Kim Le Court: 'AG Insurance showed much more interest, much more love'

"For me, I had a comfortable life on the mountain bike scene," said Le Court on the Domestique Hotseat, who was initially reluctant to leave her established career and home in Cape Town. "I told my husband if I ever have to leave everything behind and come to Europe, it has to only be a World Tour team because it has to be worth it."

And worth it was, as Kim Le Court has picked up a numerous amount of impressive victories, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes along with a ground-breaking stage victory at the Tour de France Femmes, which brought a bout in yellow. 

Despite her initial hesitation, Le Court's husband contacted numerous teams across all levels of the sport, from professional teams to the club scene, in August 2023. Though timing proved challenging, with many squads already finalising their rosters, several teams showed interest in the mountain bike specialist.

What distinguished AG Insurance - Soudal from other potential suitors was their approach to recruitment. Former co-owner Natascha den Ouden made a significant impression by taking time to personally connect with Le Court.

"She [Natascha] was way more not professionally interested, but more like she wanted to get to know me. We video called each other," Le Court explained. "I think on her side, she tried to see if I was the type of person she wants part of a team."

This recruitment philosophy resonated with Le Court, who has since discovered it's central to the team's culture. "Now I understand that we only sign riders who will get along, who has the same values, the same mindset as all of us in the team. We don't just sign people because they're good or because their numbers are good, which is really cool."

Equipment continuity also played a role in her decision, with AG Insurance Soudal's partnership with Specialized aligning with Le Court's existing relationship with the brand from her mountain biking career.

Le Court contrasted AG Insurance Soudal's approach with what she perceives as a common industry problem. "I felt like a lot of the teams only focus on girls that are really part of the peloton, which is sad. They don't look for talent outside of the peloton, which there are thousands, I'm sure, that belong in the peloton, but they just don't have the right contacts."

Her decision appears to have been vindicated, with Le Court revealing that teams who initially passed on her have since expressed regret about their decision.