From 1 October, Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s sports management will consist of five members, each with their own areas of expertise and responsibility. Led by CEO Richard Plugge, the team will continue building on the foundations that have led to many successes in recent years. We want to continue to make history with our Men’s World Tour team, our Development Team and our Women’s World Tour team.
The sports management team comprises Grischa Niermann, Jacco Verhaeren, Mathieu Heijboer, Robbert de Groot and Patrick Broe.
CEO Richard Plugge: “I am proud to have these exceptional professionals with their expertise and knowledge of the organisation’s culture on board to further strengthen Team Visma | Lease a Bike in the areas of strategy, coaching, innovation, nutrition, scouting and talent development.”
Grischa Niermann will be responsible for race strategy, selection, and the overall composition of the rider groups. In addition to his sports management role, Niermann will continue to attend several races as a DS.
Jacco Verhaeren, who has already been a member of the coaching group this year, will join the sports management to further strengthen our organisation with his expertise as a successful top swimming coach with an outside-in view. As a coach of coaches, trainer and sports innovator. And with a particular focus on the personal development of all riders in the men’s and women’s teams.
Mathieu Heijboer, previously Head of Performance, will be responsible for innovation in nutrition, equipment and training. Heijboer will combine this role with his duties as a coach for several riders.
Robbert de Groot remains a driving force behind our Development Team, which has trained riders such as Olav Kooij, Johannes Staune-Mittet, Per Strand Hagenes and Tim and Mick van Dijke brothers. He will continue to be responsible for talent development in our sports management.
Patrick Broe has already been associated with the team as a race analysis and strategy consultant. He will continue in this role in the sports management, bringing in talent and working with the Visma | Lease a Bike Women’s World Tour team. He will also advise the commercial team with his innovative ideas.
Richard Plugge: “We have always said that we wanted to solve the unfortunate departure of Merijn Zeeman internally. That is why we have left it in the hands of our well-known specialists, who will do this in close consultation with the entire staff.”
