Rampaging Fans Attack Visma Car as US Junior Breaks Through

Shocking scenes in a wild, split-screen Saturday for Visma-Lease a Bike, first as rampaging fans attacked a team car mid-race in Italy, and another as teenage American talent Ashlin Barry sealed his first victory with the team’s development squad.

The WorldTour outfit saw it all this weekend, and that’s even before Gent-Wevelgem and the return of Wout van Aert.

A bizarre incident unfolded in real time during stage four of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali even as one of its brightest prospects delivered a breakthrough win in the Netherlands.

In shocking images from Italy were captured on video, two men attacked a Visma team car in a brazen incident during the stage.

One climbed onto the roof of the vehicle and tried to pull a bike from the roof rack, while the other punched the windows and threatened the staff inside the car.

“We take this incident very seriously, as it put the safety of our colleagues at risk,” said CEO Richard Plugge. “Our staff on site immediately went to the police and also reported the incident to the race organization. In the end, no equipment was stolen and no damage was caused. The colleagues in the car are OK, but understandably shaken.”

Italian outlet TuttoBiciWeb reported the men allegedly left a nearby farmhouse before going after the Visma team car parked roadside, waiting to rejoin the race convoy.

The Italian website also reported that tensions escalated after a bottle was thrown from a race vehicle and reportedly struck and broke a car mirror.

Italian police are investigating the incident.

Top American junior wins big

In the Netherlands, U.S. top talent Ashlin Barry powered to his first win since joining the development team in 2026.

The 18-year-old — widely viewed as one of America’s most promising juniors — attacked on the final ascent of the VAM Berg to win stage four of Olympia’s Tour to seal a solo victory ahead of teammate Aldo Taillieu.

“I’m extremely happy with my first win for the team,” Barry said Saturday. “I felt really good all day. As a team we rode a very strong race, and it’s great that I could finish it off like this.”

Barry’s breakthrough comes on the heels of a strong showing this spring, with the American finishing 18th at the Grand Prix de Denain-Porte du Hainaut, a solid top-20 result against seasoned WorldTour pros.

Up next for Barry are the spring classics.