Nienke Vinke, the winner of the white jersey at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, has joined SD Worx-Protime on a three-year contract, departing from Picnic PostNL earlier than expected. Initially set to remain with Picnic PostNL until the end of 2026, Vinke’s move comes after she extended her contract in May 2024. Under current UCI regulations, riders can transfer mid-contract if all parties consent and receive approval from the UCI.
This transfer is significant, particularly as Picnic PostNL has already seen a departure this season with Charlotte Kool moving to Fenix-Deceuninck. Vinke, a talented climber, first gained attention at the 2024 Tour Down Under, where she secured second place overall and won the young rider classification. Her impressive performances continued throughout the year, including an eighth-place finish at Flèche Wallonne and ninth overall at the Vuelta Femenina before claiming the white jersey at the Tour de France Femmes.
In a press release announcing the signing, SD Worx-Protime’s sports manager, Danny Stam, stated that the team had been interested in Vinke for several years but had not been able to secure her until now. Stam sees Vinke as a potential future general classification (GC) contender in major stage races and as a strong competitor in the Ardennes classics.
For the 21-year-old rider, the move to SD Worx-Protime represents a significant opportunity to grow alongside seasoned talents. “There are big names and riders with a lot of experience in the team. I hope to learn a great deal from them,” Vinke expressed. She added, “It’s also a team where winning is very important. With that mindset, the team starts practically every race. I hope to help the girls achieve new victories next season and to continue developing myself in that supporting role.”
Vinke’s aspirations for improvement in the GC are ambitious, particularly after her strong showings in both the Vuelta and Tour this year. Although she finished 19th overall in the Tour, she noted, “In the Tour, I had hoped to finish one day a bit closer to the big GC riders.” A puncture in the penultimate stage hampered her plans, but she still celebrated the achievement of winning the white jersey.
Stam highlighted Vinke’s potential early on, stating, “It was clear that Nienke is a real talent. We’re happy to have been given a second chance to work with her.” He emphasized her climbing prowess, noting that she has already demonstrated her ability on both hilly terrain and long climbs in stage races.
Vinke is the second signing SD Worx-Protime has made for the 2026 season, following fellow climber Valentina Cavallar. With the majority of their existing riders retained for the upcoming year, the team’s roster already boasts 17 members. As they prepare for the winter season, SD Worx-Protime plans to launch their team on January 8.
Cyclingnews has reached out to Picnic PostNL for a comment regarding Vinke’s departure from the team. The transition highlights the dynamic nature of professional cycling, where talented riders continuously seek opportunities to enhance their careers and performance.