Winning machine Wiebes may get fewer chances at SD Worx-Protime after dream year

Wiebes delivered no fewer than 25 road wins for herself and SD Worx-Protime in 2025. She also became world champion on gravel, won the Omnium at the European and World Track Championships, and then took the rainbow jersey in the Scratch as well. Her best road win? “Milan–Sanremo was special, but also the two stage wins in the Tour de France and the fact that I became Dutch champion.”

Wiebes did not lose a single sprint she contested in 2025, but “the best sprinter in the world” is not a label she wants to give herself. “I prefer not to call myself the best at something. I just try to be the best version of myself and achieve as much as possible that way. 2025 was special because I was truly unbeatable in the sprints, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same this year.”

In the bunch sprints, Wiebes is unlikely to have many obstacles put in her way. But last season she was also given plenty of freedom in the spring classics and the Grand Tours. That was partly driven by Lotte Kopecky being below her best, which often pushed her into a domestique role. “I think last year we showed that we only make each other stronger,” Wiebes said.

The big question is whether that balance will remain the same in 2026. “We support each other and there are always situations where it’s for Lotte or for me. Last year she rode more for me, but if I’m not in form one time, it can be the other way around. That’s the strength of our team. Think about Milan–Sanremo. I won that last year, so it’s not a must for me this season.”

That is also how SD Worx-Protime will approach the other classics: simply backing the rider with the best legs on the day. “There are always scenarios where it can work, just like in Paris–Roubaix. I got the chance to go for the win there last year, but it didn’t work out. Maybe we’ll do something different this year, also depending on form. We always have good conversations within the team.”

“Everyone can speak up about their goals, and that way we know what we expect from each other for the year,” Wiebes explains. But, she adds, cycling can flip quickly — as SD Worx-Protime experienced with Kopecky at last year’s Tour de France. “There was a chance I wouldn’t sprint there, and I was okay with that. Then I was allowed to go for it after all. That communication is so important.”

Wiebes says she had clarity quite early. “You always go into the Tour in the best possible shape. Before the start I already heard I would get chances, and then one extra stage was added. For me, because of my form, that didn’t change much. For Lotte’s big goals, we go all in, as best as we can. And I have different big goals than she does. We want to win as much as possible together as a team.”

So what are Wiebes’ goals for 2026? Beyond the flat sprints, she is looking especially at the spring. “The big goal in the spring will be the Amstel Gold Race, and I’d also love to win the first two stages and wear the pink jersey at the Giro.”

Whether she repeats those feats this season will not depend on her alone, she believes. “You never know what others have done over the winter and what steps they’ve made. As a sprinter you start from zero and every small detail can ruin your sprint. On the track I’ve already felt that the sprint is still good, but at some point I’ll lose a sprint. Hopefully it takes as long as possible.”

A major difference between winning and losing is the lead-out from Barbara Guarischi. The Italian joined SD Worx in 2023 and made the switch from sprinting for herself to delivering others to the line. Wiebes is full of praise. “I trust Barbara completely, and that’s the most important thing. We’re often roommates at races too — that helps.”

“In the finale we don’t talk much anymore; she almost always makes sure I’m in a good position. I can learn from her fighting spirit and her experience in sprints, because she has been doing this for years. That she’s now become a lead-out is mentally very impressive. I love working with her.”

Bram van der Ploeg ( X: @BvdPloegg | email : [email protected])