In the high-stakes world of professional cycling, Visma–Lease a Bike is facing a pivotal moment as they strive to reverse their fortunes following a string of setbacks.
Wout van Aert, the Belgian cycling sensation, made his return to competition at the Tour of Norway on May 23, marking his comeback after a two-month hiatus due to a crash during the Dwars door Vlaanderem. Despite managing only one podium finish and landing 66th in the general classification, van Aert expressed optimism, stating, “My confidence has grown… A lot of uncertainty has gone.”
Meanwhile, Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, resumed intensive training in mid-May following injuries sustained in the Itzulia Basque Country six weeks prior. Team boss Richard Plugge cautiously pointed both riders towards the upcoming Tour, emphasizing the need for them to attain peak condition for the demanding competition.
Visma–Lease a Bike, however, has been grappling with a drought in victories since Matteo Jorgenson’s triumph at Dwars door Vlaanderem. Even that victory was overshadowed by subsequent challenges, notably when Olaf Kooij’s illness prevented him from continuing after a stage win in the Giro d’Italia.
The team’s struggles come in the wake of their historic achievements last year, where they clinched victories in all three Grand Tours and dominated the Vuelta a España podium. With former star Primož Roglič now riding for BORA-hansgrohe and formidable competitors like Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel in top form, Visma faces an uphill battle to reclaim their former glory.
While Visma boasts talents like Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss, none are seen as capable of challenging the likes of Pogačar and Roglič in mountainous terrain. Additionally, other major races on the calendar, such as the Paris Summer Olympics and the world championships, pose similar challenges for the team.
As they gear up for the grueling Tour de France, touted as one of the toughest in history, Visma–Lease a Bike has a narrow window of opportunity to revitalize their season. With nearly four weeks until the race commences, the team is focused on optimizing the fitness of their star riders, knowing that success in the Tour could catalyze a turnaround for their beleaguered campaign.