SD Worx-Protime predicts chaos at Tour de France Femmes and has its line-up ready

SD Worx-Protime has revealed its seven-rider line-up for the Tour de France Femmes. Unsurprisingly, the Dutch team will travel to the start in Switzerland with its three biggest stars. Anna van der Breggen will target the general classification, Lorena Wiebes will chase stage victories in the sprints, while Lotte Kopecky will have the freedom to pursue results somewhere between those two roles.

Van der Breggen has enjoyed an excellent season so far. She won stages at both the Vuelta Femenina and the Giro d’Italia and appeared to be heading towards overall victory in each race. However, on both occasions she lost the leader’s jersey on the final stage. The biggest reward has therefore remained out of reach, but she will hope to secure it in France. The 36-year-old climber will be the team’s general-classification leader. “Our goal with Anna is a top-five finish in the general classification,” sports manager Danny Stam said on the team’s website.

She will be supported by several exceptionally strong domestiques. Nienke Vinke has been selected as a crucial mountain helper. The 22-year-old won the young rider classification with Picnic PostNL last year and has already finished 13th at the Vuelta Femenina this season. She also placed tenth at La Flèche Wallonne and 16th at the Tour de Suisse. “We expect Nienke to stay with the front group for as long as possible so that she is there when Anna needs her,” Stam explained.

Valentina Cavallar will also be part of the line-up. The Austrian previously competed as an Olympic rower. “In both the Vuelta Femenina and the Giro d’Italia, she proved how valuable she can be in supporting Anna van der Breggen in the high mountains,” Stam said. “We want to support Van der Breggen as our leader for the general classification for as long and as well as possible in the mountains.”

Wiebes has already won five stages across four appearances at the Tour, and stage victories will once again be her objective this year — although the sprinter is unlikely to receive many clear opportunities. Kopecky and Mischa Bredewold will help her pursuit of further wins, playing important roles in the lead-out. Normally, the two powerful all-rounders will also be allowed to chase their own opportunities on the tougher stages once Wiebes has been dropped.

Stam is looking forward to the Tour de France Femmes. “This is a demanding and varied course,” he said on his team’s website. “Because the route is so challenging, there will be few teams with the riders and strength needed to truly control the race. That’s why I expect an open Tour de France Femmes. It will be a great edition of the Tour de France for the neutral spectator.”