Gladys Verhulst-Wild has said she is enjoying cycling again after making the switch to AG Insurance-Soudal. The 28-year-old, who joined the team ahead of the 2024 season, spoke about how the change has helped her both mentally and physically.
She explained that adapting to the Belgian squad had been a smooth process, with her new teammates ensuring language wouldn’t be a barrier to her settling in. She appreciated how friendly everyone had been, which made it easier for her to find her place in the group. She felt the change had already done her good, both on and off the bike.
Over the winter, Verhulst-Wild said she rediscovered her enjoyment of cycling, crediting the off-season months spent with her teammates and the AG Insurance-Soudal staff. She said this had helped her build both her physical and mental fitness, leaving her feeling better prepared and more confident on the bike, which she believed was a key factor in performing well.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyLooking back on her first races with the team at the UAE Tour, she felt it had been important to be trusted in the bunch sprints, something that helped her regain confidence. She was pleased with her two top-ten results and saw them as a positive sign for the upcoming Classics. She also praised her teammates for their support, saying the way they worked together had been evident in their first race as a group. She highlighted the strong team spirit, especially in supporting Kim Le Court to third place overall.
Verhulst-Wild is eager to get stuck into the Classics but admitted she wasn’t sure what to expect from her first races, given that it had been a long time since she last raced Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. However, she said her approach would be to give her best in every race, knowing that on a good day, she was capable of strong performances. She also emphasised her willingness to support the team whenever needed and was feeling positive heading into the early part of the season.
Looking further ahead, she hopes to achieve big things this year, saying she would love to raise her arms in victory but also wants to help her teammates win. She mentioned the National Championships as a key target and expressed her interest in racing a Grand Tour again. For now, she said it was too early to know exactly what the season would bring, but the UAE Tour had left her with a strong sense that the team was pushing each other forward and capable of achieving great things together.
Main photo credit: Cedric de Praetere
