Simon Yates, the accomplished British climber, will join Team Visma | Lease a Bike in 2025, having signed a contract extending to the end of 2026. This move marks a new chapter for Yates, who has spent his WorldTour career until now with his current team.
Yates, celebrated for his climbing skills and victories in prestigious races such as the Vuelta a España and Tirreno-Adriatico, will be a vital addition to the team’s general classification squad. Grischa Niermann, the sports director for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, shared his enthusiasm about Yates’ arrival, stating, “We are very pleased to have convinced someone with such a track record to choose our team. He is an excellent climber and a significant boost for our general classification squad. Simon will have the opportunity to go for his own results with us, but he will also be a valuable asset for the team in the mountains. We believe that with our way of working, he can reach an even higher level.”
Yates himself is eager to start this new journey. “This is a team I have admired for a long time and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join. I’ve enjoyed much success in my career up to now and I look forward to continuing working hard and contributing to the success of the team,” he said.
Reflecting on his career move, Yates added, “Despite the great time I have had with my current team, I felt it was time to change teams to keep improving myself and get the most out of myself. I look forward to meeting all my new teammates and staff and hit the ground running in 2025.”
This transition will see the 31-year-old Brit riding for a different team in the WorldTour for the first time. With Yates on board, Team Visma | Lease a Bike is poised to strengthen their presence in both Grand Tours and one-week stage races.
Main photo credit: Getty
