Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast Team Visma | Lease a Bike 2026 Preview
Jan 16, 2026
Patrick and Benji dive deep into Team Visma's future, previewing their strategies for 2026. They analyze the impact of Simon Yates' recent retirement and discuss potential replacements. The hosts dissect Visma's performance, from missed opportunities in the classics to evaluating new signings like Timo Kielich. They also explore plans for upcoming races, including the Giro and Tour, while addressing budget constraints amidst fierce competition. Hot takes on season predictions add an extra layer of excitement to their analysis!
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Host Is A Team Insider
- Patrick Broe works on recruitment, transfers and race planning at Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
- That insider role explains why the hosts delayed previewing the team's 2026 programs until after the official presentation.
Australian Nationals Leadout Controversy
- Benji recounts the messy Australian National Championships where Plapp towed Eddie to victory while the peloton finished 15m back.
- He and Patrick use the story to illustrate poor race setup and tactical complications by Jayco.
Stage Racing Strong, Classics Weaker
- Visma won two Grand Tours in 2025 (Giro and Vuelta) and finished second in the Tour de France, but one-day classics underperformed.
- The hosts view the season as strong for stage racing but light on classics depth and one-day WorldTour wins.