""I'm extremely proud of the team" - Team Visma | Lease a Bike find reason to smile despite more crashes at Tour Down Under

The 2025 Tour Down Under concluded earlier today, with Sam Welsford sprinting to victory in the sixth and final stage, while Jhonatan Narvaez secured the overall classification, marking a strong start to the cycling season.

For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, their first outing of the season brought mixed fortunes. Despite losing both Dylan van Baarle and Loe van Belle to crashes earlier in the race, the team showcased its depth and talent, with notable performances from sprinter Matthew Brennan and GC rider Thomas Gloag.

Thomas Gloag finished eighth in the general classification, proving his growing consistency and potential as a GC contender. Reflecting on his performance, Gloag shared, “I'm pleased with how this week went. I've had a great time with the team and again showed myself at the highest level. I expected to do well in Australia, but achieving it would be fantastic. Now my focus is on the upcoming races, which I'm excited for."

Team manager Addy Engels expressed his pride in Gloag and the rest of the squad. "I'm extremely proud of the team. Matthew showed himself well and was in a good position again today," Engels said in a team press release.

The Tour Down Under also marked a significant milestone for three riders—Matthew Brennan, Tijmen Graat, and Menno Huising—who made their WorldTour debuts. Robbert de Groot, head of development at Visma | Lease a Bike, praised their performances and highlighted the team’s commitment to nurturing talent.

"They're all very different types of riders, as is Loe van Belle, another graduate of our Development Team. Each rider has unique qualities and a different development path, but we've been able to provide tailored support and help them grow. That's something we're very proud of, especially on a day like today," De Groot said.

De Groot further emphasised the importance of their development programme. "We've worked hard to see Matthew Brennan, Tijmen Graat, and Menno Huising make their WorldTour debuts and perform so well. It's a testament to our ability to scout the right talent and help them progress to the next level in their careers," he added.