Team dsm-firmenich PostNL extend with talented Dutch rider Nienke Vinke

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL are thrilled to reveal that they have extended their contract with exciting young Dutch talent Nienke Vinke, who will race in the team’s distinctive two-striped jersey until at least the end of 2026.

Impressing after making the often-challenging step-up from the junior ranks straight into elite racing, 2023 saw Vinke ride strongly in support of the team’s goals, gaining valuable experience in a variety of different races throughout the season. Putting what she learned into effect in the latter half of the season, the Amersfoort born Vinke took a top ten overall with the Dutch national team at the newly formed Tour de l’Avenir Femmes, before an impressive ninth place at Tre Valli Varesine with the team to round out a promising opening season. This year has seen Vinke balance her studies with racing, but she has continued to make steps in her development and started 2024 in brilliant form. Bursting into the consciousness of the wider cycling public, a superb second on Willunga Hill saw Vinke claim the same position overall with the team at the Tour Down Under, alongside winning the best young rider classification. Since then, she has continued to ride ably in support of the team’s goals and has just made her Grand Tour debut at the recent Vuelta España Femenina.

On extending her contract with the team, Vinke expressed: “I really like how professional it is at Team dsm-firmenich PostNL. The team is very organised and structured which I like, and there is also a very good ambiance in the team, so this is a good environment to develop myself as a rider and a person. In my first one and a half years with the team I have learned and improved a lot, but it is a work in progress. I know I still have a lot to learn, and I feel like this team is the right place for me to do that and develop. I appreciate that there isn’t a lot of pressure on me to get results immediately and that it’s okay to make mistakes. The focus is on developing and I think that’s very important, especially because I’m still very young. We have a nice group of riders and staff, and we are all very ambitious, so I hope we can continue to grow and learn together and achieve many wins as a team in the future.”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna added: “Nienke has really impressed us since she has joined the team. Not only for her on bike performances but also her attitude off the bike. She is keen to learn and improve; something that we think is very valuable. On the bike, she has shown her abilities on the climbs; whether that be in support of our finishers or when she has had her own chances as finisher, such as at the Tour Down Under. It is important to remember that Nienke is still young, so we do not want to rush her development and put any unnecessary pressure on her. She is a very motivated individual who is learning the ways of the professional peloton quickly, and she brings a good atmosphere to the group. We’re looking forward to continuing working with her over the coming years and making the next steps together.”