Merijn Zeeman aware that Team Visma | Lease a Bike dominance degrades it's popularity: "You will then have to deal with more suspicions. And then the popularity decreases"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike have won all three Grand Tours in 2023 and were the most successful team. However this comes with it's downsides, the team has ultimately became less popular as many fans are not very fond of the domination they have had in some races, and doping suspicions are launched much more frequently.

"...Definitely. That was actually the case last year. It's a bit of a wave movement. When you are the underdog, you are often popular and people find you more attractive and fun than when you become more dominant. Then there is more criticism and much is magnified," Zeeman told In de Leiderstrui. "Moreover, you will then have to deal with more suspicions. And then the popularity decreases. Except for the riders of other teams. That actually doesn't apply there at all. When I approach someone to come ride with us, the majority are really enthusiastic."

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At the Vuelta a España this phenomenon was then quite interesting, as Sepp Kuss was widely cheered on two win the race, whilst there was frequently criticism of Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard and the team management over the riders' free roles over two weeks. However the style of dominance that is similar to that of Team Sky in the 2010's sees comparisons and as was the case with the British team, a lot of discussion on the use of prohibited methods.

This, besides the fact that all statements and movements of it's star riders is closely analyzed all-year long which also leads to other difficult situations. The team is currently looking to rebrand it's as "Yellow B" and are in an active effort to market the team as a band. In the past they have also given team riders their own number as is the case with many other sports.

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