Leerdam says via Instagram that she has had a lot of doubts over the past two months. The discussions with Team IKO were at an advanced stage, but the skater decided not to accept the offer. “At the end of the day, it took more from me than what I got back. And that’s okay for both parties.”
Leerdam will now gather the right people around her so that she can continue her career at the highest level. She acknowledges that it is not an easy road. “An individual route is not always fun. It is often stressful, it is sometimes lonely, but if I win it is worth it. If I do it, I do it well. High risk, high reward. Ultimately, this sports technical route is for me the best this pre-Olympic season. I want to learn, invest and get back to where I come from. In 2020, she set up a team with her then boyfriend Koen Verweij, Team Worldstream. After two years she decided to leave that formation and opt for the security of Jumbo.
In April it was announced that the ways of Jumbo and Leerdam would separate. The contract negotiations between both parties took a long time and ultimately collapsed. After that, the rumor mill was running at full speed. There are no answers to all questions yet, because what Leerdam’s route will look like, who will be her coach and whether she will look for possible teammates is not yet known.
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