Lorena Wiebes will lead SD Worx-Protime at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in the absence of Lotte Kopecky, who is delaying her season debut until Milan-San Remo Women. The European champion is coming off a dominant showing at the UAE Tour, where she took three stage wins, but she is aware that success in the Flemish opener is far from guaranteed.
“The spring races are something else compared to the UAE Tour,” Wiebes admitted on her team’s website. “Winning in a sprint there doesn’t mean I’ll automatically win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. But I’ve already finished third and second before, so I hope this time I can take the top step.”
The Dutch sprinter sees Omloop as the true start of the season, despite her early success in the desert. “It’s always a wait-and-see how you perform in the Omloop,” she added. “I can tell in training that I’ve made progress, but only during the first classic do you really know where you stand compared to the others.”
Photo Credit: GettyA different SD Worx-Protime lineup
In recent seasons, SD Worx-Protime could rely on both Kopecky and Demi Vollering, but with Vollering now at FDJ-SUEZ and Kopecky absent, the team’s lineup looks different. Wiebes is joined by Elena Cecchini, Barbara Guarischi, Marta Lach, Femke Markus and Mischa Bredewold—who recently won a stage in Valencia.
“We’re coming with a different team than previous years,” Wiebes noted. “Of course, having Kopecky at the start gives you more certainty, but this is still a very strong squad. With Femke, Elena, and Barbara, we have three riders who are excellent in positioning. Mischa and Marta should be able to go deep into the finale. Based on our training camp, I think we’ll work well together. Marta never gives up and, as a punchy rider, she’s well-suited for the classics. Hopefully, we can play our cards well in the final.”
Photo Credit: GettyBig rivals and bigger ambitions
Wiebes is eyeing her first major classic win but knows the competition is fierce. “My former teammates Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser will be tough to beat. Lidl-Trek is also strong, and I expect Elisa Balsamo to last long in the race. Kasia Niewiadoma and Puck Pieterse are also among the favourites.”
Surviving the crucial climbs will be key. “In 2022, I was third; in 2023, I was second. Last year, I didn’t have my best day and got caught between groups after the Muur. It’s important to be in the front before the Molenberg. The forecast says there won’t be much wind on Saturday, which could be good or bad, depending on how the race plays out.”
Winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad would be the perfect start to her spring. “It would be great to beat my former teammates and win here. That would immediately tick off one of my goals for this season—I really want to win a classic.”
In the ProCyclingUK race preview for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Wiebes is the standout favourite, with her sprinting power and improved uphill endurance making her the rider to beat.
