La Gazzetta: "After Laporte's success story, Visma | Lease a Bike now targets Cofidis gem Zingle"

If we are to believe the usually well-informed cycling journalist Ciro Scognamiglio of the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Visma | Lease a Bike is hoping for the arrival of French puncher Axel Zingle. The Cofidis rider has an expiring contract and is reportedly already in talks with Richard Plugge's formation.

Plugge, who was harshly criticized last year by Cofidis team boss Cédric Vasseur, and his team would benefit from Zingle’s finishing skills in hilly races. "According to our sources, Zingle could switch teams next season, with advanced talks already underway with Visma | Lease a Bike," Scognamiglio reported on X.

The combination of Zingle and Visma is not surprising. The last rider Visma | Lease a Bike (then Jumbo-Visma) recruited from Cofidis, Christophe Laporte, turned out to be a great success. Over three years with the team, the Frenchman won the European Championship, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen, and a stage in the Tour de France, showing remarkable development.

Zingle regarded as strong rider for hilly races

Zingle is a similar type of rider, although he is considerably lighter than Laporte. He has proven himself as a strong finisher, as shown in races like Tirreno-Adriatico. While he found less success in the major spring races, he gathered several top finishes in early May. Recently, Zingle claimed victory at Boucles de l'Aulne, marking his fifth professional win at the age of 25.

The Mulhouse-born Frenchman finished in the top ten last year in races like Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race and competed for top places later in the year at the Renewi Tour. It’s for these specific types of hilly races that Visma | Lease a Bike, in the absence of their top stars, sometimes lacks a fast finisher, which they are potentially seeking in Zingle.