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Abi Van Twisk puts cycling career on hold for maternity leave

 

Trek-Segafredo rider Abi Van Twisk is set to pause her professional cycling career as she and her partner prepare to welcome their child in early 2021.

 

Van Twisk, who signed a two-year contract with the Trek-Segafredo women’s team for its inaugural 2019 season, is set to welcome her first child in February. She lined-up in the early months of the season but hasn’t pinned a number since the season re-started.

“I am not planning on rushing straight back into professional cycling at the top level,” says Van Twisk. “I love it and know I will miss it, but for now, I want to focus on motherhood and see what an addition it will be to my life. It’s a beautiful time, and I am incredibly excited for the new chapter and the new opportunities to come.”

Van Twisk doesn’t rule out that she will make a return to the pro ranks, like her teammate Lizzie Deignan, but it is not something she is looking to start planning at this point.

 

 

 

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself to come back to racing straight away, as motherhood is a complete jump into the unknown. I know that I am still relatively young, so in a couple of years if I decide I want to return to professional cycling, it is still very possible, and there is time to do so. It’s so nice to have worked with Lizzie this year and see how she has approached parenthood and her very balanced and successful return to the workplace!

“It’s hard to say what my professional plans will be once I’m a mother, but I’d like to combine my two passions – bikes and art. I would love to stay in the sport but explore a more creative path, which was previously limited. I have always loved art and design, it has been a release for me throughout my cycling career, so I would love to build on that and unite the two. I have a lot of ideas and aspirations in my head which are waiting to be fulfilled.”

 

 

 

Van Twisk looks fondly at the two wonderful years she spent with Trek-Segafredo.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Trek, the sponsors, and every person who contributes to the running of the team. They are the most supportive, professional, and inspiring team to be a part of – in terms of the racing itself, tackling injury, and now entering motherhood.

“The whole network is an epitome of how a professional women’s cycling team should be run. I have had an incredible two years on the team, racing at the top of the sport, and my teammates are some of the most inspiring women I have ever met, on and off the bike. I cannot wait to watch them smash many more bike races in 2021!”

 

 

 

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