Welcome Nicole Steigenga!

Nicole Steigenga is the 16th rider of the AG Insurance-NXTG team in 2023. The talented Dutch rider is known for her attacking style of racing. It’s one of the things sports director Jolien D’hoore looks forward to see. 

“I noticed Nicole last season because she attacked in almost every race I saw. She has shown a lot of great things already but I am particularly curious to see how far she can get in the Spring classics. I think those races really suit her skill set. I am looking forward to see her development progress and find out where her limits are. Her way of racing and her attitude on and off the bike suits our team. With her on the squad we have another tactical ace to play.” 

Nicole was the junior national champion in her first year as a junior. Gradually she developed her style of racing which resulted in a stage win in Valencia in 2018, her first pro win. 

This year she scored top 10s in her own province of Friesland in the EasyToys Bloeizone Tour and followed that up with a strong campaign in the Belgian spring classics, coming close to victory a few times. She is particularly proud of her first Women’s World tour top 10 in Vårgårda. 

“I chose AG Insurance-NXTG because I think this is the right team to take that next step. It’s a good group of riders with different talents that are complementary. The team is ambitious, always looks out for each other in the races and they have a clear plan for the future. I would love to be part of that. 

In the coming years I want to learn how to unlock my full potential within a professional environment. I also would like to learn what it’s like to support a team leader as much as I can since I raced much more independently in my previous teams.” 

Nicole turns 25 in January and is looking forward to the next spring season, her first in the AG Insurance-NXTG team kit. 

“Of course, I am looking forward to the cobbled classics. Who isn’t?” she says with a big smile. “The Tour of Flanders is my favorite race. I like the races with punchy climbs or with echelons. Or both! Races where positioning is key like in Vårgårda this year. I am proud of that seventh place and also proud of my wins in Valencia and Dubai. 

Nicole is the 16th and last rider for the AG Insurance-NXTG elite team in 2023. She is one of four Dutch riders. The team consists of 16 riders, half of those coming through the ranks of the U23 development team. The team has 10 nationalities: Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Finland, Germany, Australia, Italy, South Africa and New Zealand. 

Date of birth: 27 January 1998 in Sneek, the Netherlands
Residence: Exmorra, the Netherlands
Education: physiotherapist
Hobbies: bike riding is my hobby!
Fave food: chocolate
Fave race: Tour of Flanders