Let’s not sugarcoat it: the 2025-26 offseason was brutal for Visma | Lease a Bike. The Dutch super-team watched some of their biggest engines walk out the door. Olav Kooij and Tiesj Benoot bolted for Decathlon CMA CGM, Dylan van Baarle returned to Soudal Quick-Step, and Cian Uijtdebroeks left for Movistar. The exodus didn’t stop there: Thomas Gloag, Attila Valter, and Julien Vermote also departed, while Daniel McLay and Tosh Van der Sande retired.
But Richard Plugge and his management team aren’t panicking. Instead of splashing cash on expensive, established stars, they’ve doubled down on structural discipline, cutting-edge AI data, and a massive Grand Tour gamble.
The R5 frame is engineered for stiffness-to-weight optimization. It’s a pure climber’s bike that excels under the immense torque a rider like Pauline can produce. At this size, the bike remains feather-light while preserving responsiveness.
that excels under the immense torque a rider like Pauline can produce. At this size, the bike remains feather-light while preserving responsiveness.
This bar-and-stem combo offers a fully integrated front-end with hidden cabling for a clean, aerodynamic profile. The narrow width improves frontal efficiency, while the 90 mm stem keeps her position responsive yet stable on tight mountain switchbacks. It’s a setup tailored for climbing, with comfort and control dialed in for aggressive uphill efforts and confident descending.
This setup isn’t just about grams and gears. Every detail is optimized for performance. The Reserve 34/37 wheels, for instance, are specifically chosen for climbing stages: the shallow 34 mm front provides stability and reduced weight, while the 37 mm rear balances stiffness with lightweight climbing efficiency.
Meanwhile, Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 29 mm tires give her grip and confidence on descents while reducing rolling resistance on the climbs. Paired with SRAM Red hydraulic disc brakes and ceramic bearings, she’s able to push the limit on technical sections with maximum control.
Pauline’s cockpit and drivetrain choices reflect her cross-discipline experience. A responsive, short-reach cockpit and tight gearing range allow for quick reactions, whether that’s a seated surge on a 10% gradient or managing a switchback descent.
And let’s not forget her SRAM Red chain is waxed with Silca Super Secret Chain Wax, ensuring optimal drivetrain efficiency and cleanliness in the mountains.
What She Wears on the Bike
Pauline races in full Team Visma | Lease a Bike official AGU kit, including the custom-fitted jersey and bib shorts (cuissard).
Shoes: Nimbl, white edition
Socks: DeFeet EVO Jet
Gloves: Gripgrab
Sunglasses: Oakley
Helmet: Giro
These choices combine comfort, ventilation, and performance. The Nimbl shoes are known for their stiffness and lightweight construction essential for climbing. The DeFeet socks and Gripgrab gloves reflect the Visma team attention to both function and fine details.
Off the bike, Pauline is often spotted wearing Nike apparel, as both the men’s and women’s Team Visma | Lease a Bike squads are sponsored by Nike for all casual and off-bike clothing. While Nike has not issued a global press release, the partnership is confirmed by the team and appears to be managed through Nike Netherlands or the brand’s EMEA regional division. The collaboration focuses specifically on lifestyle and travel apparel, not racewear, aligning the team’s off-bike presence with Nike’s brand identity. It blends casual athletic style with the professionalism you’d expect from a multi-discipline world champion.
Stage 8: The Queen Stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes
In her post-stage interview, she credited her team and her “amazing machine” for the performance. Watching her dance on the pedals, body steady, cadence high. It’s easy to see how much of a role her bike fit and setup played in the triumph.
The 48 cm frame, 165 mm cranks, and 360 mm handlebar width might seem like small numbers. But in the high mountains of the Tour de France Femmes, they added up to something huge: a yellow jersey.
To optimize fit and control, Vingegaard compensates for the smaller frame with a long 120 mm stem and ultra-narrow 360 mm handlebars, achieving a low frontal profile ideal for solo efforts and high-speed descents. The S5’s 74.5 mm bottom bracket drop further lowers the rider’s center of gravity, enhancing stability and aero gains.
Another significant evolution is Jonas’s switch from 172.5 mm crank arms in 2023 to 160 mm in 2025. A bold move that would have been unthinkable just a couple of years ago. Yet it aligns with the team’s pursuit of efficiency and pedaling fluidity in aggressive race positions.
This post is about Jonas Vingegaard’s 2023 Bike size. The 2022 Tour de France winner races the UCI World Tour season with the Jumbo Visma team. Vingegaard attracted public attention by finishing second at the Tour de France 2021 and confirming his talent by winning the 2022 Tour de France in front of Tadej Pogacar.
