Team SD Worx has strengthened itself with Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Nikola Noskova. DS Danny Stam is especially pleased with the signing of the 34 years old Moolman. The South-African rider finished 6th in last week’s Giro Rosa. “I think that with Moolman we have contracted one of the best climbers in the women’s peloton”, says Danny Stam convinced.
In both multi-stage races as hilly one day races Moolman is an allrounder which has proven her value already for many years. “She can always be seen on the first row of the group when the road climbs. With Ashleigh I hope to have an extra strong rider in the final of the toughest races on the calendar. In this way we can ride more dominantly”, according to Stam.
Moolman has been of the most constant riders in the GC of the Giro Rosa. In the Giro Rosa of 2018, the South African finished second behind Annemiek van Vleuten. Last year she finished fourth in this great race. Team SD Worx, the brand which takes over the title sponsoring from Boels-Dolmans, have contracted the South African rider for two years.
“For some years now, I am very impressed by the professionality of the Boels Dolmans team”, says Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. “I always wanted to ride for this team. The way they ride, like a strong block, taking the initiative in races is very appealing to me.”
“It is the strength of the team that they are able and willing to play multiple aces in the finale of the big races. Although the team changes next year, the core remains largely the same. With this strong team we have many options next season. We can play different tactics in the finals. This makes us unpredictable for the competition and will make the races even better to watch for our fans.”
The South African looks forward racing in the same team of the double Imola World champion, Anna van der Breggen. “It may sound weird, because I am three years older than her, I still hope to learn a lot from Anna. I only started cycling when I was 23, that’s why I still feel a rookie on the bike.”
Also, the Czech rider Nikola Noskova favorites climbing. Besides that, the 23 years old rider has a strong Time Trial in her legs. Noskova signed a contract for one year with the SD Worx team. “Where Moolman has proven already her strength in climbing, I think Noskova can also become a climber for the future. She has a lot of talent to play a decisive role in the hill classics and multi-stage races”, says Danny Stam.
The SD Worx team enlisted already 12 riders for the 2021 season: Anna van der Breggen, Chantal Blaak, Jolien d’Hoore, Amy Pieters, Lonneke Uneken, Christine Majerus, Demi Vollering, Elena Cecchini, Roxane Fournier, Anna Shackley, Ashleigh Moolman and Nikola Noskova.