“Our goal for the first races is mainly to learn to race together”, race coach Lieselot Decroix says. “During the training camp we already made great steps, but these are still our first races as a team. Nonetheless, we will use an offensive race tactic and not wait and see. Riejanne Markus and Anouska Koster are the riders we want to bring as far as possible in the final.”

In addition to Markus and Koster, the selection for the first spring classic consists of Teuntje Beekhuis, Pernille Mathiesen, Romy Kasper and Anna Henderson.

Koster is very much looking forward to the first race. “I think Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is a very nice spring classic. The short climbs and cobblestones suit me very well. It’s going to be exciting for all of us and I am very curious about how we will do as a team.”

Shortly after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Le Samyn follows with largely the same selection apart from Koster and Markus, who will be replaced by Karlijn Swinkels. “During this Belgian one-day race, Romy Kasper will take on the role of team captain as she is the most experienced rider. If we keep communicating well with each other, we might already be able to get a good result”, Decroix says.

Team manager Esra Tromp is also looking forward to the debut of the women's team. “The first race of the season is always exciting”, Tromp says. “It is also the first race ever for this team. This team has never raced together before. Everyone is looking forward to a great battle. We have prepared well and done a good course recon. Our goal is to show ourselves during the spring, but there is no pressure on the first few races. It is new for everyone.”