"Jonas will have been pleased to see how well Yates rode uphill" - Nathan Van Hooydonck sees good signs for Tour de France

Visma | Lease a Bike has been through rough months since their perfect 2023 campaign, but with a Giro d'Italia win of Simon Yates, it seems like better times are on the horizon. At least that is the assessment of former key domestique Nathan Van Hooydonck whose sudden retirement at the end of 2023 season was one of the many turning points for the Dutch team.

Through the highs and lows, one thing that didn't change for Visma for their scientific approach: "We try to measure everything that can be measured," Van Hooydonck elaborates at Het Nieuwsblad. "Our food coach in particular has made the difference, certainly in 2022 and 2023. If you eat and drink correctly for three weeks and you don’t miss anything, you can make a difference in the third week."

Thus it was a result of combined effort of both riders and staff. Van Hooydonck puts an emphasis at the nutritioning aspect. "Our chef also has to cook well for three weeks, the masseur has to massage well for three weeks. That is the strength of the team, that is our DNA. With Wout (van Aert, ed.) as the great example. If the leader is prepared to sacrifice himself for the whole, then the other riders cannot do otherwise."

Another important aspect highlighted by the Belgian is the chemistry within the team, something that might've won them the Giro against the group of individualities that UAE Team Emirates - XRG of runner-up Isaac del Toro appeared to be, at least from an outside view.

"Richard [Plugge, ed.] and Merijn [Zeeman, ed.] have created a cohesive and strong group. That cohesion is very important, especially when you are on the road together for three weeks. Our statement 'Winning Together' is therefore much more than an empty slogan. For example, we insist that, in the event of a final victory, everyone comes to the podium ceremony, including the staff."

That the victory of Simon Yates is very important for Visma is also emphasized by the former rider: "It is our first overall victory since Merijn left [to work for football club AZ Alkmaar, ed.]. It means that the culture is still there. This was also a very important victory in view of the Tour. Jonas [Vingegaard, ed.] will have been pleased to see how well Yates rode uphill."