Sports director Kos predicts 'tipping point' for Schreiber and Vas in cyclo-cross: "They are up to it"

It has been known for years that the SD Worx-Protime women shine on the road. But the Dutch team is also starting to compete for victories in the field. To be precise, the two-headed cyclo-cross squad—consisting of Marie Schreiber and Blanka Vas—recently achieved another World Cup victory.

That happened in Hulst, where Schreiber took the lead and never let it go. With her famous start in front, she recently gained enough advantage over the rest of the field to solo to victory in the Netherlands. Before the start, IDLProCycling.com spoke with sports director Christian Kos.  

With good reason, as it turned out a few hours later. "They are both still very young, which is nice. They still have a road ahead, but this year is a tipping point. Every week, they show that they connect with the big ones. Now it's time to beat them."

Prophetic vision or not, that has already happened once by now. But even without the win in Holland's most Flemish city, the two women are growing week by week. "Last year, they rode well, but now it's more steady. This year, we are competing for the win every week. I notice every week that they are hungry and thinking along to make the next step. The next step is to finish on the podium."

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Kos looking ahead in Hulst: "Podium is possible"

With Schreiber (21) and Vas (23) this season, that step to the podium is uncertain. Besides her victory in Hulst, Schreiber from Luxembourg finished in third place in the World Cup in Antwerp, and the Hungarian Vas came close to the podium several times, including her third place in Besançon, but becoming a regular podium finisher is still something else. Kos also knows that.

"Very honestly, that's what we're doing," the new Dutch team leader at SD Worx-Protime replied when asked what step the two still have to take before that. "The season so far has been very stable. As a road team - because that's what we are - we are facilitating them in the best way. Step by step, we get close to the podium. It's possible, and then we're on track."

Before the start of Hulst, this website asked Kos when he thought about what was possible. "Don't put any pressure on it because it will come when it comes. It could just be today, but they are up to it." And Kos was right.

Schreiber keeps focus on cyclo-cross, Vas full for road at SD Worx-Protime 

With riders like Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, and, from 2025, Anna van der Breggen in the team again, SD Worx-Protime has a powerful team for next season. What about Schreiber and Vas: is the road or the field more important for the duo? "Blanka did show in the cyclo-cross that she is a serious contender. So, her focus is mainly on the road and what potential she can bring out there."

That's in contrast to Schreiber. "For Marie, it's the other way around: cyclo-cross is the main focus, and the road is fun. All the experience she can gain there is a nice bonus, but I think there will be a switch in the coming seasons. Like Blanka, the cyclo-cross will become secondary, and the road will be the main event. But anyway, they have some say in that themselves."

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