There’s been a flurry of rumors surrounding Visma | Lease a Bike recently. After news about Olav Kooij possibly leaving and Davide Piganzoli potentially arriving, there’s now an update on a contract extension. Ben Tulett looks set to stay with the Dutch team longer. The 23-year-old Brit is having a fantastic season so far and seems to have found his place. On the flip side, however, Tiesj Benoot may be on his way out. Tulett joined Visma | Lease a Bike in 2024 but had a very rough first year with the Killer Bees. He often had to abandon races before the finish, but this season he’s found his rhythm again. He finished third in the Faun Drome Classic and second in Milan–Turin, followed by an outstanding performance at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali, where he won stage four and the overall classification in Italy. That laid the groundwork for a strong Ardennes campaign, where he placed 21st in the Amstel Gold Race, 19th in La Flèche Wallonne, and 20th in Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
Visma | Lease a Bike is reportedly very pleased with the young climber’s progress. Despite his age, this is already Tulett’s sixth year as a pro, and according to well-informed cycling journalist
Daniel Benson, the Dutch squad is set to add at least two more years to his deal, keeping him on board through the end of 2027. Tulett is expected to ride his second Grand Tour this year, likely starting in the Vuelta a España if all goes to plan.
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Tiesj Benoot may choose to leave Visma | Lease a Bike.
Tulett stays, but Benoot leaves?
Good news for the men in yellow, though it may be followed by a setback. While Ben Tulett looks set to remain, Tiesj Benoot may be on his way out. According to British journalist Daniel Benson, the 31-year-old Belgian is expected to leave the team after four years of loyal service. Most likely, he will follow Olav Kooij to Decathlon AG2R, should that transfer go through. It would be a major blow for Visma | Lease a Bike, as Benoot is not only a key figure in their Tour de France lineup, but also one of their most consistent performers in the classics, both on cobbles and in hilly terrain. He proved that once again this year with 6th in the Tour of Flanders and 8th in the Amstel Gold Race.
The all-rounder isn’t the only one with an expiring contract at Visma. A long list of experienced riders are still in limbo for next year, including Steven Kruijswijk, Dylan van Baarle, Attila Valter, and Julien Vermote. Thomas Gloag also has no contract certainty yet. The 23-year-old Brit may need to look for a new team, there’s reportedly strong interest, but the Dutch squad has yet to make a final decision on his future.