Visma | Lease a Bike extend another rider's contract - Jonas Vingegaard's Giro domestique rewarded with three-year extension
Cycling
A member of Jonas Vingegaard's Giro d'Italia-winning squad has been handed a contract extension at Visma | Lease a Bike. Tim Rex has been rewarded for his solid season with a new deal that will keep him with the Dutch team until the end of the 2029 season.
The 22-year-old Belgian has proved a consistent rider across 2026 following his promotion from their development team, racing 60 days and proving a valuable member of the squad in stage races, a Grand Tour, Belgian classics and Ardennes classics - demonstrating solid versatility.
The highlight of his season came at the Giro in his Grand Tour debut. Contributing to the team's controlling and pacing of stages, he played a major role in escorting Vingegaard across the Corsa Rosa on the way to his first pink jersey.
“It’s a great feeling to have the trust and appreciation from the team. It gives me a sense of calm, confidence and motivation because I also feel at home in this team and it is the ideal environment for my own development," Rex said in the announcement.
Jonas Vingegaard and his Visma teammates celebrate
Rex to remain at Visma until the end of 2029 season
"I’m very grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to continue developing and growing here. I’m really looking forward to the years ahead!”
A young rider who's expected to develop further in the coming years, Rex has demonstrated a habit of making breakaways for the team in Strade Bianche, Itzulia Basque Country and Clasica San Sebastian.
Marc Reef, Visma's Head of Racing, praised the youngster's temperament and willingness to improve his performances as they sealed the new deal.
Reef praises Belgian's attitude
“Tim has made impressive progress in a relatively short period of time. He already has the physical qualities to impose himself in WorldTour races, but what stands out just as much is his attitude and his willingness to learn.
"He is very open to feedback and has shown that he can quickly translate what he learns into his performances.”
It comes after Visma renewed the contracts of experienced riders such as Victor Campenaerts and Christophe Laporte over the past week, reinforcing their core unit around Jonas Vingegaard as they look ahead to the 2027 season.
While Matthew Brennan and Wout van Aert swoop to success at the Vuelta a Espana, Vingegaard won't be in action until 2027 after suffering a broken collarbone at the Tour de France in July - ending his season to favour a gradual recovery and focus on next year's big goals.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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