Anna van der Breggen is set to make her return to the Ronde van Vlaanderen, a poignant moment in her comeback year. The 34-year-old rider from SD Worx-Protime spoke fondly of her memories linked to the prestigious race, particularly as she prepares to honour her friend Amy Pieters, who suffered a severe training accident in December 2021 that prevented her from cycling again.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, she stated, “Tomorrow is a special race day. The Ronde van Vlaanderen is just a different race than all the others. I have many special memories of this event. The first time I noticed how sacred this race is for the Belgians was when I finished ninth in my first Ronde: everyone around me was ecstatic that I finished in the top ten.”
Van der Breggen’s sentiments reflect the significance of the race within the cycling community. She continued, “But the memory that is probably most dear to me is my victory in 2018. Not because of that win, but because I stood on the podium with Amy Pieters, who always performed well in this race. We were friends, and the night before we were roommates. We laughed to not feel too much pressure, and a few hours later, we ended up as numbers one and two in one of the most special races on the calendar.”
As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on the dynamics of the competitors and the strategies they employ. With Van der Breggen’s emotional connection to the event and her focus on honouring Pieters, this year’s edition promises to be particularly meaningful. Her return not only adds depth to the competition but also highlights the camaraderie inherent in cycling, reminding spectators and fellow competitors alike of the sport’s profound connections.
