With his background as a rider and his ambition to grow as a coach, Schuch will focus on race coaching and the development of JEGG-SKIL-DJR’s young talents. Working closely with the riders and staff, he will further develop his coaching expertise while helping the riders progress and take the next steps in their careers.

The collaboration with JEGG-SKIL-DJR is an important part of Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s long-term approach to talent development. By working with riders from the junior level, the team aims to provide young talents with the guidance and environment they need to progress towards the Development Team and, ultimately, the WorldTour Team.

“Mike is a highly energetic and talented coach who has shown that he is ready to take responsibility within our junior team”, says Head of Development Robbert de Groot. “I have known Mike since his days as a rider, and we have seen his ambition to develop himself into a top-level coach. We are therefore delighted to give him the opportunity to take the next steps in his development with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. We are confident that this environment will provide him with the experience and support he needs to continue growing as a coach.”

For Schuch, the opportunity represents an important step in his own development as a coach: “It is a dream come true to be able to turn my passion into my profession and dedicate myself fully to junior cycling. The progressive and innovative vision of Team Visma | Lease a Bike aligns closely with my own approach to coaching. My ambition is to work together with the team to build and further develop a strong junior squad, with the goal of bringing them to the top of junior cycling. At the same time, I want to support young riders as much as possible in their development, helping them ultimately make the step up to the Development Team and, eventually, the WorldTour Team. There is an incredible amount of talent within the team, and I am really looking forward to contributing to the development of these riders as a coach.”