From triathlon to Zwift Academy to the WorldTour: Visma | Lease a Bike’s new bet arrives right away

Visma | Lease a Bike has announced its first transfer move ahead of 2026 and, surprisingly, it’s not a professional cyclist. It’s Anton Schiffer, a German rider born in 2005, who until now had been competing first as a triathlete and then as a cyclist for the Continental team Bike Aid.

In 2024, he was among the finalists of the Zwift Academy, and from that moment he caught the attention of several major teams. Visma has decided to bet on him: he already claimed his first professional victory at the Sibiu Tour this season (along with other solid results) and will be able to race with them as early as October. He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract through the end of 2027.

Here are Schiffer’s words:

“This step might surprise the outside world, but considering how this season has gone, I’m not that surprised myself. I was already in contact with the team during the Tour of Hellas, and I’m happy that it has ultimately led to my first WorldTour contract. I’m looking forward to really living as a professional athlete for the first time. Being able to fully focus on my sport, with the support of in-house experts, the use of the Athlete’s FoodCoach, the team’s equipment and experience—these are all things I hope will help me grow as a rider.”

And here’s what Grischa Niermann, head of racing, said:
“We believe he still has a lot of room to improve in every aspect. Based on the conversations we’ve had, we know he’s a great fit for us. Despite riding for a small team, he has already managed to take his first professional victory. That clearly shows he has significant talent. We’re looking forward to working with him and we’re pleased that he’ll be able to race with us starting in October.”

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