Schiffer turned his focus to cycling relatively late, having previously competed as a triathlete during his youth. In 2022, he decided to fully commit to cycling, and by mid-2023 he had joined the continental-level Bike Aid team. There, he combined his cycling career with activities as a coach for both cyclists and triathletes. In part because of the support of his team, he was able to quickly grow as a rider. This season, he consistently performed at a high level, securing second place in the general classification at the Tour of Hellas and fourth at the Sibiu Cycling Tour, where he also claimed his first professional victory.

“This step may come as a surprise to the outside world, but given how this season has progressed, it doesn’t surprise me as much,” said a delighted Schiffer about his move to the WorldTour. “I had already been in contact with the team since the Tour of Hellas, and I’m happy that it ultimately led to my first WorldTour contract. I’m looking forward to really living like a professional athlete for the first time. Being able to fully focus on my sport, combined with the support from internal experts, the use of the Athlete’s FoodCoach, the equipment, and the team’s experience are all things I hope will help me grow as a rider.”

Head of Racing Grischa Niermann confirms that Team Visma | Lease a Bike sees significant potential for development in Schiffer. “We believe he still has a lot of room to improve in all areas. Based on the conversations we have had, we know he is a really good fit for us. Despite racing for a small team, he has already managed to take his first pro win. That clearly shows he has real talent. We’re looking forward to working with him and are pleased that we’ll be able to have him race with us starting in October.”

Photo credit: Hila.ro