Jolien D'hoore and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio: An Analysis of the Ardennes Classics

Reflection on the Ardennes Classics

Jolien D'hoore:

“Without a doubt, the Ardennes classics are some of the toughest races in cycling. The sequence of various climbs makes these races particularly demanding, and by the end of the race, the riders have conquered a significant amount of elevation, more than in any other race, especially outside Belgium and the Netherlands. They are truly challenging races that demand a lot physically and mentally from the participants. The modern way of racing, combined with the demanding courses, makes these races a true ordeal.”

 

Ashleigh Moolman Pasio:

“The Ardennes Classics form an especially tough series of races that follow each other closely. These races pose unique demands on preparation and recovery. It's about giving your body the right stimuli before the race but also ensuring adequate recovery so you can perform optimally.”

“Each classic has its own challenges; the Amstel Gold Race, for instance, is similar in its nervousness and technicality to the Flemish classics, with many turns and road furniture, which can be a shock to the system. La Flèche Wallonne focuses more on the infamous Mur de Huy, a climb where you need to stay focused and manage your energy efficiently. Liège-Bastogne-Liège, on the other hand, is more of an endurance test with continuous climbing, less hectic but relentlessly tough.”

“These races require you to be explosive as a climber but also manage your nutrition and recovery well because the races are so close together. During the race, it is crucial to remain calm and focused and wait for the key moments, such as the final climb of the Cauberg in the Amstel Gold Race. Here, it's about conserving enough energy but also timing your effort just right.”

“The challenges are significant, especially for lighter climbers like myself, because positioning, such as the right positioning for the Cauberg, is essential, and the descents can be fast and technical. La Flèche Wallonne can sometimes be tricky because you are tempted to expend too much power early in the race, which can backfire later.”

“In short, the Ardennes Classics are not just a physical but also a mental challenge, where strategy, positioning, and nutrition play crucial roles in achieving success.”

Changes in Team Tactics

Jolien D'hoore:

“There is definitely a difference between the tactics of the past and now. In the past, it was often a matter of guessing; if someone broke away, no one knew for sure if we would catch that rider before the finale. It was quite unpredictable. Nowadays, the races are much more structured and controlled, and we see that tactics are often inspired by men's cycling. However, we still maintain our unique approach in women's cycling. Everything has become more professional, and the top level has broadened. This leads to races being run more tactically and controlled. Like the men, we see early breakaways that can last a few minutes, but we are quite confident that these will often be caught in the finale. Then comes the strategy of playing out the lead woman, which makes the whole thing a fascinating tactical game. All this not only makes the race more interesting to follow but also increases the tension for the audience. This is a significant change from the approach in the past.”

 

Ashleigh Moolman Pasio:

“There is undeniably a positive evolution in team tactics. Our team has grown and developed year after year. Last year, we achieved our World Tour status for the first time, which was already an important milestone. This year, at the December training camp, I already saw significant changes in our younger riders. They have matured, are ready for the challenges of the World Tour, and their motivation is immense. They train hard and take their responsibilities seriously, but there remains a pleasant and almost familial atmosphere in the team.”

“We have fantastic partners and sponsors, such as AG Insurance, whose philosophy of 'supporters of your life' truly resonates within the team. Their support feels like that of a family. This is not only felt internally but is also visible during races, where figures like Friya Leunens from AG Insurance are always present and encouraging us.”

“This year we are taking significant steps forward, particularly through the professionalization within the team. Our staff are extremely professional and dedicated, and under the leadership of Jolien, who with her professionalism, positivity, and energy, is a fantastic leader, the team is truly flourishing. We have new facilities such as shared kitchens and a large bus, which makes everything more comfortable and better organized.”

“Last year, it was the first time for many of the girls to ride the Ardennes Classics, which meant I was working with a relatively inexperienced team. This year, that is still the case, and although they are still relatively new to the cycling world, these fantastic new colleagues bring more depth and experience with them each year. This allows us to execute our strategies better and be more flexible in our race approach. It is no longer just up to me to take the lead; racers like Kim Le Court and Justine Ghekiere are showing their potential again, and Mireia Benito has proven to be incredibly strong, especially after a high-altitude training. All this means that this year we can play the 'game' even better.”

Competition and Opportunities

Jolien D'hoore:

“Our greatest competitors are undoubtedly the teams of Lidl Trek and SD Workx. Lidl Trek has recently proven its strength, particularly through the impressive performances of Elisa Longo Borghini, who won both the Tour of Flanders and the Brabantse Pijl. This promises a lot for the upcoming races. They also have Shirin van Anrooij, another strong racer within the team. Beside them stands SD Workx, with top racers like Demi Vollering, Mischa Bredewold, and Blanka Vas, who are all standouts in the peloton.”

“These teams are definitely the ones to watch, but our own team, AG Insurance - Soudal, should not be underestimated. In the past, we mainly relied on Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, but nowadays, we have a wider and stronger team, with talents such as Sarah Gigante, who has proven herself alongside Ashleigh, and Justine Ghekiere, who recently showed her form in the Brabantse Pijl. Julie Van de Velde is also a racer who excels on tough courses, and Kim Le Court, shows our depth, even outside the specific Ardennes classics. We look forward to competing with these powerful teams.”

 

Ashleigh Moolman Pasio:

“This year, I consider Lidl-Trek to be our main competitors, although SD Workx is definitely a team to keep an eye on. They have exceptionally talented racers, including Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering. Lotte is not participating in all the races, which influences the dynamics during, for example, La Flèche Wallonne, where she does race. It is clear that Trek has made a significant leap forward this season. Elisa Longo Borghini has had a fantastic year, and together with Shirin van Anrooij, who also started strong, they form a cohesive team that dominated at the Brabantse Pijl. Trek has really emerged as the team we need to beat.”

“Teamwork is crucial; it's about supporting each other and standing strong together in the peloton. This earns respect from other teams and allows us to take better positions. Our unity as a team is our strength and comes naturally to us; we are, after all, 'The Wolfpack'. We must continue to support each other and also seize our own opportunities. We are always looking for that moment when we can surprise the other teams.”

Start Times and Race Format

Jolien D'hoore:

“The change to a later start time for La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège has undoubtedly been positively received. Everyone seems happy with it, not least because it gives us a chance to sleep a bit longer. We also now get more airtime on television right after the men, which results in more spectators along the route. All of this is very beneficial and comparable to the positive effects we have seen with the Flanders Classics during the Tour of Flanders. These changes are therefore very welcome and can be considered a successful improvement. All of this contributes to the overall experience and popularity of the race, allowing us to speak of a successful operation.”

 

Ashleigh Moolman Pasio:

“Starting from this year, we begin later in the Ardennes classics, particularly La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastenaken-Liège, thanks to the efforts of AG Insurance. This is truly incredible and shows what a fantastic partner AG Insurance is. They limit themselves not only to financial support; they are very involved and passionate about women's cycling. AG Insurance is not just a sponsor of our team but supports many aspects of cycling and is the title sponsor of the Ardennes Classics.”

“AG Insurance was clearly dissatisfied with the extremely early start times for the women, which led to less visibility among fans. Friya from AG Insurance has made a strong case for changing these start times, and we greatly appreciate it. It gives us an extra incentive to repay them with good performances and to honor the races for which they have made such an effort.”

“It is fantastic that we now start later and sometimes even finish after the men. This adds an element of surprise for the fans, who are now present to see us race, instead of us just being a warm-up act for the men. These changes increase our visibility and recognition within the sport. We are extremely grateful to our partners for their support, not only to our team but to women's cycling as a whole. We look forward to putting our best foot forward in the upcoming races.”