"It is a big sign that a large part of the staff and also several women are leaving" - Esra Tromp's cryptic criticism after swapping Jumbo-Visma women's team for EF Education-Cannondale

Esra Tromp departed the Jumbo-Visma women's team at the end of May, resigning amidst a cloud of uncertainty. Having now been confirmed as joining the newly formed EF Education-Cannondale as manager, she has given some thinly veiled criticism of her former employers.

“How should I put it?" Tromp questions aloud in conversation with Velo, looking for a diplomatic response when asked about her Jumbo-Visma departure. "In the end, I think we had different views. That might be the best thing to say. I don't want to go into it too deeply, but I am very happy with this new environment and challenge. I think the women who left the team made that decision themselves and it was for a good reason.”

Joining Tromp and making the same switch from Jumbo-Visma to EF Education-Cannondale are Carmen Small, Coryn Labecki, Kim Cadzow and Naomi Rüegg. This mass exodus is the surest sign of something not being right within Jumbo-Visma's women's team according to Tromp.

“I also made the decision myself, because if you are not supported in the way you should be supported, I think it is a wise decision to move on and find people who appreciate your efforts and the amount of time you spend everyone invests in setting up a team and keeping it alive,” says Tromp.

“I think it is a big sign that a large part of the staff and also several women are leaving. I think there is also a bit of a lack of vision on the part of the person who replaced me," she concludes. “As a manager of a women's team, I learned how to build a team and how to manage the team. It has taught me a lot about myself and what kind of leader I want to be. You take that with you to your next job and experiences.”