SD Worx-Protime cools expectations around Van der Breggen Ahead of Strade: "Vollering and Longo Borghini will likely stand out"

The last four editions of Strade Bianche in the women's race were won by SD Worx-Protime, but in 2025, the team will have to compete without the riders responsible for those victories. Lotte Kopecky (starting her season at Milan-San Remo), Demi Vollering (who moved to FDJ-Suez), and Chantal van den Broek-Blaak (retired) won’t be there—but returning to the race is 2018 winner Anna van der Breggen.

On Thursday, the successful women's team went out for a reconnaissance ride. "That extra lap with two additional gravel sectors makes the race harder. But I have the feeling that breakaways have a better chance than before," sports director Danny Stam shared his vision. "It seems like there’s less gravel than before, as if some of it has been washed away. But will that make Strade Bianche any less difficult? Definitely not."

"The new sectors are much tougher," he continued. "This course doesn’t lie. It creates a sort of calm in the final. The strongest riders will rise to the top, and whoever has the best legs will come out on top. That has always been the case, and it hasn’t changed with the addition of these sectors."

"The riders will now face Le Tolfe and Colle Pinzuto twice. This might even increase the chances for breakaway riders. The second part of that local lap is a bit easier, making this a great race for attackers," said Stam, who doesn’t see the outright favorites within his own team. "With Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini, there are two riders who will likely stand out. But behind them, there is a fairly wide group of contenders who could go along in a breakaway."

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SD Worx-Protime lines up with Van der Breggen, Wiebes, Vas and Bredewold

"Van der Breggen faces a real test at Strade Bianche. After her strong performances in Setmana Valencia and Omloop van het Hageland, there was some euphoria. But those races are not yet on the same level as Strade Bianche," Stam cautions, keeping expectations in check. "This is a tough one-day race—her first at WorldTour level since her comeback. This will be the first real opportunity to see what 3.5 years away from competition has done. It’s hard to assess her chances."

SD Worx-Protime has other strong riders in the mix. "Lorena Wiebes really wanted to race Strade Bianche to experience firsthand what this race is like. We had a spot open, so we gladly gave Lorena this opportunity. She’s a rider who always brings something extra. Blanka Vas is racing for the first time since the cyclocross season. I think winning might be too ambitious, but she can go deep into the final—that’s what we’re counting on. Mischa Bredewold was in the breakaway last year, and this race suits her well. Strade Bianche is a race that favors aggressive riding. We’ll do everything we can to secure a fifth consecutive victory, but it certainly won’t be easy."

Selection SD Worx-Protime Strade Bianche 2025

Anna van der Breggen
Blanka Vas
Lorena Wiebes
Femke Gerritse
Steffi Häberlin
Mischa Bredewold

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