Has it sunk in yet that you're world champions?
Viktória: "I still can't quite believe it. It's surreal to be able to call yourself a world champion. Last week, I got to race the European Championships in the rainbow jersey, and I enjoyed every second of it. Every time I see the rainbow jersey, it takes me straight back to that day and puts a smile on my face."

Ashlin: "It still feels pretty surreal. Right after the World Championships, I flew straight to Los Angeles to prepare for the Track World Championships, so to be honest, I haven't really had much time to let it all sink in. It still feels like a dream."

You both have your own stories to tell about the race. Let's start with you, Ashlin. Did the race unfold the way you had envisioned?
Ashlin: "My plan was to go on the attack early in the race. I knew it would be difficult to stay with the strongest riders on the climbs, so I wanted to get up the road and take my chance if the opportunity came. The pace was pretty high right from the start, with a lot of strong riders trying to break away. I ended up being the last rider to bridge across to the breakaway. With five of us up front, it seemed like a pretty good situation, although I did think to myself for a moment: with 120 kilometers still to go, maybe this is a little too early. But I was feeling good, so I decided to go for it."

When did you decide to make your solo move?
Ashlin: "As the race went on, I started to feel more and more confident. I could tell I still had plenty of energy left in the tank and was feeling strong alongside the other riders. That gave me more and more belief that we could stay away deep into the race. With 30 kilometers to go, I attacked and went clear on my own. To be honest, for a long time I didn't really think I could make it all the way to the finish solo. It wasn't until halfway through the final lap that I started to believe it might actually happen. I looked over my shoulder, saw that I still had a solid gap, and suddenly realized: I might actually pull this off. It was such a special, almost surreal feeling."

How difficult was it to keep your cool on the final lap?
Ashlin: "I have to say, I managed to stay pretty calm and composed. I stayed focused on the moment and knew exactly what I needed to do. On the final lap, I actually got goosebumps from all the fans cheering along the roadside. With five kilometers to go, it slowly started to sink in: holy shit, I'm actually going to win this. At one point, you can even see me smiling at the camera. That was a really special moment."

How about you, Viktória?
Viktória: "I felt really good throughout the entire race. My main focus was on getting a small group together, and I kept trying to attack to drop the sprinters. Isabella (Holmgren) had the same idea, and eventually it came down to just the two of us. On one of the toughest climbs of the course, Isabella accelerated. I knew that was going to be a crucial moment in the race. I remember thinking: if I can stay with her here and make it over this climb, I might actually have a chance to win."

In the end, the two of you entered the finishing straight together. How nerve-racking were those final meters?
Viktória: "I was pretty confident in my sprint, although you never really know what can happen in a sprint finish. I just tried to keep believing in myself and focus on getting my sprint right. Isabella launched her sprint quite early. I knew her initial acceleration wasn't extremely explosive, so I tried to jump straight onto her wheel. With just a few meters to go, I could feel that I had enough speed to come around her. Luckily, I managed to do just that and take the win."

What went through your minds when you put on the rainbow jersey for the first time?
Viktória: "Wearing the rainbow jersey had always been a dream of mine. Growing up, I used to watch Peter Sagan win his world titles together with my family. Ever since then, the rainbow jersey has meant something really special to me, and I always dreamed of winning one myself someday. I'm incredibly happy that I've managed to make that dream come true."

Ashlin: "That's a moment I'll never forget. It was amazing to stand on the podium with all those people there cheering us on."

How special was it to have your family there, Ashlin?
Ashlin: "That was really special. They don't often get the chance to watch me race, since most of my races take place in Europe and rarely in North America. For them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being able to deliver the biggest and most memorable performance of my career with my family and friends there to witness it is something I'll never forget."

What was it like for both of you in the hours after the race?
Viktória: "After the podium ceremony, it was time for the media. First, I had a bunch of TV interviews, followed by a press conference. Altogether, that took almost two hours. I really enjoyed it and tried to soak up every moment. Afterward, it was also really special to celebrate with my teammates. They helped me achieve this huge goal, and they were all there in front of the podium to share in my victory."

Ashlin: "To be honest, it's all a bit of a blur. There was so much happening at once that I can't even remember everything exactly. First came the podium ceremony, then all the interviews, and afterward we raised a glass with the whole team back at the hotel. That evening, I went out for dinner with my family. It was a crazy 24 hours."

You must have received countless messages of congratulations. Which one stood out to you the most?
Ashlin: "One of the first messages I saw was from Wout. That was really cool and something I honestly hadn't expected at all. I've been following Wout since I was young and have always looked up to him. I've had the chance to race alongside him a few times this season, which has been an incredible experience. He's a huge inspiration to me."

Viktória: "Marianne sent me a message both before and after the race, and that really meant a lot to me. She gave me advice and encouraged me to believe in myself. It's incredibly special to know that someone like Marianne is thinking of me at moments like these. Of course, she knows better than anyone what it takes to perform at this level. She's not only a multiple-time world champion, but also a wonderful person and an amazing teammate."

Did you get a chance to watch each other's races?
Ashlin: "Yes, and it was amazing to watch. Viktória and Isabella were clearly the two strongest riders in the race, and they made for a thrilling finale. I was really impressed by the way Viktória managed to come out on top in the sprint."

Viktória: "I watched in admiration as Ashlin attacked from the breakaway and crossed the finish line solo. It's really special that we've both become U23 world champions while riding for the same team."

Do your achievements show that Team Visma | Lease a Bike is a great place for young riders to develop?
Ashlin: "Absolutely! So many young riders have achieved great results here over the years and made the step up from the Development Team to the WorldTour team. It's incredibly inspiring to be part of a team with riders who compete at such a high level and have won some of the biggest races in the world. When you get to know them and have the opportunity to race alongside them, it starts to feel more and more realistic that you could achieve those kinds of results yourself."

Viktória: "I think the team really understands how to guide young riders and help them continue to develop. The fact that we now have both a men's and a women's world champion within the team is a great example of that. The team provides young riders with the right environment and support to keep improving and eventually reach the highest level. It's really special to be part of that journey myself."