Loyalty rewarded: Visma extend Steven Kruijswijk's contract for a 17th season

As the cycling world edges closer to transfer season, Team Visma | Lease a Bike has opted for stability over surprises, extending the contract of 38-year-old Steven Kruijswijk for another year. In a market buzzing with rumours and pre-Vuelta talk, the Dutch team has secured one of its most enduring figures for the 2026 season, having joined the team all the way back in 2010.

Kruijswijk, who has been with the team for nearly two decades, will continue as both road captain and mentor. His loyalty to Visma is matched only by his consistency. “I still enjoy it very much and I feel physically great,” he said in the team’s official announcement. That enjoyment and ongoing form were made obvious during this year’s Giro d’Italia, where Kruijswijk delivered yet another solid campaign, quietly reinforcing his place within the team’s engine room.

"This last Giro reaffirmed to me and the team that I'm still a valuable asset," he added. “That feeling was decisive for me. I also try to share my experience as much as possible with the younger riders in the team. In this way, I hope to continue to contribute to the team's future successes.”

It’s not just what Kruijswijk brings on the road that matters to Visma. It’s the sum total of nearly twenty years of racing intelligence and guidance to other riders. “It's important that we can keep someone who has been with this team for so long,” said sporting director Grischa Niermann. “Steven has taken on virtually every role here and has experienced all kinds of situations. That makes him extremely valuable for the whole team, and especially for our young talent. In addition, Steven proved once again during the last Giro that he is still more than capable in terms of performance on the bike.”

With Grand Tours growing faster and more unpredictable, the value of a rider like Kruijswijk can’t be overstated. In a sport where careers rarely stretch this far, Visma has chosen to keep faith in a rider who’s done it all, and still has more to give.