Fist pumps and high fives all round – three time World Road Race Champion, seven time World Cyclocross Champion and current Olympic Road Race Gold Medallist Marianne Vos has been given the green light to train with intent.

Vos, the Dutch cyclist often compared to ‘The Cannibal’ Eddy Merckx, and frequently called the best cyclist in her generation, has been extremely patient through her extended off-season.

She missed much of the 2014-2015 cyclocross season, as well as the 2015 road season and will still sit out on the 2015-2016 mud, frites and cowbells.

Initial press releases’ from Rabo-Liv referred to Vos’ injury, which began in December 2014. She did make a return in April 2015 but one week later fractured a rib racing in Austria and was again confined to recovery in July.

Today, Rabo-Liv triumphantly announced: “Marianne Vos seems to be recovered from overtraining. She’s undergone a medical test that showed she made progress. Marianne has permission to start with training again. Nevertheless she has to stay very cautious. There are no plans for a return date to racing, however, she does have her sights set on the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.”

We were overjoyed to hear this, and even more so to hear the words from Vos’ lips as she explained: “I’ve got good news, I can start training again. Since July I’ve had rest, to recover, after a couple of tests the medic says I can start easy training again. I’m very happy with this news. I hope I can build up slowly during the winter. The team is working with me to plan this very well and not to rush in this build up, because that’s dangerous of course after a long rest period. I’m looking forward to starting again and being fit to race next year.”

She says she needs to get on with base training now, so will not race the cyclocross season – instead focusing on being “100% ready and not rushing in the build up.”

Rio is “in her mind” and is an objective. We are excited!