Visma snap-up British rider with "untapped potential" - Tom Pidcock's teammate joins Dutch team on two-year deal
Cycling
Visma | Lease a Bike have confirmed the signing of British rider Mark Donovan, claiming that the Pinarello Q36.5 rider arrives with "untapped potential" as they eye him to support their leaders in stage races.
The 27-year-old, renowned for his versatility, will join the Dutch team on a two-year deal. Representing a solid transfer market investment, the British rider has been a loyal teammate to Tom Pidcock for both Pinarello and Great Britain in recent seasons.
With experience in all three Grand Tours, a solid overall classification history in stage races and demonstrable teamwork, Visma hope to bolster their stage racing unit around Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and other leaders ahead of the 2027 season.
Speaking about the move, Donovan said the move felt like an easy decision, labelling Richard Plugge's squad as one of the world's best.
“Team Visma | Lease a Bike is one of the best teams in the world, so when they come and ask you to join the team, there is no need to think twice," Donovan said in a Visma press release.
Mark Donovan joins the Dutch team through 2028
Grand Tour and stage race ambitions
Turning fully professional in 2020 with Team Sunweb, he has ridden with the team now known as Pinarello Q36.5 for four seasons. He hopes to play a role in Grand Tour and stage race success with his new outfit.
"I’ve been in the professional peloton for quite some time now and the past few years I’ve been able to develop and find out the type of rider I am, so making the step into this team really feels like the right moment for me and I am really excited to see how much I can develop in this structure and which steps I will be able to take.
"While being part of a Grand Tour winning team, I hope to be able to continue to show my consistency and hope to add my part in helping the team to win races.”
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"Untapped potential"
The Dutch team were high in praise as they announced the signing, noting that they believe the British rider can rise up a gear as part of their squad as they praised his ability to rise to the occasion in big races.
Visma Head of Racing, Marc Reef, said: "I think Mark will fit very well into the way we approach racing. He has shown in recent seasons that he is a very reliable and versatile rider who can be relied upon in different situations, and he has the ability to perform when the level of the race is high.
"We see that being particularly valuable for us in stage races, where he can play an important role around our leaders. We also believe there is still some untapped potential that we are excited to develop together, as he is still only 27.”
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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