'I don't want to skip any steps' - Van Anrooij chooses U23 Worlds race in Hoogerheide

Shirin van Anrooij
Shirin van Anrooij celebrates winning the women's elite race Duinencross 2023 in Koksijde (Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite her success among the elite women's category during the cyclocross World Cup this season, Shirin van Anrooij has chosen to compete in the under-23 women's category at the upcoming UCI Cyclocross World Championships held on February 5 in Hoogerheide, Netherlands.

“There are still many years to come in which I can fight for a podium place in the elites while I want to close my period as a U23 in Hoogerheide. I choose to develop my career step by step and do not want to skip any steps," said Van Anrooij, who won the junior world title in 2020 and finished second in the under-23 category at the Worlds last year behind compatriot Puck Pieterse.

Kirsten Frattini
Deputy Editor

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.