Team Visma | Lease a Bike has launched "Future Bees Talent Days," a recruitment initiative targeting the next generation of Grand Tour contenders through standardised climbing assessments in the Belgian Ardennes.
The trials, scheduled for spring 2026, will evaluate both male and female riders on steep Ardenne climbs in a standardised test format – partly in an effort to address the slight gap in serious climbing tests in North European junior racing.
The Dutch squad is positioning the programme as a structured pathway for identifying climbing specialists capable of developing into general classification threats at the sport's biggest races.
Next generation
The age bands underline how narrowly defined Visma’s search is. The programme is aimed at mid-teen riders already far enough along in physical development to produce meaningful climbing data, but still young enough to be shaped within the team’s performance system.
Men are eligible across a broader four-year range (2008–2011), while the women’s intake is tighter (2008–2009), reflecting both the smaller talent pool in female junior racing and the team’s attempt to intervene slightly later in development. Limiting applications to Europe also keeps the testing logistically manageable and aligned with Visma’s existing scouting footprint.
Rather than operating as a remote talent trawl, the scheme requires riders to travel to Belgium for in-person assessment, reinforcing its focus on controlled, standardised testing over race-day variability. Applications close on 20 February, with selected riders set to be informed of an invite in early March for on-road trials in the Ardennes in spring.
Talent identification focus
The programme reflects Visma's investment in talent development on a relatively local European basis as a core strategy.
With contracts being signed for younger and younger athletes, often for dizzying sums, developing an extensive talent identification infrastructure could offer very strong return on investment.
Initial applicants can fill in key metrics and performance information on Visma's application form here.
