Sandrine Tas made a respectable debut in professional cycling at the Women’s Flèche Wallonne in Huy, completing the challenging Ardennes course despite being new to the sport at this level.
Schaatsen.nl, Netherlands
On Wednesday afternoon, Sandrine Tas took on the Women’s Flèche Wallonne, a demanding race in the Ardennes, marking her first professional competition in cycling. She finished in 57th place, approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds behind the winner, Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering, who has been in strong form throughout the spring season. Tas’s performance demonstrated that she has earned her place in the professional peloton, particularly considering she has only been training seriously for about a month after a long career in long-track speed skating.
Earlier this year, Tas narrowly missed winning an Olympic medal in the 5000 meters event in Milan on February 12. Shortly after, she took part in the World Allround Speed Skating Championships in Thialf, finishing fourth in the final 5000-meter race. Although she came close to earning podium positions on ice, she soon shifted focus to her new endeavor in professional cycling.
After taking some rest to regain energy, Tas’s enthusiasm for cycling grew while following the racing season on television from the start. Her transition to cycling is not entirely new; over the past five seasons, she has competed in races with a club team, claiming two national race victories in 2025 and winning the national time trial championship for non-contract riders the year before. This foundation has supported her move to the professional level with Lotto Intermarché Ladies, the team she currently races for.
