"When I stop cycling, finding a new passion will be an interesting challenge" - Annemiek van Vleuten

As Annemiek van Vleuten prepares for her final season as a pro rider, she is already thinking of her future after, and what she will be doing after hanging up the wheels whilst - currently - being on the prime of her form.

"I would like to work with young riders, and it's not that if I stop riding my bike, I can't coach as an active cyclist. I can continue to be in that role without riding my bike or competing, so in that way, it's more of a continuation, just in a different role," the Dutch veteran said in an interview with Cyclingnews.

Despite already being 40 years of age, van Vleuten was overwhelmingly the most successful rider of the year in the women's peloton, with wins at the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a Espana, World Championships and more. She has decided to retire in 2023, a year where she will race in her rainbow jersey.

"I have so much passion for developing myself physically with a plan to be in my best possible shape in the right moment and also to prepare myself mentally and physically with my coach and my team to set some goals. When I stop cycling, finding a new passion will be an interesting challenge," she believes.

Her compatriot Anna van der Breggen has also recently retired whilst on the prime of her career, and switched roles into the management of Team SD Worx. "I'm realizing I will not find that same passion, but I'll need to find a new one. I'm confident that I will find something. It will be challenging. I like going out of my comfort zone, and stopping cycling is also out of my comfort zone," van Vleuten continued. "It will also give me new opportunities, and in the beginning, it will be a bit scary, but it will also give me a lot in return."

"Something that gives me energy is that at Movistar, I see a young group of women that are developing so quickly, and the staff around me are on this journey. To work with a young group of people and enthusiastic athletes is something I would like to do," she said, hinting at the possibility of following the footsteps of van der Breggen, having decades of experience under her belt that could prove valuable to the Spanish team.

"I'm sure I would not like to do it from the car, so I will not be a DS. I have to think about which role I can work with young athletes, how I can inspire and coach them, sport psychology or a team manager or a trainer, and where I can make a good impact," he added. Whatever that step will be, van Vleuten will maintain her reputation and voice from inside the peloton as a leading figure.

"When I see the huge steps we made and how many people followed me and knew my name after winning Tour de France, I'm super proud to have seen and to know where we came from, where we are now, and how quickly it has grown, and can still grow - how many more people can follow our racing - It's big," she concluded.