"We are the best team of the year" - Jumbo-Visma's Marc Reef happy with 2023 season

Jumbo-Visma have won all three Grand Tours this year and completed the whole podium of the Vuelta a Espana. These results alone would be a good argument, but the Dutch team have been very strong all-year round and there is the internal belief that they were the superior team in 2023.

The UCI rankings point otherwise as UAE Team Emirates are set to be the victors, however this is due to the specific team focus on the ranking - most likely as a sponsor request. The two teams were head and shoulders above the rest this field, however Jumbo-Visma was present in all terrains and even outside of racing they were constantly in the headlines - most recently due to the possible merger with Soudal - Quick-Step.

However one thing they did not win was a monument - unlike UAE, who have won two with Tadej Pogacar. "It's certainly triggering, and it's something we'll always continue to fight for. But it is not that big. Suppose we win one next year, then we will continue to fight just as hard for the next one," Marc Reef told In de Leiderstrui.

They will continue to pursue them, having Wout van Aert as the biggest weapon for the spring classics, whilst it's strong array of climbers will be suited to Il Lombardia. "We cannot help but be very satisfied with this year, also because we have worked very hard for it alone. We are the best team of the year, we can say that."