'I would have liked to continue working with him' – Wout van Aert addresses Niermann exit as he returns to road for the first time since Paris-Roubaix

Wout van Aert has addressed the unexpected departure of Grischa Niermann from the Visma-Lease a Bike team, expressing surprise but confidence that the change will not significantly disrupt the squad. Niermann, who played a key role as Van Aert’s head of racing and was notably present during his Paris-Roubaix triumph, will officially leave the team at the end of August to join Lidl-Trek. Van Aert reflected on their long-standing working relationship, describing it as a strong bond and expressing regret that it would not continue, though he remains optimistic about the team’s future. The transition sees Marc Reef stepping into Niermann’s role, starting with the upcoming Tour de France and fully from September onwards. Reef, who recently guided Jonas Vingegaard to a Giro d’Italia victory, will bring his own style to the position. Van Aert emphasised the importance of the team’s culture and organisational strength, echoing Visma CEO Richard Plugge’s assurance that the team’s structure is robust enough to handle such changes without collapsing. He stressed that while the change will have an impact, the team’s training and development systems provide a solid foundation. Niermann’s exit follows a pattern of high-profile departures from Visma’s support staff, including Merijn Zeeman and Tim Heemskerk, but Van Aert dismissed concerns about a broader trend. He urged a contextual approach to each departure, highlighting their individual circumstances and expressing no worry about the team’s long-term prospects. His focus now shifts to the Tour-Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he aims to compete for stage wins and support teammate Matteo Jorgenson. Van Aert began the race with minor injuries to his right elbow and knee sustained in a recent training crash but was able to start without issue. He candidly described the incident as a moment of inattention but downplayed its severity, signalling his readiness to race. As he returns to road competition following his Paris-Roubaix victory, Van Aert’s comments and performance will be closely watched as indicators of both his form and the resilience of the Visma team amid staff changes.