The hunt for cycling's ultimate prize is on, and Visma | Lease a Bike believes they're closer than ever to dethroning their biggest rival! As the new cycling season revs up, so does the strategic planning for the team's sports directors. Grischa Niermann, the Head of Racing at Visma | Lease a Bike, has just navigated his first full transfer window, a period where he held the reins for crucial recruitment decisions. He's now gearing up to lead the team from the car at the upcoming Tour of Oman, and he recently sat down to discuss the team's outlook, their ambitious goals, and the ongoing epic battle with cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar.
While the signings made for the 2025 season, such as Simon Yates, Victor Campenaerts, and Axel Zingle, still bore the imprint of his predecessor Merijn Zeeman, this past winter marked Niermann's ascent to making the final calls. This led to a significant roster shake-up, with nine new riders joining the squad and nine departing.
Visma | Lease a Bike: Sticking to Their Winning Philosophy
The team has seen a number of familiar faces depart, including Olav Kooij, Tiesj Benoot, Dylan van Baarle, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Attila Valter, and eventually Simon Yates. However, Visma | Lease a Bike has brought in nine new talents that they believe possess immense potential for growth. Among these exciting additions are Louis Barré, Davide Piganzoli, Timo Kielich, and Anton Schiffer, alongside the more seasoned riders Bruno Armirail and Filippo Fiorelli.
Niermann acknowledges the departures: “We’ve lost Olav, Tiesj, and the others, but we’ve also secured long-term contracts with Matteo and Matthew. They certainly haven’t become any cheaper.” He further elaborates on the team's financial landscape: “Other teams might have larger budgets, but on the other hand, I don’t think our core philosophy has changed significantly from previous years. We are always on the lookout for riders who have the potential to develop.”
This deliberate approach has been the bedrock of their success. “It’s how we brought in riders like Jonas and Sepp (Vingegaard and Kuss) in the past,” Niermann explains. “Similarly, Matteo, Wout, and Christophe (Jorgenson, Van Aert, and Laporte) weren’t established superstars when we signed them either. While there are never any guarantees in cycling, I believe we’ve once again managed to bring in a few riders who are poised to make significant strides. This has been our method, and it’s how we intend to continue.”
Niermann's Insights on New Signings
Niermann highlights specific riders who have caught his eye. “Take someone like Filippo Fiorelli, who has spent years riding for a smaller team. He’s been flying under the radar for quite some time – even for me!” he admits with a laugh. “But thankfully, others also bring these promising talents to my attention.” He emphasizes his reliance on Head of Strategy Patrick Broe, a meticulous observer who analyzes every race in detail.
“The same applies to Davide Piganzoli,” Niermann continues, recalling his surprise. “He finished third in the Giro dell’Emilia in 2024. I thought to myself, ‘How did I miss that?’ This young Italian also secured third place in the Tour de l’Avenir in 2023. These are precisely the kinds of riders we believe in – individuals who can truly take a major step forward within our team.”
Regarding Bruno Armirail, Niermann notes a different profile: “With Bruno, it’s a different situation. He brings a wealth of experience, possesses a powerful engine, and joins us from a top-tier team. He has the capability to solve many challenges for us. While he might not be a multiple Grand Tour winner, he will undoubtedly be an incredibly valuable asset.” Armirail is also slated to prepare for the Tour de France. “Replacing Tiesj is a difficult task, but we feel confident that we’ve managed it quite effectively with this approach.”
Ambitious Targets for Visma | Lease a Bike in 2026
Visma | Lease a Bike has set its sights high for 2026, aiming to conquer both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, secure at least one Monument victory, and achieve a remarkable minimum of 41 wins. Last year, the team celebrated 40 victories, with Olav Kooij contributing an impressive 11 of those. These ambitious 2026 targets were officially announced by the team through their own channels.
“Our ultimate ambition is to win the most prestigious races in the sport, and the Monuments are a crucial part of that,” Niermann states. “For Wout, adding victories in the Strade Bianche and Milan–Sanremo would provide fresh motivation. However, we've also made strategic choices. Consider Matteo Jorgenson – ideally, you'd want him competing in every race. We opted for a calculated risk by not sending him to Flanders, ensuring he can be at his absolute best for the Ardennes Classics.”
Niermann further analyzes the team's strengths for the Spring Classics: “We have Matthew, Wout, Christophe, and now also Axel Zingle – a formidable group of fast riders. The Spring Classics are often decided by sprint finishes. Wout remains our primary spearhead, and I believe the combination with Matthew is a strong one. We have significant ambitions for Matthew, but it doesn’t necessarily have to culminate in a Monument win in 2026, allowing us to ease the pressure on this young talent.”
The team also boasts impressive depth. “Timo Kielich is set to play a significant role, and behind him, we have a robust pool of riders. This includes Axel Zingle, Owaïn Doull, Edoardo Affini, and Filippo Fiorelli, as well as promising younger talents like Per Strand Hagenes and Niklas Behrens. While they still need to prove themselves, we have strong faith in their capabilities. Within this pool of ten riders, we will select the best seven to target the Monuments.”
Niermann: “We Believe Vingegaard Can Be Even Stronger in the Tour Than in the Giro”
Following the Spring Classics, which conclude for the team at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the focus will swiftly pivot to the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, with Jonas Vingegaard designated as the key leader for both. “We are firm in our belief that he can perform even better in the Tour than in the Giro,” Niermann asserts. “Our strategy over the past five years has yielded consistent results, with him finishing on the podium every year, but this represents a new approach.”
This revised strategy is one that Vingegaard has expressed readiness for. “There are always variables, of course, as it can rain during the Giro, and in such situations, we can’t simply say, ‘We’d rather you stayed indoors,’” Niermann explains, fully endorsing the plan. “Tadej demonstrated that it’s possible two years ago, and we are convinced Jonas can achieve the same. We don’t have a definitive guarantee, but we do have the valuable data from his previous Tour/Vuelta combinations, which strengthens our conviction.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Niermann's confidence in Vingegaard's potential to surpass his Giro performance in the Tour, drawing parallels with Pogacar's past achievements, raises a fascinating question: Is it truly possible to peak for two Grand Tours in the same season, or is this a strategy that risks overexertion?
Visma | Lease a Bike Draws Hope from Vingegaard’s Comments
This potential Giro program could be a strategic move to swing the Tour de France back in Visma's favor. “Last year, his post-race interviews revealed that we were well on our way to breaking Tadej,” Niermann remarks, referencing Pogacar’s candid comments about mental fatigue. “Ultimately, it didn’t materialize, but we are already actively developing a strategy for this year.”
“Our unwavering goal remains to win the Tour, the most significant race in the world. Defeating Tadej in the Tour is the pinnacle of our achievements, and it’s what drives us every single morning,” the ambitious German declares. “We were performing strongly, but in the end, it wasn’t quite enough. Now, with a different route in play, we need to adapt our approach. We have an emerging idea, but it still requires refinement. And for now, I’m keeping those details under wraps.”
What are your thoughts on Visma | Lease a Bike's ambitious strategy? Do you believe Jonas Vingegaard can truly challenge Tadej Pogacar on multiple fronts this season? Let us know your opinions in the comments below!
