Depleted Visma | Lease a Bike admits mistakes in Canada: ‘We could have done things better’

Visma | Lease a Bike were forced to say goodbye to team leader Louis Barré the day before the GP Québec after the Frenchman broke his wrist in a training crash, ruling him out for the coming weeks. In his absence, Matteo Jorgenson took on leadership duties for Visma | Lease a Bike on Canada’s east coast.

Barré suffered the injury in an unfortunate crash in Canada, which will also cost him his place at the World Championships. The Frenchman had finally begun to find his best form after a difficult start with his new team, underlined by stage victories at both the Tour de Pologne and the Deutschland Tour.

With the ill Victor Campenaerts also leaving the race relatively early, Visma | Lease a Bike spent most of the day with just five riders. “The team rode a good race, but there were also things we could have done better,” sports director Robert Wagner admitted in the team’s official race report. Jorgenson eventually finished eighth in Québec, while Bart Lemmen also played an important supporting role in the finale.

“Of course it’s a big loss that Louis couldn’t take part, because on this course he would have been among the favourites,” Wagner said. “But as a team we showed ourselves well today, and I saw a strong Bart and Matteo.” Lemmen worked for his American teammate in the decisive phase as Jorgenson battled his way into the top ten.

Jorgenson eventually crossed the line in eighth place. “It’s good to see that the legs were good,” Wagner continued. “Matteo already made a strong impression today, but on Sunday there’s a tougher course waiting for him, one that should suit him even better. We’re looking forward to it.” Visma will therefore head into the GP Montréal with confidence despite a difficult start to their Canadian campaign.