Q36.5 Pro Cycling has signed Dutch puncher Milan Veider to strengthen its climbing core for the 2025 season.

Vader is currently racing in China, where he is defending his overall title after winning his only two pro wins, a career best, at the GREE Tour of Guangxi late last season.

Bader, who has signed a two-year contract with a Swiss pro team, hopes to further develop his skills as a road rider, as well as more leadership opportunities, having switched from mountain biking in 2022.

“I am really motivated to join the Q36.5 Pro Cycling team. When I look at the team, there is forward movement, the equipment is great, and it looks super professional,” Bader said.

“I'm really looking forward to having more opportunities for myself. I'm an explosive sprinter and can do well in shorter races with uphill finishes.”

“I proved that last year in Guangxi. I believe I will have more chances and freedom to achieve what I really want, which is to win races."

The 28-year-old Bader was notified by Visma in May that his contract would not be extended, and the Dutchman also focused his talent on GC agreed that he did not fit with Visma Lease-a-Bike's future ambitions.

“They called me in May and told me they had different ideas. But we actually agreed within half an hour. The qualities that I have don't play well with this team. Or they don't fit the team's goals. So we put an end to it together.”

“I'm not going to say that I'm really qualified to be a leader. But I have the explosive punch of a mountain biker. That's hard to do on a team where you're trying to class with the rest of the riders.

“The team thought it would be a waste of my qualities to turn me into a domestique who leads all day long.

Bader is the sixth player in Q36.5 to be transferred next season, joining Suhoeld Bakx (UAE Team Emirates), Enekoiz Azparen (Euskaltel-Euskadi), David González (Caja Rural Seguros RGA), Emil Riepiņ Š (DSM-Filmenig Post NL), along with Harm Van Hoek (Lot Dostny).

A late starter to road racing in earnest, Bader's career stalled when he suffered a life-threatening injury in the 2022 Ituriá Basque, but he is working to get back on track and the Swiss team believes he has the potential to be brought out even more.

“After building a solid foundation in cross-country mountain biking, Milan has made remarkable progress since switching to the road. His explosive climbing skills will be an important asset to our team,” said Doug Ryder, general manager of the Q36.5.

“Milan's road journey, especially his impressive recovery from his big crash two years ago, speaks volumes about his resilience and determination. We believe he is just at the start of a great road cycling career and look forward to achieving great things together in the years to come."

”We are very proud of Milan's determination and determination to achieve great things.