Talkingshop – Marianne Vos

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Paul Burgoine talks to an undeniable legend in women’s racing, Marianne Vos, who is heading to Britain in a few weeks for the Women’s Tour

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Talkingshop – Marianne Vos

Marianne Vos is a cycling legend in pretty much any discipline she turns her hand, or more importantly, her legs to. This year Marianne will be racing in the UK at the Friends Life Women’s Tour beginning on May 7th and this is great news for women’s cycling in the UK and Europe.

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It may however not be so good for the people that will be racing against her! Marianne took a few moments out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us.

PB: Marianne how do you feel about coming to race in England for the Women’s Tour?
Marianne Vos “I am very excited. It’s a positive development that more organisers of men’s races start to put on the same for women. I am looking forward to visiting England. I have fond memories of the 2012 Olympics over there, also the other races I have competed in and there is a good vibe for women’s racing in the UK”.

PB: Are you expecting a different style of race over here ?
Marianne Vos “All the World Cup races this season have been very competitive wherever they have been held. It shows women’s cycling is making big steps forward. So I don’t expect it to feel any different, but you do have an opportunity to showcase the race to the world.”

PB: You are obviously the favourite for the race, how will you approach this? And do you still feel pressure when you race?
Marianne Vos “With the whole Rabobank Liv team we are eager to get a good result. We have become much stronger as a team, in previous races the girls have shown they are ready to compete at the highest level”

PB: You and your family are very close. How do you think this has helped you in your career?
Marianne Vos “Definitely without them I couldn’t do it. They support me in everything I do and are always there when I need them”

PB: Do you still love cycling ? And what are your main objectives for the season?
Marianne Vos “I have a huge passion for cycling and enjoy every training session. Of course, there are some hard times when being a professional cyclist is tough, but those times make you stronger and allow you to enjoy life as a cyclist even more. This season is about developing the Rabobank Liv team even further. We have some very talented riders and we are working with all the individuals to make the team stronger for the future.

Big targets for us are the Team Time Trial Championships and La Course the race to be held on the final day of the Tour de France and for sure The friends Life Women’s Tour”

PB: You are so talented and have raised the profile of women’s racing but how do you stay inspired?
Marianne Vos“I will always stay inspired to raise the profile of women’s cycling as I have a dream to make women’s cycling more accessible. With the projects that I am involved in for example ‘Roadtrip Barcarola’ I assist women to ride their bikes and see cycling as lifestyle and a fun thing to do.

Through those initiatives, I stay inspired, I find the stories, of the girls I meet incredible. Also, when I am on a trip like this and a few girls who have never ridden before start cycling, I feel very inspired and see the importance of raising the profile of grass roots cycling and not only the professional scene.”

PB: Will we see you on the mountain bike in the next Olympics ?
Marianne Vos “Rio is a massive target for me, definitely the road race, possibly the MTB. We will see how it goes”

 

 

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