It has been a dream start to 2025 for Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx Protime. She convincingly won the three bunch sprints in UAE Tour. This year, the European champion hopes to win another classic and starts this weekend with Omloop het Nieuwsblad.
She is still cautious about her chances despite the start she has had: ‘The spring campaign is still different from the UAE Tour, though.Those victories in the sprints don’t mean that I will also win the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad just like that. But I was third and second before, so I hope I can take the top step this time.’
She continues: ‘The Omloop het Nieuwsblad is always an exciting race. This feels like the real start of the season. But it is nice to ride those earlier races. They are ideal to gain race rhythm. It always remains to be seen how you will perform in the Omloop. I see in training that I have made steps forward, but only in the opening classic you know how that compares to the others and how exactly your form is. This race suits me. I came third in 2022 and second the year after. Last year I didn’t have my best day. After the Muur I tried to ride back to the front, but I was in between both groups. So it is important to survive the Muur in the leading group. You have to be sharp before the Molenberg. They are indicating relatively little wind for Saturday for now. That can be an advantage, but equally a disadvantage. It depends on the course of the race.’
Her team will be important to pull off the victory for her or one of her teammates: ‘We come to the start with a different team compared to previous seasons. Of course, with Lotte Kopecky at the start you have a bit more security, but this is still a very strong team. With Femke Markus, Elena Cecchini and Barbara Guarischi in support, we have three riders who are super at positioning. I expect Mischa Bredewold and Marta Lach to last a long time in the final. Judging from the training camp, we will have a lot to offer each other. Marta strikes me as someone who never gives up and, as a puncher type, is made for the classic spring. Hopefully we can play our cards right in the final.
Personally, I obviously hope to add the Omloop to my palmares. But with my former teammates Demi Vollering (FDJ Suez) and Marlen Reusser (Movistar), the competition is strong. Lidl-Trek also has a strong team at the start. I see Elisa Balsamo being there for a long time. Kasia Niewiadoma and Puck Pieterse are also among the favourites. It would be nice to beat them, win the Omloop het Nieuwsblad and tick off one of my goals for the season.’
