Valentina Cavallar: from Olympic rower to pro cyclist

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After 10 years of rowing, Austria’s Valentina Cavallar has swapped two oars for two wheels as she lives her dream of being a professional cyclist. Cavallar, who started rowing at age 13, won multiple national titles and represented Austria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. But in 2023 she made the decision to quit to pursue a career in cycling. Valentina signed for a professional cycling team in April 2024 and made her debut that same month. She tells Sportshour’s Caroline Barker about the switch and how she’s hoping to be on the start line at the 2024 Le Tour de France Femmes. Image: Valentina Cavallar cycling up a mountain at a race for Arkéa-B&B Hotels. (Photo courtesy of Maryanne Hinault)