Ashlin Barry interview on his future with Visma – Lease a Bike

One of the best juniors in the world, Ashlin Barry, announced on Sunday that he has signed a long-term deal with powerhouse team, Visma – Lease a Bike. Barry, who holds dual Canadian and American citizenship, will be part of the Dutch WorldTeam’s junior development program. In 2025, Barry will race for JEGG Skil DJR, the junior team aligned with Team Visma – Lease a Bike. The following year, he will either race with the WorldTour squad, or its development Continental team. The WT team is stacked–home to riders like multiple Tour de France champ, Jonas Vingegaard, and Belgian superstar, Wout van Aert.

How it happened

Barry said that one of the team managers reached out to him midway through this summer to make an introduction. “But we didn’t have any further conversations until after the World Championships in Zurich, so it all happened fairly quickly,” he said. “The communication started with the team through my agent initially but the interest was mutual, as it is a team that I have always looked up to. I like their rider development approach and their scientific approach to race and training.”

He currently rides with the EF Education First junior squad, headed by former pro Jonathan Vaughters.

“I hadn’t thought too much about switching teams until teams started to show interest in me during the season. I had a good experience at EF – Onto and great relationships with my teammates so there was no urgency to leave,” Barry, who was born in Girona, said. “Throughout the season I was just focused on racing and performing at my best, and once my season ended, I began to have more conversations with teams and consider switching, especially when I began learning about the long-term support, planning and structure others weren’t offering.”

He is a dual citizen as he is the son of former pro and Canadian, Michael Barry, and American Olympic silver medallist, Dede Barry.

As far as 2025, he has a few goals.

A big 2025?

“The races that motivate me most next year are probably the World Championships (Road & Track) and Junior Paris Roubaix, along with some UCI races I will do throughout the season. On the road there is still quite a lot for me to learn and room to develop physically so that really excites me,” he adds. “I also want to continue developing on the track as I would love to have an opportunity to compete at the 2028 Olympics in LA.”

Barry had an impressive season in his first year as a junior. He won U.S. national road and time trial titles, as well as victories in the Ster van Zuid-Limburg, Valley Sun Tour, and Tour du Bocage et de l’Ernée. He also won a UCI Gravel Series event in the Blue Mountains and took second place in the world omnium championships on the track. Earlier in the year, he took 7th at the junior Paris – Roubaix. He also won the American elite madison championships in November (as well as junior, earlier in the day.)

Goals as in the pro ranks

As far as his future as a pro, he is still trying to figure out what races suit him best.

“I really love the Classics-style races and I think my physiology suggests those races might suit me best in the future. I want to continue to develop in every aspect and the answer may become more clear in the future,” he said.

Robbert de Groot, head of development at Team Visma – Lease a Bike, said the team sees immense talent in Ashlin, along with significant room for growth. “We are very pleased that he will be part of our team in the coming years,” he said. “This is the first time we have signed someone so young directly for our WorldTeam. It reflects our belief in long-term collaborations and working closely with talent from an early age to help them reach their full potential.”