“We were also looking for a rider who is competitive on the gravel circuit, but who can also be an asset to our road team. Axelle fits the bill perfectly,” team manager Elsa Tromp enthuses. “On the road, she’s a bit of an all-rounder, and on gravel, she has the endurance for stage races and the speed for one-day races. Axelle doesn’t have a typical cycling background, and I appreciate that. I think it gives her a healthy perspective on cycling and life, as she has sometimes chosen to step away from the sport. This maturity speaks volumes about her character.”
“When I heard a few years ago that the Tour de France was coming back, I was no longer active in the cycling world. I felt a bit sad that I would never be able to participate. I’m French, and when someone asks me what I do and I say I’m a cyclist, they immediately ask if I’m riding the Tour de France,” she explains.