Long-term contracts for star riders have gotten increasingly more frequent in skilled biking however Wout van Aert and his Visma-Lease A Bike staff have gone one step additional to signal a “distinctive” indefinite deal to take him to the tip of his profession.
The Belgian had been beneath contract to the tip of the 2026 season however will keep on the staff for the remainder of his racing profession and past.
Announcing the information on social media, the staff merely acknowledged “2019-eternity”, with the extension confirming that Van Aert will keep on past the tip of his street and cyclo-cross profession in an as-yet-undefined off-the-bike function.
“I did not must suppose lengthy when this concept got here up,” Van Aert stated. “First of all, as a result of at Team Visma-Lease a Bike we work with the very best individuals and the very best tools. Together we’re continuously searching for enchancment, which implies we hold creating individually but in addition as a staff. I owe lots of success to that, we actually do it collectively.
“But other than that, I really feel very a lot at residence on this staff, which is essential to me. This staff is exclusive and has suited me for 5 years and I wish to hold it that means. That’s why I made a decision to remain right here eternally, and that feels actually good.”
Van Aert has been on the staff since a congested cut up from his earlier squad Vérandas Willems-Crelan in 2018 and has since gone on to ascertain himself as one of many largest stars within the sport.
With Visma-Lease A Bike, the 30-year-old has gained 9 Tour de France phases in addition to the inexperienced factors jersey and three phases on the Vuelta a España along with main Classics at Milan-San Remo, Amstel Gold Race, Strade Bianche, Omloop het Nieuwsblad, E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
“Wout is in fact a unbelievable rider with an ideal palmarès,” stated staff CEO Richard Plugge. “He is an all-rounder: a sprinter, a basic rider, a time trialist and on his finest days he additionally wins a mountain stage just like the well-known victory on Mont Ventoux within the Tour de France.
“But moreover that, Wout has actually change into an vital tradition service, an indispensable hyperlink in our staff. He is a pacesetter and a staff participant. He is a rider who additionally makes others within the staff higher, simply by way of his insights and charisma. We are extraordinarily proud of him and luckily that’s mutual.”
