Name: Kevin Słomka
Age: 32 years
Residence: Kraków (Poland)

Why did you choose to join Team Visma | Lease a Bike? 
"I signed up for Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Fan Peloton about a year ago. Actually, I wanted it before, but at the time it was only available to people from Belgium and the Netherlands. If I am a fan of something, I try to be very committed to it. I love being part of a community, so when membership became available, it was a no-brainer for me. I always wanted to be part of the team."

Can you explain why you feel so involved in the team?
"Thanks to membership, I get to see what happens behind the scenes. I find that very interesting. I can read articles about the riders, what they eat and drink during the races, what they do between stages and so on. I am really a cycling fanatic, so this kind of content attracts me a lot. Another plus is the interaction with the fans."

What do you like most about your membership?
"The WhatsApp group is brilliant! In Poland, cycling is not that big yet and it is quite difficult to find a community of Visma | Lease a Bike fans to talk to. That there are now special group apps for the grand tours (during the Giro there was the group Giro Talks and during the Tour there is Tour Talks) where we can talk about the races, is super nice. Actually, we should do that for all races. The discounts in the webshop are also interesting. And apart from that, I really like all the behind-the-scenes content."

Have you ever been to any of our events?
"Not yet, but I definitely want to visit one of the sales days to buy some team gear. Perhaps this year."

Why did you become a fan of the team?
"It's hard to say exactly how that came about, but for me it usually starts with one person. I'm from Poland, and there, ski jumping is almost a national sport. Everyone knows a few ski jumpers there, and one of them was Primoż Roglic. When I found out that he rode the Tour of Poland in 2016 (he came third in the final time trial in my city), I was like: wow, how did he manage that? From then on, I started following him and the team."

Who is your favourite rider and why?
"That is Wout van Aert. Not only because he is the best all-rounder in the world, but also because I like his way of racing. I must say that at the moment there is no rider in the peloton that I would support as much as Wout. Because of his crashes and bad luck last year, I support him even more. I think it is super nice that he will stay with the team until the end of his career."

Do you do any sports yourself and do you follow all the races?
"I am a runner and a cyclist. Every year I try to run as many races as possible (this year I even achieved my first ever podium finish). Furthermore, I watch every race that is broadcast, even if Team Visma | Lease a Bike is not competing. I just love cycling."

What would make your membership even better? 
"I think an “Instagram live” with a rider would be great (exclusively for members). What I would also possibly like is if you get a small gift for your birthday, like a signed photo card of any rider from the team."

Do you want to become member of the Fan Peloton? Join it via this link.