'Lotte showed what kind of teammate she is' – Kopecky eases up to let Bredewold win as SD Worx-Protime juggle cards at Vuelta Femenina

SD Worx-Protime continued their dominant run at the Vuelta Femenina by securing back-to-back stage victories along with consecutive one-two finishes. On stage four, Lotte Kopecky and Anna van der Breggen crossed the line first and second, while stage five saw Mischa Bredewold claim the win ahead of Kopecky. The team’s sports director, Danny Stam, highlighted the challenge of managing multiple leaders with strong finishing abilities and praised Kopecky’s selflessness in supporting her teammates despite holding the race lead herself. The decisive moment on stage five unfolded on the uphill finish in Astorga, where Kopecky tactically shadowed Bredewold without overtaking her, ensuring no rivals could interfere with the planned outcome. This strategic move was a response to a previous experience at the 2024 Tour of Britain Women, where the team had aimed to deliver a win to Christine Majerus but ultimately missed out on victory. Stam emphasised that while winning the stage was the primary objective, Kopecky’s willingness to sacrifice her own chances demonstrated her value as a team player. Femke Markus, another SD Worx-Protime rider, revealed that the team had prepared two sprint plans for the stage, with Bredewold’s victory representing their backup strategy. The uphill finish altered the dynamics of the sprint, reducing speeds compared to a flat finish and allowing Kopecky to effectively control the race’s closing moments. Kopecky herself acknowledged her role in protecting Bredewold’s position, underscoring the importance of teamwork in executing their “dream plan.” SD Worx-Protime’s tactical acumen and strong team cohesion have positioned them as a formidable force in this year’s Vuelta Femenina. With multiple riders capable of winning stages and the overall classification, the team’s ability to balance individual ambitions with collective goals will be crucial in the coming days. Their performances so far suggest that they will continue to be a key presence in the race’s decisive moments.