Geerike Schreurs (Staff 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 prime 10s in 14 races, together with a win at The Gralloch and second in a dash end at Unbound Gravel 200.
The 2 days of high-impact, top-notch competitors round Girona was thought-about ” 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 am completely happy to be again racing. I knew it was a robust area and I believe I had begin,” Schreurs mentioned in a post-race video after holding her personal on stage 1 in a dash end towards winner Annika Langvad (Specialised Off-Highway) 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 arduous. I am tremendous completely happy to be again. Trying ahead to the remainder of the season.”
Whereas 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 towards 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 aim for this yr to go higher, which is only one spot up for a victory.
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, critiques and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“I used to be so near profitable. You are still on the rostrum however second appears like first loser. Trying again to it, I might by no means thought that I might end second, particularly as soon as we began the race,” Geerike advised Cyclingnews earlier than her season begin at Santa Vall, then taking a constructive spin.
“If you happen to’re second at Unbound, it nearly does not imply something. Solely those who win get all the eye, which is honest. I might by no means thought I might really find yourself on the rostrum. However on the identical time, I used to be actually upset. The subsequent day, I used to be like, subsequent yr, it will be my aim to do even higher.”
Being a part of a Ladies’s WorldTour staff, Schreurs mentioned she’d have the chance to do two Belgian highway races in March – GP Oetingen and Nokere Koerse. She mentioned all her low season coaching was on the highway, together with the SD Worx-Protime camp, and he or she preferred the boldness of being a part of such a strong staff construction – from gear, diet and training.
“The staff principally does all of it for me. It is a whole lot of good sponsors and I haven’t got to fret about any of them. In March I’ve the chance to do two highway races. It is simply going to be actually fascinating, as a result of, I have never finished any highway races in 11 years. So it is as a lot as I am enthusiastic about it, I am additionally a little bit bit anxious It is a totally different dynamic and I actually wish to race with the staff. It retains me motivated.”
She’ll proceed to journey the Specialised Crux with Pathfinder Professional tyres at gravel races, and all-in for Unbound Gravel, this time the highest step.
“I’m really trying ahead to have Unbound as a aim and to work in the direction of that race like every little thing doable. It is also scary to say it out loud, as a result of principally it places strain on your self, and other people begin to watch you. However alternatively, it is a massive aim so why not communicate it out loud? And it is one thing I actually dream of. Everybody can dream, and we’re free to share them with the world as properly.”
Final yr after Unbound, she stayed within the US to compete at Oregon Path Gravel, ending sixth general on the five-day 350-mile (563km) Gravel Earth Sequence occasion. However she says her endurance is healthier 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 spotted I have to plan a little bit bit totally different. I believe I began with commitments and motivation into racing and it was already new for me, however not realizing how a lot stress it provides in your physique as properly with all of the travelling,” Geerike admitted.
“I used to be fairly constant, however I used to be not proud of the outcomes. I believe it was only a signal that my physique wanted a break and I used to be very drained. I discovered far more about my physique and my psychological well being.”
It was in Oregon after Unbound the place her physique advised her she wanted a break, however quickly after she continued with a visit to Iceland and an 11-hour-plus haul at The Rift. Quickly 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 happening and talks with medical doctors. It would not distract me an excessive amount of, I believe 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 ‘house race’ the place she lives in Girona, and go all-in for Unbound. She’s going to alter her mid-season schedule to incorporate extra time for restoration, and return to the US for established occasions CORE4 and Lauf Gravel Worlds which at the moment are a part of the Gravel Earth Sequence.
“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 will probably be again within the US. There’s some UCI Gravel Sequence 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 appear fairly cool, and I believe more often than not they’re the races that swimsuit 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.”