Team SD Worx-Protime is preparing for the Tour de France Femmes with a robust and well-balanced squad, with their sights set on helping Demi Vollering secure a second consecutive Tour victory after her win in 2023. Sports manager Danny Stam shared insights into their strategy and the team’s strengths.
Stam highlighted the excitement surrounding the Grand Départ in the Netherlands, saying it was a special start for the team as it is their home base. He remarked, “The Tour is challenging again this year with different courses. On the one hand, there are the fast flat courses, where the danger of echelons lurks around the corner. Should there be echelons, it will not be to our disadvantage. Then it gets hilly with the stage to Liège, which is a copy of the final of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. There the chaff will be separated from the wheat. After the intermediate stage, where anything can happen, it’s off to the Alps with two tricky climbing stages.”
Demi Vollering
Stam described Vollering as the absolute leader of their selection. “Demi has gone through a nice evolution and belongs to the world’s top. She has become a lot more mature in her way of racing. Her confidence in her own ability in the high mountains is high. She is well surrounded with this group. Demi can count on having a selection around her that is fully committed to going for that second Tour victory in a row.”
Lorena Wiebes
Stam also spoke highly of Wiebes, highlighting her role in the flat sprint stages. “Lorena Wiebes is our spearhead in the flat sprint stages. The opening stage is billiard flat, as is the second stage. Those stages are tailor-made for Lorena. She has shown in recent weeks that she is in good shape. But a bunch sprint is still a bunch sprint. The danger lurks in a small corner.”
Barbara Guarischi
According to Stam, Guarischi’s experience is invaluable to the team. “Barbara Guarischi is invaluable in our team. She has a lot of experience. Not only is she ironclad in lead-out work, Barbara is also very important to our group. She always thinks along with the group and we were keen to bring her experience to the Tour de France Femmes.”
Christine Majerus
Majerus is noted for her immense support within the team. Stam commented, “Christine Majerus is one of our biggest support givers in this kind of race. She puts in mountains of work. And just like Barbara Guarischi, she puts her experience fully at the service of the team.”
Blanka Vas
Stam praised Vas for her versatility. “Blanka Vas is a super versatile rider, ideal for the diverse course of this Tour de France Femmes. She can go long uphill, she can also stand her ground in the sprints. And if she slips into a breakaway, she can be dangerous.”
Niamh Fisher-Black
Fisher-Black’s role is to support Vollering, especially in the climbing stages. Stam noted, “Niamh Fisher-Black is there to support Demi Vollering. The climbing work is her territory and it will be her job to assist Demi Vollering as much as possible in the last two to three tricky stages.”
Mischa Bredewold
Lastly, Stam spoke of Bredewold’s evolution and potential. “Mischa Bredewold is a rider who is going through a strong evolution this season. She got off to a somewhat slow start due to some injury problems, but she has made strides. Mischa has decent potential for uphill work and is becoming a complete rider who is of great value on the flat and hilly terrain as well as in climbing.”
SD Worx 2024 Tour de France Femmes line-up
- Demi Vollering
- Blanka Vas
- Niamh Fisher-Black
- Mischa Bredewold
- Christine Majerus
- Barbara Guarischi
- Lorena Wiebes
Main photo credit: Thomas Maheux
