In 2025, Lorena Wiebes was devastating, 25 victories, practically total domination. Ruthless, unreachable, but above all hungry for success and capable of carrying an entire team with her. The Dutch superstar won Milan-Sanremo, the points jersey at the Giro and Tour, but most importantly built an impenetrable castle of confidence, to the point where her rivals were content with second place. Seeing her smiling and relaxed at the Sd Worx media day, the question naturally arises: do you feel like the best sprinter in the group? She bursts into laughter, saying clearly how she sees things: 2025 went well, but one can never be certain of being number one, everything can change.

While on the road we're used to seeing her practically lethal, on the other side of our zoom call, Lorena seems like an athlete among many, deeply in love with cycling. Questions follow one another and she responds directly and always with a smile, bringing us inside what is essentially a mechanism made of passion and a lot of training. If from the outside one might think of a champion who is only about winning, Wiebes shows us not only her dedication but also the importance of challenging herself. "I never see myself as number one, but I approach every race with the goal of being the best version of myself. Sure, in 2025 I won a lot, but it's not certain that will happen in 2026. For a sprinter, there's no secret recipe to being unbeatable, you just have to commit to the maximum and never stop believing. In the end, it's like starting from zero - every small modification in preparation or in the sprint can truly change everything. My rivals are also trying to improve, and until the first race, no one will know the level of the others. Only the road will tell who will be the strongest. I'll start with the UAE Tour as last year, there are many opportunities for sprints and I believe it's fundamental to find the right energy to then tackle everything else." Lorena explains that with extreme tranquility, she's not afraid to say that she doesn't yet feel ready to target races like Flanders and Roubaix, where she will support her teammates.

What has always struck in the Sd Worx structure is the importance of the team, the ability to create a cohesive group where the main objective is to win as a team, not as individuals. Her teammates and sports directors paint her as a true motivator, her philosophy of never being satisfied and especially that fun motto that "victory also means more champagne bottles" sets an example for everyone. In 2025, more than half of Sd Worx Pro Time's victories came from her, but she built them with her entire team. The risk of having so many champions together is just around the corner, yet especially between Wiebes and Kopecky, a practically perfect balance has been created. Last year they were European and World champions respectively, both with gigantic objectives, but they never tried to prevail over one another. "In the team, there's always very open dialogue, each exposes their objectives and we try to work together to achieve them. We try to grow as much as possible, to improve, but above all to be sincere with each other. Lotte and I get along precisely because of this - there's no competition between us, rather we try to give our best for each other; certainly I care about winning, but I believe the team comes first. Last year we knew very well what our spaces would be, I tried to present myself at the Tour in top form to support her, but Lotte wasn't well and so she worked for me. She was very sincere, told me her limits immediately and didn't hold back. I think Milan-Sanremo is the greatest example of our harmony - my victory is mostly hers. I achieved my objective and now I'll help her achieve hers," Lorena explains, emphasizing that at the base of what might seem like a tight coexistence is actually clear, direct communication without hiding anything.

2026 looks like another hunting ground for Wiebes, who has already circled two gigantic objectives: Amstel Gold Race and especially the first stage of the Women's Giro to wear the pink jersey and complete her collection. She can't wait to start racing again, to confront her rivals and herself to try to be the best, but as she says, this is not enough - method, determination, and above all, the team are needed. Wiebes is incredibly strong, there's not much to say, but she reveals one of the keys to her success without us even asking the direct question. Just telling her we're Italian makes something spark. "I'm incredibly lucky because I have Barbara Guarischi beside me, who is the best lead out in the world. We're often in the same room, we're very good friends and we understand each other instantly. It's hard to explain our connection, but it's something extremely strong that requires no words. In the group, she moves perfectly and when I'm on her wheel, I feel safe because I know I'm in the best possible position. It's an honor to have her on the team and I'm really happy she decided to sign for two more years. I know I can learn a lot from her. Both Barbara and Elena are great motivators, they help us have more confidence in ourselves, they push us not to give up, but to improve. I don't know what their secret is, maybe because they're Italian," says Lorena, praising the precious work of Barbara Guarischi, and also that of Elena Cecchini, the two team veterans who bring determination and lightness to an always tense environment that doesn't spare anyone. Wiebes clearly tells us she's fascinated by that kind of Italian mentality that makes her confident, and through her teammates, she has gotten to know our country better and somehow started dreaming of pink.

"There are the spring classics where I want to do well, but I truly believe that first stage of the Giro is my main objective," Lorena tells us just before ending the call. "I'll try on the first day, and if it doesn't happen, I'll try again. See you in Italy, that's a promise."