Annemiek van Vleuten - “Sad to reduce women’s cycling to only being about beating Annemiek van Vleuten”

Annemiek van Vleuten relishes the attention she receives from the peloton for one last time this season. While acknowledging the efforts of teams and riders who are striving to surpass her, the Dutchwoman emphasises the importance of seeing the broader perspective instead of solely focusing on beating her.

“If I can be the reason they want to lift their game, I’m proud and it’s good for the level of women’s cycling that it will be higher,” Van Vleuten told VeloNewsl. She further said, “It’s a bit sad to reduce women’s cycling to only being about beating Annemiek van Vleuten. Especially at the classics, I think some teams had their tactics last year only focused on me, and then other girls won, so I think it’s sad to reduce women’s cycling to Annemiek van Vleuten.”

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She will next compete in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this weekend and then in the Strade Bianche on March 4th. “I look forward to arriving again in Siena and racing there for to win. That was one of the best places to finish a race for me. I also really look forward to Amstel because it’s my home race in the rainbow jersey. In the Netherlands. It’s special. It’s not a race that suits me the best, but they made it a bit longer, and it’s a hometown race, so it’s special for me to race there.”

She has been the driving force behind Movistar's success in women's cycling, but she is convinced that her leaving the team will not significantly impact their performance. “They are ready to take over when I leave, It’s good to have two new additions. For sure, it will be different. It’s super nice to be part of a team that has made such a huge improvement and huge development. I’m sure that will continue because this team is eager to improve and that’s also why I feel really at home in Movistar,” concluded van Vleuten.