In the latest episode of our female-specific podcast, we chat with the director sportif of one of the most successful women’s WorldTour teams.

It’s not often you get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on the WorldTour, but in our latest show that’s exactly what we have, as Carmen Small, director sportif of the women’s Jumbo-Visma team, shares the secrets of the team’s success. We learn about what differentiates Jumbo-Visma from its competitors and the support they put in place for their athletes that allows them to thrive and succeed.

And Small is no stranger to success herself, having raced on the US national team and in the WorldTour. She won the women’s team time trial twice at the world championships and is also the 2016 US time trial champion.

It’s undoubtedly this experience from her own racing career that helps guide her leadership now, and what’s particularly impressive is the holistic approach she takes to supporting the athletes on her team. We discuss the wide range of resources that the team makes available to the female athletes to support and help them be their best. It is obvious that the athletes’ long-term health and development takes precedence over immediate race results. And what’s the one thing that Small looks for in potential riders? Tune in to find out—you might be surprised at the answer.

Want to catch up on previous episodes of Fast Talk Femmes? You can find them all here.

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