Vigié hopes to continue strong progress in first Tour of Norway
This weekend, Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women will line up for the Tour of Norway Women. In this new two-day stage race through the Scandinavian landscape, the yellow and black squad aims to carry over the strong form they’ve shown in recent races. Margaux Vigié and performance manager Maarten van Kooij look ahead to the Norwegian event.
Now in her second season with the team, Vigié feels she’s making steady progress. “I joined a team with a lot of Dutch riders, so I had to adjust at first,” she says. “Luckily, I adapted quickly and soon felt at home. I work with an amazing group of people, which has allowed me to really develop.”
Van Kooij is also impressed with the French rider’s growth. “She is making great strides physically, but also tactically she keeps improving. She has a great sense for reading the race and knows how to respond at the right moment.”
The progress the 29-year-old is making is now also showing in her results. “I didn’t expect to sprint to two top-five finishes at Itzulia Women,” says Vigié. “My role was to support the team, so I was really happy to get the chance to race for myself. It’s a great feeling to be able to reward the team’s trust.”
As Vigié continues to grow, her role within the team is becoming increasingly clear, Van Kooij adds. “With all her qualities, she is incredibly valuable as a team captain. She is very good at positioning her teammates, as she has shown with Nienke Veenhoven and Martina Fidanza. On top of that, she is fast herself, as we saw at Itzulia Women with her two top-five finishes.”
Vigié also feels that her value to the team is increasing. “I’ve really found my role in the team and that means a lot to me. It gives me confidence and a very good feeling.”
"I’ve really found my role in the team and that means a lot to me"
"I hope to be important again in the Tour of Norway”, she continues. “The first stage is one for the climbers, and I hope to help position our strong riders well for the final climb. The second day might suit me even better. If I can make it to the final, there could be a chance to sprint for a result. But we’ll have to see.”
In the Tour of Norway, the yellow and black team hopes to continue the strong performances of the past few weeks. “It’s a beautiful race with a challenging course”, Van Kooij concludes. “The first stage finishes uphill, and with Viktória (Chladonová), we have a rider who can really perform there. The second day is also tough, with a steep climb just before the finish. We will have to see how that stage develops, but we aim to play a part there as well.”
In addition to Vigié, Eva van Agt, Rosita Reijnhout, Linda Riedmann & Viktória Chladoňová are also competing on behalf of Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women.
