Femke Gerritse hopes for first success of the season with Team SD Worx-Protime in Tour Down Under
Preview
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14 Jan.
"Staying cool will be the most important thing"
For the first time, Team SD Worx-Protime is starting the season at the Tour Down Under. With Femke Gerritse, Marta Lach, Barbara Guarischi, Mikayla Harvey and Julia Kopecký, the team brings a promising group to the start. “In principle, we all have the qualities to compete for stage victory,” says Femke Gerritse, who aims to build on a strong 2025.
Femke Gerritse: “This is a new way to start the season, and I quite like it. We arrived a week before the Tour Down Under, which gives us the time to acclimatise and train well here. The surroundings are perfect for training, although it is really hot. I feel the typical tension before the start of the season, but I do feel ready.”
“I hope to build on 2025. I really made a step forward last year. Being able to do that was a big discovery for me too. I knew I had a good winter, but I didn’t necessarily expect that I could win races at WorldTour level. Now I realise that this is within my possibilities, but I still need to take more steps. In 2026, I hope to learn to maintain mental focus.”
"Ik know now that I can win WorldTour-races. I hope to make new strides in 2026"
“The first day will be all about staying cool. In terms of temperature, but also mentally. Everyone will feel fresh, because it’s the first race day of 2026. But who will stay the most cool? That rider might very well come out on top.”
“We’ve come here to win. It’s good for the whole team if we can grab an early victory here. When we left for the team presentation, we felt that the whole group was behind us. They waved us off with motivating words. That was really cool and gave us confidence.”
"If you achieve a good result here, you’re off to a great start for the rest of the season"
“What appealed to me about starting the season Down Under? The stages. When I saw the profiles, I realised these stages should suit me. The final metres go uphill by 2 to 3%. That suits Marta Lach, Barbara Guarischi and me. Julia Kopecký & Mikayla Harvey are also in great form. So we will go for it together. If you achieve a good result here, you’re off to a great start for the rest of the season. It also helps to already have race days in the legs by the time the spring races begin.”