“If there's one team where crazy things can happen...” - In-form Ben Tulett refuses to rule out forcing last-minute change to Visma's Giro d'Italia lineup

Ben Tulett’s podium finish at Eschborn-Frankfurt has added an unexpected layer of intrigue to Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s Grand Tour planning, with the British rider openly acknowledging that late changes are always possible within the Dutch squad.

Tulett finished third in a selective edition of the German one-day race, backing up a recent podium at La Fleche Wallonne by emerging from a reduced front group after repeated climbs and late-race attacks had whittled the field down. The result followed a strong ride throughout the finale, with Tulett holding his position on the final ascent of the Mammolshainer Stich before contesting the sprint from the decisive group that narrowly held off the peloton.

Looking ahead to the Grand Tour block, Tulett confirmed that the Vuelta a Espana remains his most likely target, but stopped short of ruling out a change of plans when speaking to In de Leiderstrui. “Unless something crazy happens, it will still be the Vuelta. But if there is one team that knows a lot of crazy things can happen on the way to the Grand Tours, it is Visma.”

That acknowledgement reflects a well-established reality within the team, where selections have often remained fluid deep into the season, particularly around major objectives involving Jonas Vingegaard.

Tulett’s ride in Frankfurt adds weight to that uncertainty. The 2026 edition proved more selective than in previous years, with a strong early breakaway reeled in before the race fractured over the climbs. A late solo move from Tim Wellens forced further selection, while the final ascent of the Mammolshainer Stich created the decisive split that left a group of around a dozen riders clear.

Tulett was among those to make that move, positioning himself alongside a high-quality group that included riders such as Tom Pidcock and Pello Bilbao. From there, he remained competitive through the closing kilometres, ultimately securing third place behind Georg Zimmermann and Pidcock after a tense sprint as the peloton closed rapidly behind.

In a race that demanded both climbing resilience and tactical awareness, the performance underlined his current form at a critical point in the season.

Tulett is currently listed on provisional start lists for both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, while the Giro d’Italia squad built around Vingegaard is yet to be definitively finalised.

That context gives added significance to performances such as Eschborn-Frankfurt, where riders have the opportunity to strengthen their case ahead of final selection decisions.

Tulett rode the Vuelta last season in support of Vingegaard, finishing 24th overall, but has yet to make his Tour de France debut. With Visma expected to balance ambitions across multiple Grand Tours this summer, internal competition for places remains high.

While Tulett stopped short of making any direct claim over his Grand Tour prospects, his comments, combined with his form, point to a situation where options remain open.

His podium in Frankfurt does not guarantee a change in plans, but it reinforces his position within the team at a time when decisions are still being shaped. And, as he himself made clear, within this particular team environment, nothing can ever be entirely ruled out.