FIRST CHALLENGES, LASTING LESSONS: MARA ROLDAN’S JOURNEY THROUGH HER FIRST CLASSICS

Mara Roldan’s first few months as a professional cyclist have been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and excitement. Having joined Team Picnic PostNL at the beginning of the season, Mara’s transition into the WorldTour has been marked by impressive performances, including her debut in some of the most prestigious one-day races. In this interview, Mara reflects on her experiences racing the iconic Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Strade Bianche, as well as her journey so far with the team.

First months in the team

Mara’s first few months in the team have been overwhelmingly nice. “Really positive,” she shares, smiling. “First we had the December team camp in Spain and afterwards I went to the races in Australia, that was amazing. Now, being in Sittard, everyone I’ve met – team members, experts, coaches – have been incredibly welcoming. It feels like an easy fit for personally, so it’s not too much of an adjustment. Coming from Canada, it feels like a warm bath.”

The leap from the smaller races she used to compete in to the high-intensity WorldTour is not something Mara took lightly. “It’s a lot harder,” she admits. “The level is much higher. In the smaller races I did, by the first 50 kilometres, half of the peloton would have been dropped. Here, the average level is higher. Positioning, all of that, you have to be so much more precise. The talent is incredible, and the peloton is still large even after 100 kilometres. It feels like every year the level gets higher.”

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: A Nerve-Racking Classics Debut

Mara’s debut in the classics came at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the first big classic of the season. It was an important milestone, as the team had entrusted her with a crucial role early on. “When I first arrived in Sittard, I had a call with our coach. He told me he’d like to bring me to Omloop,” Mara recalls. “I’d never raced a one-day classic before, so I was a bit nervous but mostly excited. That the team believed in me was such a great feeling.”

Her expectations for the race were simple: fast, aggressive, and all about positioning. “I was given the task to position the team on the key cobbled sections, which was a big responsibility for my first classic. I was obviously a bit nervous, but the pressure I put on myself made me do the job well,” she reflects.

Although Mara had a plan to focus on the first 80 kilometres, the race didn’t go as smoothly as expected. A flat tyre right after the climb in Oudenaarde changed everything. “That was the worst moment,” she admits. “I got a wheel change, but the peloton was gone. So my goal shifted to just finishing and making the time cut.” Despite this setback, Mara remained positive, saying, “In the end, I did a good job. It was a huge learning experience and it felt so good to race on those iconic parts you know from TV, like the Muur van Geraardsbergen.”

In the weeks following Omloop, Mara competed in the 1.1-races of Hageland and Le Samyn, where she noticed some differences in the intensity and strategy. “There’s a bit more depth in the peloton,” she explains. “It’s still a tough race, but there’s more variety in the level; from WorldTour to Club level, but everyone still wants to be at the front. It makes it a bit more hectic at the start so positioning becomes really important. It also gets dangerous at the back with crashes. There’s definitely a difference, but I’ve learned a lot from it.”

 

Strade Bianche: A Hard Lesson Learned

Mara’s next big WorldTour race was Strade Bianche, another legendary one-day classic. Known for its challenging gravel sectors and steep climbs, Strade is a test of both physical and technical skill. Mara’s background in mountain biking gave her an edge when it came to handling the gravel, but luck wasn’t on her side. “Strade Bianche really suits me with all the technicality involved,” she says. “It’s not just about being strong and having the legs – you have to be smart and agile, especially in the gravel sectors. Coming from MTB, it felt like a race made for me.”

However, her race ended prematurely after a crash in the third gravel sector. “I crashed pretty hard. I was right at the front, but a rider coming from the left clipped wheels with me, and we all went down,” she explains. Despite the setback, Mara was determined to push through. “At first, my adrenaline was really high, and I wanted to keep going, but my bike and helmet were broken. When the team saw that, they wanted to make sure my head was okay.” Showing signs of a possible concussion, the decision was made to abandon the race. Though it was frustrating, Mara’s health was the priority. “It was a hard but good choice to abandon. It motivates me to come back to Strade and finish in Siena.

What’s Next: Cobbles and Amstel

Looking ahead, Mara is feeling strong and confident after recovering from her concussion. “I’m really looking forward to my next races, Dwars door Vlaanderen and Ronde van Vlaanderen,” she shares. “Then I’ll have a good block of training before Amstel, which I’m especially excited for. I live at the Keep Challenging Center in Sittard, so I ride on those roads almost every day. It’s going to be a special race.”

Mara’s goals for the upcoming races are clear. “For me, it’s about doing my best to help the team and feeling like I’ve played a big part in our success,” she says. “Even if I have to give up halfway through the race, as long as I’ve done my job, I’ll be happy. Amstel is a big goal for us, and I want to help the team achieve a good result, even if it means sacrificing for the team’s success.”

From the highs of her first big classics to the lows of a tough crash, she has learned valuable lessons that will only make her stronger in the future.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself,” she reflects. “Positioning comes a bit more naturally to me, but I need to work on being a smarter racer. I tend to race intuitively, but I need to be more strategic and not waste energy when it’s not needed. I’ve had great help from our coaches and teammates, and I’m excited to keep improving.”