Team Picnic PostNL add talented young duo to their Women’s program

Photo Credit: Cor Vos

Looking to build for the future, Team Picnic PostNL are delighted to welcome two very talented youngsters Megan Arens and Daniela Hezinova to their Women’s program. Both Arens and Hezinova have spent the past seasons with the Grouwels – Watersley R&D Cycling Team, an outfit that Team Picnic PostNL works closely with, and they are known for developing some of the best junior riders in the world. The duo will wear the team’s distinctive two-striped jersey for at least the next two seasons in 2026 and 2027.

Photo Credit: PedalClicks

Megan Arens

Born in Kruiningen in the Dutch province of Zeeland, Arens joins Team Picnic PostNL’s Women’s program after two very successful years in the junior ranks. Her opening season at that level saw Arens take wins in time trials, over climbs, a double podium in the national championships, third overall at the tough Bizkaikoloreak Juniors, plus two top ten finishes as a first-year junior in the World Championhsips. In 2025, Arens has continued her development with four wins against the clock, including the famous Dutch tricolour jersey and a superb win recently at the World Championships. She’s also shown her versatility with a superb win at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, second at Gent-Wevelgem and Ronde van Vlaanderen, plus a fourth place at the GP Plouay.

Arens said: “Joining Team Picnic PostNL feels like the perfect next step for me. The team’s structure and ambition match exactly how I view cycling and I know I’ll get the guidance I need to keep developing while already riding some beautiful races in the coming years. What excites me most is working toward big goals together: training camps in the mountains, racing as a united squad, and fighting for the best possible results. I’d describe myself as an attacking rider who loves to make the race hard, especially when the course is tough and the climbs keep coming. I would say my biggest strengths are my commitment, ambition and pure enjoyment of the sport, and hopefully a sense of humour – that maybe not everyone always gets. I can’t wait to be part of a team.”

Team Picnic PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna: “Megan joins our Women’s program as a first-year rider with truly remarkable natural ability. Her power in the time trial already sets her apart, and we see real promise for climbing and stage-race ambitions in the future. With the resources we have in coaching, nutrition, and race planning as a team, we can help to further work on key racing elements such as positioning skills and race craft, guiding Megan step-by-step toward becoming a genuine GC contender. It’s exciting to welcome someone so talented and eager to learn into our environment.”

Photo Credit: Jef Kusters

Daniela Hezinova

Czech native Hezinova has settled into life in the Netherlands well with the base that her current team has in Watersley. A versatile rider with a fast finish, 2024 saw Hezinova impress in her first year as a junior with a strong fifth place at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, winning the Czech road-race, come fifth at Bizaikoloreak Juniors and then fifth in the sprint at the European Championships. That level of consistency over a multitude of terrain has continued in 2025, where some bad luck has also halted her at moments too. Nonetheless, she can count on over 15 top ten finishes this season, while also helping her teammates to multiple victories too – at some of the biggest races on the junior calendar.

Hezinova said: “What really attracted me to Team Picnic PostNL is the genuine team spirit and the long-term vision for rider development. Stepping up to the WorldTour with this group feels like the perfect next challenge, and I’m excited for everything that comes with it: the professional environment, the chance to learn from experienced teammates, and the opportunity to grow every day. I’d describe myself as a bit of a sneaky rider, someone who knows where to be at the right moment and is always ready to give everything for the team. Right now, I see myself as a ‘climby-puncheur,’ but I’m still exploring exactly what kind of rider I can become. My goal is to develop into the best version of myself, help the team achieve great things, and, in time, win some big races of my own. I bring strong bike-handling and tactical skills, but also a lot of discipline, team spirit, and a constant desire to improve, on and off the bike.”

Team Picnic PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna added: “We have known Daniela for two years and have followed her closely as one of the brightest young riders in the Czech Republic. She combines a sharp racing intelligence with a punchy, Ardennes-style engine that makes her dangerous on rolling courses and short climbs. Our first goal is to broaden her experience and give her the space to grow in all areas, from training to racing at WorldTour level. Daniela is already a complete rider for her age, and we look forward to seeing how far she can go when she tests herself in both smaller races and as a valuable support rider in the bigger events.”