Annemiek van Vleuten: ‘I’m less explosive than I was’

The 40-year-old feels more like a stage racer as she begins her retirement year

Annemiek van Vleuten
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Road world champion Annemiek van Vleuten has said that she feels ‘less explosive’ ahead of her 2023 season debut.

The Dutchwoman has spent the past six weeks training at altitude in Colombia and will begin her final year in the pro peloton at the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana on Thursday.

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders. 


An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. 


He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.