Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Oscar Onley – Moving up to the WorldTour with Team DSM

"My focus will be on learning from the team’s big riders and working to strengthen my weaknesses.”

-

HomeInterviewsOscar Onley - Moving up to the WorldTour with Team DSM

We’ve been following 20 years-old Kelso man, Oscar Onley’s progress for a few years now, from promising junior with Craig Grieve’s, Spokes Racing Team through to a ride with Van Rysel AG2R Mondiale, the ‘feeder’ team to the AG2R World Tour équipe.

Then last year he signed with the DSM [formerly Sunweb] development team – but in 2022 he’s no longer, ‘promising’ – he’s jousting with double Tour de France winner, Jonas Vingegaard at the top of savage climbs in the UCI 2.1 CRO Race where he took second place to the Dane on two stages and finished third on GC behind big hitters Mohoric and Vingegaard.

Oscar Onley second to Jonas Vingegaard with Matej Mohoric just behind in 3rd on Stage 3 of the CRO Race. Photo©Tommaso Pelagalli

Prior to that race he placed second on a stage and seventh on GC in the tough UCI 2.1 Sazka Tour in the Czech Republic.

And that came on the back of a stage win in the ‘World Tour shop window,’ UCI 2.2(u) Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta in Italy. 

And Italy has been a happy hunting ground for Oscar in 2022, back in June he scored a top 10 in another ‘shop window’ race, the prestigious ‘Baby’ Giro. 

Oscar has enjoyed wonderful assistance from The Rayner Foundation for several seasons and when recently the news came that DSM had signed Oscar on a five year deal it was no surprise; the Dutch squad obviously recognise a good thing when they see one. 

The DSM team to the outside observer seems somewhat of an enigma; riders like Roman Bardet have thrived there but Marc Hirschi, Marcel Kittel, Warren Barguil, Tom Dumoulin, Michael Matthews and Tiesj Benoit all left before their contracts had run their course.

There will always be internal friction as we coach our riders to make them better. Not everyone always agrees right away.’

– the team’s head coach, former Dutch Professional Road Race Champion, Rudi Kemna said in an interview last year.  

We caught up with Oscar just before he left for Calpe, Spain and the DSM training camp.

Oscar Onley
Oscar Onley during Heistse Pijl in Belgium. Photo©Team DSM

Congratulations on the contract, sir – but I had read that you were going to stay with the DSM Development squad for another year?

“That was the original plan but I had a meeting with team management after my performances in the CRO Race and we came to the conclusion that I was ready to step up to the World Tour squad.”

Do you have an agent who assisted with the deal?

“The Dutch SEG company – Sports Entertainment Group handled all the legal stuff for me but the main terms I agreed personally with DSM management.”

DSM is a team where some riders thrive but others can’t handle the regime?

“That’s true, the team has a particular style which suits some and that includes me. 

“I came from the Scottish Cycling programme which was really structured and that suited me as well, and I’ve been with the team two years now so I know what to expect.

“Some riders might want more freedom but they’re perhaps not looking at the bigger picture, a longer term view – you have to think about what’s best for you in the long run.”

Oscar Onley
It seems Oscar Onley won’t have any difficulty crossing over to the World Tour. Photo©Cro Race

I believe that DSM are very particular about getting training data back to the coaches promptly?

“I don’t think that’s unique to DSM, all the teams trainers and coaches want to see the numbers from your training quickly so they can do their jobs – but it’s results rather than numbers that matter.”

You’re coached in-house at DSM?

“Yes, we have a Spanish coach on the development team but now that I’m going to the World Tour team that will change and I’ll work with different coaching staff.”

How does your training load approaching 2023 compare to that for start of this year?

“It’s very similar, a few more hours but not really much change.

“That’s the beauty of being on a World Tour development team, it narrows the gap for when you cross over.”

Now that you’re moving up to the World Tour will there be much difference in your nutrition plan?

“I wouldn’t say so.

“I cook for myself and I try to get it right.

“We get a lot of guidance when we’re on training camps and I’ve learned a lot.”

What about bike fit, have DSM changed your position changed much since your junior days, I believe they’re very particular on that score?

“To be honest it’s not something I’ve thought about…

“They asked for my dimensions from my bike and we just kept it the same – no complaints!”

Any clues on your 2023 programme?

“No but we’ll be discussing that down at Calpe next week.”

You’ll be going on to the Biological Passport with DSM then? 

“That’s another benefit of being on a good development team, I’ve been on the ADAMS [Anti-Doping Administration and Management System] since I’ve been with the team so I’ve been posting my ‘whereabouts’ for two years already.

“The only addition now is that I have to undergo four blood tests each year.”

And is the ‘pro life’ what you expected it to be?

“Not much has changed really, I’m still riding around in the rain in Scotland!”

Oscar Onley
Oscar Onley takes the win on the final, Stage 5 of the Giro Valle d’Aosta form Valtournenche to Breuil Cervinia. Photo©supplied

Have you set yourself any objectives.

“Not really, I don’t know my calendar yet but my focus will be on learning from the team’s big riders and working to strengthen my weaknesses.”

Your advice for those wishing to follow in your footsteps to the ‘pro life?’

“Enjoy your sport – if you’re not enjoying it then it’s hard to go out in the rain and do four hours – that’s not fun but after you’ve completed the training for the day it’s a good feeling.

“And don’t stress, stick at it; there will always be riders better than you right now but think about the long game…”

Wise words from Oscar, we’ll be following his World Tour journey with great interest and wish him every success.

Ed Hood
Ed Hood
Ed was involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he was a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He was also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months often worked in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed was a highly respected journalist, his tales of chasing the Giro, Tour, Vuelta, Classics and World Championships - and his much-loved winter Six Days - are legendary, never the same twice, they gave our site an edge other cycling media could never duplicate or challenge. Sadly Ed passed away in January 2025, two years after suffering a devastating stroke.

Related Articles

Tino Tabak – Dreams and Demons of a Kiwi Legend

Kiwi’s in the peloton are no rarity these days; George Bennett, Shane Archbold, Paddy Bevin, Jack Bauer are all well-known figures on the World Tour but the spiritual Godfather of these men whilst as Kiwi as they come was actually born in The Netherlands; Mr. Tino Tabak is definitely old school 70’s and ‘tells it like it is.’

Wayne Bennington – Looking back at his Pro Teams; System-U and ‘Z’

With all the recent exposure Philippa York has had we recently came upon a mention of a man who trained and raced with York in his days as Robert Millar. Wayne Bennington is the man; he rode for Systeme-U and ‘Z’ – both big players in the day who didn’t dispense contracts to just ‘any’ rider. We spoke to Wayne a year or two ago but this piece has never before run on Velo Veritas, here’s his story.

Drew Wilson – One of the Best Scottish Roadmen in the 80s and 90s

When I asked Drew Wilson (or 'Mr. Visualbikefit', as he’s known on social media) if he’d like to do a wee interview with us here at VeloVeritas he replied that he wasn’t sure he had enough interesting things to say? We said that we’d risk it and we’re glad we did…

Craig Wallace – a Move to the Basque Country

It was last September when we last spoke to Aberdonian rider, Craig Wallace about his adventures in Flanders. But the man has itchy feet and he’s off to another of VeloVeritas's favourite spots for 2014; The Basque Country – Euskal Herria.

At Random

Liam Beaty – Scottish 10 Mile Time Trial Champion 2018

VeloVeritas didn’t make it up to the Scottish 10 Mile Time Trial Championship at Alness. ‘No problem,’ thinks me, ‘I’ll get an interview with the winner; if John Archibald hasn’t recovered from his crash and doesn’t ride it’ll be David Griffiths or maybe Chris Smart?’ Not for the first time, I got it wrong. Liam Beaty? Is that the Hawick lad whom was second on the hill climb, last year?

Upholstery tacks, Did That Really Happen? (TDF 2012 St14)

Upholstery tacks? Seriously? Clearly my “Ugly Fans” rant was two days too soon. The Tour is such a great spectacle partly because of the amazing numbers of fans lining the road.

Bert Roesems – Wants a Win!

It's the 2007 Three Days of De Panne, stage one, hilly, windy and there are men dying out there. But at the front a powerful figure attacks constantly into the wind which scythes in off the North Sea-and he doesn't quit his huge 'digs' until the race defining break has formed around him.

Martin McCrossan – on Team Cyclesport.seMagnus Maximus Coffee.com

It's been a long time coming, but the Vikings from the north are finally starting their comeback tour of the World! Team Cyclesport.se is the brain child of Dennis Nystrand who has worked tirelessly for five years to bring Sweden its first professional team of the modern era, and to do so he's enlisted the help of UK based sports management company Sprocket Promotions to bring in some sponsors, which lead ultimately to a new partnership with Sprocket owner Martin McCrossan.