Cycling's early season is already a whirlwind of drama, with star riders shining and top teams facing unexpected hurdles! While Remco Evenepoel is dazzling on the road, Team Visma | Lease a Bike is navigating a series of challenges that have left many wondering about their leaders' readiness. Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin are weighing in on these unfolding situations.
Spencer Martin raised a pertinent question on The Move podcast: "Has he added anything to the arsenal that's going to let him compete with Pogacar and Vingegaard in 2026?" This query comes as the Olympic Champion, Remco Evenepoel, has kicked off his season with remarkable victories, offering a glimmer of hope.
While Tadej Pogačar is in training for his season debut and Jonas Vingegaard's start has been hampered by a crash and illness, Evenepoel has been consistently accumulating wins and delivering impressive performances. His recent triumph at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana saw him outclassing a strong field of competitors. Bruyneel commented, "I think this is Remco's level that we, we expected, you know, he himself said that he's not in top shape. He says he's now what his, he's on his typical weight of the spring."
He further elaborated, "He's not lean like to the Tour yet, like he was two years ago, and he knows that he said 'I can still lose some weight for the Tour'. I think the main thing is that, you know, he came in with a bang. His team believes in him, the atmosphere in the team must be amazing. And, you know, up to the next one, which is going to be UAE tour, right?"
At the UAE Tour, Evenepoel is set to face a formidable challenge from Isaac del Toro, who demonstrated his strength by winning the opening uphill bunch sprint, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the mountain stages.
But here's where it gets controversial for Visma...
In stark contrast, Team Visma | Lease a Bike has been conspicuously absent from the early season action. The Tour of Oman served as a prime example of the team's unfortunate luck, with key riders Sepp Kuss and Axel Zingle being forced to withdraw prematurely. The riders expected to lead the team in 2026 have not shown promising signs.
Bruyneel highlighted the issues: "Wout van Aert crashed, broke his ankle in a cyclocross race. He actually seems to be recovering well. It might not be a big issue, but maybe it won't be at full strength for the classics when he's going up against two of the best of all time. That's not great."
He continued, "Then Simon Yates, one of their key GC leaders and strongest domestiques in the mountains for grand tours retires out of the blue. That's not great. And then Jonas Vingegaard crashes on a descent, hurts himself to enough that he pulls out of the UAE Tour."
And this is the part most people miss...
Vingegaard's form remains an enigma until the Volta a Catalunya, his sole remaining preparation race before his Giro-Tour double attempt. Despite extensive training in the Malaga area prior to the season, this decision now appears questionable. Bruyneel questioned, "How hurt is he? We don't really know. Is he sick? What's really going on? And then we find out this week his coach Tim Heemskerk, he's employed by Visma | Lease a Bike, but he is the personal coach of Jonas Vingegaard, leaves the team."
Regarding the coach's departure, Bruyneel remarked, "You know, he must have his personal reasons. And now at the beginning of the season, a trainer or I mean, one of the key coaches who leaves the team... That press release reads a bit strange, I would say. We don't know. I absolutely have no information what's happening or what's going on. But it's strange."
Visma's difficult start is compounded by Fem van Empel ending her contract in late December, with speculation of her potential retirement from the sport. On the men's side, the situation is equally challenging. Bruyneel alluded to a potential conflict: "There's a conflict between this coach and one of his either the head men, the general manager. Ok listen, it's not the end of the world at this point, he's there to accompany him and somebody that the cyclist, in this case, Jonas and Matteo [Jorgenson], they are accountable to."
However, Bruyneel believes the impact of the coaching change on Vingegaard's performance will be minimal: "He's not going to tell them or teach them any more secrets. They already know what they have to do and any other coach will come in and they all obviously share information on the team. So it's not going to change that much. The only thing that could change is the way that the person who will now be in charge of those riders who are left behind from who are left without a coach, there's going to be a new coach. The only difference will be that the interpretation of the performances is different. That's all. They know what they have to do."
He added, "And whatever this coach was planning for his riders is shared with the other coaches. So I don't see it as a big, big problem. You are correct that there's not."
Bruyneel on Simon Yates' Shocking Decision
The team also commenced its season without Simon Yates, who announced his retirement in early January, following what was arguably the best season of his career. Bruyneel shared his perspective: "I think, in the Yates situation, I think the team was also in the dark. I think Simon Yates was, if I'm not mistaken, he did one training camp, right? And after that training camp he said 'you know what, I've now won the Vuelta, I've won the Giro, I'm never going to win the Tour. You know, I've made my career, I earned good money, that this is it. You know, I don't want to do this another year or another two years'."
This unexpected departure leaves Visma with a significant gap in their lineup as they aim to challenge UAE Team Emirates - XRG. Early season indicators suggest that Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe might emerge as a stronger contender against the Emirati team. Bruyneel concluded, "He, he walks away from a big contract. I mean, it's like Simon Yates didn't go to Visma for peanuts. You know, he was maybe making more at Jayco, but no, he's not making peanuts. He's not making a lot less. So it must be something personal."
Do you think the coaching change will truly impact Vingegaard's performance, or is it a minor blip? And what are your thoughts on Simon Yates' sudden retirement after a career-defining season? Let us know in the comments!
