Is second place in the Vuelta Femenina one of your best achievements so far?
Of course. It is the first time that we have podiumed in a big tour with the Visma – Lease a Bike women’s team. I am therefore very proud that I have achieved that. Last year I was knocked off the podium and it is very nice that I climb from third place to second place on the last day.
What about your Olympic dream?
I still hope for that. We will hear the selection on May 29, so I am waiting in anticipation.
How complicated is it to make that selection?
Really bad. There are only four spots for the road race. Of those four, two may ride the time trial. This means that you must be one of the best four riders in the Netherlands to be selected. A number of girls are currently showing a very high level. Marianne Vos has already won a number of competitions. Lorena Wiebes, Demi Vollering, Shirin van Anrooij and Ellen van Dijk are riding very well this spring. There are just some very strong candidates.
Do you feel that you have made your calling card with that second place in the Vuelta Femenina?
Absolute. That is a result that plays a role. Sure.
On the other hand: the Vuelta lasts eight days and the Olympic road race is one day. Can you compare that?
Maybe not, but in the end it doesn’t matter much. Several things are taken into account in the selection. This is a great result that I am proud of. I don’t have control over the selection either. All I can do is show myself in the games and I did that. Now it is up to the national coach to make a decision.
What does your feeling say?
I can speculate about it as much as I want, but that doesn’t get me anywhere. I focus on myself.
And will that work, because this has been keeping you busy for months?
Yes. It is my biggest dream to go. However, you always have to keep in mind that there is a chance that you won’t go. That is the harsh reality in top sport. You grow up with that and learn to deal with it. You know that when you start this process. It’s just not easy.
Markus will be in the Netherlands for the next two weeks. Next week she will ride the Veenendaal – Veenendaal race and then she will do an altitude training course in Andorra.
