CONFIRMED: Mathieu van der Poel Set to Leave Alpecin-Deceuninck After 2025 – Signs With Team Visma | Lease a Bike in Massive 4-Year Deal…
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the cycling world, Mathieu van der Poel has officially confirmed that he will leave Alpecin-Deceuninck at the conclusion of the 2025 season and has signed a blockbuster 4-year contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
The deal, reportedly worth over $115 million, marks one of the most significant transfers in modern cycling history—uniting Van der Poel with one of the most dominant teams of the past decade and ending his long-standing and deeply personal relationship with the Alpecin outfit.
“It was one of the hardest decisions of my career,” Van der Poel said in an emotional statement. “Alpecin is my home and my family. But I believe I’ve achieved all I could here, and now it’s time to take on a new challenge with Visma. I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
Mathieu van der Poel has been the face of Alpecin-Deceuninck for nearly his entire professional career, bringing the team to prominence with multiple Monument victories, World Championships, and thrilling performances across road, cyclocross, and mountain bike disciplines. His rivalry with riders like Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogačar has defined an era of elite-level racing.
The move to Team Visma | Lease a Bike, home to Van Aert until 2025, is seen as a strategic masterstroke by the Dutch WorldTeam, which is already preparing for a post-Wout era. Sources indicate that Van der Poel will step into a co-leader role, targeting a combination of Spring Classics, stage races, and possibly even a Tour de France green jersey campaign.
“Mathieu brings unmatched explosiveness, charisma, and tactical brilliance,” said a senior Visma official. “He’s a generational rider, and we’re building a future around talents like him.”
The decision ends months of speculation about Van der Poel’s future, especially after recent interviews hinted at his desire for new motivation and challenges. While Alpecin made a strong push to retain him with a record-breaking contract offer, insiders say the Dutch star was enticed by Visma’s infrastructure, support system, and long-term ambitions in both road and cyclocross racing.
Van der Poel’s departure is a massive blow for Alpecin-Deceuninck, who built much of their global identity around him. The team released a statement thanking him for his years of service, calling him “a once-in-a-lifetime athlete” and promising to honor his legacy in the 2025 farewell season.
Van der Poel is expected to make his Visma debut at the start of the 2026 season, with potential appearances at Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Tour de France all under discussion.
Cycling fans can expect a farewell year filled with emotion and high stakes, followed by what could be the beginning of a new era of dominance with Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
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