SD Worx-Protime have unveiled their seven-rider roster for the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, with absolutely the fundamental goal of defending their title from 2023 with Demi Vollering.
The Dutchwoman, who is because of go away the squad after 2024, will lead the GC bid, whereas high sprinter Lorena Wiebes will look so as to add extra levels to the three she’s already taken on the Tour de France Femmes since its inaugural version in 2022.
Joining the 2 Dutch stars will probably be European Champion Mischa Bredewold, Blanka Vas, Niamh Fisher-Black, Barbara Guarischi and Christine Majerus, all with the important thing objective of aiding Vollering to a different yellow jersey on the Alpe d’Huez finale.
Vollering has been at altitude with Bredewold within the early summer season months, reconning the toughest climbs and getting as much as peak type forward of the race which begins on August 12 in her house Netherlands, nevertheless, the Olympics has made it extra difficult.
“I did already my altitude camp fairly near the Olympics. So I hope I can convey my type to there however, after all, it is tough,” stated Vollering to Cyclingnews, explaining the problem of balancing the Tour and Olympic street race the place she got here thirty fourth working for Wiebes on Sunday.
“Normally, like final week, you’ll have like an enormous coaching week nonetheless. Now you have not achieved a lot since you need additionally to be recent right here. We will see if I can convey this manner to the Tour de France.”
The final two tough days will probably be important for Vollering if she is to go back-to-back, with the summit finishes on levels 7 and eight as much as Grand Bornand and the fabled Alpe d’Huez, sure to be the place the combat for yellow will in the end be determined.
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“This 12 months is tremendous, tremendous exhausting, particularly the final two days. it is a actually exhausting course,” she stated. “Never have we noticed one thing like this in ladies’s biking so I’m actually curious to see what occurring there.”
While Wiebes’ ambitions within the flat levels are a spotlight, particularly given she would be the scorching favorite to take yellow in Rotterdam for SD Worx – a Dutch group, the group had been eager to emphasize how yellow with Vollering was the final word objective. The inexperienced jersey, which they gained in 2023 with Lotte Kopecky – who has prioritised the Olympic monitor occasions over the Tour – is also a second precedence behind the maillot jaune.
“For her [Wiebes] to take the primary yellow jersey if she wins at house could be good. But we aren’t going to waste forces to defend that jersey then,” stated sports activities supervisor Danny Stam. “Final victory prevails. So the inexperienced jersey just isn’t instantly our focus both.
“The eyes will probably be on us, however we’re used to that by now. Last 12 months we carried out exceptionally properly, but additionally this 12 months we need to color the race and make it exhausting.
“Demi can rely on having a range round her that’s absolutely dedicated to going for that second Tour victory in a row. The fundamental objective should not be compromised: the yellow jersey on l’Alpe d’Huez. That ought to be our focus.”
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