"I can get back to my old self" - Denise Betsema convinced she can still compete at the highest level

Although not being able to secure a victory this winter, Denise Betsema has been there or thereabouts throughout. Through it all, she's never lost her self-belief.

"I think everyone sees that I am less than last season," the 30-year-old admits, revealing her woes can be traced back to a crash in the summer. "Since then I don't feel like myself anymore. That accident was far too close to the start of the season to get up to standard. I couldn't walk for a month. And I didn't reach my best level after that."

Nevertheless, Betsema is confident that her day's competing for victories in the biggest races are far from over. "It's mainly about getting through the next few weeks and already looking towards next winter. It is nice that I am still in a reasonable position in the X2O Trophy rankings. That's another thing to focus on. But other than that, it's mainly a matter of trying to figure out how to get back to my old self,” she says.

“I am convinced that once I get back in shape and have had the right preparation, I can get back to my old self," concludes the Dutchwoman. "Then I should also be able to play at the front again, as Lucinda Brand does so well. But now it is just very difficult.”