In 2024, Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team had its successful debut. The team supports talented young women with growth potential in the best possible way and offers them a pathway to the highest level of women’s cycling. “Rarely have I made such big, important steps as this season,” says Dutch rider Noä Jansen, who saw her progression rewarded at the end of the season with a race invitation to the Liv AlUla Jayco WorldTeam.
When the team began, a year ago, Noä fell from one positive surprise to another. “In preparation for the season we met up with a large part of the team and were immediately assigned a nutritionist and a coach. A short time later, at the first training camp in Spain, every day felt like we were living a dream. We obtained the best gear imaginable: clothes, bikes, glasses, you name it. And the organisation and coaches were extremely professional. Of course, that has a stimulating effect and gives you a motivation boost. I felt right away: this is an opportunity out of thousands, and I have to grab it with both hands.”
No stress
At the first race, the positive feeling was no different. “To be honest, I had to get used to it. Whereas before, when I was still riding with my cycling club, I used to go to the race in cars and prepare myself on a folding chair under a tent, now we arrived in a big bus. Everything was organised down to the smallest detail; everything was thought of. That makes you feel spoilt.
The nice thing about that professionalism is that you can fully focus on your performance. When you see that the bike at a race is ready and completely checked, that takes away all the stress in your head.”
Experienced environment
Noä also felt immediate confidence from the staff. “I can doubt myself quite a lot, about all kinds of things. Then it’s nice to have experienced people around you who know how to do something in a smart way. Your nutrition choices are a good example of that. I can get quite lost in that. Am I eating and drinking enough? Am I taking the right thing? With Federico Taverna we have the ideal nutritionist. When in doubt, he is there for me and tells me how to get the most out of myself. That has given me a lot of confidence. The same also goes for example for the cooperation with our DS, Przemysław Kasperkiewicz – ‘Kasper’ within the team. He understands what you are going through and can put situations into perspective. If we have a setback, he keeps our mindset positive.”
Higher level
Noä notices that she has grown in all areas this season. “We started the year being very driven and with great ambition, we soon noticed that the level is quite high and that in racing we still had to get used to each other. Especially in the second half of the season, you saw the progression. We then became much more of a team and took each other to a higher level. We were better able to set goals and pursue them.”
Fighting spirit
She illustrates with an example: “At the beginning of the season, we mainly set small goals. And sometimes we didn’t even come close to them. But after the first few months, we were also able to play a significant role in the final of a race. A very nice example is the GP Lucien Van Impe in Belgium. We had agreed beforehand to go for a sprint with Kaia Schmid. Until far into the race there was still a breakaway. We then tried as a team to close the gap and were then still able to set up a fine lead-out. That required some fighting spirit.”
Win in Canada
Noä achieved some strong top 10 placings and at the end of the season was invited to take part in the Tour de Gatineau in Canada with the Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s WorldTeam. “A month beforehand I heard about it. I was thrilled then, couldn’t stop smiling. I thought it was super cool to go out with those girls and learn from them, for example how they approach a race. We already had WorldTeam riders in the Continental Team squad during the season, but now it was the other way around and I got to go with the WorldTeam!”
Ahead of that race, clear goals were set. “I knew Letizia Paternoster was our spearhead and that winning was all that mattered. Should we come back with second place, it would be a disappointment. That mindset was great and worked, it was enormously motivating. The fact that we managed to win made it complete. I am still super proud that I was able to contribute. Not that it wouldn’t have succeeded without me, but I was able to do my job and therefore add value.”
Countdown to 2025
Noä said she felt sad that the season was over in October. “I was enjoying it and the tank wasn’t empty yet,”she explained. Nevertheless, she neither touched nor missed the bike in her off-season. “That has been different once, when I couldn’t stay off the bike. I do notice now that I am extra hungry, I already can’t wait for next season,” said Noä, who is currently already in Spain to lay a first foundations for 2025.
“The great thing is that our group will remain virtually intact next season. We know each other pretty well by now and will soon be a year older and more experienced. Hopefully we are going to see that reflected in matches.”
