Although winning Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico is unprecedented, it is not surprising, given that the two races take place at the same time. "This is an extraordinary achievement", Sportive Director Merijn Zeeman said. "Once again, we have achieved something that has never been done. I am very proud of all the riders and everyone who contributed to this success."

Let's go back to Monday 4 March. On the Tyrrhenian coast, the Italian World Tour stage race gets underway. In seven days, the riders will reach the Adriatic shore. Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard is the overwhelming favourite to take the overall victory. Vingegaard won in Spain a week earlier. He successfully started the season in O Gran Camiño, winning three stages and the general classification. Additionally, Tirreno-Adriatico proved to be an excellent fit for the 27-year-old cyclist. Vingegaard added two stage wins to his overall victory. The Dane, who has been riding in Dutch service since 2019, also won the mountain classification.

"This is one of my most prestigious wins", said Vingegaard shortly after his victory. "It's the first time I've been the strongest in Tirreno-Adriatico. I was second here a few years ago. I had one goal in mind for this week. I succeeded in doing so, partly thanks to the team's outstanding work. The fact that I can now include Tirreno-Adriatico in my list of honours is astounding."

Vingegaard's eagerness is in line with Team Visma | Lease a Bike's overarching goal. Richard Plugge, the team's CEO: "We want to make sporting history. We want to move closer to historic status every year in our own unique way. Never before has the same team won Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico in the same year. I hope the winning doesn't stop", Plugge said with a smile. "We are very proud of Jonas and Matteo Jorgenson."

The American joined Team Visma | Lease a Bike last winter. The 24-year-old rider achieved his most significant victory as soon as he joined the team. "This win means a lot to me", Jorgenson said after winning the French stage race. "It really boosts my confidence. I never thought I would be this close to a final victory in the WorldTour. In a positive way, so much has changed for me compared to last season. I feel a difference in every detail. I didn't think I deserved this status when I first became a professional. It has taken me some time to begin believing in myself. The year 2024 is indescribable to me. I knew I would be in a strong team, but the quality and professionalism exceeded my wildest expectations."

Winning the historic double in March adds to Team Visma | Lease a Bike's already impressive list of accomplishments. Last year, for example, the team won all three Grand Tours in one season. Never before has a cycling team won in Italy, France and Spain. The fact that the team did it with three different riders made it even more special. And earlier in the 2023 season, the team won five consecutive major cobbled classics. That certainly did not diminish their hunger for success in 2024. Following their historic victories in Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, the focus is already on the upcoming goals. Everyone in Plugge's and Zeeman's team has the same goal: to create a legacy.