{"id":2241382,"date":"2026-11-06T11:03:56","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T08:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2241382"},"modified":"2026-11-06T11:03:56","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T08:03:56","slug":"i-felt-quite-lost-and-desperate-how-ashleigh-moolman-pasio-re-wrote-the-ending-of-her-17-year-career-and-how-shes-re-writing-the-future-for-african-cyclists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2241382","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I felt quite lost and desperate&#8217; \u2013 How Ashleigh Moolman Pasio re-wrote the ending of her 17-year career, and how she&#8217;s re-writing the future for African cyclists"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-2400-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xymkMXG26y9cLaDypZMEB-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xymkMXG26y9cLaDypZMEB-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    From selfless stars to tireless workhorses \u2013 Our pick of the best domestiques of 2026\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysrnYryuyDMntb5ndvzV6S-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysrnYryuyDMntb5ndvzV6S-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;Lack of funding&#8217; forces long-standing women&#8217;s Continental team to close after 18 seasons\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pLdFFxHr2GJiDxQb3Y2VwW-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pLdFFxHr2GJiDxQb3Y2VwW-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;I lost the joy of the everyday life&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot heads for much-needed off-season reset after Tour de France Femmes &#8216;ended up with nothing&#8217; in 2026\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav data-component-name=\"UI:Breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"type-breadcrumbs-sm md:type-breadcrumbs-md mb-5\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<ol class=\"inline-flex flex-wrap items-center align-top gap-1\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1\">\nPro Cycling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1\">\nRacing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1\">\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1\">\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I felt quite lost and desperate&#8217; \u2013 How Ashleigh Moolman Pasio re-wrote the ending of her 17-year career, and how she&#8217;s re-writing the future for African cyclists<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDan Challis <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-11-06T11:03:56Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 November 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Record-breaking South African talks to Cyclingnews about hanging up her racing bike, and stepping into her future as Amani team manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\"><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 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py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\"><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><\/p>\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Subscribe to our newsletter<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-6307db5e-d7a4-11f1-88c6-9bcbd70c424e\">Ashleigh Moolman Pasio&#8217;s career could have ended very differently had she given in to a drawn-out and frustrating recovery to a fractured vertebrae. She considered hanging up her race bike during the 2025 season, a year earlier than planned, her confidence weakened after 18 months of trying to find form due to a crash at the 2024 Volta a Catalunya.<\/p>\n<p>However, the South African was determined to write a different final chapter to her 17-year professional career, and saddled up for one last campaign.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6307db5e-d7a4-11f1-88c6-9bcbd70c424e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Following the Road World Championships in Montreal, where she finished 19th in the road race, and the Gravel World Championships in Nannup, the pioneer of African women&#8217;s cycling has retired in a much happier place than a year ago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Speaking to Moolman Pasio over a video call from her home on the outskirts of Girona, it&#8217;s clear that this conversation would have been very different had it occurred twelve months earlier. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider is leaving the peloton satisfied to have bowed out on her own terms and in good shape, rather than being forced out through injury.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-ada0d030-d9ca-11f1-84b2-e7ea79cdb382\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>I didn&#8217;t finish because I wasn&#8217;t good enough any longer. I finished because I&#8217;ve decided it&#8217;s time to put my focus into other things.<\/p><figcaption><cite>Ashleigh Moolman Pasio<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ada0d0e4-d9ca-11f1-9b1d-6532d7d5ff6e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She isn&#8217;t leaving the sport altogether, however, and now takes up a role with Team Amani as the African Continental outfit&#8217;s general manager, aiming to take its women&#8217;s team to the Tour de France Femmes in 2028.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase md:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;One final opportunity to give it everything&#8217; \u2013 Ashleigh Moolman Pasio set to close out 17-year professional career with World Championships road race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the end of 2025 I actually didn&#8217;t know who I was as an athlete any longer. It was such a disconnect from the athlete I was in training and who I knew I was in terms of the power and the performance I could produce,&#8221; Moolman Pasio tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> a few days after her final bow at the gravel worlds. &#8220;I felt quite lost and desperate. It did cross my mind to retire sooner than planned.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alongside her T10 vertebra fracture, Moolman Pasio also discovered at that time that she was suffering from high insulin sensitivity, causing her muscles to flush out glucose from her bloodstream; a physiological concept known as the &#8216;athlete paradox&#8217;. After adjusting her diet, she got back in shape for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I decided that I wanted to finish my career on my terms and managed to get back to a level that I was very happy with,&#8221; she says, having finished fourth at April&#8217;s Brabantse Pijl among several other strong results in her final year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I finished on my terms and I finished the athlete that I know I should be. Whereas if I had finished last year having had all those performance issues I would have felt like I was forced to retire because I&#8217;m not good enough any longer. Now, I actually could continue\u2026 I still am at the level that I could hugely contribute to a team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t finish because I wasn&#8217;t good enough any longer. I finished because I&#8217;ve decided it&#8217;s time to put my focus into other things,&#8221; she adds.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase md:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Overcoming RED-S, inspirational Mexican debut, and a 21-year-old in the top 10 \u2013 North American roundup from the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">South Africa\u2019s Lisa Bone makes the leap to the WorldTour with EF Education-Oatly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf7fec4-d92e-11f1-83ec-6146016f2762\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio closed her career with two final outings in the South African jersey <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf7ff32-d92e-11f1-b391-a14f8d49581a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio was pleased with her final road worlds performance, finishing in the top-20 on a tough course in Montr\u00e9al. Things didn&#8217;t go quite as smoothly on the gravel two weeks later, however, as she endured a cold in the days before and ended her final race early due to a crash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No &#8220;fairytale ending,&#8221; she says, but turning 41 in December, Moolman Pasio is now taking time to reflect on almost two decades in Europe that have themselves had the twists and turns of a good novel.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"an-outsider-infiltrating-a-european-sport-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An outsider infiltrating a European sport<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6307dc62-d7a4-11f1-b883-4f4aa1ee21ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No African woman precedes Moolman Pasio for her longevity and achievements in professional cycling. After qualifying as a chemical engineer at Stellenbosch University, the Pretorian discovered her talent for cycling later than most, encouraged and supported by her husband, Carl.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio began racing on the South African scene while at university. She soon signed for one of the country&#8217;s big teams, Cyclelab-Toyota, which in 2008 enabled her to race in Europe for the first time at the Tour Feminin de l&#8217;Ard\u00e8che. She finished the six-stage race in 39th, doing enough to convince Lotto Ladies to hand her a life-changing contract.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The Tour of Ard\u00e8che was a big big eye-opener. [I was] totally out of my depth at that point in time; crashing, punctures, all sorts of nonsense. But thankfully I made contact with Lotto. We managed to negotiate this ride for a couple of members of the local team on the Lotto set-up. [It was] for free. We just got our bikes and support,&#8221; she explains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It took determination, it took guts. I had to be really brave to make this all happen. It also took the support around me which I was very lucky to have.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio describes racing a &#8216;double season&#8217; in her first couple of years; competing in Europe during the northern hemisphere summer with Lotto, and then again throughout the summer months in South Africa. She survived on the small amount of pay from racing in South Africa as well as some personal endorsement deals from South African companies.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf7ffaa-d92e-11f1-8d9e-c5b1e8cbcbe7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">A young Moolman Pasio took some big results early on <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf80018-d92e-11f1-b5c8-57277cf8bc61\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She says her first &#8220;proper contract&#8221; came along in 2014 when she joined the Norwegian Hitec Products team after a season in which she finished on the podium at La Fl\u00e9che Wallonne. However, throughout all this time, she and Carl had been struggling with visa restrictions due to their South African passports. Utilising his Italian heritage, Moolman Pasio&#8217;s husband managed to get Italian passports for both of them, solving their visa restriction woes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio went on to take a total of 49 UCI victories throughout her career. She became the first African woman to win a WorldTour stage race in 2022 at the Tour de Romandie, won the UCI eSports World Championships in 2020 and was twice overall runner-up at the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women. For much of that time, Moolman Pasio has been the only African rider at the top level of women&#8217;s cycling, something which she plans to change in the next phase of her life.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-the-hunger-in-their-eyes-39-paying-it-forward-with-team-amani-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;The hunger in their eyes&#8217; \u2013 Paying it forward with Team Amani<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6307dda2-d7a4-11f1-a651-b75ed59e98b5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio&#8217;s career has not only been characterised by what she has achieved on the bike, but also her activities off it. She set up Rocacorba Cycling in 2021 alongside her husband, a boutique cycling hotel in a restored 17th century estate, nestled in the mountains near Girona and named after one of the local climbs. Alongside the hotel, Moolman Pasio established the Rocacorba Collective, a thriving indoor cycling community with a particular mission to uplift and bring women together.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In a sport that has become more insular, with riders able to focus on little else aside from their performance, Moolman Pasio has always ridden with a wider set of goals in mind. In 2023, during the middle of her Classics campaign, she travelled back to South Africa to support women from Khaltsha Cycling, a cycling project partnered with Rocacorba Collective in the country&#8217;s largest township, to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve always been driven by impact, purpose, paying it forward, deeper than winning bike races,&#8221; she says. &#8220;Yes, performing at bike races motivated me, obviously, to keep always giving my best, but my real inspiration as an athlete was so much more than winning bike races.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf80090-d92e-11f1-b891-2f6908a2d5e7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio does know plenty about winning races, though <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf800f4-d92e-11f1-a892-cbf227ca99d2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now that she has hung up her wheels for good, Moolman Pasio will plough her full focus into her new role as general manager of Team Amani. She will guide the East African cycling project&#8217;s women&#8217;s Continental team, which aims to enable African women to race at the very top levels. The ultimate and immediate goal is to race the 2028 Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio&#8217;s original plan in the latter stages of her career was to set up her own cycling team, linked in with the Rocacorba community. However, after speaking with Ethiopian former men&#8217;s WorldTour rider Tsgabu Grmay, she recognised a synergy between her ideas and what Amani was already putting in place. Instead of competing with Amani, Moolman Pasio was invited to join the team staff, and has even spent time supporting its riders this season, hosting a small group at Rocacorba and spending a day coaching them in descending.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-96552368-d92f-11f1-a65e-bfefc192b9d3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-965523ea-d92f-11f1-bcef-5f86870499ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instantly, Moolman Pasio was gripped by the potential of the riders from Ethiopia, Rwanda and elsewhere in East Africa.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was actually quite mind-blowing really,&#8221; she recalls of her day coaching the riders in June.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We went out for a session on Rocacorba to do some downhilling skills and it still gives me goosebumps to think of that day because it was just so high impact\u2026 The hunger in their eyes, that&#8217;s something that really stands out to me with these girls. They have so many challenges back home, especially the Ethiopians with war that&#8217;s looming [<em>In October, fighting resumed in the Tigray region, where Amani&#8217;s Ethiopian riders are from, following the 2020-2022 Tigray War between the Ethiopian Armed Forces and the Tigray People&#8217;s Liberation Front \u2013 Ed.<\/em>].<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Two of them have young children and their families are there, but the hunger and just how they were soaking up everything that I was showing them, everything I was saying to them. I could just see their eyes, I could see the sparkle, I could see the switch flick in their brains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf8014e-d92e-11f1-a594-230151ae7a6a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio will spend much more time with the Amani team from now on <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Wango Alfred \/ Team Amani)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf801b2-d92e-11f1-a66e-0d616c581704\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Days later, Moolman Pasio raced with her AG Insurance-Soudal team against Team Amani at the Volta a Catalunya, finishing 12th. Amani&#8217;s best finisher was Ethiopian Eyerusalem Haftu Reda in 20th overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Seeing how [Eyerusalem Haftu Reda] moved in the peloton, how she was fighting for her place. She transformed her descending just from spending a few hours with me. I was just blown away by it and that&#8217;s when I was like these girls have it, you know.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s now moved from &#8216;I want to pay forward, I want to help Africans, I want to give them opportunity&#8217;, to saying &#8216;We can get to the Tour de France, we can compete at the highest level&#8217;. If this is how quickly they can turn things around, imagine if they have a full season. They can do it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It didn&#8217;t change my motivation, I was always motivated, but it just amplified everything. We need to make this happen. So that&#8217;s when we really started talking quite aggressively. We want to be at the start line of the Tour de France in 2028 and we really do believe we can do that. So now it&#8217;s about putting everything possible in place to make that happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The loss of Moolman Pasio&#8217;s presence in the WorldTour peloton will be felt in 2027. This driven rider, with her punchy style and consistency, has been a constant figure in the bunch for 17 seasons.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, speaking with this giant of African cycling, you get the sense that she is just getting started.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6307de1a-d7a4-11f1-851d-f133fa402f93\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The road season might be at an end, but Cyclingnews isn&#8217;t slowing down. Subscribe for unlimited access to our comprehensive news coverage, industry-leading CN Labs testing, expert columnists, and so much more. Plus, the Cyclingnews app means you can stay up-to-date wherever you go! <\/strong><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Dan Challis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Freelance writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dan is a freelance cycling journalist who has written for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> since 2023 alongside other work with <em>Cycling Weekly<\/em>, <em>Rouleur<\/em> and <em>Escape Collective<\/em>. Dan focuses much of his work on professional cycling beyond its traditional European heartlands and writes a regular Substack called Global Peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 md:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;One final opportunity to give it everything&#8217; \u2013 Ashleigh Moolman Pasio set to close out 17-year professional career with World Championships road race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Overcoming RED-S, inspirational Mexican debut, and a 21-year-old in the top 10 \u2013 North American roundup from the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">South Africa\u2019s Lisa Bone makes the leap to the WorldTour with EF Education-Oatly<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I felt the bone snap&#8217; &#8211; Hannah Otto survives 40% gradients, snowy summit and fracture to set epic one-day Kilimanjaro summit record<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Superprestige Middelkerke: Aniek van Alphen puts in dominant performance ahead of European Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s about time&#8217; &#8211; BMC enter women&#8217;s peloton with Basque Laboral Kutxa team partnership<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t agree with their way of working&#8217; \u2013 Ellen van Dijk critical of Picnic-PostNL management but says she didn&#8217;t experience culture of fear<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not exactly how I had planned&#8217; \u2013 Geerike Schreurs finally home in the Netherlands after horror crash at Gravel World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Traka World Series a &#8216;natural evolution&#8217; of Gravel Earth Series with collection of seven races, \u20ac84,000 prize purse and promise of live streaming<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our video review of the new Argon 18 Nitrogen Pro before anyone else<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will actually ride the Giro d\u2019Italia in 2027? Analysing the choices facing Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard, Seixas, Evenepoel, Del Toro and more<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s most feared climb \u2013 A closer look at the mighty Monte Zoncolan ahead of its return in 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Turned up to 11 \u2013 The 2027 Giro d\u2019Italia Women route is tough, but it risks producing a race without crucial jeopardy<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Zero to hero? Wind tunnel testing the new Look 795 Blade RS<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Giro d&#8217;Italia 2027 route revealed \u2013 A climber&#8217;s paradise with double Mortirolo ascent and return to iconic Monte Zoncolan and Passo Gavia<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Outshining established players, mid-season promotions and Grand Tour victories \u2013 Taking a closer look at 10 stand-out neo-pros of 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I felt the bone snap&#8217; 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\u2013 How Ashleigh Moolman Pasio re-wrote the ending of her 17-year career, and how she&#8217;s re-writing the future for African cyclists<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDan Challis <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-11-06T11:03:56Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 November 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Record-breaking South African talks to Cyclingnews about hanging up her racing bike, and stepping into her future as Amani team manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, 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py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\"><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><\/p>\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Subscribe to our newsletter<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-6307db5e-d7a4-11f1-88c6-9bcbd70c424e\">Ashleigh Moolman Pasio&#8217;s career could have ended very differently had she given in to a drawn-out and frustrating recovery to a fractured vertebrae. She considered hanging up her race bike during the 2025 season, a year earlier than planned, her confidence weakened after 18 months of trying to find form due to a crash at the 2024 Volta a Catalunya.<\/p>\n<p>However, the South African was determined to write a different final chapter to her 17-year professional career, and saddled up for one last campaign.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6307db5e-d7a4-11f1-88c6-9bcbd70c424e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Following the Road World Championships in Montreal, where she finished 19th in the road race, and the Gravel World Championships in Nannup, the pioneer of African women&#8217;s cycling has retired in a much happier place than a year ago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Speaking to Moolman Pasio over a video call from her home on the outskirts of Girona, it&#8217;s clear that this conversation would have been very different had it occurred twelve months earlier. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider is leaving the peloton satisfied to have bowed out on her own terms and in good shape, rather than being forced out through injury.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-ada0d030-d9ca-11f1-84b2-e7ea79cdb382\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>I didn&#8217;t finish because I wasn&#8217;t good enough any longer. I finished because I&#8217;ve decided it&#8217;s time to put my focus into other things.<\/p><figcaption><cite>Ashleigh Moolman Pasio<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ada0d0e4-d9ca-11f1-9b1d-6532d7d5ff6e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She isn&#8217;t leaving the sport altogether, however, and now takes up a role with Team Amani as the African Continental outfit&#8217;s general manager, aiming to take its women&#8217;s team to the Tour de France Femmes in 2028.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase md:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;One final opportunity to give it everything&#8217; \u2013 Ashleigh Moolman Pasio set to close out 17-year professional career with World Championships road race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the end of 2025 I actually didn&#8217;t know who I was as an athlete any longer. It was such a disconnect from the athlete I was in training and who I knew I was in terms of the power and the performance I could produce,&#8221; Moolman Pasio tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> a few days after her final bow at the gravel worlds. &#8220;I felt quite lost and desperate. It did cross my mind to retire sooner than planned.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alongside her T10 vertebra fracture, Moolman Pasio also discovered at that time that she was suffering from high insulin sensitivity, causing her muscles to flush out glucose from her bloodstream; a physiological concept known as the &#8216;athlete paradox&#8217;. After adjusting her diet, she got back in shape for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I decided that I wanted to finish my career on my terms and managed to get back to a level that I was very happy with,&#8221; she says, having finished fourth at April&#8217;s Brabantse Pijl among several other strong results in her final year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I finished on my terms and I finished the athlete that I know I should be. Whereas if I had finished last year having had all those performance issues I would have felt like I was forced to retire because I&#8217;m not good enough any longer. Now, I actually could continue\u2026 I still am at the level that I could hugely contribute to a team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t finish because I wasn&#8217;t good enough any longer. I finished because I&#8217;ve decided it&#8217;s time to put my focus into other things,&#8221; she adds.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase md:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Overcoming RED-S, inspirational Mexican debut, and a 21-year-old in the top 10 \u2013 North American roundup from the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">South Africa\u2019s Lisa Bone makes the leap to the WorldTour with EF Education-Oatly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf7fec4-d92e-11f1-83ec-6146016f2762\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio closed her career with two final outings in the South African jersey <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf7ff32-d92e-11f1-b391-a14f8d49581a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio was pleased with her final road worlds performance, finishing in the top-20 on a tough course in Montr\u00e9al. Things didn&#8217;t go quite as smoothly on the gravel two weeks later, however, as she endured a cold in the days before and ended her final race early due to a crash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No &#8220;fairytale ending,&#8221; she says, but turning 41 in December, Moolman Pasio is now taking time to reflect on almost two decades in Europe that have themselves had the twists and turns of a good novel.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"an-outsider-infiltrating-a-european-sport-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An outsider infiltrating a European sport<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6307dc62-d7a4-11f1-b883-4f4aa1ee21ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No African woman precedes Moolman Pasio for her longevity and achievements in professional cycling. After qualifying as a chemical engineer at Stellenbosch University, the Pretorian discovered her talent for cycling later than most, encouraged and supported by her husband, Carl.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio began racing on the South African scene while at university. She soon signed for one of the country&#8217;s big teams, Cyclelab-Toyota, which in 2008 enabled her to race in Europe for the first time at the Tour Feminin de l&#8217;Ard\u00e8che. She finished the six-stage race in 39th, doing enough to convince Lotto Ladies to hand her a life-changing contract.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The Tour of Ard\u00e8che was a big big eye-opener. [I was] totally out of my depth at that point in time; crashing, punctures, all sorts of nonsense. But thankfully I made contact with Lotto. We managed to negotiate this ride for a couple of members of the local team on the Lotto set-up. [It was] for free. We just got our bikes and support,&#8221; she explains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It took determination, it took guts. I had to be really brave to make this all happen. It also took the support around me which I was very lucky to have.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio describes racing a &#8216;double season&#8217; in her first couple of years; competing in Europe during the northern hemisphere summer with Lotto, and then again throughout the summer months in South Africa. She survived on the small amount of pay from racing in South Africa as well as some personal endorsement deals from South African companies.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf7ffaa-d92e-11f1-8d9e-c5b1e8cbcbe7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">A young Moolman Pasio took some big results early on <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf80018-d92e-11f1-b5c8-57277cf8bc61\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She says her first &#8220;proper contract&#8221; came along in 2014 when she joined the Norwegian Hitec Products team after a season in which she finished on the podium at La Fl\u00e9che Wallonne. However, throughout all this time, she and Carl had been struggling with visa restrictions due to their South African passports. Utilising his Italian heritage, Moolman Pasio&#8217;s husband managed to get Italian passports for both of them, solving their visa restriction woes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio went on to take a total of 49 UCI victories throughout her career. She became the first African woman to win a WorldTour stage race in 2022 at the Tour de Romandie, won the UCI eSports World Championships in 2020 and was twice overall runner-up at the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women. For much of that time, Moolman Pasio has been the only African rider at the top level of women&#8217;s cycling, something which she plans to change in the next phase of her life.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-the-hunger-in-their-eyes-39-paying-it-forward-with-team-amani-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;The hunger in their eyes&#8217; \u2013 Paying it forward with Team Amani<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6307dda2-d7a4-11f1-a651-b75ed59e98b5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio&#8217;s career has not only been characterised by what she has achieved on the bike, but also her activities off it. She set up Rocacorba Cycling in 2021 alongside her husband, a boutique cycling hotel in a restored 17th century estate, nestled in the mountains near Girona and named after one of the local climbs. Alongside the hotel, Moolman Pasio established the Rocacorba Collective, a thriving indoor cycling community with a particular mission to uplift and bring women together.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In a sport that has become more insular, with riders able to focus on little else aside from their performance, Moolman Pasio has always ridden with a wider set of goals in mind. In 2023, during the middle of her Classics campaign, she travelled back to South Africa to support women from Khaltsha Cycling, a cycling project partnered with Rocacorba Collective in the country&#8217;s largest township, to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve always been driven by impact, purpose, paying it forward, deeper than winning bike races,&#8221; she says. &#8220;Yes, performing at bike races motivated me, obviously, to keep always giving my best, but my real inspiration as an athlete was so much more than winning bike races.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf80090-d92e-11f1-b891-2f6908a2d5e7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio does know plenty about winning races, though <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf800f4-d92e-11f1-a892-cbf227ca99d2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now that she has hung up her wheels for good, Moolman Pasio will plough her full focus into her new role as general manager of Team Amani. She will guide the East African cycling project&#8217;s women&#8217;s Continental team, which aims to enable African women to race at the very top levels. The ultimate and immediate goal is to race the 2028 Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio&#8217;s original plan in the latter stages of her career was to set up her own cycling team, linked in with the Rocacorba community. However, after speaking with Ethiopian former men&#8217;s WorldTour rider Tsgabu Grmay, she recognised a synergy between her ideas and what Amani was already putting in place. Instead of competing with Amani, Moolman Pasio was invited to join the team staff, and has even spent time supporting its riders this season, hosting a small group at Rocacorba and spending a day coaching them in descending.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-96552368-d92f-11f1-a65e-bfefc192b9d3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-965523ea-d92f-11f1-bcef-5f86870499ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instantly, Moolman Pasio was gripped by the potential of the riders from Ethiopia, Rwanda and elsewhere in East Africa.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was actually quite mind-blowing really,&#8221; she recalls of her day coaching the riders in June.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We went out for a session on Rocacorba to do some downhilling skills and it still gives me goosebumps to think of that day because it was just so high impact\u2026 The hunger in their eyes, that&#8217;s something that really stands out to me with these girls. They have so many challenges back home, especially the Ethiopians with war that&#8217;s looming [<em>In October, fighting resumed in the Tigray region, where Amani&#8217;s Ethiopian riders are from, following the 2020-2022 Tigray War between the Ethiopian Armed Forces and the Tigray People&#8217;s Liberation Front \u2013 Ed.<\/em>].<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Two of them have young children and their families are there, but the hunger and just how they were soaking up everything that I was showing them, everything I was saying to them. I could just see their eyes, I could see the sparkle, I could see the switch flick in their brains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf8014e-d92e-11f1-a594-230151ae7a6a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio will spend much more time with the Amani team from now on <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Wango Alfred \/ Team Amani)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf801b2-d92e-11f1-a66e-0d616c581704\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Days later, Moolman Pasio raced with her AG Insurance-Soudal team against Team Amani at the Volta a Catalunya, finishing 12th. Amani&#8217;s best finisher was Ethiopian Eyerusalem Haftu Reda in 20th overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Seeing how [Eyerusalem Haftu Reda] moved in the peloton, how she was fighting for her place. She transformed her descending just from spending a few hours with me. I was just blown away by it and that&#8217;s when I was like these girls have it, you know.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s now moved from &#8216;I want to pay forward, I want to help Africans, I want to give them opportunity&#8217;, to saying &#8216;We can get to the Tour de France, we can compete at the highest level&#8217;. If this is how quickly they can turn things around, imagine if they have a full season. They can do it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It didn&#8217;t change my motivation, I was always motivated, but it just amplified everything. We need to make this happen. So that&#8217;s when we really started talking quite aggressively. We want to be at the start line of the Tour de France in 2028 and we really do believe we can do that. So now it&#8217;s about putting everything possible in place to make that happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The loss of Moolman Pasio&#8217;s presence in the WorldTour peloton will be felt in 2027. This driven rider, with her punchy style and consistency, has been a constant figure in the bunch for 17 seasons.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, speaking with this giant of African cycling, you get the sense that she is just getting started.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6307de1a-d7a4-11f1-851d-f133fa402f93\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The road season might be at an end, but Cyclingnews isn&#8217;t slowing down. Subscribe for unlimited access to our comprehensive news coverage, industry-leading CN Labs testing, expert columnists, and so much more. Plus, the Cyclingnews app means you can stay up-to-date wherever you go! <\/strong><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Dan Challis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Freelance writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dan is a freelance cycling journalist who has written for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> since 2023 alongside other work with <em>Cycling Weekly<\/em>, <em>Rouleur<\/em> and <em>Escape Collective<\/em>. Dan focuses much of his work on professional cycling beyond its traditional European heartlands and writes a regular Substack called Global Peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 md:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;One final opportunity to give it everything&#8217; \u2013 Ashleigh Moolman Pasio set to close out 17-year professional career with World Championships road race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Overcoming RED-S, inspirational Mexican debut, and a 21-year-old in the top 10 \u2013 North American roundup from the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">South Africa\u2019s Lisa Bone makes the leap to the WorldTour with EF Education-Oatly<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DuZwFqkWzVv5BAXTxs242i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I felt the bone snap&#8217; &#8211; Hannah Otto survives 40% gradients, snowy summit and fracture to set epic one-day Kilimanjaro summit record<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3erTaFa9qhTC4rhXNonnNM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Superprestige Middelkerke: Aniek van Alphen puts in dominant performance ahead of European Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZbAio3FE7vEmevgsmBYEx5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s about time&#8217; &#8211; BMC enter women&#8217;s peloton with Basque Laboral Kutxa team partnership<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rDJmK2ZKSR4eSeDrB6qTF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t agree with their way of working&#8217; \u2013 Ellen van Dijk critical of Picnic-PostNL management but says she didn&#8217;t experience culture of fear<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z9euKhvYXNYVY4Ymyd67wd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not exactly how I had planned&#8217; \u2013 Geerike Schreurs finally home in the Netherlands after horror crash at Gravel World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LanZtV9MW6TnxmguHPrDTX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Traka World Series a &#8216;natural evolution&#8217; of Gravel Earth Series with collection of seven races, \u20ac84,000 prize purse and promise of live streaming<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zynmugmNnNmAP9st9Uyr5Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our video review of the new Argon 18 Nitrogen Pro before anyone else<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zpRx98Pkeek5sU4Xh6yhuV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will actually ride the Giro d\u2019Italia in 2027? Analysing the choices facing Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard, Seixas, Evenepoel, Del Toro and more<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALD3tNadfHfKZfQG9XuyAV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s most feared climb \u2013 A closer look at the mighty Monte Zoncolan ahead of its return in 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bedm7DKwLWbRuJYmmRKMzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Turned up to 11 \u2013 The 2027 Giro d\u2019Italia Women route is tough, but it risks producing a race without crucial jeopardy<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAA2edDJG8qUtHcQr4TvkU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Zero to hero? Wind tunnel testing the new Look 795 Blade RS<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZTGWgUMjVqtkRHrwARN2z7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Giro d&#8217;Italia 2027 route revealed \u2013 A climber&#8217;s paradise with double Mortirolo ascent and return to iconic Monte Zoncolan and Passo Gavia<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KC7UxhRTXhmajuCLEeUwtS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Outshining established players, mid-season promotions and Grand Tour victories \u2013 Taking a closer look at 10 stand-out neo-pros of 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I felt the bone snap&#8217; 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\u2013 How Ashleigh Moolman Pasio re-wrote the ending of her 17-year career, and how she&#8217;s re-writing the future for African cyclists<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDan Challis <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-11-06T11:03:56Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 November 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Record-breaking South African talks to Cyclingnews about hanging up her racing bike, and stepping into her future as Amani team manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\"><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Share this article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\"><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><\/p>\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span data-component-name=\"UI:Tooltip\" class=\"group relative inline-flex\"><span class=\"pointer-events-none absolute z-10 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-fast-02 ease-enter group-hover:opacity-100 group-has-[:focus-visible]:opacity-100 left-1\/2 bottom-full mb-1.5 -translate-x-1\/2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-flex flex-col items-center\" data-palette=\"brand\">\n<div class=\"block w-max max-w-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-surface-brand-black text-on-brand-black type-tooltip\"><span class=\"line-clamp-2\">Subscribe to our newsletter<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-6307db5e-d7a4-11f1-88c6-9bcbd70c424e\">Ashleigh Moolman Pasio&#8217;s career could have ended very differently had she given in to a drawn-out and frustrating recovery to a fractured vertebrae. She considered hanging up her race bike during the 2025 season, a year earlier than planned, her confidence weakened after 18 months of trying to find form due to a crash at the 2024 Volta a Catalunya.<\/p>\n<p>However, the South African was determined to write a different final chapter to her 17-year professional career, and saddled up for one last campaign.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6307db5e-d7a4-11f1-88c6-9bcbd70c424e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Following the Road World Championships in Montreal, where she finished 19th in the road race, and the Gravel World Championships in Nannup, the pioneer of African women&#8217;s cycling has retired in a much happier place than a year ago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Speaking to Moolman Pasio over a video call from her home on the outskirts of Girona, it&#8217;s clear that this conversation would have been very different had it occurred twelve months earlier. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider is leaving the peloton satisfied to have bowed out on her own terms and in good shape, rather than being forced out through injury.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-ada0d030-d9ca-11f1-84b2-e7ea79cdb382\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>I didn&#8217;t finish because I wasn&#8217;t good enough any longer. I finished because I&#8217;ve decided it&#8217;s time to put my focus into other things.<\/p><figcaption><cite>Ashleigh Moolman Pasio<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ada0d0e4-d9ca-11f1-9b1d-6532d7d5ff6e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She isn&#8217;t leaving the sport altogether, however, and now takes up a role with Team Amani as the African Continental outfit&#8217;s general manager, aiming to take its women&#8217;s team to the Tour de France Femmes in 2028.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase md:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eLuwVR2RWWrzKLWo8zu74d-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;One final opportunity to give it everything&#8217; \u2013 Ashleigh Moolman Pasio set to close out 17-year professional career with World Championships road race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dyz4pxS3nVwAi4oLqgUgND-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the end of 2025 I actually didn&#8217;t know who I was as an athlete any longer. It was such a disconnect from the athlete I was in training and who I knew I was in terms of the power and the performance I could produce,&#8221; Moolman Pasio tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> a few days after her final bow at the gravel worlds. &#8220;I felt quite lost and desperate. It did cross my mind to retire sooner than planned.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alongside her T10 vertebra fracture, Moolman Pasio also discovered at that time that she was suffering from high insulin sensitivity, causing her muscles to flush out glucose from her bloodstream; a physiological concept known as the &#8216;athlete paradox&#8217;. After adjusting her diet, she got back in shape for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-pm9Q6d4qqwrm5yPkgnsUdK slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I decided that I wanted to finish my career on my terms and managed to get back to a level that I was very happy with,&#8221; she says, having finished fourth at April&#8217;s Brabantse Pijl among several other strong results in her final year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I finished on my terms and I finished the athlete that I know I should be. Whereas if I had finished last year having had all those performance issues I would have felt like I was forced to retire because I&#8217;m not good enough any longer. Now, I actually could continue\u2026 I still am at the level that I could hugely contribute to a team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t finish because I wasn&#8217;t good enough any longer. I finished because I&#8217;ve decided it&#8217;s time to put my focus into other things,&#8221; she adds.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase md:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wiTqxZCJPWKHRiE7rappmm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Overcoming RED-S, inspirational Mexican debut, and a 21-year-old in the top 10 \u2013 North American roundup from the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKdi7nfN88Rk6K8LywQoDC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">South Africa\u2019s Lisa Bone makes the leap to the WorldTour with EF Education-Oatly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf7fec4-d92e-11f1-83ec-6146016f2762\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rhLdz6Ld7DcXKY8x6vqMEn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio closed her career with two final outings in the South African jersey <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf7ff32-d92e-11f1-b391-a14f8d49581a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio was pleased with her final road worlds performance, finishing in the top-20 on a tough course in Montr\u00e9al. Things didn&#8217;t go quite as smoothly on the gravel two weeks later, however, as she endured a cold in the days before and ended her final race early due to a crash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No &#8220;fairytale ending,&#8221; she says, but turning 41 in December, Moolman Pasio is now taking time to reflect on almost two decades in Europe that have themselves had the twists and turns of a good novel.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"an-outsider-infiltrating-a-european-sport-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An outsider infiltrating a European sport<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6307dc62-d7a4-11f1-b883-4f4aa1ee21ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No African woman precedes Moolman Pasio for her longevity and achievements in professional cycling. After qualifying as a chemical engineer at Stellenbosch University, the Pretorian discovered her talent for cycling later than most, encouraged and supported by her husband, Carl.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio began racing on the South African scene while at university. She soon signed for one of the country&#8217;s big teams, Cyclelab-Toyota, which in 2008 enabled her to race in Europe for the first time at the Tour Feminin de l&#8217;Ard\u00e8che. She finished the six-stage race in 39th, doing enough to convince Lotto Ladies to hand her a life-changing contract.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The Tour of Ard\u00e8che was a big big eye-opener. [I was] totally out of my depth at that point in time; crashing, punctures, all sorts of nonsense. But thankfully I made contact with Lotto. We managed to negotiate this ride for a couple of members of the local team on the Lotto set-up. [It was] for free. We just got our bikes and support,&#8221; she explains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It took determination, it took guts. I had to be really brave to make this all happen. It also took the support around me which I was very lucky to have.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio describes racing a &#8216;double season&#8217; in her first couple of years; competing in Europe during the northern hemisphere summer with Lotto, and then again throughout the summer months in South Africa. She survived on the small amount of pay from racing in South Africa as well as some personal endorsement deals from South African companies.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf7ffaa-d92e-11f1-8d9e-c5b1e8cbcbe7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dtkDhqPaUyNAx96U6wDELD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">A young Moolman Pasio took some big results early on <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf80018-d92e-11f1-b5c8-57277cf8bc61\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She says her first &#8220;proper contract&#8221; came along in 2014 when she joined the Norwegian Hitec Products team after a season in which she finished on the podium at La Fl\u00e9che Wallonne. However, throughout all this time, she and Carl had been struggling with visa restrictions due to their South African passports. Utilising his Italian heritage, Moolman Pasio&#8217;s husband managed to get Italian passports for both of them, solving their visa restriction woes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio went on to take a total of 49 UCI victories throughout her career. She became the first African woman to win a WorldTour stage race in 2022 at the Tour de Romandie, won the UCI eSports World Championships in 2020 and was twice overall runner-up at the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women. For much of that time, Moolman Pasio has been the only African rider at the top level of women&#8217;s cycling, something which she plans to change in the next phase of her life.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-the-hunger-in-their-eyes-39-paying-it-forward-with-team-amani-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;The hunger in their eyes&#8217; \u2013 Paying it forward with Team Amani<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6307dda2-d7a4-11f1-a651-b75ed59e98b5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio&#8217;s career has not only been characterised by what she has achieved on the bike, but also her activities off it. She set up Rocacorba Cycling in 2021 alongside her husband, a boutique cycling hotel in a restored 17th century estate, nestled in the mountains near Girona and named after one of the local climbs. Alongside the hotel, Moolman Pasio established the Rocacorba Collective, a thriving indoor cycling community with a particular mission to uplift and bring women together.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In a sport that has become more insular, with riders able to focus on little else aside from their performance, Moolman Pasio has always ridden with a wider set of goals in mind. In 2023, during the middle of her Classics campaign, she travelled back to South Africa to support women from Khaltsha Cycling, a cycling project partnered with Rocacorba Collective in the country&#8217;s largest township, to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve always been driven by impact, purpose, paying it forward, deeper than winning bike races,&#8221; she says. &#8220;Yes, performing at bike races motivated me, obviously, to keep always giving my best, but my real inspiration as an athlete was so much more than winning bike races.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf80090-d92e-11f1-b891-2f6908a2d5e7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2siGdHRKk5NW8EUvhZ5ykZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio does know plenty about winning races, though <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf800f4-d92e-11f1-a892-cbf227ca99d2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now that she has hung up her wheels for good, Moolman Pasio will plough her full focus into her new role as general manager of Team Amani. She will guide the East African cycling project&#8217;s women&#8217;s Continental team, which aims to enable African women to race at the very top levels. The ultimate and immediate goal is to race the 2028 Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moolman Pasio&#8217;s original plan in the latter stages of her career was to set up her own cycling team, linked in with the Rocacorba community. However, after speaking with Ethiopian former men&#8217;s WorldTour rider Tsgabu Grmay, she recognised a synergy between her ideas and what Amani was already putting in place. Instead of competing with Amani, Moolman Pasio was invited to join the team staff, and has even spent time supporting its riders this season, hosting a small group at Rocacorba and spending a day coaching them in descending.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-96552368-d92f-11f1-a65e-bfefc192b9d3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-965523ea-d92f-11f1-bcef-5f86870499ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instantly, Moolman Pasio was gripped by the potential of the riders from Ethiopia, Rwanda and elsewhere in East Africa.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was actually quite mind-blowing really,&#8221; she recalls of her day coaching the riders in June.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We went out for a session on Rocacorba to do some downhilling skills and it still gives me goosebumps to think of that day because it was just so high impact\u2026 The hunger in their eyes, that&#8217;s something that really stands out to me with these girls. They have so many challenges back home, especially the Ethiopians with war that&#8217;s looming [<em>In October, fighting resumed in the Tigray region, where Amani&#8217;s Ethiopian riders are from, following the 2020-2022 Tigray War between the Ethiopian Armed Forces and the Tigray People&#8217;s Liberation Front \u2013 Ed.<\/em>].<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Two of them have young children and their families are there, but the hunger and just how they were soaking up everything that I was showing them, everything I was saying to them. I could just see their eyes, I could see the sparkle, I could see the switch flick in their brains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-daf8014e-d92e-11f1-a594-230151ae7a6a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jxdh5YF3PcAA2fx7Nhmpfb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Moolman Pasio will spend much more time with the Amani team from now on <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Wango Alfred \/ Team Amani)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-daf801b2-d92e-11f1-a66e-0d616c581704\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Days later, Moolman Pasio raced with her AG Insurance-Soudal team against Team Amani at the Volta a Catalunya, finishing 12th. Amani&#8217;s best finisher was Ethiopian Eyerusalem Haftu Reda in 20th overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Seeing how [Eyerusalem Haftu Reda] moved in the peloton, how she was fighting for her place. She transformed her descending just from spending a few hours with me. I was just blown away by it and that&#8217;s when I was like these girls have it, you know.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s now moved from &#8216;I want to pay forward, I want to help Africans, I want to give them opportunity&#8217;, to saying &#8216;We can get to the Tour de France, we can compete at the highest level&#8217;. If this is how quickly they can turn things around, imagine if they have a full season. They can do it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It didn&#8217;t change my motivation, I was always motivated, but it just amplified everything. We need to make this happen. So that&#8217;s when we really started talking quite aggressively. We want to be at the start line of the Tour de France in 2028 and we really do believe we can do that. So now it&#8217;s about putting everything possible in place to make that happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The loss of Moolman Pasio&#8217;s presence in the WorldTour peloton will be felt in 2027. This driven rider, with her punchy style and consistency, has been a constant figure in the bunch for 17 seasons.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, speaking with this giant of African cycling, you get the sense that she is just getting started.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6307de1a-d7a4-11f1-851d-f133fa402f93\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The road season might be at an end, but Cyclingnews isn&#8217;t slowing down. Subscribe for unlimited access to our comprehensive news coverage, industry-leading CN Labs testing, expert columnists, and so much more. Plus, the Cyclingnews app means you can stay up-to-date wherever you go! <\/strong><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/i-felt-quite-lost-and-desperate-how-ashleigh-moolman-pasio-re-wrote-the-ending-of-her-17-year-career-and-how-shes-re-writing-the-future-for-african-cyclists\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/37PhNQZUbY6GgTpHTL7AbZ-2400-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 From selfless stars to tireless workhorses \u2013 Our pick of the best domestiques of 2026 2 &#8216;Lack of funding&#8217; forces long-standing women&#8217;s Continental team to close after 18 seasons 3 &#8216;I lost the joy of the everyday life&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot heads for much-needed off-season reset after Tour de France Femmes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2241382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2241382"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241382\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2241382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2241382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2241382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}