Visma | Lease a Bike mastermind proud of team execution in Rouen: "Vingegaard heads into time trial with hidden edge"
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Follow us on GoogleVisma | Lease a Bike made the finale of stage four in the Tour de France, finishing on a street race-style circuit in Rouen, brutally hard, but once again saw that relentless Tadej Pogacar raise his arms in victory wearing the rainbow jersey. Sporting director and team spokesperson Grischa Niermann addressed the press afterwards.
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Victor Campenaerts in particular ripped the peloton apart leading up to Rouen, after which Tiesj Benoot and others deliberately eased the pace. Why? “This was a stage where we knew if Tadej attacked on the steepest part, it would be tough for Jonas. He countered very well, and that was after a really strong team performance,” said Niermann.
“We executed our plan very well, and again we saw a very strong Tadej Pogacar. It was impressive that Jonas could follow him on the climb. It was right on the limit for Jonas, but also for Tadej. He had to ease up as well,” analyzed the German, who also noted that the balance of power in this Tour was once again clear. “When those two go, no one else can follow.”
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Niermann hands out compliments to UAE
What feeling prevails now within the yellow and black squad? “We were in the fight for the stage win, but ultimately finished third. The guys did really well and executed the plan perfectly, but UAE was also very strong. Of course, we would have liked to win, but they had other ideas. Hats off to how they played it, a deserved victory,” Niermann complimented their rivals.
On the other hand, it’s certainly encouraging to see Vingegaard able to follow his Slovenian rival on those steep climbs. “We’ve had Tours before where Jonas came up short on bonus seconds, we know that. It’s nothing new because in that area, Tadej is the best in the world,” the Visma | Lease a Bike sporting director acknowledged.
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Niermann also sees strong Jorgenson and Van Aert
Matteo Jorgenson is also looking good in the overall standings. “It was great that Matteo could attack as well, and we would have liked Wout van Aert to be there too, but he had to let that group with Grégoire go in the final meters,” said Niermann. “Wout was good, but just came up a bit short. What he’ll do in the time trial, you’ll see soon enough. Whether he rides it hard or not won’t make a difference overall.”
Wednesday brings a 33-kilometer individual time trial, where Vingegaard can/should try to make up his eight-second deficit to Van der Poel and Pogacar. The Dane does have one small advantage: both the Dutchman and the Slovenian, as leaders of the general and polka dot classifications respectively, will have to ride in official race skinsuits, while Vingegaard can wear his aerodynamic Visma | Lease a Bike speedsuit.
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- One Lombardia doesn’t tell us how Seixas will handle a full Grand Tour. I’d rather see him develop steadily than have every result turned into a Pogačar comparison.samanthak12-11-2026
- Pogacar is 30 already? I thought he was younger. If he keeps winning like this, how long can he realistically ride at the top?jeremya12-11-2026
- Interesting that Thomas made the comparison while speaking to Rowe, given Decathlon’s hopes of keeping Seixas and the reports linking INEOS with him. Praise, or a subtle message to a potential signing?gearguru3312-11-2026
- Seixas winning Il Lombardia at this age is a huge statement. The Pogačar comparisons are inevitable, but Thomas is right to leave room for both of them to keep improving—Pog is still setting the bar.robert6512-11-2026
- A fascinating career, but the article leans heavily on his side of the story. Were the three disqualifications all for the same equipment rule, or were there different issues each time?michael5412-11-2026
- I’m still not sure how the handlebar rules work. If another rider can rest their wrists on the bars, why was Van Schip disqualified for his position?jennifer1912-11-2026
- The UCI really needs clearer, consistently enforced rules on bike setups and riding positions. If Van Schip was being told different things from race to race, no wonder he got fed up.patriciaw12-11-2026
- Two world track titles and three pro wins is a serious career, whatever the controversies. Shame he felt the sport stopped listening to him. Hope Rotterdam gives him the send-off he deserves.tourdeforce912-11-2026
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
