In a surprising turn of events, Anna van der Breggen, the former Olympic and world champion, is poised to make a comeback to professional cycling. Reliable sources revealed to the NOS that Van der Breggen will resume her career with SD Worx-Protime on 1st January 2025.
Van der Breggen, who retired at the end of 2021, had expressed relief at her decision to step away from competitive racing. โItโs okay now. Itโs time for something new,โ she had remarked. After her retirement, she took on a leadership role within the team, which continued to achieve significant victories under her guidance.
During her illustrious career, Van der Breggen secured numerous accolades, including an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, three world championships, four Giro d’Italia titles, and an impressive seven wins at La Flรจche Wallonne.
Although she had stepped away from professional racing, Van der Breggen maintained her fitness and even participated in training camps. She recently finished second in the Spanish gravel race, Traka, showcasing her enduring form by outpacing some of her current team members.
Her return comes as the team faces a significant transition with the departure of Demi Vollering, the current team leader, who is set to join FDJ-SUEZ from next season. This change leaves a gap in the team’s roster, which Van der Breggen, with her extensive experience and skills, could potentially fill.
In the wake of this development, SD Worx-Protime has scheduled a press conference for Thursday, 20th June, at 5pm BST to elaborate on this surprising news. The team anticipates widespread media coverage of this announcement.