2022 Highlights and lessons learned
WORDS: REBECCA BLAND
IMAGES: HONOR ELLIOTT / ZAC WILLIAMS
Le Col - Wahoo’s 2022 has been a season unlike any before it. We won our first UCI WorldTour classification in our home race the Women’s Tour, rode the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, and made an impression at almost every race in which we participated. With all these highlights it’s difficult to pick one or two that really stood out, so we asked some of our riders to tell us their favourite moments of the season and what lessons they learned this year. We’ve already shared answers from Majo, Jesse and Flora on social media, but there were plenty more highlights from the riders.
Getting a team to gel can be difficult, but this year the riders worked really well together, a cohesion April mentions as one of her highlights.
“My favourite moment from the 2022 season was the final block of races we did in Belgium and France. I felt we all worked well as a team, we all had our roles and it paid off with some top five results including Majo’s first UCI win.
“This year I have improved physically as a rider as I was able to finish the races after doing my team duties. Whether that be chasing down attacks, positioning our lead riders, or being in a breakaway. I have learnt to be more patient and calmer when things go wrong during races, as you never know what could happen.”
Although she didn’t race as much as she’d have liked, Tata embraced the racing she did do.
“It still hasn’t sunk in that I’m the third best in the world!”
“One of the nicest moments was returning back to racing in September with the team after a long period away, and we won that race with Mayo after such amazing work by the team during the day. It was a nice feeling being part of that victory and especially in my first race after that period.”
Her interrupted road season hasn’t stopped Tata, the aspiring minimalist, from shining on the track this year.
“With the national team, the highlight was definitely the bronze medal in the omnium at Track Worlds. It was a pretty special day for me, it still hasn’t sunk in that I’m the third best in the world!”
She might only have joined the team mid-way through 2022, but Eva van Agt has had plenty to celebrate this season.
"My favourite moment was Majo’s win at GP Beerens, she finished it off after perfect tactics throughout the whole race and a textbook lead-out. Also the entire week in Thüringen; after that first stage race I knew I made the best choice in joining this team and that I want to do this sport for many years to come.
"The biggest lessons I learned? That there is a lot to work on for me in several areas before I can play for the win / compete with top riders. But also that cycling is really a team sport at this level, and that the team around the riders works very hard and selflessly behind the scenes."
El was another new rider to the squad this year, and she’s made a big impression so far, but of course, stepping up to the elite level isn’t without its adjustments.
“When you’re struggling, or everything feels like it’s going wrong simultaneously, you really have to rely on those closest to you.”
“My favourite moment of the year was Majo’s win at GP Beerens. It felt like a real team effort and for Majo, who throughout the year has been the most supportive teammate, to finish it off on the day was really special to be a part of.
“I’ve also learnt so much this year, but I think the most valuable lesson is the importance of having a strong support network. When things go right it’s very easy to dismiss it, and to not appreciate those around you. But when you’re struggling, or everything feels like it’s going wrong simultaneously, you really have to rely on those closest to you.”