"The bar is being raised for me" - Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Bart Lemmen reflects on 2024

Bart Lemmen's had a roller coaster year that he couldn’t have imagined happening at the start of 2024. The 29-year-old Dutch rider, who joined Team Visma | Lease a Bike at the end of 2023, made significant strides in his first full year at the WorldTour level, including his dream debut at the Tour de France.

For Lemmen, the opportunity to ride the Tour de France came unexpectedly, as he explained in a team press release. "I was sitting on the couch at home when Grischa to say that I would be the intended replacement if Sepp did not get fit in time,” Lemmen revealed. “A week later, I was sitting on exactly the same couch when Grischa called again to say that I would indeed go to the Tour. That was of course a special moment.”

Riding in support of Jonas Vingegaard, Lemmen played a crucial role in helping the Danish rider secure a second-place finish behind Tadej Pogacar in the Tour’s General Classification.

“I really enjoyed riding around at the highest level for three weeks,” he said. “But I didn't forget that I had to be focused every day. I really pinched myself and realized how special everything that was happening was, but in the end, I just had to cycle hard. The heartwarming reactions I got from those around me made me realize that what I was doing was not everyday.”

Following his strong performances in the Tour, Lemmen earned a spot on the Netherlands team for the World Championships. He capped off his season with a standout ride at the Coppa Bernocchi, where he came agonisingly close to securing his first professional victory.

“That certainly gave me a bitter feeling,” Lemmen admitted. “But I was especially proud that I was in a position to win a race at all. The fact that it didn't work out in the end is of course very sour, but I only take the positives from it. Who would have thought twelve months ago that it would all turn out like this? I certainly didn't.”

As the 2025 season approaches, Lemmen is determined to build on his success and set new goals. “2025 is about to start, and I'm looking forward to putting my best foot forward in great competitions again. The bar is also being raised a bit for me. I now have a year of experience at WorldTour level in the bag, and I would like to compete for the victories next year,” he stated.