Fewer classics, fewer races, but with the ultimate goal in mind: Kopecky is going all in on winning the Tour

With the departure of Demi Vollering, SD Worx-Protime has a significant gap to fill. The top team of recent years suddenly finds itself without a true leader for the Grand Tours. There had been speculation about how this void would be addressed, but the confirmation is now here: Lotte Kopecky will ride the Tour de France Femmes with the goal of bringing the yellow jersey home, as Danny Stam confirmed to IDLProCycling.com and other media.

After a challenging farewell year, Vollering moved to FDJ-SUEZ, where she will be the sole team leader. At SD Worx, the team is left figuring out if someone can take over her role. "It’s hard to say," says team manager Danny Stam. "I think we’ve filled the gap reasonably well, with Lotte taking a step towards focusing on Grand Tours. And with Anna (Van der Breggen, ed.) back, although we don’t know exactly what level she’ll be at."

Kopecky will bear much of the pressure, even more than before, as she will still compete in the classics. "Lotte will ride the spring schedule from Milan-San Remo to Liège. Then she’ll prepare for the Tour de France." And the ambition is clear: as the top team, you must aim to win, so Kopecky will go all in on securing an overall victory. "If you can finish second in the Tour, if you can finish second in the Giro, then the capability is there," says the Dutch team manager.

Kopecky herself is also optimistic. The ambitious Belgian thinks wearing the yellow jersey is not unrealistic. "Otherwise, Danny Stam wouldn’t be saying it. I definitely think it’s a challenge, but ultimately, we don’t consider it impossible. I’m really curious and excited to prepare well for the Tour and to give it everything I have." While the classics remain a goal, the calendar will be less packed than before. "After the spring, I’ll take a short break, then do a high-altitude training camp for the Tour. So it’s a year with not too much racing."

For now, she isn’t looking much further ahead than this summer. The Grand Départ in Brittany is the focus, and long-term ambitions for Grand Tours aren’t yet a priority. "I’d say it's more short-term for now. I don’t have that much on my plate," she laughs. Kopecky knows there’s no guarantee of immediate success. "I’m definitely taking that into account, that it might not work out." The future of Kopecky as a general classification rider hinges on this year. "It depends on how this year’s preparation goes, whether I like it. If not, I’ll just refocus on the Tour of Flanders or Roubaix. Then it’s done."

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Vollering and Kopecky will face each other as competitors this year, rather than teammates

Kopecky must lose weight and train at altitude for her big goal

The Dutch team hasn’t forced the world champion to take on leadership in Grand Tours — it’s something that has been brewing within her for a while. "It’s more that she wants it herself, really. That just kind of develops. When she finished second in the Tour, it started to become a factor. And last year, she was second in the Giro and won the Tour of Romandie."

However, sacrifices will have to be made: she will need to lose some weight and train at altitude. "Lotte never really did altitude training camps. She just wasn’t into it. She might have used an altitude tent occasionally, but she never actually stayed at altitude. She found it mentally challenging." And losing weight is necessary but must be managed carefully. "We know what the minimum healthy weight is, so we know what we shouldn't drop below," says the team leader. "You don’t want to jeopardize the rest of your career by taking too many risks."

The two-time world champion is a true classics specialist by nature and is generally considered to be at a slightly lower level than Vollering in the high mountains. "But if you finish second in the Tour, are you really that bad?" Stam wonders aloud. He also isn't keen on framing the Tour as a duel with Vollering. "When you look at the other teams, you see many have strengthened significantly. Women’s cycling is evolving in a completely new way."

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For the first time in four years, Anna van der Breggen returns to the race colors of SD Worx-Protime

Dark horse Van der Breggen: "How will she hold up in the peloton?"

In addition to their Belgian leading lady, SD Worx-Protime has a wildcard in Van der Breggen. The 34-year-old Dutchwoman retired from racing in 2021 but is now returning to the pro peloton after three years as a team leader. What will her level be this year? Stam remains cautious. "Demi (Vollering, ed.) is currently the best rider in the world, and Anna was that four to six years ago," he compares. "There’s a significant time gap. In terms of numbers, the difference isn’t huge. But how will she hold up in the peloton? Has it become more hectic? Those are all factors to consider."

It’s still unclear whether the record winner of La Flèche Wallonne (seven victories, ed.) will act as a domestique or as a shadow leader. "I don’t have a definitive answer to that. But basically, Lotte is the leader." What is certain is that Van der Breggen will return to the Ardennes Classics. She won’t undergo extensive preparation but will make her professional comeback on her beloved hilly terrain.

With 64 victories, SD Worx-Protime was head and shoulders above the competition last season. However, Stam acknowledges that it will be difficult to replicate that success. "When you look at the seasons we’ve had, it will undoubtedly be more challenging." The team also faces the departure of key names. In addition to Vollering, Marlen Reusser has left, and Christine Majerus has retired from racing.

The Dutch Tour de France runner-up isn’t the only one leaving a gap behind. "You can’t truly replace them, but I think we’ve assembled a very solid team with a lot of quality to fill those gaps." Stam highlights talents like Steffi Häberlin, a relatively unknown Swiss mountain biker. Yet with established stars like Lorena Wiebes and Blanka Vas, there’s still an abundance of talent. "There are plenty of strengths being added to the group."

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