In 2023, Team SD Worx had both European champions in the form of Marlen Reusser and Lorena Wiebes. At the European championships ITT & road race in the Netherlands, both riders are among the favourites to win, extending their titles into 2024.
Marlen Reusser made classics and stage races a goal in 2023 and achieved great success. Her seven victories included Ghent-Wevelgem, stage and overall wins in Itzulia and the Tour de Suisse. Reusser also continued to perform strongly in the time trial, until things went wrong at the World Time Trial Championships in Glasgow.
“I needed a break,” she said, reflecting on the race. “It was weird what happened. I didn’t see it coming, but I learned a lot from it.”
Reusser is set to defend her jersey at the Championships in Drenthe that begin today. “Of course it would be nice if I can make it a hat-trick by taking that European title for the third year in a row. That would mean the world to me. But first and foremost, I want to find the joy back in time trial. It is not the prettiest course, because part of it takes place on the motorway, but it is where you can develop your ability as a pure time triallist. I will be happy if I can find peace with the discipline and get a good result. Because my form is still super though.”
Lorena Wiebes will defend her European jersey in the road race. “It was a great year in this beautiful jersey. I am looking forward to defending it. It is extra special that the European Championship takes place in my own country and that my family and friends can come and encourage me. This jersey gave me a lot of motivation on training.”
“I have been looking forward to the European Championship in the Netherlands. I find a course there that should suit me. It is somewhat similar to the Tour of Drenthe [which Wiebes has already managed to win three times in a row]. The new Dak van Drenthe hopefully adds something extra to the race. The finish should suit me normally, so I hope I can extend my title as European champion!” Wiebes concluded.
