Maud Oudeman – ticking off the firsts

โ€œI am super excited to be at the start line today of Le Samyn. I do feel a bit nervous when I think of the race, but it is also mixed with feelings of looking forward to it. Today I start a new list of firsts: my first UCI race in the women elite category, first race with the team, and my first race on cobblestones,โ€ says 18-year-old CANYON//SRAM Racing rider Maud Oudeman.

After winning the 2021 Zwift Academy in December last year, Maud won herself a pro contract with the Womenโ€™s WorldTeam for the 2022 season. After two pre-season training camps, Oudeman will start her first race in CANYON//SRAM Racing colours at todayโ€™s 99km Le Samyn des Dames in Belgium.

โ€œThe first team camps went super good and I had a lot of fun. The first time meeting my teammates was special and I felt really welcomed by the riders and staff. Everyone is very supportive and I have learned a lot on the bike but also off the bike too. The team is motivated and that inspires me,โ€ states Maud.

โ€œIt is really special how everyone in the team is involved and how they truly want to help me. It is all part of development as a rider but also as a person. Within this team, I can be myself which feels like a safe place. I already have progressed and learned a lot in these past two months. Every ride at training camp, riders are pushing each other to a higher level. It feels special to be a part of that.โ€

Maud represented the Netherlands in last weekendโ€™s UCI Cycling Esports World Championships on Zwift, finishing 26th and helping her Dutch teammate to the rainbow jersey.

โ€œAfter the Esports Worlds I had a bit of recovery and now I feel ready for the race today. I have some experience with how it works at an international race but now everything is more professional compared to racing at the junior level. With the support of the team I know I will gain a lot of experience in this first race,โ€ adds Maud.

โ€œI hope I can help my teammates as much as possible. The cobbles and narrow roads will make it a hard race. I would be happy afterwards if I know I did my absolute best to stay in position. I also hope to have a few moments that I can enjoy the whole situation. Last year watching this race on television I would have never thought to be here already this year. So, Iโ€™m really excited to be lining up today as a part of CANYON//SRAM Racing.โ€

HOW TO FOLLOW LE SAMYN DES DAMES

Todayโ€™s Le Samyn des Dames starts at 12:00CET and can be followed on Twitter with #LeSamyn. The race is broadcast from 14:00CET on Eurosport and GCN. CANYON//SRAM Racingโ€™s complete roster is Alice Barnes, Shari Bossuyt, Elise Chabbey, Ella Harris, Lisa Klein and Maud Oudeman and Sarah Roy.

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Mathew Mitchell
Mathew Mitchellhttp://procyclinguk.com
My name is Mathew Mitchell, 30-something from Staffordshire, UK. Over the last few years, I've got more and more into cycling, from the first innocent Sportive events to Audaxes, Go-Races, British Cycling racing, Time Trials and now Cyclocross.

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