Chantal is one of the most experienced riders on the team and also a very calming influence on everyone. Her professional attitude has taken her far in cycling where she has won stages in almost all the major stage races on the circuit and taken wins in World Cup races.

In 2008 she won the Drenthe World Cup race and placed highly in other top races leading to her selection for the Olympic Games. She won the prestigious Liberty Classic in Philadelphia in an impressive late breakaway.

Coming from the land of hard classics, these are her specialty and her goal throughout the year. She is also the perfect teammate and is instrumental in every win with her tactical prowess and selfless attitude.

Check out Chantal's personal website: http://www.chantalbeltman.nl/ 

I'm happy to be part of the world's best women's cycling team with a high regarded reputation. The good atmosphere in the team and the professional organization around it makes racing really enjoyable.

• What are you doing when you're not cycling?

Other sports (like speedskating, running, and mountainbiking), and of course spending time with family and friends

• What do you like about riding for Team Columbia-HTC?

The team spirit between riders, staff and management and the professional organization of the team.

• What is your greatest childhood memory on 2 wheels?

Riding through the neighborhood together with my sister on our child bikes with dolls in our basket. 

•  How did you get into cycling?

I used to be a speed skater and rode my bike during summer training. Once I found out I had more talent for cycling than for skating I made the switch.

•  What has been your biggest challenge as a pro cyclist?

Making it to the Olympics three times in row (2000, 2008 I succeeded, 2004 I missed). My biggest challenge for the future is to improve my 2nd place at Worlds ;)

•  Share a memorable pro career moment:

My World cup victory in de Ronde van Drenthe 2008,  because it was in my native region with a lot of family and friends watching.

• What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I started without the numbers on my back in the last stage of the Giro d'Italia Feminin;) Only after the jury came to me 5km into the race I realized I forgot to put them on;)

• What is the last song you listened to before you turned off your Ipod/Zune?

Il Volo from the Italian singer Zucchero

•  What is the best book you have ever read?

De ontdekking van de Hemel  (Discovery of Heaven) from the Dutch author Harry Mulisch.

• What is your favorite comfort food?

Dutch pancakes.

•  What can someone do that really bothers you?

???  I'm not bothered that easily by other people