No fluorescent yellow, but Astana blue for Mike Teunissen in 2025: How, why, and where will we see him in action?

This winter, Mike Teunissen traded the fluorescent yellow of Intermarché-Wanty for the azure blue of XDS Astana Team. Representing his new team, he was available to the press for the first time on Tuesday. IDLProCycling.com spoke with him at the five-star hotel where the team is training in Altea, Spain. Teunissen gave us a sneak peek into 2025 — his focus now as the year winds down.

For a while, it looked like Visma | Lease a Bike would once again be his team as of next season, but towards the end of the season, Astana announced his signing for 2025. What exactly happened? Teunissen isn’t too concerned about that anymore now, in mid-december, and doesn't want to dwell on it too much either. He’s here in Altea as an Astana rider, and naturally, that’s the team he wants to talk about above all others, having already spent the past week and a half getting to know his new teammates.

XDS Astana’s main goal for 2025 is simple: stay in the WorldTour. Teunissen can play a key role in that. Over the past two seasons, he worked hard for Biniam Girmay but still 'casually' picked up strong results himself, finishing well in races like the European Championships, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Renewi Tour, Paris-Tours, and BEMER Cyclassics. The cheerful rider from Ysselsteyn in the Netherlands won’t say it himself, but he’s clearly still competing at the highest level of the sport. Here's what he had to say about the upcoming season.

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Teunissen thinks XDS Astana still has lots of potential

Mike, first of all — how are you?

"Good! It’s always nice to be here and get into the rhythm of things. We already had a few team days in Italy in November to get to know each other, but here you're fully focused on the new year. That’s always exciting."

If I told you a year ago that you’d be riding for Astana now, what would you have thought?

"My outlook has become a bit more open, so from that perspective, I wouldn’t have thought it was that weird. But it’s a new environment with new staff, so in that sense, it’s a shift."

To what extent have you had some culture shock?

"There are definitely things I’m not used to, but we’ve got a strong Dutch crew here, and of course I’ve been in cycling for a while now. At the end of the day, you get a bike, a training plan, and you ride. So, not that much really changes."

Is it exciting in a way?

"As it happens, I was talking to Cees Bol about this during a chill ride. It is special, because you’re challenging yourself. It’s easy to keep doing what you’re used to, but something new can also be refreshing. In that sense, this is really fun to experience. Intermarché-Wanty was still quite Belgian, so this is a bit more of a leap into the unknown."

How exactly did this transfer come about?

"They were very interested and actually had a really good plan. Of course, everyone knows the current situation. They need points, and they saw me as someone who could help with that. And it turned out to be a great match, so here we are."

The last few years, you’ve focused on lead-out work. Will you ride more for yourself now?

"We have some good sprinters here, don't we?"

But I think you're also among that group yourself?

"I don’t really have that illusion, honestly. When I look at Max, Gleb, or even Cees (Kanter, Syritsa, and Bol, ed.), they completely outclass me in a sprint. In a normal peloton, there are always ten guys faster than me, so I’m better off being valuable as a lead-out for guys I really believe in. That’s the plan."

But those are — with all due respect — not riders that can match Van Aert or Girmay?

"I don’t know. Would you have placed Girmay where he is now last year?"

No, but Intermarché-Wanty did at that time.

"That’s true. And here, they have a lot of confidence in these guys. In terms of their level, they definitely have what it takes, but there’s still a lot to develop. I’m also trying to contribute my part to that. I think ‘challenging’ is a good summary."

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Teunissen is cautious in his early days at XDS Astana

But Mike, isn't it true that you’ll also be aiming more for your own results? Especially in the spring classics?

"Maybe, but we also have Alberto Bettiol, for example. He won the Tour of Flanders a few years ago. He’s not just anyone. My role here will be similar to what it was last year, and I think I fit into that well. I really think we can put together a strong classics campaign with these guys. And there are certainly opportunities for me there, but I’m not coming in thinking I’m going to make it all happen."

You're very modest.

"You’re a fan, I like hearing that. (smiles) Take E3 or Dwars door Vlaanderen, the top riders are always there. I’m not at that level, although you always hope for better. Bettiol is, so in principle, the division of roles is clear."

Although a sixth or seventh place — given Astana’s current situation — will also be very important to the team next year.

"Absolutely, that’s true. And we have a few guys for that, including me, Cees, and Ballerini. We can provide those much-needed points, so that’s part of the plan."

Will you race more than in previous years?

"That’s actually not so bad. At Intermarché-Wanty, it was basically the same. We did a lot of races there, and every race was important. So those changes aren’t too drastic."

Do you already know your race schedule for next year?

"We start in Valencia with two one-day races and build towards the classics. I was hoping never to ride in the Basque Country again, so it stays kind of the same."

But in the past two years you have talked about races like Le Samy, for example, which you specifically mentioned?

"I still need to take a good look at the calendar, but it’s not like our classics team is that deep. We can’t just put ten others on the starting line, so we’ll see. There will be plenty of great races, I’m sure of that."

And what about the Tour de France? Will we see you there again?

"I haven’t really insisted on riding the Tour for a few years now, but they keep selecting me! But it's definitely great to be in the mix, so it’s still an option. For now, I’m focusing on the spring. After that, we’ll see. I’d love to ride the Giro at some point in my career, but combining a full classics season with the Giro is tough."

What can you contribute to this team with your experience?

"As Dutch people, we’re quite straightforward, but when you’re new, you also have to wait and see a bit. But they’re very supportive and willing to help, so there’s a great mentality in the team. So far, I’m also really happy with the bike, for example. And it can only get better, so it’s looking good in that regard."

What did Intermarché-Wanty say about your departure?

"They were disappointed, but that’s life, right? I stopped by last week and still talk to them a lot. I hope they continue to do well. But from January 1st, they’re competitors, in a way."

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