What use is 1800 watts if you can’t sprint? Alpecin changes approach with Gerben Thijssen
Few experts would deny that Gerben Thijssen intrinsically has the speed to challenge the very best sprinters in the world. But in today’s peloton, that alone is no longer enough to win races. The 27-year-old from Limburg understands this too and is focusing on building his substance and getting stronger with his new team Alpecin-Premier Tech. "Then the results will follow naturally," Thijssen confidently states in an interview on the eve of the Tour of Oman.
This explanation is not unfamiliar to us. Just last week, when we spoke with Arne Marit—also joining Intermarché-Wanty in 2025 after his win at Trofeo Palma—the rider from Vollezele told us that the big secret behind his first victory in the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe jersey was a very different way of training.
"What Arne told you is actually exactly the same for me," Thijssen laughs in front of our camera. "I train a lot less on my sprint now than I did last year at Intermarché-Wanty."
The new philosophy in the peloton?
“To be able to sprint, you first have to get there, of course. I was always only focused on my power and my sprint. That caused problems: I was way too fatigued in the finales and couldn’t even come to sprint. But what good is 1800 watts if you can’t get to the finish line or you can’t push after a tough race? It’s better to be less explosive if you have extra power to move forward in the wind and then still be able to sprint.”
Specifically: what does your approach look like?
"I’ve started training differently, more like a classic rider. You see with Arne that it works, and Biniam (Girmay, ed.) also won immediately for NSN.”
Was that also why it didn’t work out for you in 2025?
"Maybe. Back then, I chose to lose weight (Thijssen lost four kilograms of fat during the winter at that time, ed.), but afterwards, I struggled with that weight. In the autumn, there was also stress around the Lotto and Intermarché merger. Since the Tour, a lot has changed in the team. I can only say it was a very bad year for me."
We might be wrong, but you were essentially allowed to stay with the merged team.
"That is to say: they only had a limited number of spots. And since Lotto was the so-called 'paying agent' in the merger, Intermarché-Wanty was allowed to place no more than eight or nine riders. They told me then that if I had a second option, they would support me and let me go. Fortunately, I had that at Alpecin-Premier Tech. I was very happy at Wanty and grateful for all the opportunities, but this might be what I needed to take the next step."
What do you mean?
"I’ve been in the pro peloton for quite some time already, but the level of professionalism, support, and performance I’m experiencing here is new to me. I’m not saying it was handled differently for me before, but this kind of environment is what my career needed. Now I’m in the setting I always wanted, and I want to show that it pays off. It’s a very nice step for me."
You do drop in the team hierarchy though.
"That’s certainly true, but I do get that strong performance department and often solid lead-outs in return. I know my place in the pecking order and I know Jasper (Philipsen, ed.) and Kaden (Groves, ed.) are a step above. Christoph (Roodhooft, ed.) says what’s most important for me is to start winning again as soon as possible, and then maybe we’ll be on the right track. I need confidence back. I’m very grateful they’re giving me that after a bad year."
Christoph Roodhooft mentioned this comes with a more modest race calendar. Quite a difference compared to the Giro and Tour you’ve raced in recent years.
"I’m focusing on race types like Bredene Koksijde Classic and Grote Prijs Monseré. These are 1.1 or 1.Pro races that I’ve been able to win in the past, and I’m returning now with the same ambition. It’s not that I look down on those races. They are actually great opportunities to get back to sprinting and to feel like I’m competing for wins. I’m very motivated."
Does it also cause stress having to prove yourself again?
"Maybe more of a healthy tension, especially after a weaker year conditioning-wise. I really want to show that I’ve gotten stronger. But as I said: first, get back to sprinting, then we can talk about winning. I’m getting some great opportunities, starting here at the Tour of Oman and the UAE Tour. It would be great if I can perform immediately."
