UAE TEAM ADQ

UAE Team ADQ and Karlijn Swinkels proudly announce that the rider has extended her contract with the team until the end of 2026.

UAE Team ADQ and Karlijn Swinkels proudly announce that the rider has extended her contract with the team until the end of 2026. 

Swinkels, 25, joined the team at the start of the 2024 season and has established herself as a bonafide leader, recently winning the St Feuillien Grand Prix de Wallonie as well as the overall and the points classification at the AG Tour de la Semois. 

A talented all-rounder, Swinkels has picked up over 20 top-tens in her first full season with UAE Team ADQ and will build a formidable partnership with new signing Elisa Longo Borghini and other UAE Team ADQ leaders in the coming seasons as the team continues to strive for greater success. 

“I really believe that I made the right choice to come to UAE Team ADQ this year,” a delighted Swinkels said after extending her contract. 

“I really like the atmosphere with the girls and the team in general. We have really nice riders around and everyone is positive and happy. That’s nice because we have a lot of different riders from different cultures in the team. That means we have many personalities and there’s a lot of respect between everyone. All those different cultures bring something new and unique to the team, and in the end, if you put these people together it can work really well, like it does on our team.”

An aggressive and exciting rider on the bike, Swinkels came to UAE Team ADQ to grow and develop into a more complete athlete. The first few months on the team were full of improvements as she spent time creating new relationships with her teammates and the staff. The consistency in her results was there to see from the very beginning with fourth in Le Samyn des Dames and important performances in the Spring Classics where she helped to guide and support her teammates. 

“It was a big change for me to move from Visma to UAE Team ADQ. I changed coach and everything around me other than my nutritionist. From the start of the season, I felt like I was in a good place with the team. I really enjoyed being with the girls at the races and going for victories. All year we’ve worked together to try and improve and reach that first place. I’m happy to have been consistent but you also want to win,” she said.

That drive and hunger for success have been present throughout Swinkels’ time on the team in 2024 and she has rekindled her passion.

“Before this year I think I lost some of the fire in me,” she said.

“This year I’ve got the fire back and it’s given me the motivation to want to win races. This team has helped me get my fire back. I've got my first victories for the team and I hope that I can continue this for next season. I really feel the trust from all the staff and all the girls. That’s given me the belief.”

Before plans are made for 2025, Swinkels has the important matter of closing out this campaign in the best possible manner, and she will head to next week’s Simac Ladies Tour, where she will race on home roads full of confidence and belief. 

Her recent wins in Belgium have put the rider in a great place, mentally and physically. 

“Things are going really well at the moment. It’s the last few races of the season and I wanted this form a little bit earlier but it’s good to finish the year in a good way and head into 2025 with the best possible motivation,” she said.

Collaboration with the UAE Development Team

What was especially pleasing about Swinkels’ win at the AG Tour de la Semois was that she triumphed in the race with five riders from the UAE Development Team. Not only was Swinkels able to take away the win on GC and in the points classification but she could help the young and aspiring riders from the development team learn and flourish under the guidance of her WorldTour experience.  

“Honestly I liked to race with them because you’re without radios so you have to really talk and communicate,” Swinkels said.

“There were times in the race where they came to me and asked what to do. They have so much talent and want to learn. The development team is guiding and helping our young athletes to become professional cyclists.”

For Swinkels the future is bright. Her exact goals and objectives for next season will be properly established during the off-season but the common theme between the rider and her team is continued growth. A focus on the Classics is on the cards, along with important roles in stage races where she can hunt for stage wins and potential improvements in her GC capabilities.

“I feel that the team has a lot of potential to grow. I think it needs to be step-by-step and I’m happy to grow with the team. With the riders coming in, we’ll have more knowledge and experience on the team to help me improve as a rider,” she said.

Racing with Elisa

The arrival of Elisa Longo Borghini will bring the team to a higher level, both on and off the bike, and Swinkels is excited about the prospect of lining up alongside the Italian national champion in the Spring Classics and the Grand Tours next season. 

“I think it can be good because she has lots of experience. She’s good in races that I’m good in and that will hopefully mean we can race together a lot, especially in the Classics and Ardennes. I hope that we can make each other stronger. She had a special and amazing season this year and I hope I can grow to the level she’s on. Having a leader like her in the finals will also give us a bit more freedom and more opportunities. I think we complement each other really well,” Swinkels added.

Team president Melissa Moncada expressed her happiness with the news of Swinkels’ contract extension. 

“It was an easy decision for Karlijn and the team to extend her contract. Karlijn only joined us at the start of 2024 but she has made a positive impression with our riders and staff. Her success in the last few weeks is a testament to her qualities as a rider and the hard work she has put in with the coaching staff and sports directors,” Moncada said.

“It was especially rewarding to see Karlijn lead and win with our UAE Development team and with Elisa Longo Borghini joining the team we’re confident that we have the riders and the passion to keep progressing,” Moncada added.