While the attention during every transfer period is normally and naturally on the biggest stars of cycling peloton, it's no less exciting to follow the moves that are happening often under the radar - in the development (under-23) teams.
In particular the Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team holds a particularly high reputation and is a dream place to land a contract with for any talented junior. Some of the most renowned alumnis of the Dutch academy are Giro d'Italia stage winner Olav Kooij, Finn Fisher-Black, Archie Ryan and the Van Dijke twins.
And then there's the up and coming wave of talent flying through the ranks of the WorldTour team with a sprinter comet of the 2025 Matthew Brennan, talented climber Jorgen Nordhagen and soon gradually we should learn the name of ex-mountain biker Matisse Van Kerckhove who has been making waves at the under-23 level.
And that bring us to the near future. Of course the managment is fully aware of their status on the transfer market and thus they have the privilege to choose from the best of the best. Before this week, there were already 9 names bound with the Dutch formation for the 2026 season with the biggest talent of the 2007 class Ashlin Barry as the first recruit. Now we learn the 10th name - Henry Hobbs.
Does the name 'Hobbs' ring any bells? It probably should because Henry's older brother Noah Hobbs (20) is currently one of the best sprinters at the under-23 scene, racing for EF Education - Aevolo. Noah is projected to turn professional next year after having already racked up six victories in the first half of 2025. And Henry could quickly follow in his footsteps.
The 18-year-old Brit doesn't have outstanding palmares just yet, but his 2nd place at the Nokere Koerse, 6th at Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne and 8th at Paris-Roubaix don't tell the full story. A quick analysis shows us that Hobbs has the potential to become a great sprinter.
And not just that - with a strong time trial and good enough engine, the 2024 Individual Pursuit world champion might just have all the tools to become a force to be reckoned with in the Classics too. Perhaps a new Matthew Brennan on the horizon?
"I'm very excited - the team looks great," shared the young Hobbs in a press release. "I want to take the next steps in my development, and I believe this team offers the best opportunities to do that. Ultimately, I hope to make the step to the WorldTour, but I’ll take it step by step. I’m looking forward to discovering the continental level next season."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
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