“I’m really looking forward to racing again”, Chladoňová says from Italy, where she has just completed the first altitude training camp of her career. The 18-year-old rider is enjoying a strong debut season with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Alongside several appearances in prestigious one-day races this spring, she also rode the Giro d’Italia - her first Grand Tour.

It’s a first season with the team that focuses on education and development. “The team gives me plenty of opportunities to show myself in major classics and stage races, which really helps my development. I really like the way the team works. Riding alongside riders like Pauline and Marianne is a dream for me. The way Pauline won the Tour de France Femmes was incredibly impressive. One day, I hope to shine there myself.”

First, however, comes the Tour de Romandie Féminin - a three-day race in Switzerland starting Friday with a short time trial, followed by two challenging mountain stages. Chladoňová will once again race in her Slovak champion’s jerseys this weekend. At the end of June, she claimed both the road race and time trial titles in spectacular fashion.

“The national road title was really special, my best victory so far. Wearing the jersey for a whole year is fantastic. Although my teammates sometimes need a moment to recognize me in the bunch”, Chladoňová jokes, who is really enjoying her time with the team. “We’re a young squad and I have a great relationship with my teammates.”

“But sometimes it’s challenging, because I still live in Slovakia and go to school there”, she explains. “Next year, I hope to complete my final exams. Balancing that with professional cycling will be a challenge. Thankfully, my school, the team, and my teammates are very supportive.”

The Slovak is eager to pin on a race number again on Friday. “I’m curious to see where I stand after my altitude camp. Since the Giro d’Italia, I’ve mainly been in Italy. At first for a holiday with my parents, then focusing on training. This was my first-ever altitude camp, so I’m very curious to see how it feels to race again.”

“We will definitely start in Switzerland with ambition as a team”, the rider continues. “Hopefully, we can fight for a stage win and a strong overall result. I hope to be at a good level in the Tour de Romandie Féminin, also with my later goals this season in mind - the World Championships and European Championships. Especially since the U23 will have their own race at the Worlds for the first time this year. I’m really excited about that.”

Eva van Agt, Maud Oudeman, Rosita Reijnhout, Mijntje Geurts, and Femke de Vries complete the six-rider lineup of Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women.