The signs are mounting that Anna van der Breggen is returning to peak form as she enters the second year of her remarkable comeback. The Dutch rider, a dominant force in women’s cycling before her unexpected retirement, delivered a strong performance at Sunday’s Trofeo Alfredo Binda, finishing second to Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ) in a closely contested sprint.
Although Swinkels claimed her first WorldTour victory, Van der Breggen’s display signaled a significant step forward after a 2025 season where she showed promise but didn’t quite recapture her previous dominance. The 34-year-old SD Worx-Protime rider’s aggressive racing and ability to contend for the win suggest she’s poised to challenge for major honors once again this season, particularly as the calendar turns towards the Ardennes Classics.
Van der Breggen’s race unfolded after a mid-race crash impacted her SD Worx-Protime team, with three riders involved in a mass incident approximately 90km into the race. “On the descent, a small group broke away and I found myself with three riders from UAE Team ADQ,” Van der Breggen explained. “It wasn’t really my intention to stay away with that group, as the final sprint of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda suits Blanka Vas very well. But behind us, not much was happening in the peloton. So we stayed at the front.”
After attacking on the climbs and dropping Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility) on the Orina ascent with 8.5km remaining, Van der Breggen found herself in a two-rider move with Swinkels. However, she admitted she couldn’t shake her rival. “At the top of the final climb, I hadn’t managed to shake off Karlijn Swinkels. So I knew it would be difficult to win. Swinkels is good on the descents and sprints speedy too. She’s simply a versatile rider. At no point did I feel I could shake her off. She was alert and kept a close eye on things. If I’d made a move, she would have closed the gap. So I had no choice but to wait for the sprint.”
An Unexpected Return
Van der Breggen’s initial retirement at the end of 2021, at the age of 31, came as a surprise to many. A decorated career included two road race world championships (according to Cyclingnews), a world time trial title, an Olympic gold medal, and a record seven victories at La Flèche Wallonne Féminine. Her palmarès boasts 63 wins, including triumphs in Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile, the Tour of Flanders, Strade Bianche Donne, and the Amstel Gold Race.
Her decision to return to the sport in June 2024 was equally unexpected. Van der Breggen cited a renewed passion for cycling as her motivation. Her first season back yielded encouraging results: a stage win at the Vuelta España Femenina, second place at Strade Bianche, and a third-place finish in the European road championships. She also secured runner-up positions in the world time trial championships and a stage at the Giro d’Italia Women, and finished third on a stage of the Tour de France Femmes.
Positive Momentum for the Season Ahead
Prior to Sunday’s performance, Van der Breggen’s 2026 season had been hampered by illness, forcing her to withdraw from the final stage of the UAE Tour Women. She also finished 17th at the Omloop Nieuwsblad and 18th at Strade Bianche Donne. However, her showing at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda suggests a turning point.
“Personally, I’m leaving on a positive note,” Van der Breggen said after the race. “It was a great race. I’m happy with my current form. I now have a block of altitude training to further prepare for the Ardennes classics. My next race is the Brabantse Pijl.”
With a block of altitude training planned, Van der Breggen is focused on building her form for the upcoming Ardennes Classics. If she emerges from training in peak condition, a return to her winning ways in those races – where she previously excelled – is a distinct possibility. The cycling world will be watching closely to see if the ominous form displayed at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda translates into renewed success on the biggest stages.
What are your thoughts on Van der Breggen’s comeback? Share your predictions for her season in the comments below.
