‘Like the first day of school’: Annemiek van Vleuten meets her new team and joins Movistar men’s squad in team time trial training
The former world champion has joined the Spanish squad in her first training camp
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Annemiek van Vleuten says riding with her new team is like “the first day of school,” as she is training with the Movistar squad for the first time.
The Dutch superstar has been meeting her new team-mates and staff, while also joining the men’s squad for a team time trial training session during the Movistar winter camp in Spain.
Former world champion Van Vleuten has signed with Movistar on a two year deal after five hugely successful seasons with Mitchelton-Scott.
In a blog post on her website (opens in new tab), posted on Wednesday (January 12), Van Vleuten said: “It is all new, with many new people. We are here with about 100 people (riders and guidance), all of whom I don't know yet, so for sure the first day I felt like I was experiencing my first day at a new school. And then also with many people who speak another language with each other. However, the first feeling was right and I feel very welcome. The first few days I receive confirmation that I have ended up in a warm and very professional environment.”
Movistar are holding their first training camp of 2021, for both the men’s and women’s teams, in Almería, Andalusia, Spain, with the camp running from January 8 until January 22.
Van Vleuten said riders are not allowed to mix too much with other team members and staff during the first few days of the camp to minimise the risk of coronavirus, despite everyone undergoing testing before arriving.
She added that the main aim of the camp is to get to know her fellow riders, mechanic, masseurs and team leaders better.
Van Vleuten said she has already had an extensive bike fit on her new Canyon Aeroad disc.
The team also ran team time trial training drills on a motor racing circuit, where Van Vleuten joined the men’s squad for a session.
>>> Mark Cavendish: ‘I’m not looking for a fairytale end – I just know I’m still good’
She added: “After this I will also participate in training a few times with some men. This will be with the sprinters and classic riders, because it is already a challenge for me to keep up with them.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Pfeiffer Georgi wins Brugge-De Panne solo after aggressive race splits in crosswinds
Brit claims her first WorldTour win by out-foxing some of the fastest riders in the world
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Kaden Groves sprints to victory on stage four of the Volta a Catalunya
Australian takes first win for new Alpecin-Deceuninck team ahead of Bryan Coquard
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Silvia Persico takes Ceratizit Challenge stage victory after a tense aggressive final
Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer comes close to pulling off a repeat of her Tokyo triumph with a 158km solo break
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Van Vleuten in a class of her own winning the second stage of the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta
The Movistar rider attacked on the penultimate climb dropping all her rivals to take the overall lead with three stages remaining
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Attack to defend: Van Vleuten on the edge of Tour de France greatness
Anything can happen, say Movistar but he team are confident Annemiek van Vleuten will ride into history on Sunday’s final Tour de France Femmes stage
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
The mountains are coming: Tour de France Femmes favourites predict what's going to happen
Riders predict Saturday’s seventh stage will be the toughest of the race, but GC will be decided on Sunday at Super Planche des Belles Filles
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
Van Vleuten confirms her third Giro Donne victory
The Dutch rider finishes safely in the bunch while Chiara Consonni takes the final stage
By Owen Rogers • Published