TikTok sensation Femke Gort hopes to evolve into a classification super star: "Van Vleuten is my role model"

A headline from De Limburger a few weeks before the Veneto-hosted World Championship read: Femke Gort (19) is making waves as a cyclist but is already a hit on TikTok with tens of thousands of followers and millions of likes. Indeed, anyone who checks out the TikTok account of the Echt-born cyclist can see her immense popularity. Still, the cheerful Limburg native hopes that in a few years, she'll also be renowned for her cycling achievements...

On March 1st, Gort, originally a cyclocross racer, immediately transferred from Team Pissei-Groep TOM to Team Proximus-Alphamotorhomes-Doltcini because her previous team couldn't offer a road program. She's only recently started representing the colors of her new employer (a Continental Women's Team), but has already competed in several prestigious one-day races among the global elite. For instance, her first race of the year was the Brabantse Pijl, eventually won by Silvia Perisco. Understandably, she looks back on 2023 with considerable satisfaction. "It was a fantastic year. I also learned a lot. This was essentially my first real road season. Transitioning from cyclocross directly to the Brabantse Pijl is quite tough. It's genuinely next-level. You obviously feel the vast difference."

Logically, Gort wants to emphasize the vast amount she has learned in recent months, both on and off the bike. "I've become much more informed about nutrition and rest. As I age, I will continue to get stronger. And fortunately, I still have time!" she winks. "I'd love to develop myself as a climber. Riding classifications appeals to me immensely. However, I must admit that I've never tried time trialing," she says with a laugh. "This also means I don't know if I'm good or bad at it. But I definitely want to explore it. Pushing myself to the limit on long climbs is what attracts me the most. It's really my thing. Annemiek van Vleuten is my big idol and role model. I'd love to become the same type of cyclist like her."

In mid-June, Gort started the Dwars door het Hageland race. The 1.1 race was won by Lotte Kopecky, while Gort did not finish. "But it was an incredibly awesome experience," she confides. "I would currently label it as my favorite race. Overall, it went well despite the DNF. I realize that, with a few exceptions, I might have several DNFs in the coming years. But that's okay. It's about gaining experience. The more races you participate in, the better. I hope I've become much stronger this year and can showcase that in 2024."

Gravel racing, a branch of cycling, is gaining in popularity. Gort would also like to compete in more gravel races in the coming years. "It's great that there are several UCI Gravel World Series nearby," she hints at events in places like South Limburg and Houffalize (Belgium). "Denmark is also manageable. Road cycling is fun, but off-road remains my passion. If I can manage it, I'd love to add gravel races. My experience in cyclocross will surely benefit me in that discipline. I must also admit that I sometimes find road races a bit dull. But as you improve in something, you often enjoy it more. Perhaps that will be true for my road career. I'm keeping all options open."