Visma | LaB signs promising Belgian classics rider and Slovenian climber, extends contract with young Norwegian

Visma | Lease a Bike is extending its contract with 19-year-old Norwegian Jonas Høydahl. He will continue to be part of the development team in 2026. The talented rider finished eleventh in Paris-Roubaix for U23 riders this year. Sven Mernik is also joining the Continental Factor Racing team. The 19-year-old Slovenian is best known as a strong climber.

The biggest transfer comes from Lotto: Aldo Tailleu will make the switch to the Visma | Lease a Bike development team. The 19-year-old Belgian impressed in the U23 category this year, but also achieved immediate success in his first professional race: he won the prologue in the Tour of Rwanda. He also finished second in the Grand Prix Cerami.

"With these three riders, we strengthen ourselves once again on all fronts," says Head of Development Robbert de Groot. “Jonas is an all-rounder and a loyal soldier for our team, entering his third consecutive year with us. Don’t forget that as a junior, he came from mountain biking and had barely raced on the road. He’s made huge progress with us, and we believe he still has room to grow. We expect Aldo to continue developing as a classics rider, but his sprint and time-trial skills are also promising. We want to help him reach his full potential."

“We expect Aldo to continue developing as a classics rider, but his sprint and time-trial skills are also promising,” says the Dutchman on the team's website. “We want to help him reach his full potential. And Sven is a raw diamond as a climber. We’re very curious to see what progress he can make with our team’s support.”  

Tailleu is very happy with the transfer. “I’m looking forward to the structured way of working and the expertise within the team when it comes to nutrition and training. I want to keep improving in all areas. Hopefully, I can grow into a strong classics rider with the support of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, but I’m also eager to help the team in stage races with a leader who can go for the win.”

Mernik can't wait to get started with his idol's old team either. "I want to become a professional cyclist, and this brings me a step closer to that goal. As a kid, I already followed this team — Primož Roglič has always been one of my biggest sporting heroes. I’ve seen the team grow into one of the best in the world, and I’m very proud to be joining it. '