dsm-firmenich PostNL won't dismiss 2023 World Champion revelation: "Can achieve much more together"

With a seventh-place finish at the 2023 World Cycling Championships in Glasgow, Australian Matthew Dinham was one of the revelations. However, due to a persistent foot injury, he hardly attended any races this year and thus could not confirm his World Championship performance. However, his employer, dsm-firmenich PostNL, did not lose faith in the rider and extended his contract for three seasons until the end of 2027.

The WorldTour team gave the former mountain biker a chance as a pro in 2023, and in his first year, Dinham got to ride some great races right away. He participated in Paris-Nice, the uphill classics, and even the Tour de France. With the benefit of the Grand Tour in his legs, he surprised everybody a few weeks later by finishing seventh in the World Championship road race, which Mathieu van der Poel won.

That strong World Championship performance must have given riders and teams confidence for a great 2025, but it didn't come to that due to a persistent foot injury. Dinham only started in the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège this year. In both races, he did not reach the finish. Despite the setback, dsm-firm PostNL has shown itself to be a loyal employer and thus offered him a three-year contract extension, giving Dinham all the time he needs to recover and rebuild to a decent level.

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Dinham: "I can't wait to see what's possible together"

Dinham is thrilled with his new contract. "I am excited to continue my career with Team dsm-firmenich PostNL," he said in a press release. "I like the team's working environment, and the support and opportunities I have received so far have been incredible. I believe we can achieve much more together."

"It has been a very tough year for me with my injury, and I appreciate the continued support from the team," continued a grateful Dinham. "The prolonged contract has assured me that I can return in the best way possible. I am working hard toward our goals in 2025 and can't wait to see what is possible together."

On behalf of the team, head coach Rudi Kemna praised Dinham's eagerness to learn. "Matt has impressed us since he joined the team, both in terms of his bike skills and his attitude; he is always willing to learn from those around him, whether from our staff or the other riders."

"We are working hard together so he can return properly"

Kemna further mentions what makes Dinham a good driver. "In 2023, he showed he is an up-and-coming rider on the climbs, and he also has some excellent positioning skills in the peloton, which seem to come naturally to him. Of course, he has had a tough season this year with injury, but we are working hard together so he can come back into the peloton properly, and from there, we hope to keep making progress together." Earlier this season, dsm-firmenich PostNL already extended the contracts of Dutchmen Bram Welten and Julius van den Berg.