After Lotte Kopecky withdrew from the Giro d'Italia Women earlier this month due to lower back pain, the world champion is now taking a day-by-day approach to her chances in the Tour. The team has abandoned its original plan to go for the general classification with Kopecky as its sole leader. At Le Grand Départ in Vannes, the team will now start with the aim of winning as many stages as possible. With Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, Anna van der Breggen, Mischa Bredewold, Blanka Vas, Femke Gerritse and Elena Cecchini, the team has selected seven riders who can compete for stage wins in many terrains and situations.
Kopecky had a difficult winter due to a knee injury. As a result, it became a race against time to be in optimal shape for the start of the spring season. With a magnificent victory in the Tour of Flanders, she emphasised her class. The exact cause of her recent back problems has not yet been determined. It seems that she has recovered from this with a few days of rest after her withdrawal from the Giro d'Italia. However, this meant that she was unable to follow the optimal preparation for the Tour de France Femmes. As a result, Kopecky and the team are considering whether riding a short classification is realistic in the race.
Sports director Danny Stam: "The run-up to this Tour de France Femmes has not been ideal for Lotte. In Brittany, she will immediately face two stages that should suit her well. We will have to wait and see how she starts there. Then we will take it day by day during the race to see how she is doing. Maybe there are still opportunities to compete for the general classification, and if so, we will go for it."
Lorena Wiebes is having a strong season and has already racked up 14 victories in 2025. "Although this is the toughest Tour de France Femmes in the last four years, there are still a few stages where Lorena can go for the win. When you arrive with a large group, you know that she is one of the fastest riders in the peloton. On paper, stage three is a sprinter's stage. However, I also see a few other possibilities, because Lorena can also compete well on hilly terrain. She proved that this year with her victories in Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem, among others."
Anna van der Breggen is making her debut in the Tour de France Femmes. After an absence of more than three years as a rider, she is once again having a strong year. She finished third in the Vuelta a España and sixth in the Giro d'Italia. Stam: "Anna is an important link in the team, who can perform well herself but can also guide others to success. She too focuses primarily on stage success, but will always keep the general classification in mind. When Lotte Kopecky is in a position to go for the general classification, Anna will certainly support her fully."
With Mischa Bredewold, Femke Gerritse and Blanka Vas, the team has strong riders to go on the attack. ‘All three have proven that they can win a race from a sprint in a smaller group. Mischa has clearly taken a step forward this year. After her victory in the Amstel Gold Race, she has grown as a rider in every respect. Her strong performances in the Vuelta a Espana, Itzulia Women and Tour de Suisse emphasise this.’
"It was no surprise to us that Femke Gerritse won a stage in the Vuelta a España and wore the red leader's jersey for two days. After a tough race, she still has a fast sprint in her. That makes her dangerous when she sprints for victory in a breakaway group. The same goes for Blanka Vas. She won a stage in the Tour de France Femmes last year in the same way. Her fourth place in the Olympic road race in Paris was further proof of her talent. She has focused on the Tour this year and wants to go for stage success again."
The seventh rider in the team, Elena Cecchini, calls Danny Stam perhaps the most valuable rider in the Tour team. "Elena is our race captain. Someone who completely sacrifices herself for the team. She can read a race like no other. You always know where you stand with her. In the women's peloton, few riders are as professionally committed to the team. Her contribution to the team's success is invaluable."