Milan Vader has found a fresh start at Q36.5 Pro Cycling. After three seasons with Team Visma | Lease a Bike, where he transitioned from mountain biking to road cycling, he realized that to carve out his own place in the peloton, he needed to seek leadership opportunities elsewhere. Now 29, the Dutch rider is confident that the Swiss ProTeam is the right fit for him.
“We quickly agreed that I had the ability, but I couldn’t fully utilize it at Visma | Lease a Bike,” Vader shared on ‘Alpecin Barbershop’ via ‘WielerFlits’. “It was a shame, so it made sense to move on.” Since joining Q36.5, he has been pleasantly surprised by the positive team environment. “The atmosphere here is exactly what I was looking for. It’s easy to get caught up in data, diet, and performance tracking, but cycling has to remain fun. I’m not saying it wasn’t enjoyable at Visma, but this suits me better.”
Vader is eager to return to winning ways, having last raised his arms in victory at the 2023 Tour of Guangxi. “Winning might sound simple, but it’s an incredible feeling—something I experienced often in mountain biking. On the road, I’ve realized it’s much harder, but I want that feeling again.”
At Visma, leadership roles were crowded, making it difficult to secure opportunities. In contrast, Q36.5 offers a clearer path behind Tom Pidcock. “I’ll get more chances here, which makes things easier. They even asked me about my dreams. Last year, I raced ‘La Flèche Wallonne’ and felt it suited me well. That gave me confidence, so I’ve set my sights on it this season.”
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