Visma | Lease a Bike has recruited from Unibet Tietema Rockets: team director Gaëtan Pons (32) makes the move to the Dutch WorldTeam. Over the past two seasons, the Luxembourger was team director at the Franco-Dutch squad led by Bas Tietema.
Officially, Pons will join Visma | Lease a Bike from January 1, 2026. He previously served as team director at the continental Leopard team before starting with Unibet Tietema Rockets in 2024. "It’s a big new challenge, and I have to get used to fighting to win the Tour de France instead of just fighting for a place there. But that suits me perfectly, because I always want to win," Pons said in the press release.
"When I spoke with Grischa Niermann and Jacco Verhaeren, we immediately saw eye to eye," he continued. "My experience as a rider just below WorldTour level taught me what it’s like to be on the bike, which helps when talking to riders. At the same time, I want to foster a good atmosphere within the team. I always try to connect people, because I believe they perform better in a safe environment."
On behalf of Visma | Lease a Bike, Grischa Niermann (Head of Racing) responded to Pons’s arrival: "Gaëtan is a young, talented, and ambitious team director. He already has plenty of experience in the team car. We’re happy he is strengthening our team. We look forward to a bright future together," said the German directeur sportif.
Response from Unibet Tietema Rockets
Unibet Tietema Rockets said farewell to their team director on social media. "We are proud that Gaëtan is taking this next step in his career and grateful for everything he has meant to our team. Thank you Ponsi, and good luck with the yellow-and-blacks," they said.
Merci, Gaëtan! 🙏
Our sports director Gaëtan Pons will leave the team for a new adventure in the WorldTour with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. We’re proud to see him take the next step in his career and grateful for everything he brought to our team.
Thank you, Ponsi, and good luck… pic.twitter.com/FYfV91VJZT
— Unibet Rose Rockets (@rockets_cycling) November 6, 2025
