The Dutch 30-year-old is the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the women's line race, a competition in which Swedish Emma Johansson finished second.

Now she sees the end of her career. She has now decided to leave after the Tokyo Olympics that have moved on to next summer (unless the corona pandemic stops then too).

- I want to end my career with a great, whole season. Especially after this year, which has largely been lost due to the corona pandemic, I am hugely motivated to continue for another year, she says, according to the British BBC.

Has three straight World Cup silver

For the Dutch television channel Nos, she explains that the motivation started to push.

- I feel that I really have motivation for the Olympic Games, but the motivation is a little less for the other competitions. And as a top athlete, you really have to have motivation, ”she says.

Three straight World Cup silver

At the 2016 Olympics it became another medal for van der Breggen, when she took bronze in the temple race. In addition, she has three straight World Cup silver in tempo.

After her active career, however, she plans to continue in cycling. Then she will become coach in her stable Boels-Dolmans.

- I've been cycling for this team for six years and feel completely at home here, she says.