This Tuesday, cycling woke up with shocking news: Grischa Niermann, the great architect of Jonas Vingegaard’s Visma team, He leaves and will stop at Lidl-Trek a month before the start of the Tour de France.
Under Niermann’s command, the group has won two Giros d’Italia, one Return to Spain and a Paris-Roubaixamong numerous other achievements.
Earthquake in Visma: Jonas Vingegaard’s boss leaves the team’s ranks one month before the Tour de France
The newspaper Marca points out that the German made the leap to the leadership of the Dutch team after the departure of Merijn Zeeman, who signed as general manager of AZ Alkmaar. Since then, his role has been fundamental in a team that he knew well, since during his time as a rider he competed for 14 years for Rabobank.
Derek Gee, Jonas Vingegaard and Jai Hindley, podium Giro 26 Photo:AFP
After retiring in 2012, in 2017 he made the decision to face the challenge of sports management of the team known at that time as LottoNL-Jumbo. However, Niermann has decided to put an end to his Visma adventure as of August 31, the outlet added.
Jonas Vingegaard is left without his boss
WielerFlits reported that Niermann will sign for Lidl-Trek as one of the key pieces of the sports management of a team that seeks to continue progressing with the aim of becoming a reference structure.
Jonas Vingegaard, with the Giro champion trophy Photo:AFP
Along these lines, its main sponsor, Lidl, acquired the majority of the shareholding in October 2025. As a consequence, This measure was accompanied by a transfer of headquarters to Germany and the signing of riders such as Juan Ayuso, the media reported.
In the press conference held by the team, Richard Plugge, CEO of Visma, confirmed that the change will occur from September 1, when Marc Reef will fully assume office. However, Niermann will not be present in the big objectives of the summer, Marca indicated.
Jonas Vingegaard, with the Giro champion trophy Photo:AFP
“He will stay with us until August 31 to support from the background, mainly in some races that will not be the Dauphiné or the Tour de France, but others, such as the Tour de Suisse,” he said.
“The development and training of both riders and staff are part of the DNA of this team. We also promote the growth of our coaches and directors. With the departure of Grischa, the incorporation of Marc to the sports management team represents a logical progression within the organization. Although I am sad to see Grischa go,” Plugge added.
Jonas Vingegaard, Giro champion Photo:AFP
With Vingegaard as leader, the CEO of Visma did not hide the surprise that the decision was for the Dane; However, he stated thatIt will not represent any setback in his preparation for the Tour de France.
“Jonas found out a couple of weeks ago and was very surprised, as probably everyone was. However, he won the Giro with Marc at his side. That’s why we saw that there was an opportunity to do it even better and, no, that will not affect our planning or its preparation,” he said.
Marc Reef takes charge
The Spanish newspaper indicated that, faced with this new situation, Visma adopts a position similar to the one it took after Zeeman’s departure, promoting Marc Reef within the structure to make him the main sports director.
Grischa Niermann leaves Visma Photo:Grischa Niermann’s Instagram
This is not an inexperienced person.. The Dutchman made the leap to the team in 2022 after nine seasons in the current Picnic-PostNL, where he coincided with figures of the caliber of Tom Dumoulin, Marcel Kittel, John Degenkolb, Warren Barguil and Michael Matthews, the media said.
During his time at Visma, Reef was a key player in 2025, the year in which he was one of the architects of the victory of Simon Yates at the Giro d’Italia and one of Niermann’s trusted men during the last Tour de France.
Jonas Vingegaard, Giro champion Photo:EFE
Now, the man born in Oldenzaal will take over the position facing the big goal of the year: the Tour. There, Vingegaard will try to hit back at Tadej Pogačarwho has dominated during the last two seasons, the newspaper stated.
“The fact that the team has proposed that I take on the position of competition director and join the sports management team is a fantastic opportunity that I face with great enthusiasm. I have long felt that the philosophy and culture of this organization fit me perfectly. In the coming weeks, all my attention will be focused on preparing for the Tour de France,” concluded Reef.
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