Struggling Picnic PostNL suddenly remove a rider from the Tour de France: 'I’ve simply had enough'

Frits Biesterbos will not be starting Stage 13 of the Tour de France. The 24-year-old Dutch rider was in good form, but Picnic PostNL announced on Friday morning that, following a successful Tour de France debut, Biesterbos will now focus on other goals.

According to the team, Biesterbos earned a spot on the Tour de France roster after impressing in the first half of 2026. Among other races, he performed strongly in the AlUla Tour, Classic Var, Brussels Cycling Classic, and Copenhagen Sprint, securing several top-ten finishes.

In the Tour de France, Biesterbos played a key role in Pavel Bittner’s sprint train, with Bittner achieving his best result—a fifth-place finish—on Stage 8. Picnic PostNL’s sprint train now appears to be on hold, as the Tour de France enters a grueling second half with the Vosges and the Alps still to come.

Biesterbos won't be around to see it. "After twelve days of racing, Frits's first Tour de France will come to an end, and he will turn his attention to the second half of the season," the team said in a press release.

"Getting the chance to ride the Tour was something I'd always dreamed of, so I seized it with both hands. It's been an amazing experience, and I'm proud of the role I was able to play in our sprint results," Biesterbos said.

There’s no injury involved; after two weeks of the Tour de France, I’ve simply had enough. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount over these twelve days, and I’ll take that experience with me as I move toward my next goals this season. I’m determined to return here someday.”

Team manager Matt Winston thanks his rider for his dedication. “Frits did an excellent job in his first Tour de France. Not only was he strong on the bike, but he also brought a lot of positive energy and a good atmosphere to the team. We’ll definitely miss him here.”

"After yesterday's stage, we sat down together and came to the conclusion that, with an eye toward his development and the future, this was the right time. Frits is an important part of our plans for the coming years and has shown on the biggest stage that he is of great value to the team."