Departing Visma | Lease a Bike was not a piece of cake for Van Dijkes: "Ultimately opted for sporting purposes"

The die is cast: Mick and Tim van Dijke will race in the dark blue jersey of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe from January 1, 2025. The twins from Zeeland thus conclude a successful and instructive five-year period at Visma | Lease a Bike. Mick explained in a conversation with IDLProCycling the thoughts behind the transfer on behalf of the brothers.

Sports director Rolf Aldag was already anticipating the arrival of the men from Colijnsplaat. The Germans of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe are perceived as fast riders who know what they want on and off the bike. Thus, they will be an important part of the super team that Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe wants to become.

Aldag mentioned the successful HTC team, of which he was part until 2011. For that, he needs "men with a good mindset," which he thus found among the classic core of Visma | Lease a Bike. On the other hand, Van Dijkes is more than happy with the move to Ralph Denk's formation, as you can read in Mick's interview below at the start of the Renewi Tour.

Mick van Dijke on behalf of himself and brother Tim about transfer Visma | Lease a Bike - Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe

How is your German?

"Hahaha. Many Germans live in Zeeland, but mine needs a little fine-tuning."

You know what I'm referring to!

"Sure. It had been known to us for a while, so sometimes it's hard to keep your mouth shut. So I'm glad it's out now, though."

It's a great move, but how does something like this develop? Was there also an offer from Team Visma | Lease a Bike, or was the picture at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe just right?

"We have had five outstanding years with Team Visma | Lease a Bike and enjoyed our training there. We are pleased with that, and the intention was also to stay, but we have now made this choice purely for sporting purposes."

I spoke with Rolf Aldag, the sporting director, last week at the Vuelta. He was 'over the moon' with your arrival. Does the same thing happen in your conversations with the team?

"Yes. They were very enthusiastic, and Tim and I also found it very important that the feeling was there. Those first conversations were already enjoyable, which played into it for us.

They were very enthusiastic, and they really believed in us. The confidence is just there, in a nice and relaxed way. We feel like we're ready for this step, and we're excited."

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What role do they envision for you guys?

"We have done well in the classics now. There, we performed but also did a lot of work. In Roubaix, partly due to injuries and illnesses in others, we showed what we have to offer. Tim and I want to find out if there is more to it.

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe said they didn't come to us for that alone. For example, they also looked at Paris-Nice, where Matteo Jorgenson has always been at the front, thanks to our work. That's work you don't easily see on TV, but it's essential. And that's what they were looking for for the big tours.

They want to become the best team in the world eventually, so they need young guys with potential. That's how they ended up with us. What was also lovely for us was that Marc Lamberts, Tim's old trainer, was already there. We were also able to speak well with him."

Is there some disappointment in Team Visma | Lease a Bike? Or is that not an issue?

"Not at all. We thought leaving was a sad and challenging choice because we had been good to the team. But we have no reason to hide the fact that our team with UAE-Team Emirates is the best team in the world.

By that, I mean they are going to the Tour of Flanders with six riders who would be leaders on other teams and one person in control. Team Visma | Lease a Bike made us a good proposal. It was a perfect proposal, but we had better ones. Ultimately, we chose purely for sporting purposes and thus this other adventure."

Read more below the photo.

You've had a lot of successes with Olav Kooij over the past five years and went through a journey of sorts together from the U23 team. How did he react?

"Olav is a smart guy who wishes us the best, but I know he will be sorry to see us go. Of course, we indeed rode and won many sprints with him, so that will always be special."

You are now moving to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe together. How difficult is it to have those conversations together, or are there times when one has doubts, and the other does not?

"Tim and I discussed our options with our management and discussed them well. After careful consideration, we made the decision not much later."

To what extent did you hesitate?

"We did hesitate, for sure. We are loyal guys and enjoyed ourselves at Team Visma | Lease a Bike, so it was not easy to change teams."