So far Anna van der Breggen has impressed on her return to racing after three seasons away, nonetheless, the true take a look at for the SD Worx-Protime rider is forward on Saturday on the 136km Strade Bianche Women.
“After her good races in Setmana Valencia and the Omloop van het Hageland, everybody was a bit euphoric,” crew sporting supervisor Danny Stam mentioned in a crew assertion of the Spanish race the place she got here third total and the Belgian race the place she was pivotal in her teammate’s victory and likewise got here seventh. ”But these races usually are not but of the calibre of the Strade Bianche.
“This is a troublesome one-day race, her first at WorldTour stage since her comeback. So right here, for the primary time, we will actually set up what 3.5 years out of competitors has introduced. It is tough to evaluate her possibilities.”
There is a lot using on the efficiency of the returning 34-year-old who gained the race in 2018 and was third in her final participation in 2021. The crew has gained the occasion the final 4 years however not one of the riders who captured these victories are on the beginning line for SD Worx-Protime this yr, with Demi Vollering having gone to FDJ-Suez, Lotte Kopecky but to start out her street season and Chantal van den Broek-Blaak retired. As a outcome, a lot of the main focus will activate former winner Van der Breggen.
“We will do all the pieces to get that fifth win in a row however it’ll positively not be straightforward,” mentioned Stam.
It’s not simply the extent of riders that Van der Breggen and the remainder of the crew will probably be up in opposition to but in addition the course that may add a substantial diploma of problem.
Strade Bianche is at all times a troublesome race with its notorious gravel sections via the unforgiving hills of Tuscany and steep Santa Caterina climb resulting in the end within the Piazza del Campo, however this yr one other 10km of unpaved roads have been added to the route. That features a robust new uphill Serravelle sector that runs for 9.3km, taking the overall as much as 50.3km.
‘I really feel there’s much less gravel than earlier than,” mentioned Stam. “It’s washed away a bit. But whether or not that makes the Strade Bianche easier? It actually will not make the distinction.
“The new strips are lots more durable. This course does not lie. That creates a type of calm within the finale. The strongest will probably be within the entrance and whoever has the most effective legs will come out on high. That was at all times the case, and it has not diminished after including these strips.”
Stam added that it may very well be a course that elevated the possibilities for the attackers, now that riders face the Le Tolfe and the Colle Pinzuto twice.
This may enhance the possibilities for the escapees. In the second a part of that native lap, it is a bit simpler. Consequently, it is a good race for attackers and whereas Vollering and Elisa Longo-Borghini could stand out as contenders, a large group of riders might determine within the breakaway.
SD Worx-Protime, as at all times, may have a robust squad on the beginning line, with Van der Breggen lining up alongside Omloop van het Hageland winner Femke Gerritse, Mischa Bredewold – who final yr went within the break of ten – mountain bike convert Steffi Haberlin, a debuting Lorena Wiebes and Blanka Vas, who after a winter of cyclo-cross is opening her street season on the race.
“I assume having an opportunity to win continues to be too excessive, however she will go far within the last,” mentioned Stam of Vas. “We are relying on that too.”
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