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, completely having fun with herself and not using a hint of remorse or want to be amongst them.
Minutes later, she joined the group among the many staff 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 beneficial 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 girls’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 identify.
“I stop at simply the fitting time,” Van Vleuten instructed Biking Weekly. “I do not miss it. I have not regretted quitting even for a single day, not even after I see such stunning moments or folks profitable.”
Whereas her up to date and infrequently rival Anna van der Breggen is planning her return to highway racing after a brief, three-year retirement, Van Vleuten does 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 aspect feels actually good,” she mentioned. “I’ve closed that chapter.”
Van Vleuten attributes this sense of closure to figuring out she extracted all the pieces she may from her physique. After 16 years on the prime degree of biking, she left no stone unturned and no targets unfulfilled.
“I did not assume I may get something extra out of myself, and that had all the time been my driving pressure,” the 41-year-old mentioned.
“I’ve by no means had a second of remorse as a result of I’ve by no means needed to assume: if solely I had completed this or if solely I had completed that. I’ve all the time given all the pieces 100%, and received the attractive issues I wished to win.”
Along with her prolific wins, Van Vleuten was identified for her utter dedication, resilience, daring solos, and the unimaginable variety of kilometres she spent within the saddle every year—”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 couple of times every week,” she mentioned. “And I am effective with that.”
It is onerous to consider when she previously clocked some 32,000 kilometres in a yr, however she says she’s let it go fully. As an alternative, she’s staying wholesome and balanced with some energy coaching and snowboarding.
As for what’s subsequent, Van Vleuten is retaining her choices open. Whereas full-time TV work isn’t on the horizon, her love for the game stays evident, even on the sidelines.
