Visma-Lease a Bike aim to keep team together on the transfer market 🐝
Plugge discusses the futures of Kooij, Tulett, Gloag, Benoot and Van Baarle
Visma-Lease a Bike could have a busy few months on the transfer market as they look to renegotiate several existing contracts that are set to expire.
Tiesj Benoot, Thomas Gloag, Wilco Kelderman, Olav Kooij, Steven Kruijswijk, Daniel McLay, Ben Tulett, Attila Valter, Dylan van Baarle, Tosh Van der Sande, and Julien Vermote are all out of contract at Visma-Lease a Bike at the end of the year but team boss Richard Plugge is hoping to strengthen the team and keep as many assets on board as possible.
The likely scenario is that star sprinter Kooij departs the Dutch team with Jayco, Red Bull, Ineos and Decathlon all in the running to sign the rider. He has made it clear that the Tour de France is on his bucket list, and with Visma intent on focussing on the yellow jersey, there is an obvious issue that can only be resolved by either a change in stance from the team management or a rider transfer.
It should be noted that the same rider and team were in a similar position two years ago, with many expecting Kooij’s departure until a fresh contract was presented and signed. However, unlike two years ago, Kooij is now a Grand Tour stage winner, and rival teams can offer him greater security and support when it comes to his long-term ambitions.
“Well, we have a strong team and want to keep it as strong as possible,” Plugge told us at the Spring Classics.
“I can’t dive into the details, of course, because it’s very early and because we’re always looking into reinforcements for the team. We want to be as good as possible in the Classics and the Grand Tours. Obviously, the Tour de France is a big goal for us, and where we want to be as good as possible, along with the other Grand Tours and here in the Classics. Some people might leave, or we’re discussing with people to stay. It’s a wide answer because we don’t have specifics yet,” the team bosses added.