Women's cycling reaches new heights - Yara Kastelijn signs 4-year contract with Fenix-Deceuninck

Sunday, 25 December 2022 at 00:00

In men's cycling contracts have been becoming more and more extensive, and that trend is transitioning into women's cycling aswell. A four-year contract has been signed in the women's field, as Yara Kastelijn and Fenix-Deceuninck have struck a major deal.

The 25-year old joined the team in 2020 when it was named Ciclismo Mundial. This year it has become Plantur-Pura, and next year it'll become Fenix-Deceuninck, a team with great ties with the men's Alpecin-Deceuninck team. The new sponsors coming in influenced this long-term perspective, and Kastelijn was a priority for the Belgian team, with whom she will race for until at least the end of 2026.

Read also

João Almeida reveals Jay Vine will target Giro, Portuguese in pursuit of pink: "The time trials will make the difference"

Whilst on the road Kastelijn has been searching for success mainly in the classics, the team was keen on her due to her cyclocross qualities, just as the men's team focuses in the discipline. In cyclocross she has taken some wins over the last few years and was a rather consistent figure, whilst now she focuses on more specific goals as she shares the road season ambitions.

"I am really extremely proud with this extension. In this team I very much feel at home and for me personally that is one of the key to success, along with the excellent coaching," Kastelijn said in a note.

Read also

The UCI has listened - Big changes in points system implemented ahead of 2023

"This team has already meant so much to me in my development and I am convinced that the end has not yet been reached. Fenix-Deceuninck has a bright future ahead and I definitely wanted to be part of it."