[ad_1]
SD Worx-Protime have unveiled their seven-rider roster for the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, with absolutely the major intention 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 prime 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.
Becoming a member of the 2 Dutch stars might be European Champion Mischa Bredewold, Blanka Vas, Niamh Fisher-Black, Barbara Guarischi and Christine Majerus, all with the important thing aim 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 time months, reconning the toughest climbs and getting as much as peak kind forward of the race which begins on August 12 in her residence Netherlands, nonetheless, the Olympics has made it extra difficult.
“I did already my altitude camp fairly near the Olympics. So I hope I can deliver my kind to there however, in fact, it’s tough,” mentioned Vollering to Cyclingnews, explaining the issue of balancing the Tour and Olympic street race the place she got here thirty fourth working for Wiebes on Sunday.
“Usually, like final week, you’d have like a giant coaching week nonetheless. Now you haven’t carried out a lot since you need additionally to be recent right here. We are going to see if I can deliver this kind to the Tour de France.”
The final two tough days might be very 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 struggle for yellow will finally be determined.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“This yr is tremendous, tremendous exhausting, particularly the final two days. it’s a extremely exhausting course,” she mentioned. “By no means have we noticed one thing like this in ladies’s biking so I’m actually curious to see what occurring there.”
Whereas 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 staff, the staff had been eager to emphasize how yellow with Vollering was the last word aim. The inexperienced jersey, which they received in 2023 with Lotte Kopecky – who has prioritised the Olympic observe 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 residence can be good. However we’re not going to waste forces to defend that jersey then,” mentioned sports activities supervisor Danny Stam. “Remaining victory prevails. So the inexperienced jersey isn’t instantly our focus both.
“The eyes might be on us, however we’re used to that by now. Final yr we carried out exceptionally nicely, but additionally this yr we wish to color the race and make it exhausting.
“Demi can depend on having a variety round her that’s absolutely dedicated to going for that second Tour victory in a row. The primary aim should not be compromised: the yellow jersey on l’Alpe d’Huez. That ought to be our focus.”
Get limitless entry to all of our protection of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes – together with breaking information and evaluation reported by our journalists on the bottom from each stage because it occurs and extra. Discover out extra.
[ad_2]
Source link
