VolkerWessels has completed its 2026 women’s team, confirming that seven riders will leave the squad at the end of this season as the outfit transitions to an entirely Dutch line-up. The departures mark the largest single-year turnover the team has seen since stepping up to ProTeam level, and follow a structured recruitment drive focused on Dutch talent.
Those leaving are Anne van Rooijen, Lisa van Helvoirt, Margot Vanpachtenbeke, Valerie Demey, Marieke Meert, Quinty Schoens and Femke Beuling.
Big moves already secured
A number of the departing riders have already lined up new homes.
- Anne van Rooijen was confirmed last week as a new signing for DAS-Hutchinson, her transfer following a steady 2025 season where she delivered multiple top-20s in UCI 1.1 events.
- Margot Vanpachtenbeke’s move to Lidl-Trek was finalised shortly after the Tour de France Femmes. She leaves VolkerWessels after a strong campaign highlighted by aggressive racing in the northern one-day events.
- Valerie Demey, one of the team’s most experienced riders, will retire at 31, closing a career that included top-10s in Belgium’s spring block and another consistent Classics campaign in 2025.
The futures of Lisa van Helvoirt, Femke Beuling, Marieke Meert and Quinty Schoens are still to be announced. Van Helvoirt enjoyed one of her more complete road seasons, including top-30 finishes across the Dutch domestic calendar, while Schoens delivered strong support performances in the hilly races, especially in May’s Ardennes week.
Six new Dutch signings
VolkerWessels has already unveiled six Dutch additions, completing a fully home-grown roster for 2026. Headlining the list are riders arriving from the WorldTour:
- Sophie van Berswordt from Visma Lease a Bike, who rode a consistent 2025 and impressed in support roles at the Vuelta España Femenina and Thüringen Ladies Tour.
- Amber van der Hulst from Liv AlUla-Jayco, who delivered several top-10s in this year’s criterium block and remains one of the most reliable lead-out riders in the Dutch system.
- Esmee Peperkamp from Picnic PostNL, who climbed strongly throughout 2025, including a top-15 in the VAM-berg stage at the Simac Ladies Tour.
The remaining trio, all Dutch talents rising through the national scene, strengthen the team’s long-term foundations and continue the shift towards a unified national identity.
A clear direction for 2026
VolkerWessels’ decision to build an entirely Dutch roster reflects both a deep talent pool at home and a desire to create a tightly aligned team structure. After several years of balancing a mix of nationalities, management has opted for a streamlined, culturally cohesive approach, banking on development pathways and a strong domestic scouting network.
The new signings also compensate for the significant experience leaving the team, especially with Demey retiring and Vanpachtenbeke stepping up to the WorldTour.
VolkerWessels Women – transfers for 2026
Riders departing
- Anne van Rooijen – to DAS-Hutchinson
- Margot Vanpachtenbeke – to Lidl-Trek
- Valerie Demey – retired
- Lisa van Helvoirt – destination not yet announced
- Marieke Meert – destination not yet announced
- Quinty Schoens – destination not yet announced
- Femke Beuling – destination not yet announced
Riders joining
- Sophie van Berswordt – from Visma Lease a Bike
- Amber van der Hulst – from Liv AlUla-Jayco
- Esmee Peperkamp – from Picnic PostNL
- Vera Tieleman – from DD Group Pro Cycling
- Florien Bolks – from Flying Freelancers & ZZPR.nl
- Malou Eisen – from MTD Women Cycling (stagiaire since August 2025)
