Van Vleuten will be ‘absolutely gutted’ after defeat
Annemiek van Vleuten has revealed her retirement plans will see her compete at two more stage races before bowing out at September’s Simac Ladies Tour in the Netherlands.
Van Vleuten won her fourth Giro d’Italia in May but couldn’t defend her Tour de France Femmes title in July, eventually finishing fourth.
Van Vleuten will then compete at three criteriums next week before two final stage races, the Tour of Scandinavia and the Simac Ladies Tour.
“But stopping after the Tour, I didn’t feel like it either. I still want to race. I talked to my team, trainer and mental coach about what I would ride last races.
“We then decided to ride the Tour of Scandinavia and to close it very symbolically in-house, in the Simac Ladies Tour, at the beginning of September.”
Van Vleuten rode the Simac Ladies as a guest rider for the Therme Skincare team in the early part of her career and the race will provide the cycling legend a fitting send-off.
“That is 25 kilometres from my house, where my boyfriend lives and also close to the Achterhoek, where I grew up and have a fan base,” Van Vleuten added.
“These are not all stages where a lot is possible for me, but I really enjoy racing in the Netherlands and there will probably be some people from my area to watch.
“I think it’s a nice way to say goodbye, where I can also enjoy it. In the Tour de France you are so focused because you are focused on all kinds of things.
“That’s why I just like to ride two more races that I can enjoy without stress. But first, the World Championships.”
The Simac Ladies Tour runs from September 5-10 and finishes off in Arnhem.
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