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ANNIKA LANGVAD / DENMARK
THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE TEAM FOR THE NEW SEASON
IS 35-YEAR-OLD ANNIKA LANGVAD FROM DENMARK.
LANGVAD RIDES FOR THE SPECIALIZED RACING XC TEAM
AND ALREADY HAS AN EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE CAREER
AS A MOUNTAIN BIKER ON HER CV, CULMINATING IN THE
WORLD TITLE IN 2017.
At the beginning of her cycling career, she started with mountainbiking
and had “a short adventure” as she says herself into road
racing. That ‘adventure’ resulted in national championships in road
racing and the time trial. During the coming season, she will race on
the road for half the season before switching in May to the World
Cup races for the Specialized mountain bike cycling team. “This is a
great adventure for me, I don’t know what to expect. I have so much
to learn in terms of riding, technical skills and tactics. But I feel
privileged and very fortunate that I have the opportunity of gaining
this experience within this hugely talented group.”
Langvad will compete at the highest level in road racing for the first
time next season. She says that she needed a new incentive after
all those years on the mountain bike. “Specialized had already asked
me whether I wanted to make the switch. I was open to the idea and
thought that it would be fun.” The mountain bike season continues
to be her main focus. The spring classics are a primary goal for the
Boels-Dolmans team. “The many new challenges that I will face with
the team will give me all the motivation I need for the second half of
the season on my MTB. I want to be challenged to learn new things
and think differently. It feels like a new start to my career.”
"IT FEELS LIKE A NEW START
TO MY CAREER"
The Danish rider hopes to improve in the area of strategy and
tactics in particular. Langvad has not ridden in a large peloton for
many years. “I need to find out how to save my strength effectively
when riding in the pack. As a mountain biker, I am used to riding
very explosively. The learning curve will be very steep during the
first few weeks.”
Langvad, who had an excellent World Cup season on the mountain
bike, is totally relaxed and looking forward to the new experience.
“I don’t feel any pressure at the moment even though riding for the
best team in the world is quite intimidating. Excitement is my main
emotion right now.” Her role within the team will become clear
in the spring. She thinks that she can perform well in the Strade
Bianche, the Ardennes Classics and the Amstel Gold Race. She had
her first taste of the latter course during the team photo shoot at
the end of 2018. “Wow, that was fun! The variety in the course, all
the ‘twists and turns’, uphill and downhill. You have to be alert at all
times; in fact it’s similar to mountain biking.”
The Danish rider is particularly looking forward to helping her teammates.
“I would be very proud if I manage to make a strong contribution
to a team victory. I feel that I can show my true value within
this team. The atmosphere is very good and I’m more motivated than
ever. I'm really looking forward to the season.”