Lorena Wiebes is having a remarkable season, and what a week it has been for the Dutch cyclist! On Sunday, March 30, 2025, Wiebes clinched her second consecutive Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, marking the 100th victory of her illustrious career. In an impressive show of endurance and speed, she not only won this prestigious race but also secured her third WorldTour one-day race in just eight days, following victories at the Milan-San Remo Donne and Classic Brugge-De Panne.
Wiebes, riding for SD Worx-Protime, launched her final sprint with just 200 meters to go, expertly using the wheel of her teammate, world champion Lotte Kopecky, to propel herself to victory. Neither Elisa Balsamo from Lidl-Trek nor Charlotte Kool from Picnic-PostNL could match her pace, settling for second and third, respectively. Wiebes' time of 4:11:19 underscored her dominance in the race.
The 2025 edition of Gent-Wevelgem featured a challenging course, covering 168.9 kilometers with seven climbs concentrated in the fourth and fifth sections of the route. Riders faced the daunting Baneberg, a 1 km climb at 6.8 percent gradient, and the infamous cobbled Kemmelberg, which they tackled twice, the second time being a steep 700 meters at an 11 percent gradient. After these climbs, the race continued with 34.7 kilometers of flat roads leading into Wevelgem.
The Canadian contingent for this year’s race included Alison Jackson, Magdeleine Vallieres, Olivia Baril, Kiara Lylyk, Florence Normand, and Sarah van Dam. For much of the race, a group of seven riders managed to maintain a lead over the peloton until they were caught before the first major climb.
As the race progressed, Lucinda Brand and five others made a decisive move just before the penultimate climb of Baneberg II. Wiebes, along with Kopecky, Elisa Longo Borghini, and Balsamo, worked hard to reel them back in before the final ascent of the Kemmelberg. Kopecky, who had been instrumental throughout the race, attacked on the Kemmelberg, forcing the pace and splitting the peloton further.
With the peloton closing in, Wiebes and Longo Borghini managed to stay with the world champion, receiving additional support from the Borghesi sisters and Chloé Dygert. However, as the race neared its conclusion, the Balsamo-Longo Borghini chase caught the breakaway with just 28 kilometers remaining.
Despite several attempts to create a decisive gap in the final kilometers, no one could break away long enough to avoid a bunch sprint. The SD Worx-Protime team, led by Kopecky, took control of the group, setting up Wiebes for her sprint under the red kite, which marks the final kilometer of the race.
Reflecting on her performance, Wiebes stated, "I felt good on the Kemmelberg. Then we were in front with a small group, but the cooperation was not so good, so the peloton came back." She praised her teammate Kopecky for her exceptional lead-out, saying, "We chose to do [the lead-out with] only Lotte, and the other girls did an amazing job with pulling before. Actually, she went really long with the lead-out so that at one point I was like, 'yeah, I start now.'" This strategic teamwork proved vital to Wiebes’ success.
Alison Jackson, who finished as the top Canadian in 34th place, had recently returned from a broken scaphoid and was eager to contribute to her team’s efforts. Other Canadian riders included Magdeleine Vallieres, who finished in 56th place, alongside Olivia Baril, Kiara Lylyk, Florence Normand, and Sarah van Dam.
Wiebes’ victory at Gent-Wevelgem not only adds to her already impressive tally of six victories this season but also solidifies her status as one of the top cyclists in women’s cycling today. Her ability to perform consistently at such a high level speaks volumes about her training, strategy, and determination.
As the cycling season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Wiebes continues to build on her success. With the upcoming races on the calendar, including more WorldTour events, the stage is set for more thrilling performances from this remarkable athlete.
In conclusion, Lorena Wiebes’ extraordinary week culminated in a victory that not only celebrates her skill and tenacity but also cements her legacy in the sport. With each race, she continues to inspire both fans and fellow competitors alike, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in women's cycling.
