Following a successful season so far, Team SD Worx is setting the ultimate target for the upcoming Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. With Demi Vollering, the Dutch World Team is aiming for overall victory in the most important stage race of the year, which starts this coming weekend in Clermint-Ferrand. It will be the 21st race in the 2023 UCI Women’s World Tour calendar To achieve gold (or in this case yellow!), Demi will be supported by Mischa Bredewold, Elena Cecchini, Lotte Kopecky, Christine Majerus, Marlen Reusser and Lorena Wiebes. “Our goal is to take home the yellow jersey. With this strong and balanced line-up, we will do everything we can to achieve that,” sports manager Danny Stam said. He looks ahead at the event for each of the riders selected:
Demi Vollering
“With Demi Vollering, we aspire to achieve the full yellow. Her spring was sublime. At her first opportunity in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, she immediately hit the mark. She will continue that line this season. Hopefully she will also succeed in the Tour de France Femmes. Defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten proved in the Giro Donne that she is back on level. Last year, she was still a size too big, but Demi has proved in all respects that she has made strides. That will make a difference. Especially mentally, she has become much stronger. This season there is a time trial in the course for the first time. Because we have so few of them in a year, it is difficult to assess the value ratios in that discipline. But if, like Demi, you finish on the podium at the NK time trial, you can say that you belong to the world top. It will be an interesting battle, in the mountains and against the clock.”
Lorena Wiebes
“The advantage of taking Lorena along is, that with her sprint, you always have an extra weapon. On top of that, she is a seriously good team player, who can completely give herself away for the collective. She has become a lot more complete this year and can also manage the team well. She has nestled fantastically into our team. With Lorena, you are guaranteed a chance of winning in a number of stages.”
Lotte Kopecky
“Lotte has taken another considerable step in my eyes. She has gained even more volume. The arrival of Lorena Wiebes has done her no harm. She can race much more freely. She can attack when the opportunity arises and go all-in without having to leave anything for a possible sprint. She is also a great team player. Of course we make a selection with the idea of winning races, but we also try to put together a group that fits together. Lotte plays an important part in that. She will dedicate herself to serving the team when necessary, but she also has the qualities to go her own way. So there will definitely be rides where she gets a free hand.”
Marlen Reusser
“Marlen’s selection for the Tour de France Femmes is a logical choice. Last year, she won the gravel stage in a very nice way. In addition, she has made strides in the uphill stages, while she is among the absolute world’s best as a time trialist. Before Marlen signed with Team SD Worx, she had already proved that she can ride a stretch uphill and go for an overall classification. Although she too has become a lot stronger this season. In the Tour of Switzerland, she was rock solid. Her form is good, so she will be an important support for Demi Vollering in this Tour.”
Elena Cecchini
“Elena Cecchini is making her debut in this year’s Tour de France Femmes. Elena is actually a bit like the ‘mother hen’ in the group. She always creates a good atmosphere. You can never go wrong by selecting her for a race. Not only does she have a nice personality, she also understands the course. You can always count on her. You need people like that in your team. Riders like Christine Majerus and Elena need few words. They know what is expected and you can one hundred per cent trust them to carry out team orders to perfection.”
Christine Majerus
“Christine is one of the silent forces behind the success of Team SD Worx. She always takes on a lot of work. The successful year we are experiencing would not be possible without riders like Christine Majerus. She never moans and understands the game. There was a question mark as to whether she would make it to this Tour de France Femmes. She has had problems with her health (Epstein virus). From her training sessions in recent weeks, we can conclude that she is regaining her good level. And then you just want Christine Majerus in your Tour selection. Together with Elena Cecchini, we have two experienced rotors with her.”
Mischa Bredewold
“Mischa Bredewold finished second in the youth classification of the Tour de France Femmes last year. With Mischa, you have a rider who has great power in her. Who can ride in the lead for long periods if a breakaway needs to be brought back. She can pound on the pedals and you need such riders in the Tour de France. She can also do a good time trial. In short, a logical selection after a strong year from this talented rider.”
