Visma bid farewell to "an ultimate fighter" after 3 seasons: "We will be the first to cheer if you cross the finish line with your hands in the air"

After three seasons riding in the colours of Team Visma | Lease a Bike (formerly Jumbo-Visma ed.), Milan Vader is departing at the end of 2024, taking on a new challenge at the ambitious Swiss, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. It seems though, Vader is leaving with the full love and support of his soon-to-be former employers. 

"Thank you Milan Vader," begins a warm goodbye message posted on the official social media pages of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The 28-year-old Dutchman had moments of success over his three campaigns in the iconic black and yellow, but mostly due to a number of injuries and crashes, failed to ever truly realise his potential. 

"Thank you for being an ultimate fighter in these past years," the Visma post continues, paying reference to the number of crashes Vader suffered. "In 2022, you suffered a serious crash in Itzulia Basque Country, and for a moment, we even feared for your life. You had to learn to walk again, but by the end of that same year, you returned on the bike. Only one year later, you claimed your first World Tour victory and played a crucial role in our successful 2023 season."

The peak of Vader's time at Visma came at the 2023 Tour of Guangxi where he took that first World Tour victory and ultimately claimed the general classification victory. "Your name will forever be remembered in China, and we’ll also never forget you, Milan," concludes the farewell. "We wish you every success with your new team and will be the first to cheer if you cross the finish line with your hands in the air once again."

As mentioned, from 2025 Vader will be racing in the colours of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, stepping down from the World Tour level but hopefully being able to regain some momentum, put the injury concerns behind him and get back to his best level.