Lorena Wiebes sprints to second place on tricky finish in Giro Donne

Lorena Wiebes sprints to second place on tricky finish in Giro Donne

"Proof that I have become more complete"

05/07/2023

In the tricky sixth stage with an uphill finish, Lorena Wiebes proved once again that she can do more than just sprint. The European champion remained continuously in the front ranks until Annemiek van Vleuten made the decisive acceleration uphill. In the chasing group, Wiebes then rode everyone off the wheel on the final slope, good for a neat second place. "I already knew a slightly uphill finish suited me, but this one was still pretty long (800m at 8%). This is a nice confirmation for me that I have made important steps and have become a more complete rider thanks to Team SD Worx."

Linked race Giro Donne 2023 - Linked cyclists Lorena Wiebes - Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Anna van der Breggen Lars Boom

The sixth stage of the Giro Donne had a hilly profile with three climbs. On paper, perhaps just too tricky for the sprinters. But that was beyond Lorena Wiebes, who had set her sights on the stage win. The European champion looked back satisfied with her second place after a tough stage. "I'm especially happy with how I survived the longer climb (5.6km at 5%). That was about 15 minutes of climbing anyway. I tried to follow my own pace. Still, I came up with the first group. The subsequent short steep climb was a bit too difficult for me (Calosso 2.5 km at 7.2%). When Annemiek van Vleuten attacked there, I initially tried to follow her, which made me blow myself up for a moment. Fortunately, I was able to recover quickly."

"Whereupon Blanka Vas joined me," Wiebes continued. "She stepped up the pace on the climb and then rode to close the gap to the chasing group which also included Niamh Fisher-Black and Anna Shackley. Blanka was invaluable to me today. That still allowed me to sprint to second place."

Lorena Wiebes rushed everyone off the wheel on the final climb. "It wasn't really a sprint. It was a long effort though. I always knew that a slightly uphill finish suits me, but this year I can do a bit more than before on these kinds of arrivals.  From the start of this season, I have been trying to be more than just a sprinter. Thanks to the strength of Team SD Worx, my level has also improved. This is confirmation that I have become a more complete rider. This also opens up opportunities for the Tour de France Femmes. That way, with Team SD Worx, we can make the race hard on the climbs to hopefully wear down or throw the other sprinters overboard."

Read also

Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×