A Brutal Winter, A Bold Response
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the 2025-26 offseason was brutal for Visma | Lease a Bike. The Dutch super-team watched some of their biggest engines walk out the door. Olav Kooij and Tiesj Benoot bolted for Decathlon CMA CGM, Dylan van Baarle returned to Soudal Quick-Step, and Cian Uijtdebroeks left for Movistar. The exodus didn’t stop there: Thomas Gloag, Attila Valter, and Julien Vermote also departed, while Daniel McLay and Tosh Van der Sande retired.
But Richard Plugge and his management team aren’t panicking. Instead of splashing cash on expensive, established stars, they’ve doubled down on structural discipline, cutting-edge AI data, and a massive Grand Tour gamble.
(more…)