Hardly anyone expected this signing: Jumbo-Visma presented its sixth new signing for the 2024 season on Wednesday: Bart Lemmen. The newcomer, who once worked as an air force officer in the Dutch armed forces, has signed a two-year contract with the team led by Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard.
New additions at Jumbo-Visma for the 2024 season
- Johannes Staune-Mittet (Jumbo-Visma Development Team)
- Per Strand Hagenes (Jumbo-Visma Development Team)
- Loe van Belle (Jumbo-Visma Development Team)
- Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar)
- Ben Tulett (Ineos Grenadiers)
- Bart Lemmen (Human Powered Health)
What does Jumbo-Visma expect from the signing? "Bart only recently started cycling as a top-class sport. Before that, he completed intensive military training and combined cycling with a demanding job in defence. That was the trigger for us. Despite little training and coaching, he has shown interesting things in races and his physical values show enormous potential," explained sports director Merijn Zeeman on the team's homepage.
His physical values show enormous potential. - Marijn Zeeman about Bart Lemmen
Lemmen is optimistic about his new role at Jumbo-Visma: "I'm really looking forward to this new chapter in my atypical cycling career. At the beginning of the year, it was quite a change to go from being an air force officer to a full-time professional cyclist. Over the last few months I have made great progress, both physically and in adapting to life as a professional athlete. It's great that this is paying off and that Team Jumbo-Visma sees my potential," explained Lemmen.
Bart Lemmen: From air force officer to professional cyclist
The Dutchman turned professional with Human Powered Health in 2023 and rode for the Continental team VolkerWessels in 2022. His two previous victories, a stage at the French multi-day race Kreiz Breizh Elites and success at the Ton Dolmans Troffee, date from this time. In 2023, Lemmen finished 5th overall in the Tour of Slovakia and fourth in the Dutch road championships.
The 28-year-old is not the first lateral entrant at Jumbo-Visma. In 2016, the Dutch team signed an ex-ski jumper: Primoz Roglic. The Slovenian developed into a superstar there, winning the Vuelta three times and the Giro d'Italia once. In 2024, the 33-year-old will move to Bora-Hansgrohe, where he will set out to triumph in the Tour de France. It remains to be seen whether the former air force officer Lemmen can do the same as Roglic.
Future of Jumbo-Visma probably secured
However, the future of the team is probably secure. Following the hype surrounding a possible merger with Soudal - Quick Step, Jumbo-Visma has found a new co-sponsor in Lease a Bike, according to the Dutch portal WielerFlits. The bike leasing programme for companies is already on board as a partner, but is now likely to increase its sponsorship. Lease a Bike is a brand of Bike Mobility Services GmbH, which is part of Pon Holding - one of the largest bicycle manufacturers with brands such as Cannondale, Cervélo and Focus.
Visma will therefore become the main sponsor instead of Jumbo. The team is therefore likely to be called "Visma-Lease a Bike" in 2024.
