Originally a football player, Leon made the switch to cycling at the U15 level after a neighbour introduced him to the sport, asking him to join his local club for a ride. After also trying his hand at many other sports previously such as tennis and athletics, he instantly fell in love with both the adrenaline of racing but also the freedom of the open road when out training on his bike. In fact, it was a poor performance in his first race that spurred him on.
“I wasn’t the best cyclist in the beginning and got lapped in my first criterium, which somehow made me really excited as I just wanted to improve and get better, then race again and not be lapped.”
He did continue to race and after spending four years in the team’s Development program, 2022 saw Leon make the step up to the WorldTour with the Men’s program, something that Leon approached in his reserved and humble manner.
“I think my first season at WorldTour went almost as expected. It’s the same teamwork and way of doing things so that helped a lot, it’s just some different races and different riders but also of course at a higher level.”
With his demeanour it’s no shock that Leon describes himself as “calm” and “not nervous”. However, the “excitable” characteristic can spring a surprise; with Leon suggesting he is a good mix of “calm and considered but able to go full-gas for something I am motivated for.” Those things help him be the person and cyclist he is, as the excitable nature helps him to stay motivated because if you lose that spark then it is tough to rekindle it. Likewise, he says it’s important to stay calm and not be nervous or make any mistakes but of course there is always a flipside where those traits can turn into a negative.