Lorena Wiebes confirmed as Netherlands leader for road race at Paris Olympics - 'Not an easy choice'

Updated 31/05/2024 at 06:36 GMT

Lorena Wiebes, Demi Vollering, Marianne Vos and Ellen van Dijk form a strong Netherlands women's team for the cycling events at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. While all have plenty of achievements to their name, Wiebes has been confirmed as the team leader for the Dutch squad as they prepare for the women's road race, which takes place on August 4.

‘Absolutely incredible’ - Wiebes sprints away to win Stage 1 of RideLondon Classique

Lorena Wiebes will lead the Netherlands team in the elite women’s race at the Paris Olympic Games on August 4.

The decision was announced by the Dutch team’s coach Loes Gunnewijk to NOS.

As he discussed the plan ahead for the summer’s competition, he was not limiting his ambition to just succeeding through Wiebes.

Tour of Scandinavia

'Outstanding performance!' - Wiebes wins again at Tour of Scandinavia

00:02:58

25/08/2023 at 17:08

The team was announced earlier in the week, and as well as Wiebes, there is Tour de France winner Demi Vollering, world championship winner and Olympic gold medallist Marianne Vos, and Ellen van Dijk - three-time world champion of the time trial.

Van Dijk and Vollering will enter the individual time trial on July 27, ahead of the women’s race.

"It was not an easy choice," Gunnewijk added. "The level of the Dutch riders is high. Based on the course, we have developed different scenarios. We looked at the possible course of the race, the time trial and the skills required. These four names belong to that."

The road race is a 158km race that will start and conclude at the iconic Eiffel Tower, with a circuit of 110km followed by two laps of a 18.4km course.

With the daunting race ahead of them, Gunnewijk detailed the extensive preparation already done.

"We organised team days for this purpose and carried out personality analyses," she said. "We looked at how they can best use each other's qualities and how they can strengthen each other in this regard."

Stream the cycling season, including the Giro d'Italia, live on discovery+

Tour de France Femmes

Wiebes pulls out of Tour de France Femmes due to stomach problems

27/07/2023 at 12:17

Vuelta a Burgos

Tour of Burgos Stage 3 highlights - Wiebes takes fine victory from bunch sprint

00:04:38

20/05/2023 at 15:10

Scheldeprijs

Wiebes sprints to third straight win at Scheldeprijs

00:04:05

05/04/2023 at 14:38

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me