"We will see a three-week women's Tour" - Annemiek van Vleuten confident women's cycling will grow and grow

The undisputed top dog in women's cycling, Annemiek van Vleuten has done it all. Now, as she enters the final year of her illustrious career, van Vleuten has expressed her belief that the upwards curve seen by the sport will continue to grow.

"I think we are on the right track," she tells Marca. "I started in 2008, when it was not a professional sport and I think only about ten girls had a salary with which they could dedicate themselves exclusively to cycling. My biggest wish is that very soon 100% of the girls can get a normal salary with which they can live working as athletes."

One race in which the profile of women's cycling has increased has been the Tour de France Femmes. As the reigning champion of the race, van Vleuten discussed her victory and the possibility of matching the men's Tour de France by being three weeks long. "Sure it's possible, but I think for now we should build it slowly," she says. "At this point, I don't think it's necessary to do a three-week race because I think it's better to have an exciting 10-day race than a boring three-week race or lots of riders sitting around. But of course, in the future I am convinced that we can put on a great show for three weeks."

Alongside that win in France, van Vleuten also was victorious at the Giro d'Italia Donne and in the World Championship road race. As mentioned 2023 will be the 40-year-old's final year and she is planning to go out on top. "I want to enjoy the races with my team and be part of the development of the Movistar Team and the riders. And, of course, enjoy running with my rainbow jersey because it's the best way to say goodbye to the sport, hang my numbers and start each race with the rainbow jersey."