Jumbo-Visma's Milan Vader climbs with the best in professional road racing debut

With most of the team leaders absent from racing for now, Jumbo-Visma have given the opportunity for some young riders to take over leadership responsability at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana.

The Volta a Comunitat Valenciana is the first race 25-year old Dutchman Milan Vader is doing as a professional road racer. If you hadn't heard of his name until recently you would be excused, however he is not an unknown figure in Dutch cycling as he hails from the mountain biking ranks. In 2020 he was the runner-up in the World Cup just behind Henrique Avancini, and beating the likes of Nino Schurter and Maxime Marotte, and in 2022 he's set out on a new goal.

“I went all the way. It was tough and at the same time it was a lot of fun, I rode up the final climb with the first fifteen riders. The crowd’s atmosphere and riding among the big names gave me a lot of morale," Vader said after the stage.

Having his potential clearly outlined, it was no surprise that Jumbo-Visma got interest in the Dutch talent. Vader finished 10th in the recent Olympic games XCO race and will still look to combine the road with his speciality. However, judging by the looks of his results on yesterday's climb to Alto de las Antenas de Maigmó, the plans may change for the team's new diamond in the rough.

“It took me some time getting into it. It had been a while since I had raced on the road and not at this level. Meanwhile, I have adapted and I am used to the dynamics within the peloton. I also feel more and more part of the team. I still have a lot to learn, but in these three days, there is already progress. But there’s still plenty to improve. I’m really looking forward to that.”

Vader finished 13th in yesterday's stage alongside teammate Sam Oomen and sits in 15th spot in the GC.