If 2023 was almost too good to be true, 2024 is gradually taking on the allure of a nightmare. Visma-Lease a Bike remains in the corner where the blows fall. Merijn Zeeman and Richard Plugge, the godfathers of the team, talk about their fallen leaders, saying goodbye and building a safe future.
It should have been the week of truth for Visma-Lease a Bike. This year there was a lot of focus on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but everyone knows what happened to the leader (and almost every Visma accomplice).
To top it all off, the other showpiece, Jonas Vingegaard, is also in ruins.
“His wife and daughter are now with him in the Basque Country,” sporting director Merijn Zeeman shares an update. “Hopefully he can go home soon to recover.”
According to Zeeman, it is still too early for forecasts, especially towards the Tour. The Dutch architect of the top team had contact today with that other unlucky player, Wout van Aert.
“I told him that I am surprised how quickly such a top athlete recovers compared to an ordinary mortal. His wound looked a lot better and he has more energy.”
“We also have to wait and see every day for him. We have to see how everything evolves and until when he will be out of action. The Giro? We will postpone that. We certainly need another week to properly assess that.”
Fortunately, I was able to tell Wout privately about my farewell. It was emotional for both of us.
Merijn Zeeman
Van Aert and Zeeman understand each other blindly, but the collaboration will end after this season. “Fortunately, I was able to tell him privately,” says the Dutchman about his departure to football club AZ.
“It was leaked earlier than hoped and it was emotional for both of us. I owe a lot to Wout. He is a fantastic athlete and an even more beautiful person. We have been through so much together.”
“It meant a lot to me, but he also understood why I did it. It gradually took more effort and I was looking for a new challenge.”
Zeeman finds that in football. “Wout is not much of a football fan himself, but I invite him when we play against a Belgian club in the Europa League.”
SafeR has to leave
Between the medical updates and future plans, Visma-Lease a Bike is of course also concerned about the many falls and the safety discussion in cycling.
“There is sadness, but also a kind of anger,” CEO Richard Plugge summarizes his feelings about the many crashes. “An organization is ready with SafeR, but it has not yet been successful.”
“That could not have prevented yesterday’s fall, but it is the start of a solution by looking at the course and the behavior of everyone – riders, teams, organizers and UCI – with an independent body.”
“We must implement those recommendations as quickly as possible. It has now become too much of a political process. You have to stand up for the people and also think about the business. This is harmful to our sport.”
“I don’t want to point the finger at anyone, but I get angry that we are not working on it yet. I feel responsible for that towards all riders.”
It is brave that ASO thinks about an icon like Wallers. They deserve all the praise for that. Is it the right solution? I do not know. Should you shoot it? I wouldn’t do that either.
Richard Plugge
On issues such as protective clothing, Plugge suggests that “people who know about it should judge it.” “You have to think outside the box.”
Installing a chicane as ASO has done is something the CEO welcomes. “It is very brave that after 100 years they are thinking about one of the icons of the race.”
“They deserve all the praise for that. Is it the right solution? I don’t know. Should you shoot it down? I wouldn’t do that either.”
“I would applaud. And if you wonder whether it is a joke, have a conversation and make it better,” the Dutchman gave another hint to Mathieu van der Poel.
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2024-04-05 15:23:46
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