Annemiek van Vleuten will not return to the commentary box for NOS in 2026, with her new role at Fenix-Premier Tech now seen as incompatible with working as a co-commentator during major women’s races.
The former world champion appeared alongside NOS commentary on several of the biggest women’s events in 2025, but confirmed in the NOS Wielerpodcast that she will not continue in that role this season. The decision follows her move into a coaching position at Fenix-Premier Tech, where she is working as a mentor and performance coach.
Van Vleuten explained that she understands the reasoning, even if she is disappointed by the outcome.
“I can’t do it anymore with NOS because of this role with the team,” she said. “It is with pain in my heart that I can’t do it anymore. I really enjoyed it, so I think it’s a real shame. But I understand the decision. Because of my role at Fenix, it was decided that the two could not continue together.”
The issue appears to be one of conflict rather than availability. Annemiek Van Vleuten is now working closely with riders at Fenix-Premier Tech, helping them use her experience to develop and perform more effectively. In that context, an ongoing role as a race commentator for a public broadcaster would raise obvious questions around neutrality and access.
NOS commentator Andries Lamain, who hosts the podcast alongside Tom Dumoulin, confirmed that Van Vleuten would no longer sit beside him in the commentary booth. He did add that she is still expected to appear occasionally for NOS in 2026, although it is not yet clear what that role will look like.
That leaves open the possibility of Van Vleuten still contributing as an analyst away from live race commentary, something she has also done in recent years. Even so, the change marks the end of a brief but well-received run in the booth, where her tactical insight and recent experience in the women’s peloton added a different layer to the broadcasts.
In practical terms, it is another reminder of how quickly former top riders are moving into influential team roles once their racing careers end. For Van Vleuten, the choice now is clear. Her focus for 2026 will be on helping shape riders from inside Fenix-Premier Tech rather than analysing the races from outside them.
