Lorena Wiebes targets stage wins and GC at Women’s Tour of Britain: “I dare to cautiously dream of the classification”

The 2025 Women’s Tour of Britain gets underway on June 5th, and one of the standout names on the start list is European Champion Lorena Wiebes. The Dutch sprinter will lead SD Worx –Protime as she targets both stage wins and, for the first time, the general classification.

Wiebes has previously tasted success on British roads with multiple stage victories, but this year’s route, notably absent of a high mountain stage, has prompted her to aim higher.

“There are some tough stages, but no really tough mountain stage. That’s why I dare to cautiously dream of the classification,” she told the Team SD Worx–Protime website.

While Wiebes is best known for her devastating sprint, she’s shown signs of becoming a more complete rider in recent seasons. That progress will be tested on a parcours that, while lacking super long climbs, still features sharp finishes and brutal gradients.

“I love the Tour of Britain. It’s always a challenging course with something for everyone. I’ve won a few stages in the past, but I’ve never made a bid for the classification,” she explained. “There was often one very difficult mountain stage, which made it impossible for me. That is missing from the course this year, so maybe something is possible.”

“It remains a difficult round with really tough stages, but they are not really super long climbs. Although there is a very tough finish with sections of up to 22%. We will have to wait and see how I do there. It is an extremely tough Cauberg.”

Wiebes’ current form appears to be peaking at just the right time. She impressed recently in Burgos, taking a confidence-boosting win on an uphill finish and performing well in the final time trial.

“My victory on the uphill finish gave me confidence, although that climb in the Tour of Britain is a lot tougher,” she admitted. “The final time trial in Burgos also went well. The feeling was good, so I have the feeling that my form is growing. I hope to compete for the victory in a number of stages again.”

Looking ahead, Wiebes has a packed calendar that includes some of the most prestigious races of the season.

“I am now in full preparation towards the summer and I hope to continue that line. I also think that there is still room for improvement. That will be necessary, because I now have a busy program with the Tour of Britain, Dwars door het Hageland, Copenhagen Sprint Classic, the NK, the Giro d’Italia Femminile and the Tour de France Femmes.”

A more versatile Wiebes could be a dangerous prospect for her rivals, especially as the racing calendar tilts away from flat sprints toward more complex terrain.

“That I have become more complete by also playing on the ascending courses is also simply necessary,” Wiebes said. “In the second half of the season there are still few really flat races. I am especially happy that I feel that my sprint power is still there. The Tour of Britain is a good test for me.”