Julien Vermote joins Visma-Lease a Bike for 2024

Julien Vermote Tour of Flanders 2018

Team Visma-Lease a Bike has announced the signing of Julien Vermote, a 34-year-old experienced rider, on a one-year contract. Vermote steps into the shoes of Lennard Hofstede, who recently ended his cycling career. Vermote’s addition to the team is seen as a strategic move, bringing in a wealth of experience and immediate support in the helper role.

Merijn Zeeman, the team’s sports director, expressed satisfaction with Vermoteโ€™s signing, highlighting his extensive experience and motivation. Zeeman emphasised the urgent need for a replacement following Hofstedeโ€™s departure and praised Vermote’s passion and dedication to his profession.

Vermote, who has been a part of the professional peloton since 2011, shared his enthusiasm for the new role. Grateful for the opportunity, he expressed eagerness to contribute to Team Visma-Lease a Bike, a leading team in the cycling world. Vermote is looking forward to joining the team’s training camp next week, ready to begin his new journey.

The Belgian rider has had a distinguished career, racing for teams such as QuickStep, Dimension Data, Cofidis, and Alpecin-Deceuninck. After a stint at the amateur level last season with Secteur-Duolar, Vermote is now making a return to the WorldTour as the final rider on Visma-Lease a Bike’s 2024 squad.

Vermote’s career boasts three professional victories, including the 2012 Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen and stages at the 2014 and 2016 Tour of Britain. His last season saw him actively participating in the Belgian kermesse circuit, achieving a win and several podium finishes.

Vermote joins other significant signings for the 2024 season, including Matteo Jorgenson from Movistar, Ben Tulett from Ineos Grenadiers, and Cian Uijtdebroeks from Bora-Hansgrohe. He will be filling the gap left by big departures like Primoลพ Rogliฤ and Tobias Foss. Vermote is set to play a crucial role as an all-round domestique in the star-studded squad.