Due to illness, Wiebes heads to the European Championships 'refreshed' and knows her task: "If Lotte goes, I always go with her"

Lorena Wiebes is one of the absolute leaders of the Dutch team at the European Cycling Championships in Drenthe. The sprinter from SD Worx aims to impress in her home country, but she has to deal with her teammate for now, Lotte Kopecky. Fortunately for Wiebes, she is very fresh at the start. "I wish the season could have lasted for months," she told IDLProCycling.com on Friday afternoon.

Dealing with Kopecky will not be too easy for the Dutch ladies, despite the freshness. "Lotte will be our biggest competitor," Wiebes explains. And how could it be otherwise? After winning the World Championships, the opening stage of the Tour de France, and the Tour of Flanders, one cannot ignore the Flemish. "But because I am her teammate, I do have more information about her. I know her ways and where she prefers to attack."

"If Kopecky and Vollering break away together, it's not necessarily favorable for us."

Wiebes sees a lot of opportunities to defeat Kopecky, who in turn labels Wiebes as the favorite, in the upcoming European Cycling Championships. "We have to make sure she doesn't ride away solo," says the sprinter. "And in principle, I am faster than Lotte." A scenario like in the 2023 Strade Bianche, where Demi Vollering sprinted for the victory together with Kopecky, is not particularly appealing to Wiebes. "It's a tricky situation because on paper Lotte is faster than Demi."

The sprinter also knows that she cannot just wait for a possible sprint. "If Lotte rides away with a group, I have to make sure I'm there too. I can't spare myself completely. It's a shame that the other girls are not really inclined to ride with me to the finish line. I noticed that in the Simac Ladies Tour. It would be ideal for me if the race gets tough from the start. Then we arrive with a small group at the local circuit at the VAM-berg. That's a nice scenario for the Italians too, so they will help to break the peloton. With a bit of luck, Lotte will have already lost part of her team," Wiebes is referring to the relatively weak Belgian team.

Wiebes has confidence in her final sprint: "I Always sprint harder uphill"

If Wiebes gets her way and it becomes a sprint for victory, it's still not a sure thing. Kopecky can climb well and can handle a short, steep climb like the VAM-berg very well. "But I climb very well too," says Wiebes confidently. And rightly so. In the Simac Tour, only Wiebes and Kasia Niewiadoma could keep up with Kopecky on the Cauberg. "Additionally, I always sprint harder when the road goes uphill. I can exert more of my pure power. That also plays a part in my long-term plan towards the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race."

In addition, Wiebes has an unexpected extra advantage: her illness in the summer. Both Kopecky and Wiebes peaked for the Tour de France and the World Championships. While Kopecky was in top shape there, Wiebes struggled with illness. "I was unwell several times, but it also keeps you fresh mentally. I am still hungry. I know that Lotte took it easy after the World Championships to have fun with friends and family. If it were up to me, the season would have continued for months."

Dutch team also keeps an eye on Balsamo, Reusser and Lippert

So Wiebes is definitely fresh. "I have been able to train well and since Scandinavia (where Wiebes won two stages, ed.) I feel that my form is really coming back. I think Lotte will be very good, but I think I will be too. It will also depend on the form of the day." Besides, Wiebes doesn't want to look at Kopecky alone. "I also see ladies like Elisa Balsamo and Liane Lippert as contenders. And if Marlen Reusser has a good day..."