Cyclingflash
Marijn van den Berg increasingly embraces a new role, also in spring

Marijn van den Berg increasingly embraces a new role, also in spring

Nick Doup

For Marijn van den Berg, the 2026 season will look a bit different than previous years. While the Dutchman was often the sprinter for EF Education-EasyPost in recent seasons, the British talent Noah Hobbs will now more often get priority in bunch sprints. This means Van den Berg will also be used as a lead-out man, he explains to WielerFlits at the Volta ao Algarve.

The 26-year-old Van den Berg started the Volta ao Algarve in good spirits. "I think I'm in good shape," he told us. "I rode a good race in the Figueira Classic and that was a confirmation for me that I'm okay. In Algarve, I want to put the finishing touches on my form for the Opening Weekend, and I will also be doing lead-outs for Noah Hobbs."

How did you approach the winter? Did you do anything differently?
"Not really. I trained hard, and the most important thing is that I stayed fit. I didn’t get sick, and I think that often causes the most setbacks. So I think I’m simply on schedule."

You say you’ll be doing lead-outs. Will your role change more often this season?
"On days when there’s really a sprint, yes. Noah Hobbs is on paper much faster, so it would make sense for me to do the lead-out for him. We’re going to try that in the coming period and see how it goes. We’re not exactly a pair, but when we’re together, I’m his last man. And I will also get my own chances."

You’re aiming for the Opening Weekend, but what else will you race in spring?
"Then I’ll do Paris-Nice, Milan-San Remo, and afterwards all the classics. I’m really looking forward to those. I don’t want to pin a result on anything. If I’m in good shape, I always hope for a nice result. I don’t want to tie anything to that."

And is there a Grand Tour on your schedule? Or are you on a longlist?
"On the longlist, yes, for the Vuelta. But no Giro d’Italia or Tour de France, normally. That’s the plan for now. I’m actually not upset about that at all. I think I have a very nice program coming up, and that’s what I’m focusing on. I find that very important."

 

More focus on the Classics for Marijn van den Berg
Team director Sebastian Langeveld of EF Education-EasyPost elaborated further on the role division between Van den Berg and Hobbs for this new season. "We have started a project to get Noah to where we want him, among the top sprinters. That takes time, which you already saw in Algarve. Marijn and Noah will often be paired together, where Marijn will more frequently do the lead-outs," said Langeveld.

"In potential, Noah is the faster sprinter, the purer sprinter. Marijn has proven in the past that he has the qualities to survive. Hopefully, he will also take a step forward in the classics. Last year he was already good in Omloop and Kuurne, and in the Tour of Flanders we hope he can be 'in the mix.' Maybe he can sprint for the podium from a chasing group. That’s where we see Marijn growing more towards."