The upcoming women’s cycling season is set to be highly intriguing, as a notable shift has occurred within the cycling landscape in recent months. Among the significant changes are Demi Vollering’s move to FDJ-SUEZ and the return to the peloton of Anna van der Breggen as she leaves her role in the team car behind. Wielerflits sought out the insights of Annemiek van Vleuten on these changes – as she returns herself to a mentorship role in the Women’s WorldTour.
Van Vleuten, who retired at the end of 2023, is well-placed to assess these changes, having competed against both Van der Breggen and Vollering in the past. “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a very positive development for women’s cycling,” noted the 42-year-old, who will soon take on the role of a performance mentor at the Belgian WorldTour women’s team, Fenix-Deceuninck. “It resonates with me personally,” continued the multiple world champion and Olympic gold medallist from 2021. “One of my motivations for signing with Movistar was the need to maintain interest in the sport. It’s more engaging when the quality is spread across several teams, allowing for multiple squads with distinct plans.”
“From a spectator’s perspective, we’re the real winners here,” Van Vleuten expressed with enthusiasm. “This shift is genuinely fantastic. Moreover, with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot returning as a road cyclist with Visma | Lease a Bike, she is set to be a genuine contender for general classification victories. It’s also incredible that Anna van der Breggen is making a comeback. They will elevate the level of competition. As spectators, we’re the real beneficiaries,” concluded Van Vleuten.
