Louis Barré will race in the colors of Visma | Lease a Bike in the coming seasons. Multiple sources have confirmed the news to WielerFlits. The 25-year-old Frenchman is transferring from Intermarché-Wanty, where he was able to terminate his ongoing contract due to the merger plans with Lotto. The puncheur was still under contract with the Belgian team until the end of 2026.
The redheaded rider hails from Nantes. He took his first steps at the renowned French club team CUC Nantes Atlantique from his hometown. In recent years, that team progressed to a Continental squad and will be renamed France Pro Cycling Academy from next year. Barré raced for that team until July 2022, after which he turned professional on August 1, 2022, with Arkéa-Samsic. The Frenchman is the textbook example of a rider who needed all his years as an under-23 before breaking through to the pros.
Barré is characterized by his aggressive racing style - photo: fotopersburo Cor Vos
Late bloomer
Barré was not an outstanding talent, but he made significant strides at the pro level. For example, he finished sixth at the end of 2023 in the Gree-Tour of Guangxi. In 2024, he also scored several notable top placings. This also caught the attention of Aike Visbeek, who at Intermarché-Wanty always tries to sign riders flying under the radar. He saw in Barré someone who could add value to the Walloon team’s core of climbers and puncheurs. That proved to be a bullseye.
The Frenchman continued his strong performances and, up to the first weekend in April—apart from Strade Bianche—never finished outside the top nineteen on eleven race days. During that period, he placed sixth in the Classic Var and eighth in the Trofeo Laigueglia. He then really made his mark in the Amstel Gold Race. Barré made it into the finale and ultimately finished sixth. Afterward, he admitted he might have had the legs to follow Remco Evenepoel.
Barré in attack during the Mont Ventoux stage in the recent Tour - photo: fotopersburo Cor Vos
Steal by Visma | Lease a Bike
Later in the season, he made several more appearances. For instance, he finished third in the third stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he rode alongside Mathieu van der Poel, among others. He also took sixth in the French road championships, the GP Industrie & Agrigento, and the GP de Montréal. Barré also completed the Tour de France. Furthermore, he was among the Intermarché-Wanty riders slated to join the merger team. But thanks to that plan being shelved, Visma | Lease a Bike swooped in to sign him.
With the Dutch team, a space opened up for an additional transfer after Cian Uijtdebroeks unexpectedly left last month to join Movistar. Richard Plugge and Grischa Niermann had already finalized the 2026 roster but had to go back to the market after that. Despite many riders still lacking contracts for next season, there were few available who fit the profile of Visma | Lease a Bike. In the end, they found in Barré a welcome addition for the classics and climbing races.
Louis Barré| Year | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 |
