Geerike Schreurs (Team SD Worx-Protime) resumed a penchant to search out the rostrum at her 2025 gravel season opener this previous weekend, ending second general at Santa Vall. Her prevalence on the entrance of races was on the verge of monopolisation final yr, incomes 13 high 10s in 14 races, together with a win at The Gralloch and second in a dash end at Unbound Gravel 200.
The two days of high-impact, top-notch competitors round Girona was thought of “a superb check” for the Dutch rider, who appeared to not skip a pedal stroke even after six months away from racing and restoration from damage.
She was not solely easy with type to start her sophomore season on gravel but in addition hid technical challenges on the primary day of Santa Vall that might have toppled her end altogether.
“I’m pleased to be again racing. I knew it was a robust area and I feel I had a superb begin,” Schreurs mentioned in a post-race video after holding her personal on stage 1 in a dash end in opposition to winner Annika Langvad (Specialized Off-Road) and second-placed Rosa Klöser (Canyon CLLCTV).
“The final 25k to go, I had an issue with my pedal and I could not get in anymore, so I used to be using the final 25km with only one foot within the pedal. On the climbs, it was fairly laborious. I’m tremendous pleased to be again. Looking ahead to the remainder of the season.”
While Langvad secured the GC title on the longer 116.5km stage 2, Geerike put in time to Unbound Gravel 200 champion Klöser and moved into second general to complete the weekend.
Geerike final confronted off in opposition to Klöser in Emporia, Kansas, which etched significance as the primary time since 2007 that elite ladies had a devoted begin for their very own race, which resulted in a nine-rider dash end. She recalled a sense of each satisfaction and disappointment at Unbound, and set her objective for this yr to go higher, which is only one spot up for a victory.
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“I used to be so near successful. You’re nonetheless on the rostrum however second looks like first loser. Looking again to it, I might by no means thought that I might end second, particularly as soon as we began the race,” Geerike informed Cyclingnews earlier than her season begin at Santa Vall, then taking a optimistic spin.
“If you are second at Unbound, it virtually doesn’t suggest something. Only those who win get all the eye, which is truthful. I might by no means thought I might really find yourself on the rostrum. But on the similar time, I used to be actually dissatisfied. The subsequent day, I used to be like, subsequent yr, it may be my objective to do even higher.”
Being a part of a Women’s WorldTour staff, Schreurs mentioned she’d have the chance to do two Belgian street races in March – GP Oetingen and Nokere Koerse. She mentioned all her low season coaching was on the street, together with the SD Worx-Protime camp, and he or she preferred the arrogance of being a part of such a strong staff construction – from gear, diet and training.
“The staff mainly does all of it for me. It’s numerous good sponsors and I haven’t got to fret about any of them. In March I’ve the chance to do two street races. It’s simply going to be actually attention-grabbing, as a result of, I have not accomplished any street races in 11 years. So it is as a lot as I’m enthusiastic about it, I’m additionally just a little bit anxious It’s a unique dynamic and I actually prefer to race with the staff. It retains me motivated.”
She’ll proceed to experience the Specialized Crux with Pathfinder Pro tyres at gravel races, and all-in for Unbound Gravel, this time the highest step.
“I’m really wanting ahead to have Unbound as a objective and to work in the direction of that race like the whole lot potential. It’s additionally scary to say it out loud, as a result of mainly it places stress on your self, and folks begin to watch you. But however, it is a large objective so why not communicate it out loud? And it is one thing I actually dream of. Everyone can dream, and we’re free to share them with the world as properly.”
Last yr after Unbound, she stayed within the US to compete at Oregon Trail Gravel, ending sixth general on the five-day 350-mile (563km) Gravel Earth Series occasion. But she says her endurance is best suited to the lengthy, one-day races, just like the Traka 360, the place she completed second, and The Rift, the place she was third.
“I noticed I must plan just a little bit totally different. I feel I began with commitments and motivation into racing and it was already new for me, however not realizing how a lot stress it offers in your physique as properly with all of the travelling,” Geerike admitted.
“I used to be fairly constant, however I used to be not pleased with the outcomes. I feel it was only a signal that my physique wanted a break and I used to be very drained. I realized rather more about my physique and my psychological well being.”
It was in Oregon after Unbound the place her physique informed her she wanted a break, however quickly after she continued with a visit to Iceland and an 11-hour-plus haul at The Rift. Soon after she had a crash in a bike-packing journey, injuring her bicep in a single arm, and wouldn’t compete on the UCI Gravel World Championships.
“There are nonetheless some examinations occurring and talks with medical doctors. It would not distract me an excessive amount of, I feel it takes time,” she mentioned a couple of lingering damage. If anybody can translate what a physique is saying, it needs to be Geerike, who spent six years as a soigneur for professional biking groups, together with Lidl-Trek.
For this yr, Geerike mentioned she would compete once more at The Traka, a ‘residence race’ the place she lives in Girona, and go all-in for Unbound. She will modify her mid-season schedule to incorporate extra time for restoration, and return to the US for established occasions CORE4 and Lauf Gravel Worlds which are actually a part of the Gravel Earth Series.
“I made a decision after Unbound to take a little bit of a break, I will not do the stage race [in Oregon], after which go into the second a part of the season after some weeks of coaching once more. In August, I might be again within the US. There’s some UCI Gravel Series races I wish to do, to gather some factors for the World Championships on the finish of the season.
“To be trustworthy, the races in America, they give the impression of being fairly cool, and I feel more often than not they’re the races that go well with me properly. So there are some new races in there for this yr, some ones I did final yr. And so it is a good combine.”