{"id":2075028,"date":"2026-08-02T17:51:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T14:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075028"},"modified":"2026-08-02T17:51:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T14:51:28","slug":"we-could-not-let-this-slip-through-our-fingers-sd-worx-protime-face-burden-of-favourites-as-they-burn-through-whole-team-on-tour-de-france-femmes-sprint-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075028","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;We could not let this slip through our fingers&#8217; \u2013 SD Worx-Protime face burden of favourites as they burn through whole team on Tour de France Femmes sprint stage"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZrX8ZygXnCG4mMGCij7cP-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZrX8ZygXnCG4mMGCij7cP-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: The GC riders fight for the stage 1 win in Lausanne but nobody can stop the fastest sprinter in the world\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9GoXV4aeJGgiS4TgiFCUaN-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9GoXV4aeJGgiS4TgiFCUaN-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France Femmes: Lorena Wiebes claims stage 1 victory and first yellow jersey with commanding uphill sprint\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We could not let this slip through our fingers&#8217; \u2013 SD Worx-Protime face burden of favourites as they burn through whole team on Tour de France Femmes sprint stage<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-02T17:51:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n2 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Lorena Wiebes says no feeling of frustration at being forced to chase as DS suggests other teams &#8216;do nothing and also lose&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">SD Worx-Protime chase on stage 2 at the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5c80-8e99-11f1-94b3-7331350dba91\">Lorena Wiebes and her SD Worx-Protime team were forced to really fight for victory on stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes, burning through their whole line-up of riders to bring a late break back and set the Dutchwoman up for a win.<\/p>\n<p>The team received little help from other teams all day, be it controlling the gap to the initial break or bringing back the later moves, including Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) who very nearly made it to the finish.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5c80-8e99-11f1-94b3-7331350dba91-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Every single rider had to work on the front to chase Markus back, including their GC rider Anna van der Breggen, to the point where Wiebes had no lead-out left.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But considering the team have previously bemoaned the lack of support they get in situations like this, Wiebes brushed off any notions of annoyance when she spoke post-stage, understanding the reasons why rival teams raced the way they did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today I was not frustrated at all about that. We have the yellow jersey in the team, so you need to work also for that,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was trying to surf wheels&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot supports Marianne Vos through Tour de France Femmes Geneva sprint finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Riejanne is of course a rider from Lidl-Trek and one of the biggest sprinters here, Balsamo, is from the same team, so it would be strange if they start chasing. I think some sprinters were also dropped, so we were missing some teams, and it also makes sense that Visma is not chasing and fully focusing on the GC with Pauline. So today, it was not frustrating at all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In fact, Wiebes said she wasn&#8217;t even worried about not catching Markus, despite the Lidl-Trek rider holding a gap of still 30 seconds into the final 5km.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I never was thinking that actually. I was more thinking &#8216;OK, maybe I need to launch my sprint really early to catch her back&#8217;,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I knew that we were running out of girls, but you also know that at one point another team will take over for the lead-out, and I saw Jayco had a full lead-out train, so I had the feeling that it would not slow down in the last kilometres and that&#8217;s a good thing for sprint trains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Back at the SD Worx-Protime team bus, sports director Danny Stam did concede that the other teams&#8217; tactics did work in making it a much harder day for the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everybody saw that nobody wanted to help to keep the break back and it was all up to us,&#8221; he told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s extremely hard to bring a break back. I think that makes it more difficult. If we come with a bunch sprint, then we know that Lorena has a really big chance, but to keep the race under control, that was the hardest part.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">First yellow, but what about green? Lorena Wiebes cautious about points jersey ambitions in ultra tough Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whether other teams should or could have worked, Stam did not give a firm answer, but did suggest that he would prefer to see more teams at least trying to go for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s always a question mark, of course. Let&#8217;s say, if you&#8217;re with Lorena going to the sprint, the chance that you get beaten is big, but I always say if you have somebody out [front] you also know you don&#8217;t win. I like to fight and to lose, instead of doing nothing and also lose,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wiebes&#8217; rivals employed basically the only tactic they have to try and beat her \u2013 put someone up the road and force her team to work \u2013 and fundamentally, it worked, as Wiebes did have to go into the finale alone and navigate her own sprint. But unfortunately for her rivals, even on the hardest day possible and when she&#8217;s isolated, Wiebes&#8217; acceleration is still completely unbeatable.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the efforts proving totally worth it in the end, Stam saw the fact that every rider had to get involved as a positive, rather than anything negative.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it shows also a little bit the team spirit from the group that we all believe in Lorena,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I think, as I say, we&#8217;re in the Tour de France and it&#8217;s extremely cool if you can win a stage, and we know that with Lorena we have a big chance and everybody is really committed to help. Cycling is more of a team effort than everybody expects.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the end, there was little to criticise or challenge about SD Worx&#8217;s tactics, but those looking to question something may look at the potential future cost of Anna van der Breggen taking a significant turn on the front.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wiebes assured that that was Van der Breggen&#8217;s own choice, and ultimately, it felt like something the team had to do without worrying about the consequences.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We never know. It was 10 until five kilometres that she worked. I think it was necessary in the end,&#8221; Stam said. &#8220;So we&#8217;ll see in the end if that affected her or not, but this was something that we could not let slip through our fingers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5d8e-8e99-11f1-8999-8b94b9a05cd4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was trying to surf wheels&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot supports Marianne Vos through Tour de France Femmes Geneva sprint finish<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">First yellow, but what about green? Lorena Wiebes cautious about points jersey ambitions in ultra tough Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Gravel Earth Series: Marjolein van\u2019t Geloof and Rait Arm win Lithuania&#8217;s Megre Gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Vollering involved in early crash on hilly roads into France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We could not let this slip through our fingers&#8217; \u2013 SD Worx-Protime face burden of favourites as they burn through whole team on Tour de France Femmes sprint stage<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-02T17:51:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n2 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Lorena Wiebes says no feeling of frustration at being forced to chase as DS suggests other teams &#8216;do nothing and also lose&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">SD Worx-Protime chase on stage 2 at the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5c80-8e99-11f1-94b3-7331350dba91\">Lorena Wiebes and her SD Worx-Protime team were forced to really fight for victory on stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes, burning through their whole line-up of riders to bring a late break back and set the Dutchwoman up for a win.<\/p>\n<p>The team received little help from other teams all day, be it controlling the gap to the initial break or bringing back the later moves, including Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) who very nearly made it to the finish.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5c80-8e99-11f1-94b3-7331350dba91-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Every single rider had to work on the front to chase Markus back, including their GC rider Anna van der Breggen, to the point where Wiebes had no lead-out left.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But considering the team have previously bemoaned the lack of support they get in situations like this, Wiebes brushed off any notions of annoyance when she spoke post-stage, understanding the reasons why rival teams raced the way they did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today I was not frustrated at all about that. We have the yellow jersey in the team, so you need to work also for that,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was trying to surf wheels&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot supports Marianne Vos through Tour de France Femmes Geneva sprint finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Riejanne is of course a rider from Lidl-Trek and one of the biggest sprinters here, Balsamo, is from the same team, so it would be strange if they start chasing. I think some sprinters were also dropped, so we were missing some teams, and it also makes sense that Visma is not chasing and fully focusing on the GC with Pauline. So today, it was not frustrating at all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In fact, Wiebes said she wasn&#8217;t even worried about not catching Markus, despite the Lidl-Trek rider holding a gap of still 30 seconds into the final 5km.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I never was thinking that actually. I was more thinking &#8216;OK, maybe I need to launch my sprint really early to catch her back&#8217;,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I knew that we were running out of girls, but you also know that at one point another team will take over for the lead-out, and I saw Jayco had a full lead-out train, so I had the feeling that it would not slow down in the last kilometres and that&#8217;s a good thing for sprint trains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Back at the SD Worx-Protime team bus, sports director Danny Stam did concede that the other teams&#8217; tactics did work in making it a much harder day for the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everybody saw that nobody wanted to help to keep the break back and it was all up to us,&#8221; he told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s extremely hard to bring a break back. I think that makes it more difficult. If we come with a bunch sprint, then we know that Lorena has a really big chance, but to keep the race under control, that was the hardest part.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">First yellow, but what about green? Lorena Wiebes cautious about points jersey ambitions in ultra tough Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whether other teams should or could have worked, Stam did not give a firm answer, but did suggest that he would prefer to see more teams at least trying to go for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s always a question mark, of course. Let&#8217;s say, if you&#8217;re with Lorena going to the sprint, the chance that you get beaten is big, but I always say if you have somebody out [front] you also know you don&#8217;t win. I like to fight and to lose, instead of doing nothing and also lose,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wiebes&#8217; rivals employed basically the only tactic they have to try and beat her \u2013 put someone up the road and force her team to work \u2013 and fundamentally, it worked, as Wiebes did have to go into the finale alone and navigate her own sprint. But unfortunately for her rivals, even on the hardest day possible and when she&#8217;s isolated, Wiebes&#8217; acceleration is still completely unbeatable.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the efforts proving totally worth it in the end, Stam saw the fact that every rider had to get involved as a positive, rather than anything negative.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it shows also a little bit the team spirit from the group that we all believe in Lorena,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I think, as I say, we&#8217;re in the Tour de France and it&#8217;s extremely cool if you can win a stage, and we know that with Lorena we have a big chance and everybody is really committed to help. Cycling is more of a team effort than everybody expects.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the end, there was little to criticise or challenge about SD Worx&#8217;s tactics, but those looking to question something may look at the potential future cost of Anna van der Breggen taking a significant turn on the front.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wiebes assured that that was Van der Breggen&#8217;s own choice, and ultimately, it felt like something the team had to do without worrying about the consequences.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We never know. It was 10 until five kilometres that she worked. I think it was necessary in the end,&#8221; Stam said. &#8220;So we&#8217;ll see in the end if that affected her or not, but this was something that we could not let slip through our fingers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5d8e-8e99-11f1-8999-8b94b9a05cd4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was trying to surf wheels&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot supports Marianne Vos through Tour de France Femmes Geneva sprint finish<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">First yellow, but what about green? Lorena Wiebes cautious about points jersey ambitions in ultra tough Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Gravel Earth Series: Marjolein van\u2019t Geloof and Rait Arm win Lithuania&#8217;s Megre Gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Vollering involved in early crash on hilly roads into France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;My longest race was seven minutes and now it&#8217;s three or four hours&#8217; \u2013 Sandrine Tas trades ice skates for a road bike at debut Tour de France Femmes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France Femmes\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We could not let this slip through our fingers&#8217; \u2013 SD Worx-Protime face burden of favourites as they burn through whole team on Tour de France Femmes sprint stage<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-02T17:51:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n2 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Lorena Wiebes says no feeling of frustration at being forced to chase as DS suggests other teams &#8216;do nothing and also lose&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5c80-8e99-11f1-94b3-7331350dba91\">Lorena Wiebes and her SD Worx-Protime team were forced to really fight for victory on stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes, burning through their whole line-up of riders to bring a late break back and set the Dutchwoman up for a win.<\/p>\n<p>The team received little help from other teams all day, be it controlling the gap to the initial break or bringing back the later moves, including Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) who very nearly made it to the finish.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5c80-8e99-11f1-94b3-7331350dba91-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Every single rider had to work on the front to chase Markus back, including their GC rider Anna van der Breggen, to the point where Wiebes had no lead-out left.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But considering the team have previously bemoaned the lack of support they get in situations like this, Wiebes brushed off any notions of annoyance when she spoke post-stage, understanding the reasons why rival teams raced the way they did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today I was not frustrated at all about that. We have the yellow jersey in the team, so you need to work also for that,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ixXB7iH4xaaUwbeEjvXjTJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Quite shy&#8217; and &#8216;an absolute killer&#8217; \u2013\u00a0The two sides of Tour de France Femmes sprint dominator Lorena Wiebes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLxt9XkNm5VZApXRCiy5wR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was trying to surf wheels&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot supports Marianne Vos through Tour de France Femmes Geneva sprint finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XRUUrqwXEXzPFLwJK5pecb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Riejanne is of course a rider from Lidl-Trek and one of the biggest sprinters here, Balsamo, is from the same team, so it would be strange if they start chasing. I think some sprinters were also dropped, so we were missing some teams, and it also makes sense that Visma is not chasing and fully focusing on the GC with Pauline. So today, it was not frustrating at all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In fact, Wiebes said she wasn&#8217;t even worried about not catching Markus, despite the Lidl-Trek rider holding a gap of still 30 seconds into the final 5km.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EPd8G6UKwBHmTVismQfPBj slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I never was thinking that actually. I was more thinking &#8216;OK, maybe I need to launch my sprint really early to catch her back&#8217;,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I knew that we were running out of girls, but you also know that at one point another team will take over for the lead-out, and I saw Jayco had a full lead-out train, so I had the feeling that it would not slow down in the last kilometres and that&#8217;s a good thing for sprint trains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Back at the SD Worx-Protime team bus, sports director Danny Stam did concede that the other teams&#8217; tactics did work in making it a much harder day for the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everybody saw that nobody wanted to help to keep the break back and it was all up to us,&#8221; he told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s extremely hard to bring a break back. I think that makes it more difficult. If we come with a bunch sprint, then we know that Lorena has a really big chance, but to keep the race under control, that was the hardest part.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iKMftPC7fDb7GS9E8RENLm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">First yellow, but what about green? Lorena Wiebes cautious about points jersey ambitions in ultra tough Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nJSgjeasT6MpXgPAUVBYDT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I never expected to come this close&#8217; \u2013 Riejanne Markus and Lidl-Trek 450 metres from glory as the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; great disruptors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whether other teams should or could have worked, Stam did not give a firm answer, but did suggest that he would prefer to see more teams at least trying to go for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s always a question mark, of course. Let&#8217;s say, if you&#8217;re with Lorena going to the sprint, the chance that you get beaten is big, but I always say if you have somebody out [front] you also know you don&#8217;t win. I like to fight and to lose, instead of doing nothing and also lose,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wiebes&#8217; rivals employed basically the only tactic they have to try and beat her \u2013 put someone up the road and force her team to work \u2013 and fundamentally, it worked, as Wiebes did have to go into the finale alone and navigate her own sprint. But unfortunately for her rivals, even on the hardest day possible and when she&#8217;s isolated, Wiebes&#8217; acceleration is still completely unbeatable.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the efforts proving totally worth it in the end, Stam saw the fact that every rider had to get involved as a positive, rather than anything negative.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it shows also a little bit the team spirit from the group that we all believe in Lorena,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I think, as I say, we&#8217;re in the Tour de France and it&#8217;s extremely cool if you can win a stage, and we know that with Lorena we have a big chance and everybody is really committed to help. Cycling is more of a team effort than everybody expects.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the end, there was little to criticise or challenge about SD Worx&#8217;s tactics, but those looking to question something may look at the potential future cost of Anna van der Breggen taking a significant turn on the front.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wiebes assured that that was Van der Breggen&#8217;s own choice, and ultimately, it felt like something the team had to do without worrying about the consequences.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We never know. It was 10 until five kilometres that she worked. I think it was necessary in the end,&#8221; Stam said. &#8220;So we&#8217;ll see in the end if that affected her or not, but this was something that we could not let slip through our fingers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e75c5d8e-8e99-11f1-8999-8b94b9a05cd4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/we-could-not-let-this-slip-through-our-fingers-sd-worx-protime-face-burden-of-favourites-as-they-burn-through-whole-team-on-tour-de-france-femmes-sprint-stage\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FRV7V2QUgnPwNU7aPLba3j-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: The GC riders fight for the stage 1 win in Lausanne but nobody can stop the fastest sprinter in the world 2 As it happened: SD Worx strike again on Tour de France Femmes stage 2 with a perfect chase and unbeatable sprint 3 Tour de France Femmes: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2075028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2075028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075028\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2075028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2075028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2075028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}