Anna van der Breggan joins Boels-Dolmans for 2017
Dutch Olympian set to ride for WorldTour leading squad next year
In 2015, Rabobank announced they would end sponsorship of the Rabo-Liv women’s team at the end of 2016. The team of former world champions Marianna Vos and Pauline Ferrand-Prevost has not yet announced new sponsorship for 2017 and van der Breggen is the first big name rider to leave the squad signing a two-year contract with Boels-Dolmans.
Van der Breggen of the Netherlands, who was the winner of the 2015 edition of the Giro Rosa and the 2016 La Flèche Wallonne Féminine, has signed with the Dutch Boels-Dolmans team adding to a strong roster that in 2015 includes world champion Lizzie Armitstead, WorldTour leader Megan Guarnier, Chantal Blaak, Evelyn Stevens and Canadian Karol-Anne Canuel amoung others.
In a statement on the team website, van der Breggen said, “After riding for Rabo-Liv for three wonderful seasons, it is time for me for something new. Choosing a great team like Boels-Dolmans felt like a logical step. I am happy with my two-year contract, and hope to achieve my further goals with the Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team.”
Boels-Dolmans director sportif Danny Stam said, “Anna is a very complete rider who fits in with the team perfectly, and is a benefit to the team’s balance. With the addition of Anna, we have gained an extra finisher who is a Jack-of-all-trades.” Van der Breggen finished second at the 2015 world championships behind Armitstead and sprinted to victory at La Course by Le Tour de France in 2015. “Also, she has proven to be loyal in the past. In short, she is a great asset for the team, one of which we can all be proud,” said Stam.
Van der Breggen is currently defending her title at the Giro Rosa and sits 1:14 back from pink jersey wearer Evelyn Stevens who races for Boels-Dolmans. She is also set to ride at the Rio Olympics where her Dutch teams arrive as favourites for the road race.
