Q&A: New Drops Signing Ann Sophie Duyck

Our latest Q & A is with new signing for the Women’s Team Drops Cycling, Ann-Sophie Duyck from Belgium, a champion time trialist. Thank you Ann-Sophie!

Q&A: New Drops Signing Ann Sophie Duyck

The Belgian rider has spent the last two years riding for Topsport Vlaanderen – Etixx where she has gained some impressive results including 2nd overall at the Tour de Bretagne, 8th overall at Gracia Orlova and 11th at GP Plumelec.

Ann-Sophie Duyck initially impressed Drops with her performance at La FlÃ¨che Wallonne where she spent just shy of 100km at the front of the race in the main break of the day. A strong time-triallist, Ann-Sophie has had some impressive results against the clock this season. She won the Ljubljana TT, the Belgian National Time Trial Championship for the third year running and also the recent Chrono des Nations.

Bob Varney, Team Director says of Ann-Sophie, “she is a world class bike rider, a thoughtful and intelligent person, and we are all incredibly proud to have her wearing our colours next season. Her ambition, professionalism and work ethic, are three qualities that we hold dear, as they have been the foundations of what we have all achieved this year. He addition to the squad will give us an extra edge in selected Stage Races, and provide a huge boost to our TTT squad for the World Championships in Norway. I’m really excited to see the impact that she will have on our existing powerhouses like Sophie Coleman and Annie Simpson.â€

Here is Ann-Sophie’s Q & A
1) How does it feel to be part of a team that made such a big impact in 2016?
Ann-Sophie: Very proud and happy. This is the way a professional women’s team should be!

2) What was the highlight of the 2016 season for you?
Ann-Sophie: Chrono des Nations (ITT) (winner)

3) What was your favourite race of 2016?
Ann-Sophie: Individual Time Trial at Ljubljana and Chrono des Nations.

4) What the was toughest race
Ann-Sophie: The individual Time Trial at Rio (Olympics).

4) If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Ann-Sophie: Trust your own instinct and keep calm.

5) What is the piece of equipment/clothing that you are looking forward to most in 2017?
Ann-Sophie: All of it and for sure the TT bike.

6) What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Ann-Sophie: Warm up before a ITT is on a smart trainer with music. For the road races, I only do a warm up on rollers if the race or stage immediately goes up.
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7) What’s your favourite discipline on the road; road racing/crits/time trials and why?
Ann-Sophie: ITT, because it’s the most honest discipline in my opinion. It’s only you and the time.

8) When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Ann-Sophie: I started my training on 11th of November. First comes the general endurance with some power training, you need a good foundation before you start building your house.

9) What are the goals for 2017?
Ann-Sophie: Personal, the European and World Championship ITT and becoming a better cyclist in the road races, but also being part of a great team and achieving good results as a team.

10) Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)?
Ann-Sophie: Winter training is a mix of running, swimming, MTB, power training and cycling (in-and outdoor). General endurance with a lot of variety.

11) Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Ann-Sophie: Get yourself a Kickr! (turbo trainer!)