Following a successful first season with the HTC-Columbia team, Classics and track racing specialist Adrie Visser has agreed terms and will once again compete with the top-ranked squad in 2011.
“This past year, my first with the team, went very well, with my stage win in the Tour of Thuringen, a spell in yellow in the Tour de L'Aude and second in the Swedish round of the World Cup,” she stated today. “I had a lot more opportunities than in previous years, and I took them. So that alone is a very good reason for me to stay with HTC-Highroad.”
Now 27 years of age, the Dutchwoman had other very encouraging results which bode well for the future. She was seventh in the Tour of Qatar and fifth in the Tour of Flanders, with the latter seeing a very aggressive performance in the race.
After eventual winner Grace Verbeke attacked on the Molenberg, Visser chased across to her and remained with her until the final climb, that of the Muur. She faded there and was caught by the chasing group, but nevertheless had enough in the tank to pick up that strong result.
If she can continue to progress, a big season could well be in store. Despite that, she said that she isn’t targeting specific races, but rather a general improvement. “I don't have any specific aims for 2011,” Visser indicated. “All I want to do is build on what I achieved in 2010, which was better than 2009.”
She probably could have achieved more had she not sacrificed her personal chances on several occasions for others. The drawback of being in such a successful team is that other, more experienced riders on the team may get the nod ahead of her, although there is also the chance that the collective strength of the squad can provide greater opportunities for all.
If she does progress, she will get to the point where the others are backing her up. This should accelerate the number of wins and high placings. In the meantime, she’ll continue to develop and learn.
“In her first year here, Adrie has already become a backbone of the team and a great support rider,” said the women’s sports director Ronny Lauke. “And at the same time she's really made progress in her specialist area, the Classics. She's a talented sprinter, too. She can read races well and is an ideal teammate. We're delighted she'll still be with us in 2011.”