Young Chladoňová eagerly anticipates Tour de Romandie Féminin and season finale
# Viktória Chladoňová Sets Sights on Tour de Romandie Féminin and Season Goals
Viktória Chladoňová, the promising 18-year-old cyclist, is brimming with excitement as she prepares for the upcoming Tour de Romandie Féminin. Currently in Italy after completing her first altitude training camp, Chladoňová is enjoying a strong debut season with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Her journey this year has included numerous appearances in prestigious one-day races and a significant milestone: her first Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia.
“This is my first season with the team that focuses on education and development,” she shares. “The team gives me plenty of opportunities to show myself in major classics and stage races, which really helps my development. I really like the way the team works. Riding alongside riders like Pauline and Marianne is a dream for me. The way Pauline won the Tour de France Femmes was incredibly impressive. One day, I hope to shine there myself.”
Chladoňová will don her Slovak champion’s jerseys at the Tour de Romandie Féminin, a three-day race in Switzerland that begins with a short time trial followed by two challenging mountain stages. She clinched both the road race and time trial titles in June. “The national road title was really special, my best victory so far. Wearing the jersey for a whole year is fantastic. Although my teammates sometimes need a moment to recognize me in the bunch,” she jokes about the challenges of standing out.
While balancing her professional cycling career with her school commitments in Slovakia, Chladoňová remains optimistic. “Next year, I hope to complete my final exams. Balancing that with professional cycling will be a challenge. Thankfully, my school, the team, and my teammates are very supportive.”
As she gears up to race, her anticipation is palpable. “I’m curious to see where I stand after my altitude camp,” she notes. “Since the Giro d’Italia, I’ve mainly been in Italy. At first for a holiday with my parents, then focusing on training. This was my first-ever altitude camp, so I’m very curious to see how it feels to race again.”
Chladoňová has her eyes set on team success at the Tour de Romandie Féminin. “We will definitely start in Switzerland with ambition as a team. Hopefully, we can fight for a stage win and a strong overall result. I hope to be at a good level in the Tour de Romandie Féminin, also keeping in mind my later goals this season – the World Championships and European Championships. Especially since the U23 will have their own race at the Worlds for the first time this year. I’m really excited about that.”
Joining her in the six-rider lineup for Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women are Eva van Agt, Maud Oudeman, Rosita Reijnhout, Mijntje Geurts, and Femke de Vries. As the Tour de Romandie Féminin approaches, all eyes will be on Chladoňová, who represents both the future of cycling and the determination of young athletes everywhere.
