The Wiebes Enigma: Can Anyone Stop the Sprint Queen at Milan-San Remo?
There’s something almost poetic about Lorena Wiebes’ dominance in women’s cycling. She’s not just a sprinter; she’s a force of nature. Watching her race is like witnessing a perfectly executed symphony—every move calculated, every effort precise. But as we approach this year’s Milan-San Remo, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can anyone stop her?
Personally, I think the answer lies not in her speed, but in the tactics her rivals employ. Wiebes is a known quantity—her sprint is unmatched, her climbing is underrated, and her team, SD Worx-Protime, is a well-oiled machine. Yet, last year’s race offered a blueprint for how she can be beaten. It’s not about out-sprinting her; it’s about outsmarting her.
The 2023 Lesson: Chaos is the Key
What makes last year’s Milan-San Remo particularly fascinating is how close Wiebes came to losing. Yes, she won the sprint, but it was her teammate Lotte Kopecky’s heroic chase that saved the day. Elisa Longo Borghini’s late attack nearly stole the show, and that’s where the lesson lies.
From my perspective, the race wasn’t decided on the climbs or in the sprint—it was decided in the moments of chaos. The descent off the Cipressa, the regrouping before the Poggio, and Longo Borghini’s daring move all created opportunities. What many people don’t realize is that Wiebes thrives in controlled environments. Throw unpredictability into the mix, and even the queen can falter.
Early Breakaways: A Distraction or a Threat?
One thing that immediately stands out is the temptation for smaller teams to form early breakaways. With over 100 km of flat roads before the climbs, it’s a golden opportunity for underdogs to grab attention. But here’s the catch: SD Worx-Protime isn’t likely to let a break stick unless they have a rider in it.
If you take a step back and think about it, an early breakaway could actually play into Wiebes’ hands. If riders like Kopecky or Blanka Vas are in the break, SD Worx-Protime wins either way. The real threat comes later, when the race is in full swing and the climbs start to bite.
The Climbs: A Mirage of Opportunity?
The Tre Capi, Cipressa, and Poggio—these climbs are the heart of Milan-San Remo. In theory, they’re the perfect terrain to drop a sprinter. But with Wiebes, theory rarely meets reality. She’s not just a sprinter; she’s a climber who can attack and win on hills, as she proved at Leeuw-Oetingen last week.
What this really suggests is that simply riding a high tempo won’t work. Wiebes is too strong, too resilient. A detail that I find especially interesting is how last year’s race showed that the decisive moves came on the descents and in the final kilometers. A well-timed attack, a moment of hesitation, or a split in the peloton—these are the cracks her rivals need to exploit.
The Psychological Game: Pressure on Wiebes
Here’s where it gets intriguing: Wiebes is the favorite, but that’s also her weakness. The pressure to win, the expectation to deliver—it’s a mental burden. If her rivals can create a race that’s unpredictable, chaotic, and fast-paced, they might just rattle her.
In my opinion, the key isn’t to outride Wiebes but to outthink her. Teams like UAE Team ADQ, FDJ United-Suez, and Canyon-SRAM need to collaborate, not compete. A series of attacks, a relentless pace, and a willingness to take risks—that’s how you beat the sprint queen.
The Future of Women’s Cycling: Beyond Wiebes
This raises a deeper question: What does it mean for women’s cycling if Wiebes continues to dominate? On one hand, her success elevates the sport. On the other, it risks making races predictable.
What many people don’t realize is that Wiebes’ dominance is a double-edged sword. It inspires young riders but also challenges the peloton to innovate. If this weekend’s race teaches us anything, it’s that tactics, teamwork, and audacity are the keys to breaking the Wiebes enigma.
Final Thoughts: The Race Within the Race
As we count down to Milan-San Remo, I’m less interested in whether Wiebes wins and more fascinated by how the race unfolds. Will teams dare to attack early? Will they exploit the descents? Or will they wait for the final kilometers to strike?
Personally, I think the race will be won or lost in the moments of chaos—those split-second decisions that separate victory from defeat. Wiebes is the favorite, but in cycling, anything can happen. And that’s what makes this sport so beautiful.
So, can anyone stop Lorena Wiebes? Maybe not. But the real question is: Will they even try?
