UAE TEAM ADQ

UAE Team ADQ announces the first new addition for the 2024 season. The Dutch Karlijn Swinkels, 24, from Jumbo-Visma.

UAE Team ADQ announces the first new addition for the 2024 season. The Dutch Karlijn Swinkels, 24, from Jumbo-Visma. In her career she has won one race and collected other important ranking. In recent seasons she has distinguished herself as a generous and helpful athlete for her teammates. An experienced rider who brings new solidity to the UAE Team ADQ squad.

Karlijn is excited about this new experience that awaits her: “UAE Team ADQ has shown they are willing the grow step by step. The importance of collaboration, respect and trust are key factors to let riders grow. I believe that together with this team I will reach my future goals”.  

And her sporting goals are very clear: “During the Spring Classics I was able to play a key role in several races. I also achieved several good results, the best of which was fourth place at Gent-Wevelgem. I would like to get a podium in one of the big classics in the next two years. Races like Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, Omloop van Het Nieuwsblad, and the Amstel are races that I have my eye on”.

She adds: “Besides my personal goals, there will be team goals and I will be ready to give 120 % for my teammates when I have to help them achieve big goals. Winning or losing is not the most important thing, but growing together to be able to win in the future, bringing out the best in each individual. If you race together you can achieve great results”.

Karlijn Swinkels knows she still has room for improvement, which is why she chose UAE Team ADQ for the most important moment of her career. “I would like to get a little more punchy. Getting over the climbs in the hilly races and then still have the legs for a sprint or an attack. With the support of the team and adequate training, I will be able to take a further step forward. Then I think the mental aspect is a really underestimated part of cycling. To achieve your goals, you have to be mentally in a perfect zone. The willingness to suffer is only possible if you are surrounded by the right people. The confidence you have in yourself, but also the confidence your teammates and staff give you, is a really important factor. I am very motivated to work with this new team because they have given me this warm feeling”.

The union between UAE Team ADQ and Swinkels is not solely dictated by sporting reasons: “The team's commitment to sustainability for a better future is part of their core. They want to grow and make choices that are aligned with their purpose and values. The team's values are special and unique to me. At UAE Team ADQ, they believe that their role goes beyond races. This is something that I personally really like a lot. Thinking bigger and be able to be a little piece in the team to inspire other people to follow their dreams, to grow talent, to give everyone a chance, no matter where you come from, is what makes me warm”.

Karlijn Swinkels concluded: “After having several conversations with the team, I understood that they are the match I need at this moment. The team gave me a very warm feeling from the first conversation on. I got the feeling they see my strengths as a cyclist and as a human which in the end is the most important. Being surrounded by people who believe in me and are willing to let me make the next step is what I am looking for. I look forward to starting this new adventure with everyone”.