With Brennan in mind as a future classics leader, Visma | Lease a Bike makes another big transfer move

Filippo Fiorelli has already been signed from VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè, but now Owain Doull is also making the switch to the Dutch team. The Welshman is coming over from EF Education - EasyPost. “I’m very excited about the opportunity I’m getting here with one of the best teams in the world,” says the 32-year-old Brit on the website of his new team. “I’m already highly motivated when I think about next season.”

With his experience, the Killer Bees hope he will be invaluable in the classics, but also in the lead-outs for Brennan. "I’m looking forward to supporting Matthew Brennan in the flat sprints, playing a role in his lead-out, and in the classics. At the same time, I also want to discover how much room for growth I still have myself.“

Even though Doull is 32, he feels he still has plenty of time to find his best self in the professional peloton. ”Physically, I’m still getting stronger, even after nine years in the WorldTour. Last season was my best so far, and I expect that I can take another step forward with this team." Doull has ridden five Grand Tours so far, including one Tour de France.

But his greatest strength lies in the classics. Riding for Team Sky, he finished second in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in 2019 behind Bob Jungels. He recorded his best results in the big races this year: he finished 28th in Gent-Wevelgem and 30th in the Tour of Flanders. Later this year, he also rode the Giro d'Italia in support of Richard Carapaz, who finished third in the overall classification.

Enough to be happy about, says team manager Grischa Niermann. “With his experience at the highest level, he will absolutely strengthen our team. Owain showed last year that he can still be competitive in the spring classics. We also expect that he can continue to improve physically within our team. But his most important role will be to guide our young talents in the classics and sprints.”