Parkhotel Valkenburg’s Anna van Rooijen will need to wait some more time before restarting in the women’s peloton. Van Rooijen continues to suffer from the long-term effects of a concussion sustained in a crash back at the 2022 Tour de France Femmes on Stage 2. Concussions are something that we’ve seen more and more of in the women’s peloton. Science confirms that women are more susceptible to concussions and with longer after-effects too. In recent seasons we’ve seen the likes of Ellen van Dijk, Lizzy Banks and Jip van den Bos all suffering.
“It still bothers me. I started training again, but in terms of intensity I depend on what my body allows. Some weeks go well, other weeks are shit again. It looks like it will be a while before I can be seen in the peloton again. However, I will hold on to the good days and hope for improvement.Â
For now I have to be patient and keep faith. I’m taking it step by step now, although they are still very small. Fortunately, I have enough people around me to help me through it. I’ll be back, but I don’t know exactly when that will be.”
Anne van Rooijen
Van Rooijen had had a strong season up until the Tour de France Femmes. A best finish of 3rd on the 2nd Stage of the Lotto Belgium Tour, on the Muur van Geraardsbergen no less, saw her through to 7th in GC in that race. She also finished 8th in the sprint at the end of the GP Eco-Struct and 12 at GP de Plumelec-Morbihan as well.
