Annemiek Van Vleuten becomes new "performance mentor" for Fenix-Deceuninck: "Fantastic challenge that perfectly aligns with my ambition to grow as a coach"
Cycling
After a year off all the buzzing of professional cycling, Annemiek van Vleuten is ready to take on a brand new role as 'performance mentor' at the WWT team Fenix-Deceuninck. Although she will work part-time, her position is exclusive to the team.
Van Vleuten's task will be to assist the team’s talented riders in taking the next step in their careers. "In the last years of my active career, I knew I wanted to work with cyclists and athletes, helping them to unlock their potential while maintaining balance. When Philip Roodhooft approached me to join Fenix-Deceuninck, I was surprised but quickly impressed by the professionalism and the focus on both performance and the human side of the sport."
The team is of course thrilled to have Annemiek van Vleuten on board as a performance mentor. "Known for her unmatched mentality and professional approach, the former World Champion will guide the riders to reach their full potential. Her expertise and leadership will be crucial in refining both individual and collective performances, as Fenix-Deceuninck continues to compete at the highest level," the team stated.
"I am excited to contribute to the growth of this talented team. Throughout my career, I have learned the value of reflection and improvement through trial and error, and I hope to accelerate this process for the athletes here. This new role is a fantastic challenge that perfectly aligns with my ambition to grow as a coach," Van Vleuten added.
The riders of the Belgian team are equally looking forward to gaining valuable experience from the legend of women's cycling: "I think she can help us take that final step when it comes to believing in ourselves. I don’t always have that confidence, and I know she didn’t always have it either and only developed it later in her career. That experience makes me believe I can learn a lot from her," one of the team's stars Yara Kastelijn told AD on the subject.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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