teams and even some ProTeams, marking a significant drop from previous seasons when they maintained their top-tier status. The team’s poor form was also evident at the Giro d’Italia, where they finished last in both prize money and UCI points, highlighting the difficulties they have encountered in major races this year. Manager Roy Curvers has openly acknowledged the struggles the squad has endured, attributing much of their underperformance to a spate of injuries and illnesses that have sidelined key riders. Notable absences include Pavel Bittner and Juan Martinez, with several others such as Max Poole and Warren Barguil missing substantial racing time. Curvers emphasised that these setbacks have severely impacted the team’s ability to compete at their usual level, with van Uden’s Giro campaign hampered by crashes and the loss of lead-out support due to illness. Despite the setbacks, there have been glimpses of promise, with riders like Barguil and Frank van den Broek showing signs of recovery and potential in recent races. Curvers remains cautiously optimistic, stressing that while the team has executed many aspects correctly, a slight drop in performance – even by a few percentage points – can have a significant impact in high-level competitions like the Giro. He also highlighted the importance of collective effort in sprint finishes, noting that van Uden’s success depends heavily on the support of his teammates. Looking ahead, the team is focused on rehabilitation and regrouping in time for the upcoming Tour de France and the remainder of the season. However, Curvers admitted that some key riders, including Poole and Bittner, face uncertain prospects for the Tour due to ongoing recovery challenges. This uncertainty has prompted the management to consider alternative strategies and goals, recognising the difficulty of fielding a fully fit and competitive squad for the season’s biggest races. Despite the adversity, Picnic-PostNL remains committed to overcoming their current difficulties and improving their standing as the season progresses.