Nathan Van Hooydonck Appointed Sporting Director of Visma-Lease a Bike, Sporza reports
- Former professional cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck has been appointed as the new sports director at Team Visma-Lease a Bike with immediate effect, Sporza reported on 5 October 2026.
- In his new position, Van Hooydonck steps into a structure that mirrors the historical responsibilities once held by Merijn Zeeman, according to reporting by Wielerflits.
- Team management sought an individual who combines athletic knowledge with deep organizational ties to guide sporting development and connect different departments, team statements note.
Former professional cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck has been appointed as the new sports director at Team Visma-Lease a Bike with immediate effect, Sporza reported on 5 October 2026. The 31-year-old Belgian transitions into the sports management role after spending the previous two years working within the squad’s business team. Van Hooydonck was forced to abruptly end his active racing career at the end of 2023 following heart problems.
Leadership Transition at Visma-Lease a Bike
In his new position, Van Hooydonck steps into a structure that mirrors the historical responsibilities once held by Merijn Zeeman, according to reporting by Wielerflits. He succeeds Jacco Verhaeren, who had stepped in as sports director starting in 2025 following Zeeman’s departure. Verhaeren never viewed himself as a direct successor to Zeeman, prompting Visma-Lease a Bike to re-evaluate the role.
Team management sought an individual who combines athletic knowledge with deep organizational ties to guide sporting development and connect different departments, team statements note. CEO Richard Plugge highlighted Van Hooydonck’s alignment with the team’s core values. Nathan is nog jong, maar ontzettend leergierig en iemand die zich volledig verbonden voelt met de ploeg en met wat we samen willen bereiken
, Plugge stated in team announcements, as cited by Wielerflits. Plugge added that Van Hooydonck possesses the credibility earned through his years as a rider to voice firm opinions on the sport.
The Scope of the New Sports Director Role
Van Hooydonck assumes leadership of the Sport Management Team, where he will establish and safeguard the primary competitive targets for the Dutch formation. His responsibilities include upholding the long-term vision, cultural values, and internal direction of the squad. The management unit comprises Marc Reef as Head of Racing, Mathieu Heijboer as Head of Performance, Robbert de Groot as Head of Development, Patrick Broe as Head of Strategy, and CEO Richard Plugge, as outlined by teamvismaleaseabike.nl.
Reflecting on his transition from the business department back to the racing core, Van Hooydonck acknowledged the broader perspective he gained. De afgelopen periode heb ik vanuit het Business Team juist veel meer van de andere kant kunnen zien
, Van Hooydonck said, as reported by Sporza. He credited Richard Plugge with playing a massive part in his professional development and current appointment.
Uncompromising Ambitions for Cycling Success
Van Hooydonck set an unequivocal tone regarding his expectations for the squad’s output on the road. Voor mij draait het uiteindelijk om één ding: winnen
, Van Hooydonck stated plainly, as cited by Wielerflits. He emphasized that achieving victory requires internal accountability and collective alignment across every department.
To reach those competitive benchmarks, Van Hooydonck stressed the necessity of mutual challenge among staff and riders. Dat betekent dat je kritisch moet durven te zijn, elkaar moet uitdagen en tegelijkertijd moet zorgen dat iedereen zich betrokken voelt bij wat we samen willen bereiken
, he explained to Sporza. The Belgian raced for the team from 2021 through 2023, contributing to major spring classics campaigns and Tour de France rosters before his career was halted by a traffic incident involving a cardiac arrest, as detailed by NOS.