Team Jumbo-Visma Women and Labecki kick off road season in Valencia
The road season is about to start for Team Jumbo-Visma Women. The team will participate in the Setmana Ciclista-Volta Comunitat Valenciana Fèmines from 16 to 19 February. After a year of bad luck, Coryn Labecki is looking forward to the start of the season in Spain.
The American had an uncertain debut year with the Dutch cycling team. Due to illness, she missed the first edition of the Tour de France Femmes. To make matters worse, she broke her collarbone at the Simac Ladies Tour in early September. "It was the first time that I suffered a serious injury", the thirty-year-old rider says. "But I received a lot of support from the staff and my teammates. This gives me a lot of motivation for the new season."
"My season ended early due to my injury. But I was able to prepare well for the upcoming season. During the training sessions it felt like the old times again", said Labecki, who enjoyed the team's training camp in Alicante. "We have a lot of new young riders this year. I was once young myself, so I know what they are going through in their first year in the pro peloton. I'm happy to be able to help them through my experience."
At the Spanish stage race, Labecki hopes to be able to take a shot at a number of stages with her team. "The first two stages will probably end in a bunch sprint. I look forward to them, as I can be important to the team there. In 2019, the last time I raced in Valencia, I rode a good final stage. Hopefully, I can do the same this year."
For Kim Cadzow and Eva van Agt, it will be their first race for Team Jumbo-Visma. "Both have already shown that they are very strong, but now they can prove it. I am looking forward to racing with Kim and Eva in Spain."
"Apart from my sporting goals, I just want to stay healthy and fit this year, that's the most important thing"
After the opening race in southern Europe, Labecki has set her sights on the spring classics. She won the Tour of Flanders in 2017. "A fantastic race that I am looking forward to again and where I will compete as a former winner. But I'm even more excited about Paris-Roubaix. Last year, I really enjoyed my debut in that race. Hopefully, I can finish higher this year and have fewer punctures", the American rider said with a smile.
Labecki also hopes to ride the Tour de France Femmes by Zwift squad. "That was my goal last year, but unfortunately, I couldn't participate. This year I would like to take part in the world's biggest cycling race. The world championships will follow soon after. It's a bit early to say, but I think the Glasgow course suits me well. Apart from the sporting goals, I just want to stay healthy and fit this year. I think that is the most important thing", Labecki concludes.
In addition to Labecki, the starting lineup for Team Jumbo-Visma Women includes Riejanne Markus, Karlijn Swinkels, Amber Kraak, Teuntje Beekhuis, Eva van Agt and Kim Cadzow.
