Visma | Lease a Bike's future stars shine: women's team seems set for success after junior's time trial in Zürich

The British rider Cat Ferguson was outstanding on Tuesday at the Junior Time Trial World Championships in Zürich, Switzerland, where Dutch hopeful Fee Knaven just missed out on a podium finish. The silver and bronze medals went to two talented riders who will be joining Visma | Lease a Bike next year: Viktoria Chladonova (from the Czech Republic) and Imogen Wolff (Great Britain).

Knaven was still ahead of the two riders at the intermediate checkpoint but had to concede about ten seconds to Wolff and Chladonova at the finish on Sechseläutenplatz. The 17-year-old Czech rider ultimately took second place, just ahead of her future teammate from the UK. Wolff had already made her debut for Visma | Lease a Bike as a trainee, while Chladonova will officially join on January 1st. Both riders have signed for three years.

"I'm looking forward to being part of professional cycling, meeting new people, and learning what it's like to ride on a WorldTour team," said Chladonova upon announcing her transfer. "It would be great if I eventually also get the chance to start in races like the Tour de France Femmes or the Giro d'Italia Women."

"It will be a big change. I've been riding for a small family team for the past few years, and then to now join one of the biggest WorldTour teams will be a big change for me. I'm looking forward to riding for the team in the coming years, and I'm excited to have been given this opportunity," added Chladonova, who, like Wolff, will continue to compete in both road racing and cyclo-cross. "The development opportunities the team offers for young talents fit my future perfectly."

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Wolff part of very strong generation of British riders

Wolff shared similar sentiments. "I am super happy that I get to ride for the team in the coming years. Ever since I became a professional cyclist, I have dreamed of riding for one of the best teams in the world. I hope to learn as much as possible in the coming years, both on the road and in cyclo-cross. I like the challenge of making the step up to the professionals and riding new races. I hope I can learn a lot in the peloton during the races and eventually grow as a rider to a very high level," said the 18-year-old Briton.

"When I first spoke with the team, it was quickly clear that a lot of attention would be paid to my development. They had a clear plan for the coming years, without much pressure and with room to learn. This appealed to me," said Wolff, who, along with Ferguson, Zoe Backstedt and Izzy Sharp, is expected to bring new energy to British women's cycling in the coming years.