"This is much more than I expected" - Anna van der Breggen gracious in defeat to Demi Vollering at Strade Bianche Donne 2025

Anna van der Breggen's return to the professional cycling peloton continues to be an incredibly successful one. After having to settle for second behind former teammate Demi Vollering at Strade Bianche Donne 2025 though, a victory is still proving illusive for the 34-year-old Dutchwoman.

Afterwards though, Van der Breggen was keen to stress her happiness at the result and having pushed Vollering so close. "No, I don't say 'unfortunately'. This is much more than I expected," the Team SD Worx - Protime leader assesses in her post-race interview. "I am super happy with this. It was a very hectic day and I did not have super legs."

Van der Breggen was actually something of an instigator during the day, especially on Le Tolfe where she really put the rest of her rivals under pressure, Vollering included. "You just have to be in a good position there, because there are a lot of girls who can handle this," she explains. "I took the descent hard and after that I didn't hesitate. I know they're going anyway."

On the final climb to the line though, Van der Breggen had to concede defeat to a brutal Vollering acceleration. "She is a bit more explosive and this is very steep," Van der Breggen concludes. "The only thing I could try was to turn it on earlier. But I went and I felt it was over. I'm especially happy that the feeling that it's over is taking longer to come."