Team DSM confirm coaching structure for 2022

Team DSM are happy to announce that Huub Duijn, Pim Ligthart, Marcel Sieberg and Boris Zimine will join their coaching staff for the 2022 season. Duijn will work with with the Women’s program, Ligthart and Sieberg are brought in to coach the Men’s program and Zimine the Development program. After two years of working closely with the Development program, next year will see Roy Curvers take on new responsibility in the team to focus solely on Team DSM’s Men’s program.

Working with select groups of riders to streamline their development within a given specialism, Team DSM look to build three solid blocks of riders – sprint, classics and GC – with tailored training, expertise, innovations and coaching to do so. Curvers’ new role will utilise his years of experience of racing in the peloton to develop the team’s sprint block as they continue on their mission to build a world class sprint train. Phil West also takes on a new focus with the team’s classics block, whilst Matt Winston continues to work closely with the development of the GC block.

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna said: “We are really looking forward to bringing in some new faces and fresh ideas for the 2022 season; Huub, Pim, Marcel and Boris all bring great energy to our coaching group and we believe we can build something really strong with their addition. We have been working within these three specific blocks for some time now, and have learned a lot from doing so with a more tailored approach across the board. Bringing both Roy and Phil into these new roles further fine tunes our coaching structure, and we are confident that we will see results both on and off the bike as a result.”

Huub Duijn (NED)

A former professional rider, Duijn hung up his wheels at the end of 2019. Since then he’s taken steps into the world of coaching, where he has been a part of the successful Watersley Sports and Talent park set-up, managing the cycling team. Duijn has also already integrated himself into Team DSM this year where he has worked on a part-time basis with the Women’s program, helping guide the team to successes at several races.

Duijn said: “I feel happy and privileged to start working for Team DSM next year. I’ve already had the chance to work with the Women’s and Development program in the last few months and I’m hungry for more, passing on my experience as a former rider to the next generation of cycling. The professional surrounding and setup Team DSM provides to its riders & staff, is really nice to be a part of. As it has shown in the past, the team is famous for making great champions. I’m looking forward helping the next generation of champions, in any way that I can,  to reach our goals together, while having fun in the process.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna added: “Huub joins us from the Watersley set-up, where he’s found his footing as a coach and we’ve seen him develop well in that role. He’s an ambitious and driven person and wants to continue his development by joining the team. Huub has done some part-time work for us this season with our Women’s program, and we’ve built up a good relationship. We’re looking forward to continuing that in the coming season as we chase more successes.”

Pim Ligthart (NED)

After a professional career spanning well over ten years, Ligthart hung up his wheels at the end of the 2020 season, putting a close to a career that saw him claim six wins and take part in six Grand Tours, alongside multiple classics. 2021 has seen Ligthart step into a new role as a team leader at SEG Racing Academy where he has put those years of experience into use by helping the team’s numerous young talents to some great performances. Ambitious, smart and driven, Ligthart wants to continue his development as a coach and get the best out of those around him, as he joins Team DSM in 2022.

Ligthart said: “I’m happy to join Team DSM next year. I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my career and life. I had some long talks together with the team which went well, and we had a shared a mutual and good feeling about each other. I know Roy a bit personally, so I also know how the team works. It feels like a good match to me and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with Team DSM and chase top results together.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna added: “From our very first conversations with Pim things went smoothly and we both have similar outlooks and visions about professional sport. He joins us after one year with SEG Racing Academy, where he’s played an important role in helping them to some great results and performances. A person with an ambitious character, we think that Pim will fit in well with our way of working. We’re looking forward to the experience that Pim brings as a former professional to our team of coaching staff.”

Marcel Sieberg (GER)

2021 sees the experienced Sieberg end his long-standing and distinguished career on the bike as a professional rider. Wanting to stay in the sport he’s so passionate about, Sieberg will make the transition to the team car and become a coach with Team DSM. Aiming to utilise his years of experience and knowledge as one of the best road captains in the bunch, Sieberg’s approach to racing and especially sprinting will bring added value to the team.

Sieberg said: “Team DSM are one of the most professional teams and I’m looking forward and super motivated for a new challenge in cycling. I’m excited to work with a new group of staff and riders, sharing experience from the last 17 years as professional and my 30 years of riding a bike; I think there is a lot we can learn from each other. I’ve had some really good and productive meetings with the team and I’m looking forward to finally meeting everyone and starting to work with them.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna continued: “Marcel has been a professional rider for a long time and has built up a wealth of experience by competing at the highest level of the sport over the years. We’ve had some great conversations to get to know each other and he has an open and approachable personality and is someone who we believe will fit in with our way of working. Marcel’s very experienced in the lead out and that is somewhere he can bring some more insight and knowledge to the team as a coach as we look to build the strongest sprint team on the World Tour.”

Boris Zimine (FRA)

Zimine is a former rider having competed at continental and national level in France over the years but has recently turned his hand to coaching and has been a part of the very successful CC Etupes team in France. Helping to guide the riders under his tutelage to many successes, including the French U23 national title, Zimine will bring his passion of rider development to Team DSM as he joins the team’s coaching staff with the Development program next year.

Zimine said: “I’m really happy to join Team DSM, it’s like a dream come true for me. I have a lot of respect for the team and I believe we share the same ambitions and outlook, so I think it will be a great fit. There are a lot of big riders who are, and have become successful, from their ways of working so it’s a big opportunity for me to join this team and help continue that. I’m really looking forward to getting started and meeting both staff and riders.”

Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna added: “Boris is a really experienced coach for someone of his age and comes from an important club team, CC Etupes, in France. From our discussions with him, it’s clear we share the same vision as Boris about rider development and we think that he will fit in well with the team’s way of working. We’re looking forward to starting to work together next year, as he joins our coaching staff, helping to further improve our Development program.”