"I want to be important there for Jonas" - Steven Kruijswijk hopes to launch Vingegaard to success at TIrreno-Adriatico but also Tour de France

Steven Kruijswijk is in 15th season as a pro rider, and every single one has been with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. He looks to help the team's young riders with his experience but also to keep being a valuable asset to Jonas Vingegaard.

"Heading into the Tour de France you want a good level that you can build on. That's why we race a little less in the beginning," Kruijswijk says to In de Leiderstrui. "...The intention is that I grow to a good level uphill, especially in the stages that are scheduled here on Friday and Saturday. I want to be important there for Jonas [Vingegaard]. I will do a lot of races with him this year and I want to be important for him, because he can win wherever he starts. He needs the best help for that and for that I need my best level."

The 36-year old started his season in Italy this week, and will also be racing the Volta a Catalunya and Itzulia Basque Country. Itzulia, the Criterium du Dauphiné, Tour de France and Vuelta a España are all in his schedule and he should be a key climbing domestique for Vingegaard in every single one. He's a key part of the team that puts extra focus in the Dane now that Primoz Roglic is in a rival team.

"Of course you are missing a spearhead in the team, which is good for many victories per year. You just saw it coming that Jonas, especially with a view to the Tour, was the man in the team. Primoz chose himself and that was to be expected," he says of the winter's biggest transfer. "It is different, but we still have plenty of goals to achieve, and we are also busy training and preparing Primoz' successors. That continues as usual."

One of them is Cian Uijtdebroeks, who the team signed in early December following a breaking of his former contract with BORA - hansgrohe. Kruijswijk as a very experienced climber, stage-racer and Grand Tour contender - as well as now a supporter for some of the world's best - has a lot to teach the team's signings.

"There are so many things that are obvious to me, but not to new riders. Boys like Cian [Uijtdebroeks] and Ben [Tulett] are still young riders who have to get used to how they should develop in our team. I have experienced it from the beginning and know what it is now, but also especially what is in store for those boys."