Annemiek van Vleuten targeting Tour de France Femmes win

The Dutch veteran is set to tackle her 15th season on the road and she will be eyeing a new goal as the Tour de France Femmes has been developed at long last.

"I'm a little bit disappointed that I still don't know the courses yet. Before I say yes to the three big races, I need to see their courses, and hopefully they [the Giro and Vuelta] announce them soon because otherwise it is a bit disappointing for me," Van Vleuten affirmed, launching some criticism to the lack of announcing from the other organizations of the equivalent of the grand tours for the women's peloton.

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The women's calendar isn't filled with stage-races but the Dutch woman has a convincing record in these, having won several major races during her career and last year winning the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, the Ladies Tour of Norway and the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta. She has even higher ambitions for this year but remains hesitant in her choice of calender.

"I'm super happy that the Tour de France has announced their race so quickly, and everything about it, it's how it should be. In that regard, it is already a very good start to the Tour de France. I love the concept of the Tour de France and so if there is any doubt about the other [two] races, I will not do them. The Tour de France is my big goal."

"I have an idea about where the Vuelta will be, it’s a bit sad that they announced the 21 days for the Vuelta and then for the women they say it’s five days. That’s quite disappointing. The same for the Giro, they didn’t announce yet the course, and they need to hurry. Organisers need to step up."

Before tackling the "grand tours" though she will have a packed schedule throughout the spring, where she is expected to be near the head of the race in the cobbled classics and later in the Ardennes.