Niermann reveals philosophy behind Visma transfers for 2026 and sees 'possible new superstar' in own ranks

'Wie schlägt man Pogacar in 2026?' - it is that question that is the title of the 363rd episode of the Besenwagen podcast as well as the question on the table for Grischa Niermann and Visma | Lease a Bike for next year. The Head of Racing of the Dutch team was a guest of the German colleagues and in it discussed some interesting topics.

Niermann is currently on vacation in New York with his family, but October and November are also busy months for someone in his role. 'As soon as the Tour route comes out, we start thinking about how we envision it. So we as management have already put ideas on paper and then we present them to the coaches, to discuss it together.'

'Then we make a plan for all the riders and then we discuss that, where there are also opportunities for feedback internally. That applies to all riders, including the top riders," he replied when asked if we will see Jonas Vingegaard in action at the Giro d'Italia next year in addition to the Tour de France in May.

'The Tour is of course the most important race, and therefore the biggest goal. That's no secret. We have known for some time that we would start with a team time trial, and that is something we have done well in in recent years. And some tough stages stick out, like the Alpe d'Huez. But it's not the most spectacular stage, by which I mean it's what you can kind of expect, because it's always tough.'

To win the Tour as we did in 2022 and 2023, Tadej Pogacar obviously has to be beaten. 'Tadej is of course our biggest opponent. We didn't succeed in the last two years, but we are going to do everything we can to turn that around again and put the race in our hands. But that's not going to be easy, that's clear.'

'In 2023 we won everything and everything fell the right way, but the following year it became clear that it was difficult to repeat that. With the crashes of Wout and Jonas, we also had setbacks in 2024,' Niermann knows all too well that everything can change in a few months.

Visma | Lease a Bike prefers to go from its own strength, 'We are of course trying to develop a strategy to beat Tadej and it is often frustrating too, someone so strong and dominant. But I believe in that we have a chance to contend with UAE and Pogacar is, because they have also been able to pull themselves up from the performances we had in 2022 and 2023.'

'Someone like Jonas is not going to get 10 percent better either, but we try to improve some details here and there. We leave nothing untapped, but it is often also a matter of trying. And the rider himself has the necessary say in this: we can optimize everything, but the rider must ultimately be able to handle it and be convinced of it,' states the German at Besenwagen.

'We are also looking left and right at other teams and teams, to see what we can optimize further. We know that we are not five years ahead, indeed a team like UAE is also doing very well with Pogacar. That is precisely why we also remain open to other things, as we did even after the 2023 success year.'

If you compare Visma | Lease a Bike's transfers with those of teams such as Lidl-Trek, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and UAE Emirates-XRG, you will see that the Dutch team for 2026 is taking a different path. No big names were recruited with Timo Kielich, Tim Rex, Pietro Mattio, Davide Piganzoli, Filippo Fiorelli, Bruno Armirail, Anton Schiffer and Owain Doull.

What is the team's strategy in that area? 'I sat down with Patrick Broe, who really watches all the races, and listed the possibilities and talents. Ideally, you find say 22 or 23-year-old riders who can develop further like a Jonas or Sepp Kuss, as our philosophy dictates. Although with Simon Yates we also bought a top rider last year, which is usually more something for the other super teams.''

'That wins the Giro, so that works too. But our vision is more on getting riders who, regardless of their age, can develop further and find the right team in that with our team. That's how you can see our transfers next year. Riders who fly somewhat under the radar, fit well with our team and after a few meetings also turn out to be the right match," Niermann explained.

'And we have our pledge team, whose riders also compete occasionally in the pros already. We have the expertise of Robbert de Groot and Robert Wagner there and someone like Matthew Brennan came out of that. We knew he was a great talent and could do a lot, but he also surprised us tremendously and especially with the speed of it. With him we may have a new superstar on our hands for the next two or three years," said the Head of Racing.

'Although it may also be more difficult for him next year, as it is his second year,' Niermann warns.' Last year he was able to start everywhere carefree. We drafted him in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and he wondered if it was a big race and where it was. He has only just turned 20 and has many years ahead of him.'

Brennan could become an important pawn in the spring races, which are becoming unabatedly important for Visma | Lease a Bike. 'It is no secret that Wout would like to win the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix and we as a team want that too. But it's also no secret that especially Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel were very strong in those races in recent years, so the competition was especially good as well. Also last year those races will be a big goal and we are preparing with the goal of competing for the win.'