Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s start to the Vuelta a España
2025 took another twist this morning when several of their stolen race bikes
were discovered abandoned in bushes near the stage three start. The Dutch squad
had been left scrambling overnight after thieves broke into their mechanics’
truck with a pickaxe and made off with most of the team’s equipment, sparking a
police investigation.
Confirming the bizarre update, team boss Richard Plugge
explained: "Some stolen bicycles were found in the bushes, that's true.
That's good for us, but I don't know why they were left behind." The
recovery eased some of the tension that had gripped the team in the wake of
Jonas Vingegaard’s stage two victory and move into the red jersey.
Plugge admitted the timing could not have been worse.
"Our truck had been broken into and several bikes were stolen, so suddenly
we were the subject of a police investigation this morning. That's not how you
want to start a day, especially not after yesterday's success," he said.
With just hours to prepare for the next stage, the team’s mechanics faced a
frantic rebuild operation.
"The mechanics have done an incredible job building all
the bikes and getting all the bikes we need ready. They'll be here soon,"
Plugge explained before the start in San Maurizio Canavese. "And luckily,
we'll have enough bikes to start." Despite the relief, the disruption was
significant, with riders needing last-minute adjustments and checks to ensure
everything was race-ready.
While some stability remained, Plugge acknowledged the
strain placed on the squad: "Most riders still have their own bikes and a
spare, but it's very sad. Jonas' bikes are thankfully still here; they require
the least amount of work. But we had to rebuild the rest of the bikes, or check
if everything was working properly, because it was a rush job to get all the
bikes ready. Fortunately, everything worked out."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as 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. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
claps 9visitors 8
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Pogi is a Goat. He has power numbers that are once in a century. Jonas is a once in a generation, He has power numbers 1 level lower than Pogi. Even if both are equal which they were before 2024, Pogi would have won on sprint bonuses. For Jonas to win he has to crack Pogi, which is impossible. Therefore Giro is a good option considering the TT in TDF. He cannot win but if something happens to Pogi , he should be still in a position to win the TDF, Giro or no Giro, because the others are a level below him.abstractengineer11-11-2026
- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
Loading
1 Comments