Departing Visma coach Grischa Niermann gives his reasons for switching to Lidl-Trek

The big news of the week is the sudden announcement that Grischa Niermann is leaving Visma | Lease a Bike. The sporting director of the Dutch team is moving to Lidl-Trek on September 1, and has now released a personal statement on his social media channels, addressed to the team he worked for for so long.

As a rider, Niermann spent many years at Rabobank, while as a sports director and later sporting manager he was crucial in building what we now know as Visma | Lease a Bike. After Merijn Zeeman left at the end of 2024, he took on that role, and the team were very pleased with his contribution.

Not for nothing did Richard Plugge repeatedly call Niermann’s departure sad and disappointing during a special press moment on Monday. The Dutchman, however, did not want to speak on Niermann’s behalf when it came to the reasons for leaving. “Grischa has told me that he wants to leave the team, but he can explain that himself.”

He has already explained his motivations in part via Lidl-Trek website: “After having worked my whole life for the organisation now known as Team Visma | Lease a Bike, I felt it was time for a new challenge. The move to Lidl-Trek is a special opportunity for me personally, because it allows me to work on one of the most ambitious projects in professional cycling, which is closely linked to my home country.”

On Wednesday night, Niermann himself came out with a statement, detailing his departure. 'In Germany there is a saying: 'stop when it is at it's best'. In recent months it dawned on me that I would like to take on a new challenge, which will be taking on the role of Chief Sports Officer at Lid-Trek starting in September.'

Until 31 August, the German will therefore still be with Visma | Lease a Bike, although in a background role. “I’m not gone yet, but I still want to thank everyone at Visma | Lease a Bike for everything we have achieved together over the past few years,” Niermann tells all the riders and staff he has worked with.

“What I will remember most are not only the victories, but above all the process that led us to those wins,” Niermann says. “The planning and brainstorming in winter, the long altitude camps, the tactical discussions, the bold plans we came up with together and the feeling that all the pieces then finally fell into place.”

“I am leaving behind a perfectly functioning team, which for most of my career I have been able to call my second family,” continues Niermann, who will be replaced from within the team by Marc Reef. “There is no doubt that black and yellow will always have a special place in my heart. Grischa 💛🖤,” his letter ends.

Author: David Bavin-Hobbs - [email protected]