Visma confirm signing of 25-year old former triathlete - "That clearly shows he has real talent"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike have confirmed their third signing of the winter. After two youngsters from it's development team, the Dutch team have announced the signing of 25-year old Anton Schiffer, a former triathlete and rider who has been heavily linked to the team for several months now.

This is a move that from those inside the cycling world comes as no surprise, as Schiffer had been linked to Visma this past July - an agreement had likely already been reached with the Bike Aid rider, only with the announcement remaining. Schiffer's story is an interesting one, having been a triathlete at a young age and making the switch to cycling full-time only three years ago. However he showed off his talent very quickly and that has not escaped the eyes of the world's top teams.

“We believe he still has a lot of room to improve in all areas. Based on the conversations we have had, we know he is a really good fit for us," team DS Grischa Niermann said in a press release. "Despite racing for a small team, he has already managed to take his first pro win. That clearly shows he has real talent. We’re looking forward to working with him and are pleased that we’ll be able to have him race with us starting in October.”

This year he's confirmed his potential to be a big presence in the peloton, having finished second at the Tour of Hellas, third at the German national championships and most recently winning the queen stage of the Sibiu Cycling Tour ahead of talented climber and overall winner Matthew Riccitello. He will join the team in October already and potentially make his debut within month and a half's time, but has a contract running for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

“This step may come as a surprise to the outside world, but given how this season has progressed, it doesn’t surprise me as much,” Schiffer said of his signing with the world's current second-best team. “I had already been in contact with the team since the Tour of Hellas, and I’m happy that it ultimately led to my first WorldTour contract".

With the changes that will come in his preparation and nutrition, we could see another huge breakthrough within the Dutch team over the coming years in the German. "I’m looking forward to really living like a professional athlete for the first time. Being able to fully focus on my sport, combined with the support from internal experts, the use of the Athlete’s FoodCoach, the equipment, and the team’s experience are all things I hope will help me grow as a rider.”