Departed Tim Heemskerk, coach of Jonas Vingegaard, on his Visma | Lease a Bike exit: “That’s exactly why it’s time to stop”

Heemskerk — a former mountain biker and national coach in that discipline — had already spoken briefly in the team’s press release. “I have noticed lately that I was struggling to keep applying my creativity and passion, which is important to me in my work as a coach.”

“That was the moment for me to be honest with myself and with the team. I look back with pride on the growth of the team, myself, and the riders, including of course Jonas. In the coming period, I will take some time for myself and reflect on my future,” the Dutchman said.

On social media, he went into a little more detail. “After eight fantastic years with our team, I have — with a heavy heart — decided to stop as a trainer/coach. Over the past two to three months, there was too little room for creativity and passion in my daily work. That’s exactly why it’s time to stop,” Heemskerk wrote on Instagram.

The coach says he can look back on a wonderful spell with Visma | Lease a Bike. “The past years were full of highlights — with the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the absolute crown jewels — and unfortunately also a few tougher moments, with breakthroughs and challenges that shaped all of us.”

He closed with a message of thanks to his now former team. “It has helped me grow enormously as a coach and as a person; I carry those lessons with me and I am deeply grateful for them. I’m choosing to give myself a period of rest. Sport — and cycling in particular — remains my passion and my life. Thank you for everything we experienced together.”

Mathieu Heijboer, who is also Head of Performance at Visma | Lease a Bike, will now take over as Vingegaard’s coach. “We are extremely grateful to Tim for the contribution he has made to the team over the past years. He has played a major role in the development of the training philosophy we apply within the team and in achieving our sporting results,” he said on behalf of the team.

A new arrangement will also follow for the other riders Heemskerk had under his supervision. “Over the past period, I have had many conversations with Tim and I believe this is the best outcome,” Heijboer added via the team’s communication channels. “I wish Tim all the best in the next stage of his career.”