Team Visma | Lease a Bike had been considering switching to shorter cranks, and after Wout Van Aert tested the setup earlier this winter, it now appears the team has fully embraced the idea following the lead of world champion Tadej Pogacar.
“Copying has always been part of the sport,” team manager Richard Plugge told ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’. “There’s nothing wrong with borrowing good ideas.” He recalled learning from Orica GreenEdge in 2014 and later drawing inspiration from Team Sky and INEOS. “We know UAE Team Emirates became the top team last year by cleverly adopting strategies from us, just as we studied them closely.”
While the change isn’t immediately visible, Plugge believes shorter cranks could help close the performance gap with UAE Team Emirates. “We noticed Pogacar and his teammates racing with shorter cranks. We were also exploring that option, but they took the leap first and clearly, it works.”
Though the team remains tight-lipped about the details, ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’ reports that 27 of Visma’s 29 riders have switched to shorter cranks. However, one exception stands out: Jonas Vingegaard. According to the newspaper, his cranks have been deliberately modified filed down and repainted to conceal their length. Rumors in the peloton suggest he may be using an ultra-short setup, possibly under 160mm, with a custom-made design from his manufacturer.
Soudal – Quick-Step’s sports director expressed surprise at the widespread adoption of shorter cranks, noting that it was traditionally a setup favored by climbers. “It’s surprising to see big, powerful riders like Van Aert using shorter cranks. It always seemed more suited for climbers.”
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