Vos trained for the World Championships in Australia after a stellar summer that included two Giro stage wins, two Tour de France day wins and the victory in the points classification, and three victories in the Tour of Scandinavia. She took a few weeks off to recharge for the upcoming cyclocross season.

Vos will compete in the Dutch Championships Gravel in Epe a few days before her first cross of the season. "That was a last-minute decision", the 35-year-old rider says. "But I'm really looking forward to it. A national championship is always unique, and this one works out really well in terms of planning. It's the ideal preparation for my first cyclocross race of the season."

Vos will ride the last race on Tuesday night in Woerden during the 'Night of Woerden'. With a start time of 19:40 and a race through the city centre under artificial light, this race truly lives up to its name. Vos rode this race once before in 2018, so she knows what to expect. "You seem to bike faster when it's dark", she says. "You see less depth; the turns appear later. That's very special. This first cross is always a little exciting, even if you already have a lot of experience."

Due to Vos's decision to take a break following the road season, she begins the cyclocross races later than most of her rivals. How the cyclist stacks up against the competition will become clear during the World Cup event in Maasmechelen (October 30).
Vos: "As evidenced by recent weeks, the level is high. The competition is on edge. I want to perform well, especially in light of the European Championships, which will take place on November 5 in Namen."

The Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek will host the opening World Cup race in the Netherlands on November 13. "The course is unknown to everyone because this is a new cross on the calendar", Vos says. "I'm looking forward to this race. World Cup races in the Netherlands are extra special. Especially now that I get to start in the rainbow jersey."