Trek-Segafredo Women
July 25, 2019
Ellen
van
Dijk
Ellen van Dijk is renowned for her time trial ability and is one of the world’s best in the race against the clock. Crowned three times World Champion in the team time trial, she also won the coveted rainbow jersey in the individual time trial in 2013, a career highlight. Ellen also excels in tough one-day classics. She won the esteemed Tour of Flanders in 2014, Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2018 and 2019, and finished third last year in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. She ended 2018 with a third place in the World Championship individual time trial but could not compete in her favored event in 2019 after she fractured her arm and pelvis in a severe crash. In 2020, Ellen rode her way onto the World's time trial podium again, taking home the bronze medal in Imola. 2021 will be Ellen's 16th professional season and she is not showing any signs of slowing down.
Questions /
Answers
What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?
Knitting. Keep it quiet please.
Tell us about your greatest cycling achievement.
World Championships Time Trial win in 2013. My goal was to be a world champion once. The whole year I was the best time trialist, but I was extremely nervous before the biggest race of the year. I couldn't sleep the night before, I had breathing problems, and maybe it wasn't even my best time trial of the year. But I managed to be the best that day. At the finish line, I fell in the arms of my family. It was really special.
Who inspires you? Why?
My family. Because they show me what's really important in life, that there's more in life than cycling.
What is your favorite Bontrager or Trek equipment?
My new custom made Bontrager saddle. And the Speed Concept.
