OFFICIAL: Visma confirm arrival of experienced Brit on a one-year deal - "He will make a significant impact"

After rumours first emerged earlier this morning, it hasn't taken Team Visma | Lease a Bike long to confirm the arrival on the experienced British leadout man, Dan McLay from Arkéa - B&B Hotels on a one-year contract.

"We are happy to welcome Dan to the team. His experience and skills align perfectly with our goals, and we are confident that he will make a significant impact," explains a delighted Grischa Niermann to Team Visma | Lease a Bike's official website. "He is a very experienced lead-out, and that’s exactly what we were looking for. In particular, he has executed some impressive lead-outs for Demare in the Tour, and we hope that he can do the same for Olav Kooij in our team next season."

“I am looking forward to joining the team," added the 32-year-old, ten time race winner McLay. "Team Visma | Lease a Bike has a great track record in developing riders and despite being on the older end of the development curve I still think there is room to improve. My ambitions are to do the best job possible for the team and specifically in the lead-out for Olav.”

According to various reports Team Visma | Lease a Bike did have a three-year deal agreed to bring back former rider Mike Teunissen. After pulling out of the deal for one reason or another, the Dutch-based team has moved quickly to secure the services of an adequate replacement. One of the main reasons McLay makes sense as a deal for Visma, is down to the deep uncertainty regarding the future prospects of the Arkéa - B&B Hotels team. Two of the teams' star riders, Vincenzo Albanese and Clement Champoussin are reportedly set to use a 'get out clause' to force a departure, whilst team boss Emmanuel Hubert recently told French press he can't guarantee a future for the team beyond the end of next year.