Team DSM build on strong foundations with first contract extensions and renewals in Men and Women programs

Team DSM are delighted to reveal today the contract extensions of Romain Bardet and Juliette Labous – as the team looks to build on strong foundations for the coming years.

A leading light in the men’s peloton, Bardet has reinvigorated himself since joining the team with stage and GC wins, and at the time of publication is currently sat in 10th place at this year’s Giro d’Italia. Alongside Bardet’s extension, Labous, much like her compatriot Bardet, will lead the charge for the team in search of top results in the overall classifications at some of the biggest races in the years to come. Bardet and Labous will ride in the team’s distinctive two-striped jersey until at least the end of 2024.

Romain Bardet (FRA)

Finding a new lease of life upon joining Team DSM at the start of the 2021 season, the experienced Bardet returned to winning ways, taking stage successes for the team at Vuelta a Burgos and Vuelta a España last year while the Brioude-born rider has already claimed overall victory at this season’s Tour of the Alps. Settling into the team quickly, Bardet’s work ethos and team-player attitude shines through, happy to share his knowledge and experience with those around him, while also being willing and open to listen and work closely with the team’s specialists – something that has proven fruitful in his time with the team so far. Looking ahead, Bardet and Team DSM aim to continue building on the good foundations laid so far in the coming years, fighting for more great results together.

Bardet said: “I’m super happy to continue the journey with the team. It feels super natural to stay; I made some great steps here, it’s really the right environment for me. I like the culture inside the team, how we are racing and the trust and confidence from and in the team. It was quite obvious that I wanted to stay here longer and continue, so I’m really happy to be here another two years.”

Team DSM head coach Rudi Kemna added: “On the bike, everyone can see Romain is a top-class rider. We believe that in the last year he has made really big progress in his level with the team, and we’ve been able to bring him towards the top of the GC even more. Romain is a real team player, and he works excellently with us. Off the bike he is vocal and is important to help motivate the team and those around him. In a positive way, he is also critical about the idea of ‘topsport’. By that, he asks us questions which we really have to think about, creating an open and honest discussion. That in turn, helps us to bring each other to a higher level. Looking ahead, we will have a continued focus on the overall classifications and stage hunting at highest level races with Romain.”

Juliette Labous (FRA)

Into her sixth season with Team DSM, Labous is a culture carrier, fitting in well with the team’s ethos and vision; always wanting to push herself to take the next step. A strong all-round rider, Labous has tasted success against the clock where in 2020 she claimed the French tricolour as national time trial champion. Not only strong in the individual events, Labous has proven to be a great part of the support block but also someone who can take good results when in the role of finisher on behalf of the team. Whether that be in one-day races such as Liège-Bastognè-Liège or taking a tilt at the overall classification, with second place at The Women’s Tour and seventh at the Giro d’Italia Donne in 2021 notably strong results. Despite her relatively young age of 23, Labous already has a wealth of experience with the team and some strong foundations that together, they will continue to build on in the future.

“I am super happy to renew my contract with the team for even longer,” expressed Labous. “Since I have been with Team DSM I have always improved steadily. I feel at home in the team environment, and I think the philosophy really fits me and this is just going be the continuity of the work we’ve done together since 2017. I want to keep improving physically to reach big goals in the short term, but mostly with a focus on the long term. The team and I want to develop my GC abilities with the goal of competing for the very best results in races like the Giro or Tour de France. This gives me a lot of confidence and motivation and I really want to work hard and in the right ways, thanks to the expertise we have with our staff, to get the most out of myself that’s possible. The updated contract gives me a lot of serenity in my preparation and training until the end of 2024, which will be an important Olympic year moreover, and it will hopefully help me perform even better. I’m grateful for the team’s trust and I am looking forward to continuing our journey.”

Team DSM head coach Rudi Kemna said: “Ever since Juliette has joined the team; we’ve been really impressed with her commitment and way of working. She fits in well with the team’s vision and brings a lot of added value to us both on and off the bike. Our communication is always on a high level and we’re able to discuss things openly. On the bike, we’ve already made a lot of steps with her in terms of her development, such as her climbing and time trialling, and we want to continue to grow with her in the coming years. With Juliette we see a real focus on the GC where she can use those qualities and attributes to great effect, fighting for top overall results in some of the biggest races in the Women’s peloton in the years to come.”