Armstrong & Bruyneel praise Visma for making signing of the window: “The question is: does it matter? Pogacar was on another level"

The 2025 road cycling season has already nearly arrived and as such, teams from across the peloton are meeting up for December training camps to prepare for the upcoming campaign and get new signings acquainted with their teammates. At Visma's camp, the yellow and black outfit may have the signing of the window according to Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel.

When asked to name their signing of the window on The Move podcast alongside George Hincapie, Bruyneel is confident in his answer. “In my opinion, it is Simon Yates,” the Belgian former team boss says firmly, naming Team Visma | Lease a Bike's newest Grand Tour winning threat as the smartest piece of business in the entire peloton. 

"I completely agree," adds the controversial Armstrong, also impressed by Visma's signing of the former Vuelta a Espana champion, although Armstrong does note Yates might not get the Grand Tour leadership opportunities for himself as he was used to at Team Jayco AlUla. "He may not be the one who gets you started in different races, or the one who wins you certain races. But if you look at what he can do for a team over a season."

“We must not forget the injuries the team had last year. Kuss was sick. Their mountain riders were all injured,” adds ex-pro turned co-host Hincapie. "Now they have Simon Yates, Matteo Jorgenson and all the others. They can probably have four or five mountain riders in the last ten on the queen stages of the Grand Tours. It's a really good transfer."

When it comes to boosting Jonas Vingegaard's hopes at the 2025 Tour de France though, Bruyneel is unsure Yates will make much difference. “The question is: does it matter? Tadej Pogacar was on another level. I’m curious about that. It’s not easy to repeat a season like this,” he assesses. “It's getting closer, but I honestly think Pogacar is still improving.”