Jonas Vingegaard about Merijn Zeeman’s departure from Visma-Lease a Bike: “Of course it is a big loss”

Merijn Zeeman is leaving Visma-Lease a Bike after this season. There had been persistent rumors since Tuesday, and the team confirmed them on Wednesday afternoon. Zeeman would start working at football club AZ next year. Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard responded to the departure of his sporting director before the third stage in the Tour of the Basque Country. In a conditional sense, because the news was not yet official then.

Today at 12:28

But anyone who can read between the lines would have already realized that Vingegaard knew more. “Merijn is very important for the team. He has been a big part of the team for as long as I can remember. Of course it would be a big loss if he leaves,” said the defending champion in the Tour of the Basque Country. “I think he, Richard Plugge, Mathieu Heijboer and Grischa Niermann form a very good team. They have brought the team to where it is today, so Merijn is certainly one of our great architects.”

Vingegaard was unable or unwilling to confirm whether Zeeman will soon leave Visma-Lease a Bike. “We will have to wait and see if the rumors are true or not. If it is so, then so be it. We cannot change his decision, but of course I hope he will stay with the team.” Vain hope, because confirmation came not much later: after the season, Zeeman will wave goodbye to the yellow brigade.

Today the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country starts in Ezpeleta. Vingegaard would like to extend his title, but must first make up for his deficit to ex-teammate Primož Roglič. “The road looks a bit more difficult today, we will have to wait and see what everyone will do.”