Bronzini is looking forward to starting her new role with Team Visma | Lease a Bike: “I’m really inspired by the team’s philosophy: the way the team races, the way it develops talent and the way it takes care of its riders in every aspect. It’s inspiring to become part of a team that never stops trying to improve, and I see a great opportunity here to keep growing.”

With her background as a rider and sports director, the former world champion brings extensive experience from women’s cycling. As a rider, she became world road champion twice and raced at the highest level of the sport for many years. Since ending her professional career as a rider, she has continued to work in the women’s peloton from the team car. “Giorgia knows women’s cycling from the inside and had a strong understanding of the dynamics within the peloton. That experience is very valuable to us,” Tijssen explains.

Team manager Rutger Tijssen and Bronzini had crossed paths occasionally at races. “Giorgia’s experience in the sport is obviously very valuable, but what also stood out to me was her enthusiasm and drive, and her willingness to work hard for her riders. We also found that we share a similar approach to guiding and supporting a team. That really appealed to me and was one of the reasons I wanted her to join our team.”

Talent development is an important part of Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s approach, and the former world champion will have a dedicated role in supporting the women’s team’s younger riders. “Giorgia will be dedicated to working with our younger riders, particularly on their tactical development and understanding of how to read a race,” Tijssen says. “She also wants to help us to take the combination of performance and racing a step further. That way of thinking is something we value highly within our team, and especially with younger riders, there is still a lot to gain by bringing the two even more together."

For Bronzini, being a successful sports director is ultimately about making sure everyone involved can look back and say they gave everything they could to achieve their goal. “I am happy and satisfied when the riders and staff are motivated and can say that we gave everything to reach our goal, and when everyone feels they contributed to what we achieved. You never do it alone. It is the team effort that allows you to win.”

The new season will also bring a special opportunity for Bronzini to work with Marianne Vos, who was one of her biggest rivals during her own career as a rider: “Marianne and I raced against each other for many years, and there was always a lot of respect between us. It is very special to now be on the same side and to have the opportunity to support Marianne achieve her goals. I’m really looking forward to that, as well as to working with the whole team and seeing what we can achieve together.”