"Laurens ten Dam aims to achieve victory for the Dutch women's cycling team in the World Championships held in Rwanda, emphasizing their shared ambition toward success in orange"
In the picturesque city of Kigali, Rwanda, the Dutch women's cycling team is gearing up for the 2025 Road World Championships. Under the guidance of new national coach Laurens ten Dam, the team is focused on unity and aiming for the highest podium positions with a star-studded lineup.
Ten Dam, the former professional cyclist who took over from Loes Gunnewijk after her retirement, has selected a team that revolves around Demi Vollering as the leader for both the road race and the individual time trial. Anna van der Breggen and Marianne Vos, both multiple former champions, will provide valuable support and tactical depth.
The announced lineup, after Puck Pieterse's withdrawal to focus on mountain biking, includes Vollering and Van der Breggen contesting the time trial, with Vollering as the designated leader on the road. Supporting riders in the road race are Vos, Pauliena Rooijakkers, Shirin van Anrooij, and Yara Kastelijn, with Riejanne Markus named as first reserve.
Ten Dam's strategy hinges on using this depth tactically to control race dynamics, protect Vollering, and capitalize on the experience of Vos and Van der Breggen. The team aims to secure the top step of the podium at the World Championships "in orange."
Ten Dam has worked closely with each rider individually to build a united approach, moving away from the internal conflicts that have often been a tension-filled squad historically. He emphasized that each rider will know their role heading into the World Championships to avoid the criticism of multiple leaders hindering each other in recent seasons.
The tough circuit in Rwanda's capital city features 11 laps for the women's road race at the World Championships. The Dutch team will face a challenge from various nationalities that have won in the classics and the Tour. However, Ten Dam expects the women to be ready to go at the start line, fighting for each other in orange.
The Dutch women's team will spend a considerable amount of time together in Kigali and later during the European Championships in France for training and team bonding. Ten Dam believes this will help the team to build on their shared focus and unity, aiming for victory rather than merely competing, which he sees as essential for maintaining Dutch dominance in women's cycling.
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