"If Lotte rides away with a group, I have to make sure I'm among them" - Lorena Wiebes has simple instruction ahead of European Championships road race

The reigning European Champion, Lorena Wiebes realises that if she is to keep a hold of that jersey, her biggest competitor could be Lotte Kopecky. As such, she has a simple and clear instruction... follow Kopecky's wheel.

"We must especially ensure that she does not ride away solo," the Dutch sprinter says of her Team SD Worx teammate in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. "And in principle I am faster than Lotte," she adds confidently.

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“We have a very strong team" - Demi Vollering admits Dutch team enters European Championships road race as favourites

Alongside Wiebes in the Dutch team will be fellow SD Worx rider and Tour de France Femmes champion, Demi Vollering. If either of them has a chance against Kopecky though, Wiebes believes she is the more likely to be able to defeat the Belgian.

"On paper Lotte is faster than Demi," Wiebes explains. "If Lotte rides away with a group, I have to make sure I'm among them. I cannot save myself completely. What is a shame is that the other girls are not really inclined to ride to the finish with me. I noticed that in the Simac Ladies Tour. For me it would be ideal if it went sideways from the start of the race. Then we arrive with a small group at the local circuit at the VAM mountain. That is also a nice scenario for the Italians, so they will help break the peloton. With a bit of luck, Lotte will have already lost part of her team."

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Final startlist European Championships women's elite road race with Vollering, Kopecky, Wiebes, Reusser, Ludwig, Niewiadoma, Balsamo and Persico