The overlooked challenges a transfer to Visma | Lease a Bike brings: "Not surprised they’ve become one of the biggest teams in the world"

A transfer in professional cycling often revolves around competitive and financial considerations, but for a rider, it’s about much more than just a new kit and a bank account adjustment. Victor Campenaerts shared with HLN that his move from Lotto-Dstny to Visma | Lease a Bike wasn’t without its challenges.

The outspoken Belgian returned to familiar territory this winter. Back in 2016, Campenaerts joined LottoNL-Jumbo from Topsport Vlaanderen. At the time, the Dutch cycling team was still a minor player, arguably the smallest on the scene. Campenaerts took his first steps in the WorldTour there before moving to Lotto Soudal in 2018.

He spent five years at Lotto, with a stint at the South African Qhubeka cycling project in 2020 and 2021. In 2024, he decided to return to Visma | Lease a Bike, now one of the most prominent teams in the peloton. His record includes ten victories with Lotto, the most recent being a stage win in last summer's Tour de France. At Qhubeka, he claimed a Giro stage win in 2021, and during his first stint at Jumbo, he became Belgian time trial champion.

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Campenaerts won a stage in the Tour de France last summer

'Neurotic' Campenaerts adjusting to new Cervélo bike

A return doesn’t necessarily mean everything feels familiar, as Campenaerts can attest after spending a few weeks with Visma | Lease a Bike. Everything has changed at the Dutch team. Now 33 years old, Campenaerts faces challenges that come with any transfer: new equipment, training methods, nutrition policies, and more.

Equipment-wise, Campenaerts has switched from an Orbea to a Cervélo. "The frame itself isn’t too difficult to adjust to, but every contact point between my body and the bike is new: the saddle, handlebars, and pedals. I'm neurotic and that adjustment caused me quite a bit of stress initially."

One of the changes involves using Wahoo Speedplay pedals, where the clip-in mechanism is integrated into the cleat. "This setup brings your feet closer to the bike's axle, offering a significant aerodynamic advantage and improved pedaling efficiency. However, getting the cleats positioned correctly was no small feat."

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Campenaerts back in the yellow and black kit from Visma | Lease a Bike

What other challenges does Campenaerts face at Visma | Lease a Bike?

Victor Campenaerts has had to adapt to several changes since joining Visma | Lease a Bike, including longer SRAM shifters, a new riding position, a new coach, and the renowned Foodcoach app used by the team. "At Lotto, we also had access to dietitians to determine what and how much we could eat, but as a rider, it still felt like a chore to weigh out your meals," he explains, hinting at a positive shift.

Here it is: "Using the app has significantly reduced the stress of weighing food because fewer steps are needed. It makes life both easier and more professional, whereas usually, you have to choose between the two. I have to admit, I was positively overwhelmed when I started using the app. I find myself approaching meals with a different mindset now."

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Campenaerts didn’t reach out to Visma | Lease a Bike himself

A step outside his comfort zone at a team he never thought he’d join—that’s what Campenaerts revealed in an interview with Cyclist. "I wanted to ride for a team capable of winning the Tour de France, so I contacted a few teams. Visma wasn’t one of them because I assumed they wouldn’t have a place for me. Then, they reached out to me."

"I left on a positive note and eager for personal success. I had personal targets to strive for. The team respected that but said we have riders like Primož Roglič and Steven Kruijswijk who will be going for GC., " he explains. "Since then, Visma has clearly grown beyond recognition. When I rode for them, they worked very scientifically and in a methodical fashion – they had a plan for everything – but had a low budget. That changed. They secured new, bigger sponsors, got more money and attracted the biggest riders. I’m not surprised they’ve become one of the biggest teams in the world."

Personal success is no longer Campenaerts’ primary goal. In his second stint with the team, he’s focused on helping others. "I’m no Tadej, Van der Poel or Van Aert, so I think with the capacities I have, I’ve probably achieved the most I can in the way of my own palmarès. Now I’m keen for team success. I want to be part of the puzzle."

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