Ellen van Dijk brought her remarkable 20-year professional career to a perfect close with victory at the Chrono des Nations, winning her final race just over a month after her official farewell from the peloton. The 38-year-old Dutch rider for Lidl–Trek stopped the clock at 35 minutes and 57 seconds over the 26.7-kilometre course in Les Herbiers, securing the win by a single second over Alessia Vigilia of FDJ–Suez. Austrian champion Christina Schweinberger of Fenix–Deceuninck completed the podium in third, 11 seconds behind.
A fitting finale for a time trial great
Van Dijk had already received her official send-off during the Simac Ladies Tour in early September but returned to competition for one final appearance against the clock. Her love for the discipline and her enduring competitive instinct drew her back to the start ramp, and she delivered a performance that perfectly encapsulated her career – powerful, controlled and precise from start to finish.
The Lidl–Trek rider paced herself superbly on the rolling French course, building momentum through the middle section and holding off Vigilia by the narrowest of margins at the finish. It was her second victory at the Chrono des Nations after previously winning in 2022, and the 71st victory of her long and decorated career.
“A fairytale ending,” her team posted on social media. “Winning her final race at the Chrono des Nations – Ellen signs off exactly as she deserves.”
Legacy of a champion
Van Dijk retires as one of the most successful time trial specialists in modern cycling. Her achievements include three world titles in 2013, 2021 and 2022, five European championships, 42 individual time trial victories, and a solo triumph at the 2014 Tour of Flanders. She also held the UCI Hour Record, further underlining her dominance against the clock.
Known for her professionalism, discipline and consistency, Van Dijk was also a key figure in many of her teams’ greatest triumphs across two decades in the sport.
Reflecting on her retirement, she admitted that concerns about safety and crashes in the modern peloton played a part in her decision to stop racing. “The peloton is not my place any more,” she said earlier this year, having endured several serious injuries during her career.
Going out on top
In Les Herbiers, Van Dijk was the final rider to start and approached her last professional time trial with typical focus. She powered through the undulating course with precision, maintaining her advantage all the way to the line. Vigilia came within one second of the win, while Schweinberger produced another strong showing to claim third place. Dutch rider Anneke Dijkstra of VolkerWessels narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth just one second behind Schweinberger.
Van Dijk’s victory at the Chrono des Nations provided a perfect conclusion to an extraordinary career. As she crossed the line for the final time with arms aloft, it was not only a final victory but also a celebration of twenty years of excellence, resilience and dedication to her craft.
2025 Chrono des Nations result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Getty
