What if you could become exactly what you’ve always dreamed of? Shimano-supported rider Katie Butler visited the world’s largest women’s cycling event to meet some of the women behind the scenes who lift professional cycling to a higher level. As the world of women’s cycling evolves, let’s take a minute to celebrate those who work at the sport’s frontier. These doctors, soigneurs, mechanics, directors, and professional riders broaden the range of women's opportunities in sports – every day.
Kate Veronneau: Head of Women’s Strategy at Zwift
In a recent interview, Veronneau highlighted that one of her primary goals is to create more opportunities than when she was a professional athlete. Most notably, Zwift has signed a four-year title sponsorship with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift – the first Tour de France for women since 1989.
Cassondra Spring: Head of Brand at Liv Bicycles
As one of the largest bicycle brands in the world, Liv has been at the forefront of women’s cycling, sponsoring countless teams to cultivate a flourishing professional community. It’s about inspiration, Spring says. And this is only the beginning.
Konstanze Haue: European Lead Shimano Neutral Service
Throughout Europe, Shimano’s blue Neutral Service team supports more than 500 races a year. This enormous moveable feast is led by Konstanze Haue, who continues to draw energy from her active and indefatigable team of mechanics and drivers.
Marion Rousse: Race Director at Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
‘We do it for the little girls in the stands,’ Rousse says. A former professional cyclist and French national champion, she is now at the forefront of women’s cycling in one of its largest tournaments.
Michelle Smyth: Head of Cycling at the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry
WFSGI, for short, supports organizations throughout the sporting community, setting up events and connecting industries and organizations to take cycling to the next level.
Katie also interviewed:
- Sophie van Bakel: Medical Doctor at Team AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick-Step
- Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio: Professional Cyclist at Team AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick-Step
- Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig: Professional Cyclist at FDJ-Suez
- Megan Earl: Soigneur at Team EF Education-Tibco-SVB
- Wies Terryn: Mechanic at Team Fenix-Deceuninck
- Yara Kastelijn: Professional Cyclist at Team Fenix-Deceuninck
- Mei-Ling Rider: Chief Marketing Officer at BMC Bicycles
Share this article
