This article was written when Visma was co-sponsor of Team Jumbo-Visma. Today, Visma is first title sponsor of Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
We support Team Jumbo-Visma on a business-critical level, helping them run financial processes, manage business leads and analyse data. Working behind the scenes, we make sure that things run efficiently, just like the team’s mechanics. That’s why we supported the team with a truly first-of-its-kind recruitment campaign, helping them find their Next Top Mechanic through a talent show.
The Next Top Mechanic, powered by Visma
The metaphor of the mechanic working behind the scenes to streamline performance is a role we strongly identify with as a main sponsor and trusted provider of cloud software solutions. Simplifying core processes is what drives our employees on a daily basis. That’s why it was a natural fit for us to find The Next Top Mechanic and help generate awareness and appreciation for the job that mechanics are doing every day.
Out of more than 200 applicants, four finalists were invited to the Team Jumbo-Visma HQ for The Auditions to show their knowledge and skills during three YouTube episodes. After an intense day with all kinds of challenges, the Slovenian Jan Bevc was announced as the winner.
Invited as a mechanic during Tour of Denmark
As the winner of The Next Top Mechanic, Jan was invited to be part of the Team Jumbo-Visma mechanics team during the Tour of Denmark. “They directly put me to work with all kinds of tasks. I did a little bit of everything; packing up the truck, checking the bikes, changing tires, washing bikes and cars, standing in the feed zone for two days,” he shared. In many ways, Jan didn’t only have a great week of cycling, he also learned a lot. “Every day was valuable, because I learned every day. Cycling on this level is really different compared to what I’m used to, so I gained a lot of knowledge from that week.”
A pleasant surprise
The initial plan for the winner of The Next Top Mechanic was to offer a contract with Team Jumbo-Visma as long as the winner made a good fit with the team during a race. As hoped for, Jan made such a good impression that Team Jumbo-Visma decided to offer him a contract.
“I was very proud to have achieved this at the age of 21 years old. It is a goal I have worked hard for, and I cannot wait for the next season to start. I am so thankful to Visma for providing me with the opportunity of The Next Top Mechanic. Everyday I will contribute to the team as much as possible so we can be successful together, and over time getting better at what I like to do most; being a top mechanic!”
Jan Bevc, winner of The Next Top Mechanic
Esra Tromp, Operations manager at Team Jumbo-Visma, elaborates: “Visma is an expert at solving business challenges and they provided the software and the expertise to help us find the Next Top Mechanic. Thanks to Visma, this search was a great success”.