Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women signs Tour de l'Avenir winner Bunel
Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women has signed the talented young cyclist Marion Bunel. The 20-year-old French rider joins the team from St Michel-Mavic-Auber93 on a three-year contract. Bunel, who recently won the Tour de l'Avenir, will join experienced teammates such as Marianne Vos and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot to further develop her skills.
Bunel is regarded as one of cycling's greatest talents. As well as winning the Tour de l'Avenir, she took two stage wins and finished third in the youth classification of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. She's thrilled to be joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women in 2025.
"It's a dream come true", Bunel said. "Team Visma | Lease a Bike is one of the best teams in the world and I'm honoured to join them next season. I believe this is the perfect next step for my career. I couldn't ask for better facilities or teammates. I've always been trained by my father, so I'm looking forward to a different approach to training."
"Pauline is a great role model for me and many others."
Bunel is looking forward to working with Vos and Ferrand-Prévot. The latter recently announced her return to road cycling. "I have been following Pauline for a long time. She's a great role model for me and many others. I'm thrilled to be on the same team as her for the next few years. I'll try to learn as much as possible."
Team manager Rutger Tijssen is delighted with the new signing. "Marion is a great talent, especially in the mountains. We approached her last year after the Tour de l'Avenir, impressed by her riding style. We're very happy that she chose us and I think she is happy to take her next step with our team."
Tijssen emphasises that Bunel's development will be carefully managed. "We're not going to hold her back, but we're not going to throw her in at the deep end either. These things take time." Bunel hopes to continue to improve over the next few years. "My first Tour de France has really motivated me for the future. Of course it would be great to win a stage or even the Tour one day, but for now I want to learn and gain as much experience as possible."