Visma | Lease a Bike aims for open race in Milan-San Remo Donne with clear strategy

The Milan-San Remo for women returned to the calendar last year. Expectations were high in advance for an exciting race, but the comeback of La Primavera Donne fell flat. This year, that needs to change, and Jan Boven is happy to contribute with the women of Visma | Lease a Bike. But with some caution. He explains how to WielerFlits.

The team director was also present last year on the Italian Riviera of Flowers. He also noticed that the race remained very closed for a long time. “I was convinced that—with Demi Vollering at the start—the Cipressa would already be decisive. But that didn’t happen. And not much happened on the Poggio either. Perfect for us, because that way we could sprint for the win with Marianne Vos. I do expect and hope to see a different race dynamic this year. UAE Team ADQ has been riding well in recent weeks, and they have a leader who doesn’t have to wait on Saturday.”

By this, Boven refers to Elisa Longo Borghini. Within the Dutch team itself, living legend Marianne Vos and Canadian Sarah Van Dam are the main cards. Boven counts on her if the race does ignite on the Cipressa this time. “Is this more of a climbing race than with the men? I actually think the opposite,” Boven remarks. “The Cipressa is quite a nice climb and actually not that tough. But for the men, that climb comes after 280 kilometers, so other factors come into play. For the women, however, San Remo is no longer than other races we do.”

Missing Demi Vollering
The team director of Visma | Lease a Bike regrets that Vollering is not participating this year, because she can make the race hard. The team benefits from that to some extent as well. For now, he mainly hopes that Elisa Longo Borghini, Kasia Niewiadoma, Kim Le Court, and Puck Pieterse will take up the challenge. “UAE Team ADQ especially has a very strong squad here. They are the strongest block in depth, together with FDJ United-SUEZ. They have to make it tough for SD Worx-ProTime. With also Puck and Le Court. We also need to get Sarah involved there.”

And then there is Vos as a backup. “Indeed, the plan is that Marianne only starts her effort later, so to speak. But she can make very good instinctive decisions in the moment. Can you also wait on Saturday? Certainly, but the question is whether you gain enough from that. But of course, with Marianne we have a sprinter who needs to be as fresh as possible after the Poggio. We have to keep her out of trouble as much as possible for that. Difficult, but those are the fine margins you balance on.”

Cipressa plays a key role
Boven especially believes that the descents can play a significant role. “If you have those well in your mind, you have confidence there, and the right skillset, then you have an advantage. Furthermore, this race can be divided into two camps: there are some teams with a fast woman who benefit from a slower race. And there are a few formations who prefer a more aggressive race. We are somewhat in between. But it is clear that a different race scenario is needed. Otherwise, the result will probably be the same as last year.”

Visma | Lease a Bike will therefore not hold back when attacks are launched. “There is a Dutch sprinter who is very strong and really poses a problem. Not just for us, but for everyone. To tire Lorena Wiebes, the race has to explode on the Cipressa. Hopefully that will force Lorena to fight back into the race between the Cipressa and the Poggio. That challenge to break her is already tough enough. Lorena has grown so much in the last two years. That deserves great praise, I enjoy that. But we will do our utmost to set up Marianne on the Poggio. If we don’t do that and the same happens as last year, then second place will be our best result.”