SD Worx-Protime called Lorena Wiebes back into action on one day’s notice, confirming the Dutch Champion would now be in the lineup Thursday at Ronde van Brugge and have a chance to defend her title.
Marie Schreiber, the reigning Luxembourg champion on the road and cyclo-cross, was deemed not yet ready to compete, still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Schreiber, who completed her cyclo-cross season in February after finishing 20th at Worlds in Hulst, will now target Scheldeprijs Women on April 8 to begin her road season.
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“Lorena Wiebes was originally not planned for the Tour of Bruges in order to maintain a good balance between load and rest. There are many major objectives scheduled around this race, and that’s why Lorena was initially not going to start,” said Sports Director Christian Kos in a team statement.
“But she is in good shape and was very keen to add the Bruges Cycling Classic to her calendar once it became clear that Marie Schreiber wouldn’t be fit in time. So we will try to defend her victory.”
“The weather will be an important factor in determining whether a small group will sprint for the win or the peloton. There are still plenty of exposed sections, and with the forecasted wind, it can become a tough race,” Kos added.
“The flow is good at the moment, and the Tour of Bruges is a beautiful WorldTour race,” Kos said. “We hope to go for a third consecutive victory with Team SD Worx-Protime, after Nokere Koerse and Milan–San Remo.
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