Ellen van Dijk finishes 6th in Roubaix 6 (!) months after giving birth: "Cycled 17,500 kilometers during 9 months of pregnancy"

Lidl-Trek is having a grand spring on all fronts. The German-American team was present in the finale on Saturday with not one but two women. The presence of a very strong Ellen van Dijk was particularly notable. Elisa Balsamo finished second, while the Dutchwoman, a mere six (!) months after giving birth to her son Faas, finished sixth in a Monument.

How on earth does one manage that? Van Dijk explains: "I was able to train throughout the pregnancy, right up to the last day before giving birth. 17,500 kilometers in nine months, so I just got my normal miles in. But not with the same intensity, although I started cycling again fairly quickly three weeks after giving birth and thus had a good winter. It's good for both baby and mother to stay as active as possible. That really helped me get through the pregnancy as fit as possible, so I would recommend everyone to keep cycling. But not on cobblestones," she laughs.

Yet, she did wonder if Paris-Roubaix fit into her schedule this early after giving birth, especially since it's the race where she had a severe crash in 2021, suffered a concussion and dealt with the aftermath for months. "My foundation is very good, but I was also scared of this race. I have very bad memories of that first edition and know that it can really take you out for months, so I didn't want to throw everything away here," Van Dijk explains. "That's why I chose to ride at the front, but I also knew it would be difficult to win. How I overcame that fear? By just doing it. Don't think, keep working on your confidence, that helps... Compared to childbirth, this race is nothing. But if it had been raining, I think I would have canceled. Riding on cobblestones is fun, but then to have all those riders around me…."

Riding at the front worked out. "It's difficult for me to make a difference. I have a huge engine, but it's hard to make the difference. That was not my strongest point before and still isn't after a year and a half of not racing. Positioning wasn't my strength in the Flemish classics, but on pure strength, it worked out. And the group kept getting smaller, so then it becomes easier. I was allowed to try to break away, but riders like Kopecky and Vos are on my wheel in no time. Then I have to really surprise them, and unfortunately, that didn't work. At some point, I also heard that Elisa was on a gap, and then I knew I shouldn't keep pushing with those other two," said the lady who ultimately finished sixth.

Balsamo and Blijlevens also impressed by Van Dijk

Balsamo, who finished in second place behind Lotte Kopecky, was also impressed by Van Dijk. "She was really, really strong. At one point, I really had to go beyond my limit to follow her. Ellen attacked a lot and rode a great race, and then she helped me in the finale. I really have to thank her for that. I still had a good sprint, but Lotte was just stronger."

The former world champion tries to think of an explanation for the flow the team has been in, all spring long. "We have the best possible material, with everything you could wish for. The team has been conducting all the necessary tests for months, so that makes a big difference," states the Italian, the runner-up of this edition of Paris-Roubaix.

Jeroen Blijlevens has been on board as a team director since January, so he also hit the ground running. "Ellen also amazes me," he admits to IDLProCycling.com. "She gave birth to a child, and if you then see the way she was riding in December, that's incredible… She rode a good race, just like the other ladies. Finishing two in the top six is of course very good. Elisa had some trouble on the Carrefour and eventually came back, while Lucinda Brand was not feeling well. She is the most disappointed about it herself and she also said: there are not many chances for me. But unfortunately, we can't change that."

And then Lidl-Trek performed in Northern France without former winner Elisa Longo Borghini and the young talent Shirin van Anrooij, the two main actors of last week's Tour of Flanders. "The Ardennes are coming up. Shirin is 22 years old, so you can't use her everywhere. But when she races, she races well. The same goes for Longo Borghini, but in women's cycling in general: those who can win Roubaix often can also win in Liège. As a team, we can certainly be proud of everything we have achieved so far this spring," concludes Blijlevens.