Riejanne Markus, the 29-year-old Dutch cyclist who recently secured a second-place finish in the Vuelta and a victory in Veenendaal-Veenendaal, is rumoured to leave Visma-Lease a Bike at the end of this season to join Lidl-Trek according to Algemeen Dagblad. Despite challenging conditions, Markus clinched her win in Veenendaal-Veenendaal with a solo breakaway, holding off the chasing peloton in the pouring rain.
Over the past few years, Markus has steadily developed into a formidable leader and contender. She has won the Dutch national road race and time trial championships, and her performance in the last two editions of the Vuelta has been particularly notable. This year, she finished second in the Vuelta, just behind Demi Vollering, establishing herself as a potential podium candidate for the Tour de France Femmes in August.
Her growth has not gone unnoticed, and several teams have approached Markus as her contract with Visma-Lease a Bike draws to an end at the end of 2024. While her current team was keen to retain her, Markus has apparently chosen to join Lidl-Trek according to AD. According to their sources, Markus will be joining a roster that includes notable riders like Elisa Longo Borghini, Ellen van Dijk, and Shirin van Anrooij.
A decision to move to Lidl-Trek would seem to align with her career aspirations. Lidl-Trek’s serious investment in women’s cycling, including high-quality support and resources, has made them the main competitive force against the dominant SD Worx
Lidl-Trek has had some strong results this year, with victories such as Longo Borghini’s triumph in the Tour of Flanders. The team’s dedication to enhancing time trial performance was evident last year when they provided extensive support for Ellen van Dijk’s successful world hour record attempt. That should be a factor in Markus’ decision given her strength against the clock.