Visma secure super talent Seff Van Kerckhove to follow in brother's footsteps

Visma | Lease a Bike have confirmed the signing Seff Van Kerckhove for 2027, securing the talented junior from the Decathlon CMA CGM U19 Team. 

This season, Van Kerckhove has scored a plethora of victories, including becoming Belgian time trial champion and winning a stage and the GC at the Giro della Lunigiana, his final race before heading to Montréal for the World Championships. He was ruled out from competing in either the time trial or road race after he was involved in a training accident where he was hit by a car and suffered three vertebral fractures. 

Van Kerckhove was initially expected to continue with Decathlon before later reports indicated that a move to the Dutch team was on the cards. On Tuesday, Visma confirmed that the 18-year-old Belgian signed a contract until 2030 and will join the development team before making the step to the WorldTour.

“It is a great honour to join one of the biggest teams in cycling. I believe in the team’s sporting project and am convinced that it offers the ideal environment for me to continue developing and get the best out of myself,” Van Kerckhove said in a Visma team statement.

On joining Visma, Van Kerckhove highlighted the structure and vision within the Dutch team as a key factor. 

“From the first conversations, I felt that the team was a great fit for me. Its sporting vision and the way everything is structured really appeal to me. I recognise myself in the team’s philosophy and believe I am a good fit,” Van Kerckhove said.

“I am very excited to start this new chapter, work towards my races with the support of the team and continue to grow as a rider in the years ahead.”

Van Kerckhove already had a connection to the Dutch team prior to his arrival. His older brother Matisse Van Kerckhove joined the development team in 2025, and the 20-year-old will make the step up to the WorldTour side in 2027 on a two-year deal.