Great news for Sarah Van Dam. She will be headed to Dutch powerhouse squad Visma \u2013 Lease a Bike next year. The team announced the signing of Canadian rider Van Dam for the 2026 season on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old makes the move from CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team after a breakthrough year that included her first Women\u2019s WorldTour podium.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to contribute to a winning team and play my part in it,\u201d Van Dam said.<\/p>\n
The Victoria native discovered the sport in grade school through a local event and joined a youth club that allowed her to try multiple disciplines. She focused on track<\/a> for several years before then shifting over to the road.<\/p>\n \u201cBalancing track and road was challenging. But I realized how much I enjoy the road scene: the long rides, training outdoors, and racing stage events,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Sarah Van Dam: Looking back on the Tour, and what\u2019s next<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The past season was her first full year on the Women\u2019s WorldTour. Van Dam impressed with consistent performances, highlighted by her Itzulia Women campaign. She finished second on the final stage and third overall\u2014her first podium in a WorldTour event. Van Dam also finished 5th overall at the Tour of Britain.<\/p>\n She describes herself as a rider who enjoys hard, hilly courses that often end in a reduced sprint. After her team announced it<\/a> would fold at the end of the year, it\u2019s no surprise that others would want to sign the talented Canadian.<\/p>\n \u201cStage races excite me the most, and I\u2019m especially drawn to the Ardennes classics. I feel like there\u2019s still so much room for me to grow and develop,\u201d Van Dam said. \u201cI know I have a lot to learn, both physically and tactically. This team provides the perfect environment to take the next step. I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n