For a whole whack of pros, it’s new kit day on Thursday, including Victoria’s Sarah Van Dam and Toronto’s Ashlin Barry, who join Visma – Lease a Bike.

Van Dam’s goals for 2026

Sarah Van Dam announced the news back in September. The 23-year-old made the move from CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team after a breakthrough year that included her first Women’s WorldTour podium. CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team had announced the team would fold from the pro peloton after 11 years.

“I’m excited to contribute to a winning team and play my part in it,” Van Dam said.
Van Dam focused on track for several years before then shifting over to the road. “Balancing track and road was challenging. But I realized how much I enjoy the road scene: the long rides, training outdoors, and racing stage events,” she said.

The Olympian said that stage races excite her the most, but she is also keen to the Ardennes classics. “I feel like there’s still so much room for me to grow and develop,” Van Dam said. “I know I have a lot to learn, both physically and tactically. This team provides the perfect environment to take the next step. I’m excited to contribute the coming three years to a winning team and play my part in it. I would like to help our leaders win, and show that I can also fight for results myself.”

Barry and the bees

Toronto’s Ashlin Barry–who was born in Girona and has dual citizenship due to his American mother, Dede, signed with Visma – Lease a Bike at 17. His final year of junior racing he rode with the Dutch feeder team, JEGG Skil DJR. Barry has already been on several training camps during the season with the Visma pros, however.

When the news was announced in December 2024, he said that he hadn’t thought too much about switching teams until teams started to show interest in him during the season. “I had a good experience at EF – Onto and great relationships with my teammates so there was no urgency to leave,” Barry, said. “Throughout the season I was just focused on racing and performing at my best, and once my season ended, I began to have more conversations with teams and consider switching, especially when I began learning about the long-term support, planning and structure others weren’t offering.”

Toronto’s Ashlin Barry second at Paris-Roubaix

Barry has come close a few times to snagging a rainbow jersey. The last time was at the 2025 ITT worlds, where, racing for USA Cycling, he came just a handful of seconds away for the win, taking silver. The son of former WorldTour Michael Barry, Ashlin will race for the Continental team in 2026. But, most likely similar to another Toronto rider, Noah Ramsay who rides for the Alpecin – Premier Tech team, he will be given chances to ride “up” with the WorldTour team.

The Visma – Lease a Bike kit retains its signature yellow in a slightly more simplified style, but it certainly still pops.