As for her relationship with Picnic PostNL, Van Dijk can recount two seasons spent within the structure in 2017 and 2018 seasons – when the team was known under the name Team Sunweb – which were some of the best years in her career.
However, not completely unrelated to her experience with the management, she left for Lidl-Trek ahead of 2019 season. There she concluded her career in 2025 and later joined the German team’s staff ranks as a coach.
“I never experienced a culture of fear,” begins Van Dijk in an interview
for Cyclingnews.
However she continues to agree with previous statements that Picnic’s management can be quite stubborn at times, especially at times when riders come with their own opinions: “Management wanted you to listen to them, but I was never afraid of them.”
Overreacting..?
Although Van Dijk’s experience at Sunweb had its shortcomings, she was part of the team’s very successful period, and that might’ve helped to brush off some conflicts. But the 39-year-old also points out that you shouldn’t take every harsher comment too personally, especially if they’re made in affection.
“Sometimes something was said in a highly emotional state that wasn’t okay, and then it depends on how sensitive you are at that moment. One time it hurts, and the next time you don’t care.”
“If I wanted to say something, I said it. But as a young rider, you might experience that differently. Elite sport is tough, and you need a special character for it. Characters that might be less suited for professional cycling are more easily hurt.”
Ellen van Dijk is one of the best time trialists of women cycling’s history
Difficult way of working
Another aspect which has been brought up was the team’s reluctancy to listen to their riders’ opinions – area where Van Dijk admits getting her own vision across was difficult at times.
“I had many discussions with the management. They have a specific way of working, and that didn’t always fit with my way. They have strong opinions on how to work with riders, and they believe in their approach. For them, it is the only way that works.”
This ultimately contributed to her decision to not extend ahead of the 2019 season – but unlike others she doesn’t describe her two seasons at the team as a bitter experience. “We weren’t a perfect match together,” Van Dijk concludes regarding Picnic PostNL. “I didn’t agree with their way of working, that’s why I left.”