The pro cycling world does not witness a former Air Force officer transitioning into the world championship scene frequently, but a recent incident marked something different. Bart Lemmen, the 28-year-old Dutch neo-pro, lately accomplished exactly the same, joining the epic team Jumbo-Visma to embrace a striking career. His journey from military life to becoming a promising cyclist with Jumbo-Visma was both inspiring and intriguing, as Bart was seen embarking on a new beginning.?
While the spotlight is on Lemmen’s remarkable story, his path to professional cycling was far from traditional. He once served as an officer in the Dutch regiment, while this season marked his transition to the sports world. Making a significant impression with Human Powered Health, the determined player left the community in awe with a relentless pursuit of dedicated practices. Incredibly, before this gigantic move, Bart had prior experience in racing for the Continental squad VolkerWessels.
Former law enforcement official makes a renewed cycling career
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Lemmen’s incredible journey has been underscored by his standout results, including a victory on the final stage of the 2022 Kreiz Breizh Elites. He also earned a significant fourth place in the Dutch National Championships road race, securing the same at a time trial finale at O Gran Cami?o. The pro cycling enthusiast also exhibited his undoubted skills with an eighth-place finish at the Circuito de Getxo. Jumbo-Visma, not known for following the traditional path, soon noticed an immense potential in Lemmen, locating the spirit they were looking for.?
Although Bart was relatively new to the professional cycling scene, the team conducted rigorous testing and interviews for the ambitious cyclist. After concluding that Lemmen had what it takes to belong in the World Tour peloton, the team greeted him with glee, introducing a new phase in his life. Lemmen’s undeniable strength in timed races, along with his epic feats of thrill on hilly courses did not go unnoticed, as he gained a prestigious position in the cycling crew. As he celebrated achieving another dream, the Jumbo-Visma team, on the other hand, was seen facing a sudden hurdle with its sponsorships.?
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Jumbo-Visma merger faces unexpected cancellation?
In a plot twist that left the cycling world stunned, Jumbo-Visma recently called off the highly anticipated merger with Soudal-QuickStep. After weeks of speculation, the riders and staff of Jumbo-Visma were informed about the sudden transition, leaving the cycling professionals in shock. The announcement came a few days before the? Il Lombardia race in Italy, marking the same day as Primoz Roglic’s final appearance with the team, as he moved on to the Bora-Hansgrohe squad.
This decision led to a series of modifications, reflecting how the Soudal-QuickStep staff members who were at risk of losing their jobs could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Significantly, the canceled merger implied the Jumbo-Visma team missing out on adding Remco Evenepoel to their roster in 2024, as per cyclingnews. While Patrick Lefevere and Czech billionaire Zdenek Bakala are all set to continue with their own Soudal-QuickStep, the proposal is ready to persist as a World Tour team through the end of 2025. Additionally, Evenepoel will also remain under contract with the cycling group until 2026.?
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As the dust settled on these arrays of dramatic developments, the cycling world remained captivated by Bart Lemmen’s admirable journey. Hailing from the Dutch Air Force to joining the cycling world tour, his story portrayed that resilience and potential can always be uncovered in unconventional places. While cycling enthusiasts and fans are eagerly waiting for Lemmen’s further development in the team, Jumbo-Visma’s alleged merger break continued to create evolving debates in the sports community.?
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