Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton Scott) reacted to the recently released revised Women's World Tour calendar and said she will be ready for the August 1 race. The reigning world champion also expressed pleasant surprise at the addition of the new Paris-Roubaix, which will be held for the first time, and has already begun considering which bikes to use in Scott's lineup.

"The most surprising news is Paris-Roubaix for women," Van Vleuten said in a team press release." I have always said that I would only quit when Paris-Roubaix for women took place.

The UCI announced a revised 2020 Women's World Tour calendar on Tuesday, replacing plans that were cancelled due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The top-level series will now retain 18 of its 22 events and run from August 1 through November 8.

The series will consist of 18 events, including five stage races, with a shortened Giro Rosa (September 11-19). There will also be 13 one-day races, including La Course (August 29), three Ardennes Classics (Flèche Wallonne (September 30), Liège-Bastogne-Liège (October 4), and Amstel Gold Race (October 10)), Tour de Flanders (October 18), and the new Paris-Roubaix (October There will also be 13 one-day races, including the new Paris-Roubaix (October 25).

Van Vleuten said he was pleased with the announced calendar because it allows athletes to plan for future goals, but stressed that the coronavirus outbreak is the most important factor determining whether the event will happen.

"I am happy to see all the races I was expecting, beautiful races. Especially Strade Bianche, Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne, Giro Rosa, and the Boels Ladies Tour in my home country. I'm very excited that all of those are on the list," Van Vleuten said.

"I can't wait for any of the races.

"The most important thing is health first, but if world-class health is possible, this will be great. There are some questions and I'm not super sure if everything will be finally organized, but it's nice to have some goals and at least we can plan again to be fit on August 1.

Van Vleuten has already begun to consider which races to target in the post-COVID-19 calendar. In a recent UCI live chat on Facebook, Van Vleuten discussed his favorite races and potential Paris-Roubaix bike choices.

"I just heard yesterday that I'm competing in Paris-Roubaix. I know Scott has a special bike for Paris-Roubaix, so that might be an option. I usually like the bike I ride and don't like to change bikes too much. I've always ridden Foil and now I'm using Addict. So I think this bike would be really good on cobblestones. I have yet to ride the Paris-Roubaix cobblestone sector.

Van Vleuten, a two-time Giro Rosa winner, was pleased to see the Italian stage race included in the revised calendar. The race will take place from September 11-19 and is scheduled to end one day before the start of the 2020 UCI Road World Championships. She did not confirm her participation in the Giro Rosa, but said she would work with her coaches and team on an appropriate race program.

"I was very happy to see the Giro Rosa on the calendar. The combination of the Giro Rosa and the World Championships is a little bit interesting, because it's a very important event for us, and I think it's a great opportunity for the coaches and teams to get to know each other better.

"I have to plan with my coach, but I'm very happy to see it on the calendar. It's a special stage race for me. "

van Breuten confirmed that her main goal for next season will be the postponed Tokyo Olympics. She also said she would have a strong spring classics program.

"Well, the Olympics only come once every four years. It's a little sad to see so much focus only on the Olympic year and so little activity throughout the year."

"We have a lot of goals to focus on and I think we will concentrate on them in the spring just like we did in 2020. I love Flanders, Strade Bianche, and the Ardennes, and then I'll focus on preparing for the Olympics."