Setback for Unibet Tietema Rockets in battle for UCI points: team reacts after being kicked off start list Betagne Classic

Unibet Tietema Rockets will not take part in the WorldTour race Bretagne Classic – Ouest-France after all. The team of Dutchmen Bas Tietema and Josse Wester was initially listed on the start list but was removed at the last moment. The team shared the news on X.

Being unable to start in western France is likely to leave a bitter aftertaste for the Dutch-rooted squad. As a ProTeam, they’re in a fierce hunt for UCI points, which are more plentiful in WorldTour races. Just last week, the importance of those points for the team was highlighted on this site during the Tour of Denmark.

The Rockets responded to the news with an official statement on social media: “Due to a last-minute change to the start list, following adjustments to the event’s organization, one team had to be withdrawn. Unfortunately, that was us.” It would have been the team’s debut at this event. “As a French team, we were really looking forward to making our first appearance in this 1.UWT race,” said team owner Tietema. The one-day race in Brittany is scheduled for Sunday, August 31.

The Dutch former pro expands on the team’s withdrawal from the Bretagne Classic: “This is a season of change, for us, but also for the organizer, who recently went through a leadership transition. Of course, we would’ve loved to be there, but we respect the decision.” The Rockets will still be racing the Renewi Tour, the WorldTour stage race starting Wednesday, August 20, in Terneuzen, the Netherlands. This will likely be the team’s final WorldTour race of the season.

Tietema also expressed hope that the team can appear on future start lists: “We’re having constructive talks with the LNC (Ligue Nationale de Cyclisme) and French race organizers about future opportunities. Our focus remains on building an exciting and ambitious race calendar for our riders and fans.” Since this year, the Tietema team has been registered under a French license, after initially racing under a Dutch license during its early seasons.