There is just not Wiebes, there is not only VolleringThe Dutch women's movement is constantly producing new talent, even outside the WorldTour. Here in Italy we've come to know Eline Jansen, from the VolkerWessels Cycling Team, come to conquer the Pre-World Tour of Tuscany - Michela Fanini Memorial with two stage victories and triumph in the overall and points classifications. To tell the truth, talking about a surprise would be a stretch, because the twenty-three year old from Deventer had already made her mark by competing against the WT squads., for example winning the Classique Morbihan and finishing third in the Classic Lorient Agglomeration, a French event on the top circuit.
A victory that is also a revenge
For her, however, those four stages were a crucial step in the season and she was quite surprised by the resonance her victory had, but also by the warmth it received from the local public. On the other hand, for her sport has the flavour of revenge, since as a child she suffered from a hip condition for which doctors were forced to perform a pelvic osteotomy. Her parents had been told it was unlikely she would ever walk again., but Eline had the strength and character to contradict them with facts.
"I didn't know exactly who would be participating," she says, "and I left at the last minute, meaning I hadn't done any specific preparation and didn't know what to expect. But I felt strong on the climb. After the team time trial, we had a bit of a gap, so we needed to gain 30 seconds. It was difficult to close the gap because the girls present were also very strong, you can never be sure of winning, but I knew I had a chance if I played my cards right».
Was the penultimate or the final stage more difficult?
I think it was the last one because there was Mackenzie Coupland She was close in the standings, just a second behind. It was all up for grabs in the final leg, but she attacked, and we found ourselves chasing. I have to thank my teammates who pushed really hard on the last climb to close the gap, especially thinking about the general classification. Then I had to do the rest alone, so I gave it my all so the other girls couldn't attack, and so we sprinted with three other girls. I knew I'd already won the overall, but obviously I wanted to win the sprint too, so I did everything I could to achieve that.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into cycling…
I haven't been into cycling for a long time. I was I'm a speed skater, I started cycling three years agoRacing is sometimes a bit difficult for me tactically; it's all still quite new. This Giro Toscana was also a learning opportunity.
This year you made a significant leap in quality. What was the reason for this?
Well, I think I'm growing as a cyclist because last year was my first year as a professional, so everything was new. Compared to then, I've learned a lot about tactics and I've also made a big step forward physically. So I think this combination makes me a better rider this year than I was before.
How do you feel about your team and do you think you have a disadvantage compared to the WorldTour teams?
I'm really happy here. We always attack and show fearlessness; we have no fear of the big teams in the top division. So yes, I like our team, I don't think we have anything to envy, we can always competeI believe we can even reach the top division, if everything goes well.
What type of rider are you, better suited to classics or stage races?
I don't know yet, because this year I stood out in the Ardennes Classics, but I also really enjoy taking part in stage races. I'm not sure I'm good enough on the longer climbs to tackle the Grand Tours at the moment., I have to understand it in the future, let's say this is my big bet. Currently I think I am a climber with fast legs, so I can also win a fairly crowded sprint.
On your Instagram profile you're also listed as a physiotherapist. Are you studying to become one or are you already working?
No, I don't work, cycling wouldn't allow for the time. I have a degree and in the future a professional path could open up, even in this same environment.
Have you already had the opportunity to race in Italy and how did you find it?
Indeed I've always enjoyed competing in Italy because it's an opportunity to enjoy good pasta and good food.. During the race it was a pretty large group, so at times it was perhaps a little dangerous, but that's cycling too, so you have to get used to it.
Now what do you expect from this season?
I have already achieved my biggest goals with participation in the Tour de France where I achieved good placingsBefore that, there were the classics, so for now I'm taking it day by day and I'm not sure how many more races I'll do. In the meantime, after the Tuscany race, I continued on that path with a third place in the A Travers les Hauts de France, but I know I can do even better.
