Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women welcomes young talents Wolff and Chladoňová
Team Visma | Lease a Bike Team Visma | Lease a Bike has strengthened its roster with the addition of Imogen Wolff and Viktória Chladoňová. The two young riders, who in addition to cycling are also active in cyclocross, will ride in yellow and black from January 2025 for three years.
Wolff, who will make her debut as an intern for Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women this Sunday, is looking forward to her time with the team. “I am super happy that I get to ride for the team in the coming years. Ever since I became a professional cyclist, I have dreamed of riding for one of the best teams in the world. It's a huge moment for me that I'm looking forward to.”
“I hope to learn as much as possible in the coming years, both on the road and in cyclocross,” the 18-year-old British rider continued. “I like the challenge of making the step up to the professionals and riding new races. I hope I can learn a lot in the peloton during the races and eventually grow as a rider to a very high level.”
"I like the challenge of making the step up to the professionals"
Talent development is one of the key points within Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women. For Wolff, this was an important reason for choosing the yellow-black formation. “When I first spoke with the team, it was quickly clear that a lot of attention would be paid to my development. They had a clear plan for the coming years, without much pressure and with room to learn. This appealed to me.”
This was also one of the main reasons for Chladoňová to choose the yellow-black formation. “The development opportunities the team offers for young talents fit my future perfectly. It allows me to combine my favorite discipline, cyclocross, with road cycling.”
“It will be a big change,” the 17-year-old rider continued. “I've been riding for a small family team for the past few years, and then to now join one of the biggest WorldTour teams will be a big change for me. I'm looking forward to riding for the team in the coming years, and I'm excited to have been given this opportunity.”
"I'm looking forward to riding for the team in the coming years"
Chladoňová, who became world junior mountain bike champion last weekend, hopes to learn a lot in the coming years. “I'm looking forward to being part of professional cycling, meeting new people, and learning what it's like to ride on a WorldTour team. It would be great if I eventually also get the chance to start in races like the Tour de France Femmes or the Giro d'Italia Women.”
Team manager Rutger Tijssen is happy with the arrival of the two young talents. “Imogen and Viktória have achieved very good results in the past years. We want both riders to slowly grow to WorldTour level. Above all, we expect them to grow and discover what they are good at. The big results are less important in the first years.”