'I dare to dream' - Lorena Wiebes targets Tour of Britain general classification

European champion Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) will aim for both stage victories and the overall title at the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, which takes place from June 5-8 on a course that suits her versatile sprinting abilities. 

The European champion believes that the parcours fits with her evolving climbing ability, having already claimed victories at Milan-San Remo Donne and an uphill finish at the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas this season.

“There are tough stages, but no really tough mountain stage. That's why I cautiously dare to dream about the general classification,” Wiebes said on the SD Worx-Protime website ahead of the race.

Wiebes has previously won six stages at the Tour of Britain Women but has never contended for the overall title due to the presence of a tough mountain stage.

“I love the Tour of Britain. It's always a challenging course with something for everyone. I've won a number of stages in the past, but never made a stab at the GC.”

The Dutch rider's general classification ambitions have been buoyed this year by the absence of a particularly difficult mountain stage, something which has prevented her from competing for the overall title in previous editions.

“Often there was one very difficult mountain stage in it, which made that impossible for me,” Wiebes said, “That is missing from the course this year, so maybe something is possible.”

However, the European champion is still well aware of some of the difficult stages that she will have to contend with to become champion. Stages 2 and 3 will be particularly important ones for Wiebes to manage as they are likely to be key in the general classification battle. Wiebes also acknowledged how the parcours is still very difficult, noting the short but steep climbs such as Saltburn Bank on stage 2, but remains cautiously optimistic she can perform well on these stages.

“It does remain a tough stage race with some really tough stages, but they are not really super long climbs. Although there is a very steep finish with sections up to 22% in it. It will be interesting to see how I perform there; it's an extremely tough final section,” Wiebes said. “We’ll have to wait and see how I come out in front there. It’s an extremely tough Cauberg.”

Wiebes enters the race in strong form after securing a victory on an uphill finish at the Tour of Burgos, although she acknowledges the challenge ahead in Britain.

“I had a good feeling in Vuelta a Burgos. The victory on the uphill finish gave me confidence, although that climb is a lot harder in the Tour of Britain.” Wiebes said. “The final time trial in Vuelta a Burgos also went well. The feeling was good, so I feel my form is growing. I hope to compete for the win again in a few stages in [the] Tour of Britain.”

The Tour of Britain represents the beginning of an intense racing block for the European champion, who faces a packed summer schedule including the Tour de France Femmes.

“I am now in full preparation towards the summer and I hope to continue that line. I also think there is still stretch to it. That will be necessary, because I have a busy programme now with successively [the] Tour of Britain, [Dwars door het] Hageland, the Copenhagen Sprint Classic, the Dutch Championships, the Giro d'Italia Women, and the Tour de France Femmes.”

Wiebes also highlighted the need to continue developing as a more complete racer, particularly for hillier terrain, due to the amount of racing which requires a strong level of climbing ability. “In the second half of the season, there are still few really flat races in it. I’m especially happy that I feel I keep my sprint power. And so [the] Tour of Britain will be a good test for me.”

SD Worx-Protime will field a strong team to support Wiebes, including Femke Markus, Lisa Van Belle, Marta Lach, Barbara Guarischi, and Skylar Schneider. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women takes places across four stages, from June 5-8.