Bold statement first: being immersed in Team Visma’s world alters a rookie’s perspective more than any watt count or kilometer total. And this is the part most people miss—the human closeness to champions changes everything.
For Francesco Baruzzi and Fabio Segatta, both 18 and newly integrated into Visma | Lease a Bike’s development program, the initial weeks aren’t dominated by training loads but by proximity. They’ve found themselves sharing hotels, camps, and conversations with riders they once only watched on screens.
“Being in the hotel with Van Aert, Vingegaard, and so many champions really makes you think,” Segatta told Bici.Pro, reflecting on a WorldTour environment that suddenly feels within arm’s reach. Baruzzi echoed that sentiment, describing how Van Aert has long been his idol and how extraordinary it is to speak with him—an emotion and memory that will stay with him forever.
Crucially, this awe doesn’t spiral into intimidation. Visma’s winter narrative is one of accessibility, not distance. Young riders repeatedly emphasize that staff, directors, and teammates are unusually approachable, turning a potential power gap into a supportive network.
“We’ve got incredible availability from everyone,” Baruzzi explained. “The impact of joining a team like this is huge, but everyone helps you.”
This sense of openness aligns with a broader pattern inside Visma. Earlier in the season, Davide Piganzoli spoke about how dialogue shapes daily work, while Matthew Brennan described being supported into responsibility rather than shielded from it. Even established WorldTour riders note how swiftly newcomers feel part of the structure.
For Baruzzi and Segatta, integration extends beyond racing. They describe carefully planned travel, camps in Norway and Spain, and the experience of professional life long before results are expected.
“Logistically, it sounds basic, but we know everything,” Baruzzi said. “Where we start racing, when we travel, and when to fly. Even the tickets for camps come two months in advance. You learn a lot, even just traveling solo through airports.”
Segatta agrees: travel teaches more than training. “You learn a lot. Traveling alone can be enjoyable; you discover new places.”
Education over immediate results
Both riders stress that this phase is about education, not quick triumphs. Baruzzi: “Being here is a starting point. It means you’re a step higher, but there’s still a lot of work ahead. We’ll have the best conditions to reach our dream of becoming professionals.” Segatta shares the long view: “Being here means the team believes in us. Now we must learn and grow to make this job work and someday reach the WorldTour.” The shared message across Visma’s emerging talents is consistent: exposure first, responsibility later, results once a solid foundation is in place.
Stars as everyday touchpoints, not barriers
A key takeaway from Baruzzi and Segatta is how Visma’s top riders act as daily reference points rather than distant milestones. “They always have a joke ready,” Baruzzi notes, adding that senior riders pull you into the group if you seem isolated. For teenagers transitioning from junior ranks, this dynamic shifts the experience from passive watching to active learning.
Segatta reflects: “It’s special to wear this jersey. Even training with it at home, people notice. It’s a source of pride and a clear reminder of where you are.”
Baruzzi and Segatta aren’t outliers; they embody a pattern that has defined Visma’s development pathway this winter: the stars are present, reachable, and demanding, yet never out of reach.
Bottom line for new pros: you don’t just chase results; you absorb the environment, lean into mentorship, and let proximity and openness shape your growth as you prepare for the WorldTour future.
