Sportive Breaks are collaborating with pro-cycling outfit Team Visma | Lease a Bike to offer cycling fans the ultimate VIP experience. They are providing fans with the opportunity to experience major cycling events in a way that has previously not been possible, by providing access to the team and riders at all the major races, including the Tour de France.
I connected with Product Manager, Ian Clarke from Sportive Breaks to find out more about their new collaboration and what their unique offering entails.
Establishment of the partnership
Ian explained that historically, Team Visma | Lease a Bike had similar packages to Sportive Breaks, but were wanting to expand their offering to their global fanbase. Destination Sport, the parent company of Sportive Breaks, were well positioned to help them with their objectives.
Unique fan experience
What is being offered by Team Visma | Lease a Bike is one-of-a-kind, and is a pure race day, immersive experience. You will get to meet the riders, follow them throughout the day in the race, as well as directly supporting them by physically giving them bidons at designated feed stations. With briefings by management prior to the race, you will be very much part of the team for the day.
What events is this experience available at?
Ian noted that “We offer stages at all the Grand Tours, as well as all the Monuments and Classics.” Ian went on to explain that the Tour de France is the pinnacle of the experience and, as a consequence, is the most expensive package they offer. “The Tour de France is the highest level of interaction that Team Visma | Lease a Bike offer and, consequently, it is the most expensive because of this. This is because, as a guest, the day before the stage that you will experience with the team, you will have the opportunity for a guided ride with one of their former professional cyclists, who will also act as your host. The cycling route you will tackle will be decided based on the experience level of people who are in the group and the ride will be conducted using former team bikes. This will be followed by your race day experience.”
How long are the packages?
A typical package would include two nights in a hotel, the night before the event and a night after. You would arrive the day before, have an evening meal with the hosts, interact with the team and then the next day you have your race day experience.
Race day experience detailed
“The race day experience is unique, as each race is different,” Ian explained. However, where possible, the same format is adopted, which involves meeting up with your host, then being introduced to the team vehicles. Guests will travel in a branded Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s luxury minibus to the team’s hotel. The luxury minibus is equipped with a television so you can watch the race live. In addition, you will have a gift bag that contains branded team merchandise like hats.
If you are fortunate, there will be an opportunity to engage with the riders, but it is at this point that you will be briefed by the team about how they expect the race to unfold and what the team’s tactics will be for the day. You will then travel with the team, in convoy to the start area.
Ian was keen to emphasise that “The start area is something that will differ depending on the race, because some races have segregated start areas for VIP hospitality guests only. You can stay with the team, in the cordoned off area by the buses, and you may be able to chat to the riders that are coming out to sign-on for the race. You will have a VIP pass, so you will be able to get to a lot of places, such as where the riders sign-in. You will then go to kilometre zero for a photo, which is the tradition that Visma started during the hospitality events. And then you will watch the race start.”
The day will consist of following the race in the minibus, and stopping at appropriate places to watch the action live. The hosts will explain what is going on at key positions and you will have a television to watch the race unfold and a tablet with the race map to chart progress.
The highlight for many will be when volunteers are required to hand out bottles to the riders. There is a special way to do this, and you will be coached on how to do it.
Once the race is coming to an end, Team Visma | Lease a Bike will get you as close to the finish as possible. Road closures and logistics may mean vehicles may not get into the finish to see the end of the race. However, you will see the build-up and have the in-vehicle television to watch the winner cross the line. It will then be over to the team bus to congratulate the riders, completing the real race day experience.
Ian recalls the highlight of his day with the team. “I have to say the highlight was the convoy going to the start. There was a literal convoy of eight vehicles and just seeing this line of Visma vehicles going through the city streets, through the roadblocks and closed roads and it all opening up in front of you, was impressive.”
Summing-up
The collaboration between Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Sportive Breaks offers cycling fans an unparalleled VIP experience at major cycling events, allowing them to engage closely with the team and riders throughout the race day. This unique opportunity not only enhances the excitement of the events but also provides fans with a behind-the-scenes look at professional cycling. If this is something you would enjoy and would like more information about these experiences, visit Sportive Break’s website here.
