Visma | Lease a Bike loses key rider to ever-active Q36.5: "I hope I can get more out of myself here"

“Thomas Gloag joins the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the next two seasons,” reads the official statement. “The 24-year-old British rider has already been in the pro ranks for three years with Visma-Lease-a-Bike, raced a Grand Tours and Classics. At Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Gloag will be reunited with some old friends.”

“Fred Wright grew up a mile from me in London so it’s nice to be on the same team again,” Gloag commented. “The last time was at VC Londres when we were kids. I also look forward to working with Kurt (Bogaerts, ed.) again. He has been a great influence in my first U23 year and we always stayed in touch. In that first U23 year with Trinity, I also raced with Tom so it will be a reunion for all of us.”

During his time as a U23 rider, Gloag excelled in races like the Ronde de l’Isard, the Giro Valle d'Aosta, the Giro NextGen, and the Tour de l’Avenir. In 2022, he even won a stage and wore the yellow jersey at the Tour de l’Avenir. His professional career, however, has been less smooth, including a serious knee fracture after a car crash.

“My career has been ups-and-downs,” says Gloag. “I was out for a year after that accident, and I have struggled with consistency ever since I turned pro. There were highs every year so far but also lows with more crashes and an elbow fracture. At Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team I am looking for that consistent development and growth.”

Gloag’s goals are clear: “First goal will be the overall classification in the smaller stage races with those climbs and then hopefully with time a Grand Tour. I would lie if I would say that is not a long-term goal.,” the Brit admits.

“t’s always important to have a goal in mind, whether you are young or more experienced,” he continues. “You have to keep progressing and have a clear direction in mind. Even when things are tough, like when you have a broken kneecap, you must set small goals every time again before you hit the big ones.”

“I hope that there is more I can get out of myself in this team. I have seen glimmers of what is possible. One of the reasons I joined Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is that I think the team can help me become consistent in my development. I am one of the youngest next years, and there are many experienced riders and smart people I can learn from,” Gloag concludes.

Team boss Doug Ryder is also pleased to welcome the young Brit. “Tom has always been an exciting rider, even from his early years, and we’ve already seen flashes of his talent in his professional career. With Tom, we believe we have a diamond in the rough, someone who can thrive in one-week stage races and ultimately develop into a serious contender for Grand Tours.”