Anouska Koster starts on Sunday in Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik with the second part of the season.  In the past week, she completed a trainingscamp in Italy with the national selection.  “Hopefully we can stay in the positive flow of the recent past”, according to the Dutch road champion.

Did you have a constructive trainingscamp?
“Certainly. We were in Tuscany with a group of well over 10 women, including Riejanne en Marianne, with perfect conditions to build upon towards the second part of the season: lovely weather and stunning surroundings. We did our block trainings on the famous climb to Sassa. Aside from that, we completed several power endurance practices. Truly a beautiful region, Tuscany. We also had some time for rest and relaxation: on our resting day, we visited the start of the Giro stage in Florence. Very nice to have been part of that.”  

How do you look back at the first part of the season?
“Reassuring. The atmosphere in the team has been great from the beginning, only could we not immediately celebrate any victories. This was not totally unexpected as we were riding in a newly formed team and we were not yet used to race together. Everything was new, and the riders needed to get acquainted with one another. What does a leading rider want and what not?  How can we best support her? Once it all came together, we got the expected results. The week of the Amstel Gold Race, the Walloon Flash and Liege-Bastogne-Liege was really outstanding: 3 podium spots for Kasia. The victories soon after were also quite something, right?”

And how do you look back at your own achievements?
“A steady season so far. No real highlights, even though I have been improving over time. And I won a stage in the Gracia Orlová. The best part is that we can show that anyone can win. Kasia is strong, Riejanne wins several times, Marianne is successful, Moniek plays an important role for the podium, and Valentina soloed to victory in Dwars door de Westhoek. These are not the smallest of races we have won in the past few weeks. The fact that anyone can win, makes us stronger as a team which gives us a boost.”

What are you currently working towards?
“June will be a very important month. In the first instance, I’m looking forward to the OVO Energy Women’s Tour (7-11 June, red.), an appealing race in which I hope to be in good shape and to be able to follow the best. The race has a WorldTour status and consequently has more prestige. It is also a race which has become more specific with more challenging stages. A positive development for the peloton, and, of course, the atmosphere around the Women’s Tour is outstanding.  You quickly notice that the Tour of England is very much alive; the interest and enthusiasm of the spectators is catching.”

And what about the Dutch championship in Montferland?
“Something I am very much looking forward to. It’s a beautiful course in an superb environment. I already did a recon on my way to the South. A hilly and hence challenging race is awaiting us, whereby several spots could be decisive.”