Denise Betsema will continue racing under the Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines banner for the opening months of 2025. The 31-year-old Texel native, a mainstay in women’s cyclocross for several years, had faced uncertainty about her future with the team as her contract approached its end. Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal, as the team was previously known, has undergone a name change effective from 1st January.
The Dutch rider, who had been one of the leading names in cyclocross, admitted her recent seasons had not matched the heights of her earlier career. Reflecting on her options in late October Betsema told WielerFlits, “It’s still open at this moment. I will, of course, sit down with Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal, but I also have a few offers from other teams. So, I’ll calmly look at everything now. I haven’t decided yet. The upcoming races will be very important for my future.”
Amidst this period of uncertainty, team leader Mario De Clercq expressed cautious optimism at the time. “I don’t know how Jurgen Mettepenningen sees the future with Denise. But I think it will work out,” he said. His prediction proved accurate, as the team has now confirmed Betsema will stay on until 28th February 2025. Jurgen Mettepenningen commented, “This extension until the end of the season gives our team and Denise more space to consider the future further.”
While her contract situation has been resolved, Betsema is currently dealing with a knee injury that has kept her out of action. She missed the Superprestige Diegem round as a result and will also sit out the X2O Trofee Baal on New Year’s Day. The team expects her to return to racing on Friday 4th January at the X2O Koksijde. Betsema will make her comeback in the team’s newly unveiled kit.
