Last Thursday it was announced that Anna van der Breggen will return as a rider for SD Worx-Protime. The 34-year-old Dutch woman is currently active as a team leader in Lotte Kopecky’s successful formation, but will be back in the peloton next season.
The return of Van der Breggen caused a strong shock wave in the Dutch cycling world. “SD Worx-Protime pulled a rabbit out of a hat yesterday,” said analyst Marijn de Vries at Sporza.
“On the one hand, you can see this as a way to fill the void left by Demi Vollering (who leaves at the end of the season, ed.), but on the other hand, there are also a lot of reasons why she would do it.”
Salary
“In recent years, women’s cycling has also made enormous progress, and it has also become more interesting in terms of salary. Moreover, a game changer has come with the Tour de France. All that of course makes it extremely interesting to make a comeback.”
Hills
But is Van der Breggen’s return positive for everyone? What are the ambitions of the Dutch? “Anna herself downplays expectations, but of course she is and remains a winner. She will certainly take her chance, but I think there is still a lot of work to be done. I also have the feeling that she does not yet know where she is going.” Of course, time will tell.”
“You would just be Lotte Kopecky. Just when Vollering is leaving and Lotte seemed to have the free ticket for next year, the team comes up with Anna. That must not have been very nice for her.”
