The coach who helped Biniam Girmay win the green jersey quits Lotto-Intermarché days before the Tour de France

Just before the start of the Tour de France, there is some notable news from the WorldTour team Lotto-Intermarché. Aike Visbeek will no longer serve as team director and sports manager for the team. The Dutchman is leaving the Belgian team effective immediately, the team announced in a statement.

"After years of memorable achievements together, Lotto-Intermarché and Chief Performance Officer Aike Visbeek have mutually agreed to end their collaboration effective immediately," the statement reads. "During his five years at Intermarché-Wanty, and now at Lotto-Intermarché, Aike played a key role in the development of our sporting project and helped build the performance structure that supports our current ambitions."

Visbeek has been working for the Belgian team since 2021, when it was still racing under a license from Intermarché alone. Starting this year, that team merged with the Lotto team, meaning that both teams will be known as Lotto-Intermarché starting in 2026. Visbeek had taken on the role of sports manager and team director with the merged team.

General Manager Jean-François Bourlart on Visbeek’s departure: “Aike has made a significant contribution to the growth of our team through his vision, expertise, and leadership. Together with a strong and dedicated performance team, he has helped build an organization that provides a solid foundation for the future. I will always remember the great achievements we shared, such as Gent-Wevelgem, as well as the Tour de France stage wins and the green jersey, or more recently, our victory at Eschborn-Frankfurt in May.'

The exact reason behind the split is not mentioned in the social media post. “We sincerely thank Aike for everything he has contributed to our sports and performance project and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.” Visbeek has been active in the cycling world as a team director/manager since 2007.

Visbeek also commented on his unexpected departure: “It wasn’t an easy decision, but I look back with great pride on everything we’ve achieved together. I want to thank Jean-François and everyone in the organization for their trust, cooperation, and friendship over the past months and years. I’m leaving knowing that the team is well prepared for the future, and I wish everyone continued success.”