Visma-Lease a Bike is navigating a challenging start to the 2026 cycling season, beset by a series of setbacks that have thrown their early-season plans into disarray. The team faces a significant hurdle with key riders sidelined due to injury and illness, casting a shadow over their ambitions for both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.
The most recent blow came with Jonas Vingegaard’s withdrawal from the UAE Tour. The two-time Tour de France champion initially crashed during a training descent in Spain, an incident he attributed to an amateur cyclist following too closely. While Vingegaard placed blame externally, witnesses suggested he may have been traveling at an excessive speed. The crash was then compounded by a subsequent illness, forcing the team to make the difficult decision to pull him from the UAE Tour to prioritize his recovery.
“Due to both the crash and the illness, he wasn’t able to train as well,” explained Head of Racing Grischa Niermann to Wielerflits.nl. “Although I can’t tell you exactly how long he was off the bike, it was so severe that we decided he wouldn’t be able to get fit in time – or at least in top or very good shape – for the UAE Tour.”
Vingegaard’s absence is particularly concerning given his planned participation in the Giro d’Italia, a race Visma-Lease a Bike had strategically targeted as preparation for his defense of the Tour de France title. The team had openly stated their belief that racing the Giro would benefit Vingegaard’s form heading into July. However, the current situation raises questions about whether he will be able to reach peak condition in time for either grand tour.
Niermann acknowledged Vingegaard’s eagerness to return to racing, stating, “It’s obviously set him back a bit now. He’s concerned about the fact that he really wants to race. But not if he’s not fit. Jonas has indicated that he really wants to race and win races. But that’s the next step.”
The team is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing Vingegaard’s fitness over adhering to a rigid race schedule. Niermann emphasized the importance of not rushing his leader back into competition before he is fully recovered. “Ideally, you don’t let a rider race if he’s not 100 percent fit. But sometimes you can’t avoid it. Especially with your leader, you absolutely don’t want that. Then you have to make that decision. That’s not a disaster, but it was a conscious decision not to do the UAE Tour.”
Adding to Visma-Lease a Bike’s woes, Wout van Aert is recovering from a broken ankle sustained during his cyclo-cross campaign. Despite this injury, the team anticipates van Aert will begin his road season at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a testament to his resilience, and determination. However, the timing of his return and his ability to regain his top form remain uncertain.
Further compounding the team’s difficulties, Simon Yates made the surprising decision to retire early, removing a key contender from their lineup. These combined setbacks – Vingegaard’s crash and illness, van Aert’s injury, and Yates’ retirement – have created a challenging environment for Visma-Lease a Bike as they attempt to navigate the early stages of the 2026 season.
Interestingly, the team isn’t currently considering adding alternative early-season races, such as Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico, to Vingegaard’s calendar. Niermann indicated that their immediate focus is on assessing Vingegaard’s recovery and determining the best path forward. “we’ll see how quickly he’s fully fit again. After that, we’ll see how things go with Jonas.”
Despite the mounting challenges, Niermann remains composed, dismissing the notion that the team is in a state of panic. He characterized the situation as “not a disaster,” suggesting that Visma-Lease a Bike possesses the depth and resilience to overcome these obstacles. However, the team’s ability to contend for major titles this season will undoubtedly depend on the swift and complete recovery of its key riders.
The early season disruptions for Visma-Lease a Bike highlight the inherent risks and uncertainties of professional cycling. A single crash, a sudden illness, or an unexpected retirement can dramatically alter a team’s plans and jeopardize its ambitions. As Vingegaard and van Aert work their way back to full fitness, the team will need to rely on its remaining riders and demonstrate its tactical acumen to remain competitive in the face of adversity.
