"Dan McLay announces his departure from Visma-Lease a Bike effective at the end of the 2025 cycling season: 'I'm here if you need me'"
Visma-Lease a Bike's Tour de Pologne Successes Amidst Challenges
The Tour de Pologne has been a mixed bag for Visma-Lease a Bike. The team has experienced victories in the hands of Kooij and Brennan, but the severely technical urban laps have posed significant challenges, making it difficult for cohesive teamwork.
Kooij kicked off the Tour de Pologne with a win in the opening mass sprint on Monday, while Brennan secured a victory on Friday's hilly leg to Zakopane. These successes have undoubtedly boosted the team's morale.
However, the finish in Karpacz was a setback for Visma's sprinters. The team's sports director, Jesper Mørkov, described Thursday's finish as "very chaotic."
One of the team members who has been racing at the Tour de Pologne to support Olav Kooij is Dan McLay. McLay, aged 33, is currently open to opportunities for his future in 2023, as he is not yet signed up for a team.
McLay began his professional career with Arkéa in 2015 when the squad was sponsored by Bretagne-Seche Environment. He had a two-year spell at EF Education First before returning to Arkéa in 2020. During his time at Arkéa, McLay was a lead-out man for Arnaud Démare. He was later signed to Visma-Lease a Bike primarily as a lead-out man for Olav Kooij.
McLay has expressed his desire to get his own future resolved for 2023. He had initially stated he was available if any team wanted him beyond 2025, but he will be sprinting for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale starting in 2026. McLay's agreement with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, which was made early in 2025, has now clarified his destination.
Visma-Lease a Bike is seeking a big, pure bunch sprinter for next year, which rules out McLay. The team, therefore, will need to find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by McLay.
Meanwhile, McLay will next race at the Renewi Tour with Olav Kooij. Matthew Brennan, a fellow-Briton of McLay, scored an impressive victory on Friday's very hilly leg to Zakopane, which has no doubt boosted the team's spirits.
As the Tour de Pologne continues, Visma-Lease a Bike will be hoping for more successes despite the challenges posed by the technical urban laps. The team will also be keen to secure a suitable replacement for McLay, who is confirmed to be leaving at the end of the year.
Road cycling, sports: Visma-Lease a Bike has found success in sports, such as road cycling, during the Tour de Pologne, with Kooij and Brennan securing victories, however, the chaotic urban laps have made teamwork challenging. As the team seeks a bigger sprinter for next year, McLay, who has been a lead-out man for Olav Kooij, will race at the Renewi Tour before he leaves at the end of the year, hoping for more successes in road cycling.
