Lotte Kopecky, the reigning world champion, has outlined a refreshed approach for the 2025 season, focusing on key races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Milan-Sanremo, and the Tour de France Femmes. The Belgian, revealed a shift in her preparation at the team presentation today, aiming for a more tailored calendar that allows for targeted performances.
“I’m going for quality,” Kopecky stated, explaining her decision to skip early-season fixtures like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Strade Bianche. Instead, her season will begin with Milan-Sanremo on 22nd March, marking the first time the women’s peloton will tackle La Primavera. She acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the new course but expressed optimism. “We’ll see what condition I’ll be in at the start. The final will be similar to the men’s, so it’s exciting.”
Kopecky aims to peak for Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which she described as the pinnacle of her spring objectives. “I haven’t ticked that off yet,” she said. “The Tour and Roubaix are close to my heart, but Liège is a nice replacement if we want to do something different.” Reflecting on her approach to the classics, Kopecky highlighted the importance of maintaining motivation. “It has to remain a bit exciting. I can’t have the same goal every year, or I’ll risk getting into a rut.”
Adapting for the Tour de France Femmes
Turning her attention to the summer, Kopecky highlighted her ambitions for the Tour de France Femmes, following her second-place finish in 2023. Although cautious about making bold declarations, she hinted at her classification goals. “I do have ambitions for the classification, I don’t deny that. But I want to talk about it carefully,” she said. “If all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, then I don’t rule it out.”
Key to her preparation will be altitude training in Livigno, a departure from her usual routine. “Sitting on a mountain is not my favourite activity,” she admitted with a laugh, “but I think it is worth it.” The shift will also involve monitoring her weight to balance climbing ability with her broader goals. “I won’t completely transform myself into a climber,” Kopecky noted, “because I would like to finish the rest of my career in a good way.”
Anna van der Breggen’s return to racing
The SD Worx-Protime team will also see the return of Anna van der Breggen, who last raced in 2021 before transitioning into a team management role. Now 34, the Dutchwoman is set to compete again, with her beloved Ardennes classics forming part of her schedule. Team manager Danny Stam expressed optimism about her comeback but acknowledged uncertainties. “We’ll see how she holds up in the peloton. It’s been a few years, and things might be more hectic now,” Stam said.
Van der Breggen’s experience as a seven-time winner of the Walloon Arrow makes her a key figure within the team. However, her role is yet to be fully defined, with Stam suggesting she may either serve as a domestique or a shadow leader alongside Kopecky. “In principle, Lotte is the leader, but Anna brings valuable knowledge and ability to the team.”
Lorena Wiebes continues to lead SD Worx-Protime sprints
Amidst the changes at SD Worx-Protime, Lorena Wiebes remains a crucial part of the team. The Dutch sprinter is set for a packed early-season calendar, including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, UAE Tour, and races through to Amstel Gold. With the departure of key riders like Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser, Wiebes’ consistency and firepower in sprints will be vital as the team rebuilds. Stam highlighted the depth in the squad, noting, “We’ve lost big names, but with riders like Lorena, Blanka Vas, and even emerging talents like Steffi Häberlin, there’s still plenty of quality to rely on.”
