Team pursuit remains a concern: 'As if Xavi is only calling up PSV players'

Stijn van de Bunt, a key member of the Dutch pursuit team, has opted out of the team pursuit this season due to dissatisfaction with the new KNSB format. He criticized the decision-making process and expressed that he does not want to participate if the results are poor. The new format allows teams to qualify directly for World Cups, a change stemming from the Dutch men's poor performance in recent Olympics. While some teams support the new approach, Van de Bunt believes it limits the selection of the best riders. The KNSB regrets his decision but acknowledges it is his choice. Meanwhile, Team Reggeborgh has qualified for upcoming competitions and aims to represent the Netherlands well despite their own reservations about the new rules.