Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx Protime took a stunning win on the via Roma in Sanremo to clinch the 2025 Sanremo women after 20 years away from the calendar. It took a massive effort from her teammate Lotte Kopecky, the reigning world champion, who selfishly chased down Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini on the run in. Longo Borghini went clear with 2km to go, ultimately getting caught before the line. Wiebes had ridden a perfect race, beating her compatriot Marianne Vos into second place while Noemi Ruegg from Switzerland crossed the line in third position.
Photo Credits: Chiara Redaschi
The winner of the Sanremo Women presented by Crédit Agricole, Lorena Wiebes, said in the press conference: “In the first corner, there was already a crash. The roads were still wet at the beginning of the race, but team kept us out of danger, we rode together at the front. We got stuck behind one crash before the Cipressa. Blanka Vas brought me back. We felt the peloton was nervous. Everything is more hectic in the races this year compare to last year. The level of the whole peloton goes up. When I started, we were only a few strong riders, now there are many more riders fighting for positions. It also makes it for a more interesting racing with top riders in different teams, unlike before. It’s really nice and amazing that this race is back after such a long time. It was hard to say before how it would end, I’m happy with the way I overcame the Cipressa and the Poggio. I knew I had to be in a good position for the downhill. In the last two kilometres, I had to gamble on Lotte to close the gap, I know I can trust her, I’m grateful for that. We already showed in previous seasons that we are strong together, we pay each other back. Sanremo Women is very important for women cycling. It’s already one of the nicest races on the calendar. It can be considered the biggest victory of my career. I like Italy and most of the world’s top ten riders were here today”.
The teamwork really demonstrated cycling as a team sport and showed how important it is to have faith in each other on the road. The incredible Marianne Vos took another podium in a monument:
She said: “It was hard to predict how the race would unfold. In the end I’m very happy with how we raced as a team and how I got to the final. In a sprint against Lorena Wiebes you know it’s going to be very hard but we tried and we can be satisfied with second. Sanremo Women is a beautiful race and I’m happy that we did it today and there are many more editions to come”.
Photo Credits: Chiara Redaschi
Third placed Noemi Ruegg said: “We had this goal as a team to make the podium but honestly I didn’t imagine myself standing there. I can’t believe it really happened. It’s insane. This third place feels like a win. It’s a Monument. It’s the first time we have it since a long time… It’s amazing. I expected the last two climbs to be harder. The tempo wasn’t very high on the Cipressa. They went hard towards the top of the Poggio but I managed to hold on really well. After the descent I only followed Lotte Kopecky. That was the best scenario for me. I started my sprint in good position. Winning the Tour Down Under in Australia put me on a very good shape for this”.
Photo Credits: Chiara Redaschi
