'I can give others some pressure' – Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line

Lorena Wiebes, the Dutch sprint sensation from SD Worx-Protime, is poised to ride the Tour of Flanders this Sunday, not as a primary leader, but in a supporting role for reigning champion Lotte Kopecky. Despite her formidable sprinting prowess, Wiebes' presence is being framed as a strategic "joker card" for the dominant team, aiming to exert pressure on rivals and provide options in the monument's challenging parcours.

This strategic deployment underscores SD Worx-Protime's depth and tactical flexibility. While Wiebes is a pure sprinter with 70 career wins, her inclusion in a classics-focused lineup for a race like Flanders, where Kopecky is the clear favourite, highlights the team's intent to control all facets of the race. It also reflects a growing trend of top sprinters adapting to more demanding terrain, leveraging their raw power for tactical advantage beyond just the finish line.

Wiebes' participation isn't about her winning Flanders; it's about making sure nobody else can, a potent reminder that SD Worx-Protime plays chess while others are still setting up their pawns.