Hengeveld kicked off this season with a bang, claiming her first World Tour victory in the opening stage of the Santos Tour Down Under. “That win gave me even more confidence and motivation. This is truly my passion, and I hope to stay in the sport for a very long time.” Her love for cycling, however, started years ago in a typical Dutch way: “I got started through the Dikke Banden Races, a sports stimulation concept in which primary school children participate in a cycling race on an ordinary bike. After the first one in my hometown, Nootdorp, my parents and I went to all these races in the area by bike. From that moment on, I was hooked.”

Hengeveld’s decision to join Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women was a deliberate one. “Structure is very important to me. I know that’s something I can really grow with. I also like to understand the reasoning behind what I do. The fact that this team has a vision behind every choice and action really appeals to me.”

As an all-rounder, Hengeveld aims to develop further across multiple areas in the coming years. A key goal is to learn from the experienced riders around her. “I’ll be working with one of the most professional teams in the peloton. For me, it’s all about absorbing as much as possible from everything going on around me.” She also hopes to further specialize in time trials. “I know I’m good at riding long distances on my own. That’s something I really want to explore and improve.”

Team manager Rutger Tijssen sees a lot of potential in the young Dutch rider. “Daniek is tall, strong, rides a solid time trial and can hold her own on longer climbs. We’ve brought her in to support our leaders in the classics, but she’ll also have the chance to prove herself in smaller stage races.”

The team looks forward to supporting her development in the coming years. “Daniek is still young, but she already shows in races that she has that little bit extra. Her development as an all-rounder is going really well. We’re going to help her continue that progress,” Tijssen concludes.