Sanne Cant Leads SD Worx-Protime Talents in Cyclocross Coaching

Sanne Cant joins SD Worx-Protime as the team manager of the cyclocross core squad. The 35-year-old Cant ended her racing career in February and is now taking her first steps as a coach for Blanka Vas and Marie Schreiber.

"I am happy with this new step in my career," says the 15-time Belgian cyclocross champion. "What attracted me to this team is that there are two great talents. Because the team is quite small, you can work more personally and give targeted feedback. That leads to faster progress. I have been following Blanka and Marie for years as competitors. I think they will be surprised at how well I know them (laughs). When I watch cyclocross, I immediately see what goes wrong. That is where I focus," Cant explains.

"As a coach, I bring a complete package: experience, tactics, and insight. Cyclocross is not just about who is the strongest, but also who is the smartest. By training together and exploring courses, we can make precise adjustments. We refine technical aspects, but the tactical side also makes a big difference. Motivation during training is crucial."

Still, it is notable that Cant will not stay on board with the Roodhooft brothers. "After sixteen years, I needed something new. If I had stayed where I always was, I wouldn’t have been able to take many more steps forward. This is a new environment where I can challenge and develop myself – both as a person and as a coach. I want to be a coach who motivates, thinks along, and builds confidence. Based on the experience I have in cyclocross. This way we will get the most out of their talent together."

Cyclocross ambitions at SD Worx-Protime
Within the team, led by team manager Erwin Janssen, there is a lot of ambition in the cyclocross world. "In road cycling we have been among the world’s best for years, but in cyclocross that experience is still missing. Blanka and Marie have clearly stated that they want to make a real impact in cyclocross."

"To fully exploit their potential, a personal and targeted approach is necessary. With the arrival of Sanne Cant, we bring that expertise in-house. As a three-time world and European champion and with fifteen Belgian titles to her name, she knows exactly what it takes to win cyclocross races," says Janssen.