Vos is eager to start her season. After having to end her cyclocross season early due to an injury and completing a high-altitude training camp in Tenerife, the 37-year-old rider is full of energy as she looks forward to the new season. “I unfortunately had to end my cyclocross season prematurely due to a calf injury, but with the road season ahead, I was able to quickly shift my focus and prepare optimally. The team has already shown great things over the past few weeks, so I’m really starting to feel the excitement.”  

Trofeo Alfredo Binda is a familiar race for Vos. The Dutch all-rounder has won the event four times before and is eager to go for victory again this year. “I hope to be in the mix for the finale together with the team,” Vos says enthusiastically. “I feel fit and hope to be in the mix for the finale, though it’s always a bit of a wait-and-see in the first race of the season.”  

Vos also notes the strong field of competitors: “With the introduction of Milan-Sanremo for women, Binda has taken on a slightly different place in the cycling calendar. It’s now seen more as a preparation race, which means I expect a tough race with many strong riders. It’s a great race, and I hope to fight for the win together with the team.”  

In the 26th edition of Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Marianne Vos can count on support from teammates, including Fem van Empel. She will play a crucial role in the race. For the cyclocross world champion, it will be her first time competing in the Italian race. “It’s a new course for me with a lot of elevation gain, so I’m excited to see if it suits me and to make something special out of it,” says the 22-year-old rider. “I’m still relatively new to road racing, so I don’t have extremely high expectations for myself yet. But it would mean a lot to me if I can contribute to the team.”  

Fem looks back positively on her season opener at Strade Bianche, where her teammate Ferrand-Prévot finished third. “I can be satisfied with my first race of the season,” Van Empel says. “For Trofeo Alfredo Binda, we have another strong team at the start, and for me, it’s all about supporting the team as best as I can. This role in the race is new to me, so I’m excited to learn. I’ll try to help our leaders with positioning and make sure they save as much energy as possible. I think that’s going to be an important role for me in the coming races.”  

Alongside Marianne Vos and Fem van Empel, the following riders will compete for Team: Ferrand–Prévot, Maud Oudeman, and Rosita Reijnhout.