"There are opportunities for our young guys, because there is no absolute leader like Wout or Jonas" - Thomas Gloag leads youthful Visma at Tour Down Under 2025

The kick off of the 2025 World Tour season is almost upon us with the Tour Down Under. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the trip to Australia sees a concerted effort to look to the future as a young team, led by the ambitious Brit Thomas Gloag, takes on the Aussie stage race.

Gloag has had an injury hit time of it at Visma, but when fit, his talent has been clear to see, as was the case at the Czech Tour in 2024. “That was by far my best moment of 2024," says the 23-year-old in a Visma press release. "Personally, it was already a big victory to be back on the start list of a race after a year of struggling. There is no better feeling to then also cross the finish line with your hands up jubilantly in the queen stage. With that win I gave something back to the people - family, friends and the team - who supported me during that difficult period. It was a very emotional moment.”

“The disappointment was big at first when I got injured again. Since October I have been back on the bike and have had some very solid months of training behind me. I hope to turn that good feeling into a nice result in the general classification at the Tour Down Under,” Gloag continues. “The first races of the season are always a bit nervous, that will be no different here. Of course, the high temperatures are also going to play a major role. Hopefully we can have a good first week of racing here. I can't wait to race again."

As mentioned, Gloag leads a mostly youthful Team Visma | Lease a Bike lineup in Australia as he's joined by compatriot Matthew Brennan, Dutch talents Loe van Belle, Menno Huising and Tijmen Graat, plus the more experienced figures of Dylan van Baarle and Julien Vermote. “Opportunities for our talents at the highest level fit completely into the philosophy of our team,” explains sports director Addy Engels. “Especially here in Australia there are plenty of opportunities for our young guys, because there is no absolute leader like Wout or Jonas.”

“We hope Thomas Gloag will play a role in the general classification, but it is difficult to say exactly what level he is at after his injury," Engels adds. "The race is often decided on Willunga Hill, this year's finish in stage five. That seems like a suitable finish for Thomas.”