Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[Lequack]

Wout van Aert signs with Visma-LAB For Life.

Uniek: Wout van Aert tekent ‘levenslang’ bij Visma | Lease a Bike

Wout van Aert heeft een contract voor onbepaalde tijd met Visma | Lease a Bike getekend. De Belgische topwielrenner had al een contract met het Nederlandse WorldTeam tot eind 2026. Nu is dit tot onbepaalde tijd omgezet en heeft Van Aert de intentie om zijn carrière bij Visma | Lease a Bike te beëi

www.wielerflits.be

Wout van Aert signs 'unique' career-long contract extension with Visma-Lease a Bike

Wout van Aert signs 'unique' career-long contract extension with Visma-Lease a Bike

'This is unique in our sport, but we both didn't have to think long about that' says team CEO Richard Plugge

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Bolder]

Wout van Aert signs with Visma-LAB For Life.

Uniek: Wout van Aert tekent ‘levenslang’ bij Visma | Lease a Bike

Wout van Aert heeft een contract voor onbepaalde tijd met Visma | Lease a Bike getekend. De Belgische topwielrenner had al een contract met het Nederlandse WorldTeam tot eind 2026. Nu is dit tot onbepaalde tijd omgezet en heeft Van Aert de intentie om zijn carrière bij Visma | Lease a Bike te beëi

www.wielerflits.be

Wout van Aert signs 'unique' career-long contract extension with Visma-Lease a Bike

Wout van Aert signs 'unique' career-long contract extension with Visma-Lease a Bike

'This is unique in our sport, but we both didn't have to think long about that' says team CEO Richard Plugge

www.cyclingnews.com

Yes, but. The team only barely escaped a big financial hit thanks to Pon. If I understood correctly the LAB part is only a for another year. If/when things change significantly, is a "lifetime" or "till you want to retire" contract going to be honored?

 

[samhocking]

Is he going to keep racing past his best years? if not then this is essentially a 5 year contract. I can't seem him racing on like Thomas or Valverde as he's not that type of rider, he's more of a Boonen or Cancellera so I'd be surprised if goes much beyond 35 years.

 

[awavey]

Is he going to keep racing past his best years? if not then this is essentially a 5 year contract. I can't seem him racing on like Thomas or Valverde as he's not that type of rider, he's more of a Boonen or Cancellera so I'd be surprised if goes much beyond 35 years.

But that's arguably not the point with a deal like this, it's he's put counter offers from other teams off the table for the rest of his career, for someone with his marketability and ability, that's a serious commitment usually backed by lots of money from the team, but we aren't hearing that's the case here

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

But that's arguably not the point with a deal like this, it's he's put counter offers from other teams off the table for the rest of his career, for someone with his marketability and ability, that's a serious commitment usually backed by lots of money from the team, but we aren't hearing that's the case here

Did you hear that’s not the case?

 

[proffate]

But that's arguably not the point with a deal like this, it's he's put counter offers from other teams off the table for the rest of his career, for someone with his marketability and ability, that's a serious commitment usually backed by lots of money from the team, but we aren't hearing that's the case here

A lifetime contract makes no sense to either party. So if RedBull offer him double what he's making he can't take it? Or does vlab just have the right of first refusal?

Likewise if Wout seriously injured himself a la froome but has a "lifetime" contract at previous wages keeping him motivated to keep riding, then this obligation is just a huge burden on the vlab team which could force them to fold. I mean what sponsor wants to cough up $5M/year for Froome when they could spend that 5M somewhere else with more freedom? The people who signed the contract don't actually have the money. They only signed up someone else to keep paying Wout's wages in perpetuity.

I have no idea how this contract works but it seems like it's either a terrible idea or a publicity stunt (probably both).

Why is it even necessary in any way? What's wrong with negotiating a new contract every year or three? If you're so chummy then it will be a quick and easy negotiation. Contracts are only necessary when you *don't* trust the other party.

 

[AmRacer]

Why would Red Bull sponsor helmets that's not on their team?

 

[Eagle_Alps]

Likewise if Wout seriously injured himself a la froome but has a "lifetime" contract at previous wages keeping him motivated to keep riding, then this obligation is just a huge burden on the vlab team which could force them to fofold

That's what insurance is for

 

[samhocking]

But that's arguably not the point with a deal like this, it's he's put counter offers from other teams off the table for the rest of his career, for someone with his marketability and ability, that's a serious commitment usually backed by lots of money from the team, but we aren't hearing that's the case here

Sure, but i'm simply saying it's fundamentally just another 5 year contract typical in many teams. The value in it is Wout is locked into a known contract whatever happens to him.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Likely Red Bull was very active and Visma needed some reassurance. As Wout didn't just sign for life he said i love you Visma too. That is some serious reassurance right there.

 

[CyclistAbi]

The meaning for life in cycling is until you say that's it, i am dead!

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Why would Red Bull sponsor helmets that's not on their team?

Because they can, and have done for years. How long have you been watching cycling? They sponsor loads of cyclists......Bruni, Atherton, Iles, Nicole, Richards, MacAskill - and none of them will be seen in the WT/WWT.

 

[Didinho]

First time out in public again yesterday, still on crutches. Not a chance he would’ve made the WC.

About the contract, it’s more like saying that he doesn’t want another team untill he retires.

 

[AmRacer]

Because they can, and have done for years. How long have you been watching cycling? They sponsor loads of cyclists......Bruni, Atherton, Iles, Nicole, Richards, MacAskill - and none of them will be seen in the WT/WWT.

Yes, but RB didn't had a team until recently. So they could gather riders to their team or stop sponsor individual riders.

 

[bNator]

It's a publicity stunt for Visma. They haven't had a good season and Wout "commiting" for life is supposed to be a testament to their vision IMO. I'm sure both parties have exit clauses against a pretty insignificant pre-agreed amount of money.

 

[theyoungest]

Yes, but RB didn't had a team until recently. So they could gather riders to their team or stop sponsor individual riders.

I think usually it's the local branch of Red Bull that decides which athletes to sponsor, so in this case Red Bull Belgium picked their local hero Wout van Aert. I don't know if he even has a contract with the international company. Like the local Volvo dealer isn't the same as the international brand of Volvo.

 

[proffate]

That's what insurance is for

Is that reality or just a nice thought, though? I've never heard of insurance buying out someone's contract after a big crash or cardiac anomaly prematurely ending a career. I'm not an actuary but it seems like the premiums would have to be pretty high for that plan to make sense to the carrier. Also it's just too easy to commit fraud here. Like froome can still ride, just not at the previous level. So does he or his team get an insurance payout or is that normal athletic decline? For $25M, I'm going to court to litigate that.

 

[Ricco']

The year is 2060, Visma - Lease a Plane is once again affected by a terrible series of injuries after Kelderson, Gesinkid and Vinniegrandson all crash before the monuments. Team owner Benjamin Naesen Sr. promptly remembers that one Wout Van Aert is still contracted with the team and after consulting with The Great Cycling Overlord Richard Pluggerton, fields the belgian for the Ronde.

 

[ManicJack]

Is that reality or just a nice thought, though? I've never heard of insurance buying out someone's contract after a big crash or cardiac anomaly prematurely ending a career. I'm not an actuary but it seems like the premiums would have to be pretty high for that plan to make sense to the carrier. Also it's just too easy to commit fraud here. Like froome can still ride, just not at the previous level. So does he or his team get an insurance payout or is that normal athletic decline? For $25M, I'm going to court to litigate that.

There have been articles here in the US recently about NFL teams insuring contracts in case of injury where they have to pay out guaranteed money to someone unable to play, and one executive quoted the policy cost to be between 1- 4M$ US to cover a $40M/ year guaranteed salary of a quarterback.