Ellen van Dijk, one of the defining riders of her
generation, is set to end her professional cycling career at the close of 2025.
The 38-year-old Dutchwoman, a three-time world time trial champion and
accomplished track rider too, confirmed earlier this summer that she would
retire after nearly two decades in the peloton. Known for her power in the
classics and her dominance against the clock, Van Dijk admitted the realisation
struck her this year that her place in the sport was beginning to shift.
"At the Vuelta, I realized for the first time that I
thought: this isn't really my world anymore. (...) That made me realize it's
time to say goodbye," she told Wielerflits.
Her most recent appearance on home roads brought mixed
emotions. What should have been a celebration of one of her final races in the
Netherlands turned into a day of disappointment. "A few girls asked me
today: 'Are you enjoying it?' But honestly, I didn't enjoy it much today. It's
nice to consciously experience everything again, of course, but today it just
didn't go the way we wanted, and I'm really disappointed about that."
Van Dijk’s trademark ability to thrive in crosswinds has
long defined her, but she acknowledged that the edge is fading. "I was
usually pretty good at riding with the wind, but I'm finding it difficult to
really throw myself into it now. And that's definitely necessary. That confirms
that it's a good thing I'm retiring," she said with a laugh.
When she renewed her contract last year, she did so with the
expectation that 2025 would be her last season. Still, her form in the spring
brought second thoughts. "When I signed a one-year contract last year, I
did so with the idea that it would be my last. But in the spring, things
actually went really well. I focused on Flanders, Roubaix, and the Amstel
River, and I competed with the best everywhere. Then you start to have doubts
again," Van Dijk admitted.
Even as she prepares to leave racing behind, she
acknowledged the void that will follow the structured life of a professional
athlete. "I'll especially miss working towards a goal. Giving it my all,
living it up with passion and dedication. Training every day, figuring out
everything down to the last detail to be in top form. Although, in a few
months, I might say it's wonderful that I don't have to do it anymore. I'm
curious," she laughed.
Looking ahead, Van Dijk is considering her next steps, eager
to explore opportunities beyond competition while still keeping a connection to
cycling. "I don't know exactly what role yet, but I do want to try
something in coaching. Commentating or something else would also be fun. I want
to try different things, because I've been a cyclist for twenty years now. I
don't quite know who I am without cycling yet."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as 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. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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