Kings and Van Kerckhove strengthen Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development
Ian Kings and Matisse Van Kerckhove will join Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development next season. Both riders are currently active in the junior category and have signed a two-year contract.
The Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development roster for 2025 is taking shape. "We are obviously pleased that we have once again found two talents who fit perfectly with our team," said head of development Robbert de Groot. "We know Ian well because he is already part of JEGG De Jonge Renner Academy, with whom we have a collaboration. He is a true team player, has a background in track cycling, and we see plenty of room for progress in all facets of the sport. Matisse has only recently started road cycling and has already made tremendous progress in a short time. We think he has potential as a climber and time trialist, but it will be a great journey of discovery."
Kings, 18 years old and German by nationality, looks forward to next season: "This is the best development team in the U23 category, so of course, I am very happy to join them. This season, as a member of JEGG De Jonge Renner Academy, I have already made a big step in terms of professionalism. I think this will make the transition to the under-23 category easier. But I realize that I still have a lot to learn. There is no better place to do that than here."
Van Kerckhove is a 17-year-old Belgian who has lived in Spain almost his entire life. "I am currently in my first full season on the road; before this, I was active in mountain biking,” he says. "This first year has gone better than expected so far. So I was super excited when Team Visma | Lease a Bike showed interest. This has always been my favorite team, and I believe there is no better place for me to develop myself. I look forward to riding in yellow next year."