Visma | Lease a Bike make important move for the future as two talents extend contracts

The Visma | Lease a Bike development team has enjoyed a strong season so far. Matisse Van Kerckhove already claimed both a stage win and the overall classification at the Istrian Spring Tour, while Italian rider Francesco Baruzzi won the prologue there. On top of that, development-team riders have regularly been included in line-ups for the WorldTour team, underlining the progress being made within the programme.

That also applies to Goszczurny, who was highly visible at the front of the race during the Tour of Oman. The 20-year-old Pole was rewarded there with the prize for combativity, a fitting recognition for a very strong week against WorldTour opposition. He has now been rewarded again by his team with a contract extension.

Goszczurny is very pleased with his contract extension until 2027. "I’m very happy to stay with the team for another year. This really feels like a second family to me," he said on the team's website. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve already been given and the steps I’ve made in areas such as nutrition, tactics, training, mental approach, and much more. That’s why I believe this is the right place for me to continue developing,” the Pole sounds positive about the Dutch team's approach.

Head of Development Robbert de Groot is also pleased with the contract extension of the Polish talent. “Patryk is an incredibly reliable rider you can always count on. In addition, he is very eager to learn, coachable, and he grabs every opportunity he gets with both hands." Here De Groot is referring to his performance in the Tour of Oman, where he was given a free role. "We have a lot of confidence in him and look forward to continuing our collaboration,” the Dutchman concluded.

Away from the spotlight around Goszczurny, Mernik has also earned a contract extension. The 19-year-old Slovenian has not yet delivered headline results this season, but according to the team he made an immediate impression over the winter. Mernik was initially on a one-year deal, but that agreement has now also been extended through the end of 2027.