At 18 years old, long-distance speed skater Wiersma is advancing into professional cycling while maintaining his commitment to skating, reflecting his dual talents in both sports.
Schaatsen.nl reported from the Netherlands on Wiersma’s recent developments.
Wiersma, who has demonstrated notable performances in highly competitive junior cycling races for a few seasons, currently rides for JEGG-Skil De Jonge Renner, a cycling club closely associated with Visma Lease a Bike. Shortly after concluding his skating season, he secured an impressive victory at the Paris-Roubaix junior race on April 12, which accelerated negotiations with the professional cycling team. It is common for promising riders in the Visma Lease a Bike junior ranks to quickly progress to the main WorldTour team, underscoring the significance of Wiersma’s advancement.
The young athlete has received assurances that his cycling commitments will not require him to forgo his skating career. Over the past winter, he showcased his skating prowess by setting a new junior world record in the 3,000 meters on February 21, surpassing a mark held by Norwegian Allan Dahl Johansson for eight years. The following week, he earned two silver medals and one bronze at the Junior World Championships held in Inzell, establishing himself as one of the sport’s leading prospects.
As Wiersma joins Visma’s official development squad, a full professional cycling career appears increasingly attainable. Nevertheless, he does not currently prioritize one sport over the other. Speaking on the NOS program De Avondetappe, he remarked that both sports remain enjoyable and that the question of choosing between them will be answered in time. He acknowledged occasional challenges in managing scheduling conflicts but has not yet felt compelled to abandon either discipline.
Wiersma described how transitioning between skating and cycling seasons has been manageable. For instance, after competing in the World Skating Championships and National Championships, he still succeeded in winning Paris-Roubaix shortly thereafter. He typically takes rest periods following major competitions, with past seasons seeing a quick return to skating after early summer cycling events. Looking ahead, if selected for the upcoming World Skating Championships, he anticipates resuming skating training in early October.
