Former Pro Blames Riders for Visma’s 2024 Crashes
Visma Lease a Bike have faced a tough 2024, marked by numerous crashes. From Wout van Aert’s accidents in both the spring and the Vuelta to Jonas Vingegaard’s terrifying crash in the Basque Country, the team’s season has been riddled with setbacks. This is a stark contrast to their dominant 2023, when they swept all three Grand Tours.
Dutch ex-pro Michael Boogerd voiced his concerns in De Telegraaf, highlighting the frequent injuries and suggesting that rider errors may be contributing to Visma’s struggles this year.
“I really don’t know what’s happening, and I don’t want to say anything strange, but it seems like many riders at Visma-Lease a Bike end up breaking something when they crash,” Boogerd remarked.
“There are quite a few crashes within that team, and it’s caused significant issues, especially with key riders. It could just be bad luck, but sometimes it feels unnecessary. Perhaps the pressure to perform at Visma is a factor, but that’s just speculation,” he added.
Boogerd’s remarks align with those of Mathieu van der Poel, who has previously commented on the issue of crashes in the peloton. Boogerd agreed with the Dutch champion, saying:
“Van der Poel has pointed out multiple times that riders themselves are often the cause of crashes. It’s likely a combination of factors. But beyond that, I’ve noticed Visma riders seem to break bones frequently. I wonder what’s behind that. This is a team that monitors everything closely. Could it be something in their diet affecting bone structure? Is that an area they’re overlooking?”
As Visma Lease a Bike navigates the challenges of a difficult season, the team will be keen to identify solutions and work toward a stronger comeback in the seasons to come.
Source: https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/former-pro-believes-the-riders-are-at-fault-for-vismas-2024-crashes-the-riders-really-fall-themselves
