Almost three months after the last road race, the Gree-Tour of Guangxi in China, the riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike will pin on their race numbers again next week. For Gloag, the Tour Down Under comes at just the right time. He broke both elbows on a training ride at the end of August and his season ended prematurely. Disappointing for the Brit, as he had just before made a successful comeback after almost a year's absence due to injury.

In the Czech Republic, he won the queen stage in the Czech Tour on his comeback. “That was by far my best moment of 2024. Personally, it was already a big victory to be back on the start list of a race after a year of struggling. There is no better feeling to then also cross the finish line with your hands up jubilantly in the queen stage. With that win I gave something back to the people - family, friends and the team - who supported me during that difficult period. It was a very emotional moment”, Gloag says. 

The rider is eager to race again and left early for southern Australia to train, in addition to a well-deserved holiday. “The disappointment was big at first when I got injured again. Since October I have been back on the bike and have had some very solid months of training behind me. I hope to turn that good feeling into a nice result in the general classification at the Tour Down Under”, Gloag looks ahead. “The first races of the season are always a bit nervous, that will be no different here. Of course, the high temperatures are also going to play a major role. Hopefully we can have a good first week of racing here. I can't wait to race again."

The yellow and black team does this with a squad full of talented riders. Menno Huising, Tijmen Graat and Brennan officially made the switch from the Development Team to the WorldTeam this winter. Last season they already got a taste in some combined races with the pros, but the Tour Down Under will mark their debut in the WorldTour. “Opportunities for our talents at the highest level fit completely into the philosophy of our team”, sports director Engels says. “Especially here in Australia there are plenty of opportunities for our young guys, because there is no absolute leader like Wout or Jonas.”

The 19-year-old Brennan is the youngest of the team in Australia and already had a great experience with Team Visma | Lease a Bike's WorldTeam at Paris-Tours in October, won by Christophe Laporte. “That was really fun. Only after the finish did I realize how big that race is. I went there with no pressure and that's how it will be for me at the Tour Down Under. This week is mostly about learning and getting used to the highest level. Everyone is expecting some fast and hectic finals. I hope to be able to achieve a good result in the sprint. It's nice to be here with Menno and Tijmen, two riders I know well from our time together at the Development Team.”

“Matthew showed a lot of great things last year. This race should suit him well with some tricky finishes where a powerful punch will make the difference. That's something he normally does well, but we're not going to put any pressure on him this week”, Engels tells. The Dutchman, who himself rode the Tour Down Under three times and has been coming there for years as sports director of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, goes into the six-day stage race open minded. “We hope Thomas Gloag will play a role in the general classification, but it is difficult to say exactly what level he is at after his injury. The race is often decided on Willunga Hill, this year's finish in stage five. That seems like a suitable finish for Thomas.”

In addition to Gloag, Brennan, Huising and Graat, the seven-man squad of Team Visma | Lease a Bike includes Dylan van Baarle, Julien Vermote and Loe van Belle. “Loe was here last year also and will be important for Matthew in the preparation for the sprint. In addition, we have the necessary experience with Dylan and Julien. Even though Dylan's big goals are later in the season, I think it's good for him to start here so early now after his unlucky year full of injuries. It's going to be a great trip for all of us. It's a nice race with varied stages in beautiful surroundings. I immediately get a warm feeling when I think about the Tour Down Under”, Engels concludes.