Visma | LaB counting on departing Benoot and Uijtdebroeks in Il Lombardia: "Hopefully they can play a role in the finale"

“With a lineup featuring the in-form Cian Uijtdebroeks and Ben Tulett alongside Sepp Kuss and Tiesj Benoot, Team Visma | Lease a Bike enter the race without a clear favorite but with strength in numbers,” is how Visma | Lease a Bike says it will start the Tour of Lombardy.

“Lombardia is a huge race, so we’re really motivated to perform here” explains sports director Marc Reef on the Killer Bees website. “It’s also a really hard race. The decisive climb this year, Passo di Ganda, is massive, especially after such a long day.”

“We’re bringing a strong team,” the Dutchman continues. “Cian and Ben are going well, and Tiesj gets better the harder the race is, so hopefully they can all play a role in the finale.” In addition to the names above, Visma | Lease a Bike is counting on the Dutch trio of Bart Lemmen, Thijmen Graat, and Steven Kruijswijk.

Benoot has an important role ahead of him. The Belgian missed the World Championships due to illness, but returned to racing during the European Championships. For him, this will be his last race in the colors of Visma | Lease a Bike. “The atmosphere in the race is amazing, and the area is beautiful, even though the climbs are a bit too hard for me,” Benoot laughs.

“It’s the perfect race for climbers, especially when we finish in Bergamo like this year. I really want to end the season with a good feeling. The race is very honest, so you just hope to have a good day,” says the new addition to Decathlon CMA CGM.

“He's someone who's always the first to go into battle,” Reef praises the departing Benoot. “Tiesj is always there when you need him. He brings calm and clarity to the team on the road and isn't afraid to make decisions: that's hugely important. You don't always see it reflected in the results, even though he has plenty of them, but Tiesj is greatly respected by his teammates and in the peloton.”

Without dwelling on it too much, Benoot himself is slowly but surely realizing that a special day is coming. “It’s a bit sad, but we’ll see each other on the road next year, and I’ll take with me all the great memories and relationships I’ve built here.”

Cian Uijtdebroeks