Belgium’s Alana Castrique has signed a two-year contract with AG Insurance–Soudal, marking a new chapter in her professional career as she joins the team ahead of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old all-rounder from Ploegsteert leaves Cofidis after three seasons, during which she endured both challenges and successes, including a bronze medal in the mixed relay at the European Championships in Limburg earlier this year.
Reflecting on her journey into the sport, Alana Castrique shared, “My passion for cycling began when I was eight years old. A friend of mine was into cycling, and I wanted to try it too. Cycling wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to me, as my grandfather had also raced, and my brother had been racing for two years by then.” She went on to say that Belgian cycling legend Jolien D’hoore was a key inspiration during her formative years in the sport. “Jolien even recently sent me a photo of us together, taken a year before I turned professional with Lotto-Soudal. It’s truly an honour to be able to grow alongside her.”
Castrique’s time at Cofidis has not been without difficulties, as she faced multiple injuries and setbacks. However, she has shown determination to get back to her best, most recently achieving a podium finish with Belgium in the European Championships. She’s hopeful that her move to AG Insurance–Soudal will help her rediscover her top form, stating, “I work as hard as I can every day to get back to my highest level. That’s starting to come together now. I’m doing everything I can to be fully ready for next year.”
Castrique also expressed her admiration for her new team’s balanced approach to work and fun, noting that AG Insurance–Soudal is known for maintaining a disciplined yet enjoyable atmosphere. “They know how to strike the balance between when to work seriously and when there’s room for enjoyment, and that was exactly what I was looking for,” she said.
As she looks ahead to the next season, Castrique has her sights set on several key goals, including participating in the Tour de France Femmes, achieving a podium finish at the Belgian Road Championship, and defending her title at the Belgian Gravel Championship. “The cherry on top would be to finish in the top 20 at Paris-Roubaix again,” she added with enthusiasm.
AG Insurance – Soudal has high hopes for Castrique, with the team expressing excitement about her signing for the next two seasons. As she prepares to compete in the Women’s World Tour, Castrique is determined to prove her worth and contribute meaningfully to the team’s success in the Flemish classics and beyond.
