Van Vleuten takes on the role of ‘performance mentor’ at Fenix-Deceuninck: "A role that perfectly matches my ambitions"

Annemiek van Vleuten, the 42-year-old former cycling champion who claimed the World Championship and the Tour de France, is embarking on a new chapter. She will become a ‘performance mentor’ at Fenix-Deceuninck, where she will use her vast experience to guide young talents. Among others, riders like Puck Pieterse and Yara Kastelijn will benefit from Van Vleuten’s expertise.

The team, the women’s division of Alpecin-Deceuninck, unveiled its future plans in Milan. These include expanding with junior and youth teams for riders under 19 and 17 years old, respectively. The goal is to accelerate the development of their riders. With her impressive track record, Van Vleuten is the ideal person to help speed up this process.

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Van Vleuten excited about a fantastic challenge

In her new role, Van Vleuten will assist the team’s talented riders in taking the next step in their careers. Although she will work part-time, her position is exclusive to the team. "In the last years of my active career, I knew I wanted to work with cyclists and athletes, helping them to unlock their potential while maintaining balance. When Philip Roodhooft approached me to join Fenix-Deceuninck, I was surprised but quickly impressed by the professionalism and the focus on both performance and the human side of the sport."

The team is thrilled to welcome Annemiek van Vleuten as a performance mentor. "Known for her unmatched mentality and professional approach, the former World Champion will guide the riders to reach their full potential. Her expertise and leadership will be crucial in refining both individual and collective performances, as Fenix-Deceuninck continues to compete at the highest level," the team stated.

"I am excited to contribute to the growth of this talented team. Throughout my career, I have learned the value of reflection and improvement through trial and error, and I hope to accelerate this process for the athletes here. This new role is a fantastic challenge that perfectly aligns with my ambition to grow as a coach," Van Vleuten added.

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Van Vleuten to mentor Puck Pieterse and others

Kastelijn is looking forward to the collaboration and believes she can take another step forward

Yara Kastelijn, one of Fenix-Deceuninck’s riders, is looking forward to working with Van Vleuten. Kastelijn, who won a stage in the 2023 Tour de France, hopes to gain lots of psychological insights from her new mentor. "I think she can help us take that final step when it comes to believing in ourselves. I don’t always have that confidence, and I know she didn’t always have it either and only developed it later in her career. That experience makes me believe I can learn a lot from her," the Dutch rider told the Dutch outlet AD.

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