"Ellen van Dijk ends her cycling career due to concerns about accidents and potential harm from future falls"
Ellen van Dijk, a decorated Dutch cyclist and a key figure in the Lidl-Trek team, has announced her retirement at the end of the 2025 season. Over a 20-year career, Van Dijk has amassed an impressive 70 victories, including multiple world and European time trial championships, significant road race victories, and contributions that helped elevate the profile of women’s cycling internationally.
Van Dijk began her career as a speed skater but switched to cycling full-time in 2007. She made a name for herself with her exceptional time trial abilities and versatility across both road and track disciplines. Her style and success helped shape modern women's professional cycling, particularly elevating the prominence and competitiveness of time trial events.
One of Van Dijk's most notable achievements was winning the Tour of Flanders in 2014, overall victory at the 2018 Vuelta España Femenina, and multiple stage and race wins such as Dwars Door Vlaanderen (2018, 2019) and Lotto Belgium Tour (2012, 2013). She also competed at the 2012 London Olympics in three disciplines, helping teammate Marianne Vos to Olympic gold in the road race.
Van Dijk's decision to retire was influenced by fears of racing in the modern peloton and the crashes and injuries she has experienced. Despite her love for the life of a professional cyclist, time trialling, and having a goal every day, the dangers of the sport became too much for her to ignore.
In her seventh year with Lidl-Trek, the longest time she's been with one team, Van Dijk feels at home with this team. She played a crucial role in the team's successes, including their recent victory at the Vuelta España Femenina team time trial this spring, where they won by three seconds and Van Dijk pulled on the race leader's red jersey.
Van Dijk is unsure about what she will do after retirement but is thankful for her career and wants to express her gratitude. She is especially grateful to Lidl-Trek for their support and investment in women's cycling.
Within six months of giving birth to her son, Faas in 2023, Van Dijk was back racing and winning. However, a hard crash in her first race back this year and a broken shoulder led to her decision to retire.
Van Dijk's retirement will undoubtedly leave a significant gap in the women's peloton. Her career highlights are marked by multiple world and European time trial championships, significant road race victories, and contributions that helped elevate the profile of women’s cycling internationally. Her retirement signals the end of an era for a cyclist who has influenced both the tactical and athletic development of the sport.
References: [1] https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-women/2014/results/stage-1/ [2] https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-spain-women/2018/results/stage-1/ [3] https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-women/2014/results/stage-1/ [4] https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-spain-women/2018/results/stage-1/
Ellen van Dijk's decision to retire marks the end of an era for a sports icon, as she leaves behind a legacy in road cycling that is marked by multiple world and European time trial championships, significant road race victories, and contributions that helped elevate the profile of women’s cycling internationally. Van Dijk's exceptional career in road cycling, which includes high-profile wins like the Tour of Flanders, Vuelta España Femenina, and various stage and race victories across different competitions, places her among the greatest in sports history.
