Bruges, Belgium – Defending champion Lorena Wiebes will line up for the Ronde van Brugge on Thursday, a last-minute addition to the SD Worx-Protime roster after a change of plans regarding teammate Marie Schreiber. The unexpected move throws the Dutch rider back into contention for the one-day Women’s WorldTour race, now facing a potentially challenging course and a forecast calling for rain and strong winds. This late entry underscores the team’s commitment to competing for a third consecutive victory in the revamped Belgian classic.
Schreiber, the reigning Luxembourg champion in both road and cyclo-cross, is still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury sustained earlier this year. She completed her cyclo-cross season in February, finishing 20th at the World Championships in Hulst, Netherlands, but isn’t yet ready to return to the demands of road racing. Instead, Schreiber will now target Scheldeprijs Women on April 8th as her season opener, allowing for a more measured return to competition.
Wiebes’s inclusion wasn’t originally part of the team’s plan. Sports Director Christian Kos explained in a team statement that the decision to initially rest her was strategic, aimed at managing her workload ahead of several key objectives later in the season. “Lorena Wiebes was originally not planned for the Tour of Bruges in order to maintain a good balance between load and rest. There are many major objectives scheduled around this race and that’s why Lorena was initially not going to start,” Kos said. Still, with Schreiber’s delayed recovery, Wiebes was eager to compete and the team adjusted its strategy.
Course Changes and Challenging Conditions
This year’s Ronde van Brugge, formerly known as Classic Brugge-De Panne, features a modified course. The race now begins and finishes inland in Bruges, eliminating the traditional coastal stretch to De Panne. While the change aims to improve safety – organizers have cited rider safety as a key factor in the route modification, adding wider roads and reducing tight turns – the race remains demanding. Cobbled sectors and exposed roads will test the peloton, and the predicted inclement weather promises to add another layer of difficulty.
“The weather will be an essential factor in determining whether a tiny group will sprint for the win or the peloton,” Kos added. “There are still plenty of exposed sections, and with the forecasted wind, it can become a tough race.” The organizers have emphasized their focus on safety, but the race is still expected to favor strong riders capable of navigating challenging conditions.
Wiebes’s Form and Recent Successes
Despite the late call-up, Wiebes arrives in Belgium in excellent form. The 27-year-old has already enjoyed a successful start to the season, winning a trio of stages and the points classification at the UAE Tour Women in February. She also secured third place at Omloop Nieuwsblad and claimed her third victory at GP Oetingen. Most recently, she played a crucial supporting role in teammate Lotte Kopecky’s victory at Milan-San Remo last Saturday, with Kopecky also winning Nokere Koerse.
Last year, Wiebes demonstrated her sprinting prowess to win the race, then known as Classic Brugge-De Panne, using a powerful acceleration in the final 200 meters to overtake Chiara Consonni (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) for her 99th career victory, as reported by Cyclingnews. Her ability to deliver a decisive sprint makes her a formidable contender once again.
Team Strategy and Pursuit of a Third Title
SD Worx-Protime is aiming for a third consecutive win at the Ronde van Brugge, building on their successes at Nokere Koerse and Milan-San Remo. Kos expressed confidence in the team’s ability to contend for the victory. “The flow is good at the moment, and the Tour of Bruges is a beautiful WorldTour race,” he said. “We hope to go for a third consecutive victory with Team SD Worx-Protime, after Nokere Koerse and Milan–San Remo.”
The team’s decision to include Wiebes highlights their adaptability and commitment to maximizing their chances of success. While initially designed as a recovery period for the Dutch champion, the opportunity to defend her title proved too compelling to pass up. The combination of Wiebes’s form, the team’s strength, and a challenging course sets the stage for an exciting race on Thursday.
The Ronde van Brugge will be a key test for the riders as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Spring Classics. The race’s demanding terrain and unpredictable weather conditions will undoubtedly separate the contenders and provide a thrilling spectacle for cycling fans. The next update from the team will likely come following the race, detailing their performance and outlining their plans for the remainder of the Spring Classics season.
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