"I think it's a really good choice, one that will bring a breath of fresh air" - Lucinda Brand satisfied with the choice of new women's national coach

Dutch ladies are the etalon of women's cycling, with a generation filled with world-class stars across all the disciplines. However in recent years, the success seems to have been evading the ladies in orange-themed jerseys. With this development, it became clear that Loes Gunnewijk's time as national coach came to an end. It was confirmed last week that former pro Laurens Ten Dam has been appointed as new coach of Dutch women.

Lucinda Brand, member of the national team on road, cyclocross and gravel, knows Ten Dam both as a former teammate and in the role of coach at the most recent Gravel World Championship. "We first saw each other in the team at Sunweb, although you don't see each other that often there either. When my phone rang and his name appeared on the screen, I thought: he doesn't just call me. I thought it was really cool that he called me anyway, even though I hadn't made myself available for the selections. I think it's a really good choice anyway, one that will bring a breath of fresh air," she tells WielerFlits.

That breath of fresh air also seems necessary, because under the reign of predecessor Loes Gunnewijk it turned out not to be easy to get the rock-solid generation of Dutch cyclists to work together. "That is not easy if you do not have much experience as a coach. And especially with a rather difficult group, because you have so much talent. Sometimes it is less difficult if you only have one big name. He knows that he has started something that requires a lot of work, but I also think that he likes that. He will definitely find a way."

For Brand, a large part of the chance of success with Ten Dam also lies in his character. "He is a personality anyway, he is a very nice guy. But I know him mainly as someone who knows how much you have to give up for something, how deep you have to go. From gravel and how he has organized his life afterwards, he can experience the sport in a relaxed and fun way. I hope that he can also put the energy he has into women's cycling. I think that you will perform very well based on that."