Annemiek van Vleuten watched with anticipation because the peloton stormed to the end line of stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes, goosebumps on her arms, totally having fun with herself and not using a hint of remorse or need to be amongst them.
Minutes later, she joined the gang among the many crew buses, patiently ready for the riders to return. She congratulated the day’s winners, chatted amicably and gathered some intel for her look on Dutch TV later within the day.
Two years in the past, it had been she who was carrying that yellow jersey. Now, she’s on the sidelines, providing her invaluable insights and experience as a visitor analyst on TV—a becoming function for a dwelling legend.
When Van Vleuten hung up her racing wheels in 2023, she did in order one of many best riders ladies’s biking has ever seen, with 4 World Championship titles, an Olympic gold medal, all of the Grand Tour jerseys, and Spring Classics wins to her title.
“I give up at simply the appropriate time,” Van Vleuten informed Biking Weekly. “I do not miss it. I have not regretted quitting even for a single day, not even after I see such lovely moments or individuals profitable.”
Whereas her modern and sometimes rival Anna van der Breggen is planning her return to highway racing after a brief, three-year retirement, Van Vleuten would not see that for her future. And the Colombian Transcordilleras gravel race she undertook in February was additionally only a one-time factor.
“Being on the opposite facet feels actually good,” she stated. “I’ve closed that chapter.”
Van Vleuten attributes this sense of closure to understanding she extracted all the things she might from her physique. After 16 years on the high degree of biking, she left no stone unturned and no objectives unfulfilled.
“I did not suppose I might get something extra out of myself, and that had at all times been my driving pressure,” the 41-year-old stated.
“I’ve by no means had a second of remorse as a result of I’ve by no means needed to suppose: if solely I had accomplished this or if solely I had accomplished that. I’ve at all times given all the things 100%, and received the attractive issues I needed to win.”
Along with her prolific wins, Van Vleuten was identified for her utter dedication, resilience, daring solos, and the unbelievable variety of kilometres she spent within the saddle annually—”Married to the bike,” as she put it.
And after 16 years of restrictions, she’s having fun with the liberty that comes with retirement.
“I barely even experience anymore—perhaps a few times per week,” she stated. “And I am positive with that.”
It is arduous to imagine when she previously clocked some 32,000 kilometres in a 12 months, however she says she’s let it go utterly. As a substitute, she’s staying wholesome and balanced with some energy coaching and snowboarding.
As for what’s subsequent, Van Vleuten is conserving her choices open. Whereas full-time TV work isn’t on the horizon, her love for the game stays evident, even on the sidelines.
