Elena Cecchini will remain with Team SD Worx-Protime for another season. This means that one of the most experienced and reliable athletes will stay with the team. As a race captain, Cecchini plays a key role within the team, both strategically and as a mentor for younger athletes.

The 33-year-old from Friuli reads the race like no one else and is a sounding board within the Dutch WorldTeam. 2026 will be her farewell year.

"Initially, I thought 2025 would be my goodbye, but I still feel the motivation to continue. The fire is still burning. I want to give my all one more time, in every race, every moment.I had one last goal in my career, to participate in the Paris Olympics. Thanks to the support of Team SD Worx-Protime, I achieved it. So, I wanted to give my best once again in 2025. Really enjoy the entire year and help the team by guiding and supporting my leaders in races".

And further: "I'm quite stubborn: once I make a decision, I usually stick to it. But last winter I couldn't enjoy myself because something was happening in my personal life. I believe preparation is an important part of the season. So, I focused on the classics and decided to think about the future only afterwards. During our Tour de France Femmes reconnaissance, Danny Stam asked me what I wanted to do after my career. I replied that I wasn't yet sure I wanted to stop. We had some nice conversations about it, and Danny gave me all the time I needed to make a decision. I felt this story wasn't over yet. As a high-level athlete, you lead a privileged life. Once you stop, you can't go back. So, I chose to continue for another season and I'm happy with my decision".

"What do I hope to achieve this last year? I'm realistic enough to know that I no longer have the credentials to win races. However, we have athletes in our team who can win. Only one stands on the podium, but behind her is the work of many, and I'm happy to be part of that, to achieve goals together. I'm fortunate to have achieved many great victories with this team, but winning never becomes routine; you always have to work hard as a team".

"That's why it's fantastic that Team SD Worx-Protime has so much gratitude and respect for support riders. I'm happy with my role. I love helping my teammates achieve success. On the bike, but also off it. Guiding them and helping them find their way.I'm proud to have witnessed the evolution of women's cycling: my advice to young cyclists is to never take for granted what they have now. I don't take anything for granted because I realize where we come from. I come from an era when I only had two jerseys and one bicycle: even when I became a professional, my parents still had to take me to races. Now the support is optimal and we're reaping the benefits. It's fantastic, but sometimes it's also frustrating. You always improve more, but the pain never decreases. The level goes up, everyone improves and younger cyclists naturally have stronger bodies. But it's all about mentality. I tell myself: 'It never gets easier, it just gets faster'. And if I could choose another race I hope to win with Team SD Worx-Protime in my last season, I would say the Trofeo Binda. It would be fantastic to win in that race too".