Annemieke van Fruten said she turned down a contract offer from Trek-Segafredo to make women's cycling more interesting.

The three-time world champion praised the U.S. World Team as the best team in the world, but chose to sign with Movistar Team Women.

"I wouldn't be happy with my addition to the team because there is already so much talent on the team. Trek Segafredo is a great team, so they won't need me," Van Veuten said in a feature published Saturday in El Peloton. [Trek] has a great philosophy and gender equality. If Trek didn't have such a strong roster, I would have signed up in a heartbeat.

Trek Segafredo was one of the most successful teams in a season interrupted by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. [especially in setting up Lizzie Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini, who showed impeccable tactical performance. After winning the Plouay GP, La Course, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Deignan was crowned the overall individual winner of the Women's WorldTour Series, and the team also won the overall series.

"When Trek approached me, one of my questions was, 'What are you hoping to add to the team? ' Because your team is already full of star players," Van Vleuten said.

"In my reply to Ina [Teutenberg], I said, 'Let's make women's cycling interesting. Women's cycling will not be exciting if someone monopolizes it. My heart is also passionate about making women's cycling more interesting, not less interesting."[11

Van Vleuten has won the Giro Rosa twice (2018 and 2019), the time trial world championships twice (2017 and 2018), and the road world championships (2019).

This year, when racing returned after the COVID-19 pandemic blockade, she won five consecutive races, including the European road race title. She was leading the Giro Rosa, but was forced to retire after breaking her wrist in a crash.

Van Vleuten, 38, spent five seasons with Mitchelton-Scott in Australia, but her contract was up for renewal at the end of this year. She signed a two-year contract with Movistar Team Women, choosing to contribute to the team's development as its sole leader.

Movistar Team Women has made steady progress in its first two seasons, racing in the top tier of women's cycling. This year's acquisition of a four-year World Team License demonstrates management's commitment to the development of the women's program.

The team includes Americans Leah Thomas, Katrine Allerud, Ode Biernik, Yelena Elich, Alicia González, Barbara Guariski, Shayla Gutierrez, Sara Martín, Emma Norsgaard, Lourdes Oyarbide Paula Patiño, Gloria Rodriguez, Alba Teruel, and 14 others were registered.

"It also helps that Movistar has young talent," van Breuten said.

"Having young talent that can grow is a driving force for me. Being part of that growth gives me even more energy. There are a lot of talented girls in Movistar. Of course I want to perform myself, but I'm really looking forward to working with a young, talented team."