"My gap to the absolute top riders has also become much smaller this year" - Leonie Bentveld continues her upward trajectory
Cyclocross
Leonie Bentveld is known as one of the greatest Dutch cyclo-cross talents. The young lady from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal has already shown her potential among the juniors, after which she is now also doing well among the U23 and elite. In de Leiderstrui talked with the youngster after Hulst World Cup where she came sixth.
"I sprinted together with Sara Casasola for fifth place. Unfortunately I lost that, although I am really happy with my end result. I finish as the first U23 rider, so I can be very satisfied with that," she says first about the race in Hulst.
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Looking at the entire season, Bentveld, who finished third in the Flamanville World Cup round of earlier this winter, is very satisfied with what she has achieved. "Sure. Last summer I took a very big step. I'm glad it's actually showing. When I compare my results with those of last season, I see a lot of difference. My gap to the absolute top riders has also become much smaller this year, so I can speak of a great season."
How big does she actually think the gap is at the moment? "Still quite big now. But when I see how much progress I have made over the past year, it gives me confidence. If I can develop further, I hope to really make that connection within a few years."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
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