SD Worx-Protime has admitted that La Vuelta Femenina will probably be an important stepping stone to Anna van der Breggen‘s and her teammates’ summer season stage racing targets on the Tour de France in July.
Sports activities director Christian Kos believes that whereas an general victory may be out of attain for Van der Breggen, her early-season efficiency trajectory signifies {that a} podium place is feasible on the seven-day race set to start in Barcelona on Sunday.
“The Spanish leg is an intermediate stage for us, constructing in direction of the large objectives this summer season. With Anna van der Breggen, we have now a great card for the GC. The general victory will most likely be too excessive, however we are going to combat for the rostrum,” Kos stated in a group press launch.
The Spanish block of racine begins at La Vuelta Femenina after which strikes on to Itzulia Ladies and Vuelta a Burgos, all held in Might. SD Worx-Protime revealed a roster to assist van der Breggen that features Mikayla Harvey, Femke Gerritse, Mischa Bredewold, Femke Markus, Elena Cecchini and Lisa Van Belle making her debut with the group in Spain.
Van der Breggen has had a whirlwind begin to her comeback yr with SD Worx-Protime after taking three years away from the game. She has said that her type just isn’t the place it must be this spring, however she has proven glimmers of her earlier power with a 3rd place general at Setmana Valenciana and second at Strade Bianche.
Illness affected her Ardennes Classics, which the group admitted they have been hoping to make use of to gauge her type forward of La Vuelta. They may nonetheless intention for Van der Breggen to be their major GC card, the place her huge tactical racing expertise and climbing strengths will play a task of their efforts in the course of the seven days of racing.
“Anna’s comeback goes effectively. No person anticipated her to be at this stage already. It is a pity she was unwell in the course of the Ardennes week. These have been essential objectives for her, and it might have been a great gauge to see precisely the place she stands. Then we may even have gone in direction of the Vuelta with a special standpoint and recognized higher what to anticipate,” Kos stated.
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“However we ought to be very pleased with the extent she is already acting at. To say proper now that we’re going to win the Vuelta Femenina together with her might be overstating issues. However in fact, we hope to go for a great classification if we discover it is in there.”
Because the season progresses into the summer season racing season, Van der Breggen has indicated that she would goal the Tour de France, however that the group would additionally assist Lotte Kopecky’s GC hopes in France.
La Vuelta Femenina will certainly be a spot to each construct type and gauge her GC ambitions towards the highest riders on the earth.
Kos indicated that outdoors of Van der Breggen’s GC ambitions, the group will even look to Bredewold for stage wins. Bredewold gained a stage on the Setmana Valenciana in February after which went on to win the Amstel Gold Race in April.
“Mischa Bredewold is unquestionably eligible for a stage win,” he stated. “Collectively, we are going to see which phases we are going to pick to attempt to rating. Mischa’s growth is gradual. She is taking the steps {that a} prime rider takes. She has taken the suitable path. Witness additionally her good win within the Amstel Gold Race.”
