Agent explains why Visma | Lease a Bike lost Staune-Mittet "with a heavy yellow-black heart" to French team

Well, tore up... Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale settled a buyout payment to the Dutch cycling team, according to our colleagues at Wielerflits. But, they emphasize, "This move is not out of dissatisfaction, just one with a heavy heart. But he sees that this transition is best for his career now. It is extraordinary that Visma | Lease a Bike is cooperating with this. They could also have thought, "This is a top rider and is still with us for a few years for a relatively low salary." But Merijn and Richard Plugge have been very honest about what they could and could not offer. Both athletically and financially. We appreciate that enormously, and I think that is also positive. They will not easily say that about themselves, which is why it is good to mention that."

Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale wanted him very badly after "a long process." At Visma | Lease a Bike, Van Haaren points to the presence of "absolute world top," with Jonas Vingegaard, Matteo Jorgenson, Sepp Kuss, and the recruited Simon Yates. A lot of young talent is also on the way. In Camp Staune-Mittet, the question arose: is there room for me? "Johannes hasn't completed a major tour to date. A grand tour is exciting if you are not the most explosive rider but must rely on long endurance efforts. Only at Visma | Lease a Bike do they ride every grand tour for the overall victory."

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Van Haaren entered into the conversation with former sports director Zeeman, who said it always happened positively. Visma | Lease a Bike offered the option to leave at "unique opportunities." Staune-Mittet is not leaving out of dissatisfaction but because he will get more opportunities at Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale. "Johannes is going to make a step forward athletically. There is also a huge financial upgrade that Visma | Lease a Bike could not offer either. Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale is happy because they are bringing in top talent and a key player for the grand tours in the coming years."

According to Van Haaren, with Ben O'Connor leaving for Team Jayco-AlUla and Swiss Felix Gall, Staune-Mittet's new team has proven that it can develop riders. Becoming a leader in a grand tour is the goal, with the support of Decathlon as a sponsor and a real three-year plan. "His whole program and the division of roles is already known to him for all those seasons. This includes, for example, which grand tour he will ride next year, but also which races he will gradually become a leader," Van Haaren said, stating that Staune-Mittet should be "one of the key players" in the dream of going for Tour wins in 2028. Despite a heavy yellow-black heart, everyone is satisfied. "Of course, this is an exciting choice. But one that gives Johannes more freedom to do what he does well."