Lorena Wiebes was the top favourite for the first edition of the new World Tour race, but could be anything but certain of victory. The best sprinters in the world were at the starting line, as was the Dutchwoman. However, it was not close in the end. Wiebes sprinted in her own league at the end, so that even Balsamo, Consonni and Kool had no chance.
Unfortunately, the race was characterised by crashes, as the course was separated several times by poorly visible road divisions that were overlooked in the back of the field. Wiebes had clear words for the UCI in an interview after her victory.
Instead of banning narrower handlebars, the UCI should be looking at a safer route. But the spectators were really great today, it was a very special atmosphere here in Copenhagen - Lorena Wiebes
How the Copenhagen Sprint 2025 went
Copenhagen Sprint: Roskilde - Copenhagen
Copenhagen Sprint 2025: Copenhagen Sprint, Roskilde - Copenhagen
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team SD Worx - Protime | 03:32:30 |
| 2 | Lidl - Trek | +00:00:00 |
| 3 | CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto | +00:00:00 |
| 4 | Team Picnic PostNL | +00:00:00 |
| 5 | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +00:00:00 |
| 6 | Human Powered Health | +00:00:00 |
The first Copenhagen Sprint will be held this year for both men and women. As a World Tour race, it is another opportunity for the sprinters to showcase themselves. That's why the field of starters already read like a "who's who" of sprinters in advance. In addition to the reigning European champion Wiebes, names such as Balsamo, Kool and Consonni were also listed.
Group with little prospect of success
The breakaway group, consisting of four riders, formed 110 kilometres before the finish. Julia Borgström, Meis Poland, Britt de Grave and April Tacey never got more than 1:30 minutes, however, as the sprinters' teams showed no interest in the group winning. The gap shrank early on before April Tacey was caught 37 kilometres from the finish. Everything was set for the sprint of the fastest women.
Even before the circuit in Copenhagen, there were several crashes in the field, as riders in the back rows could only see the road divisions moments before and in some cases no staff warned of the danger spots.
In a league of its own
But there were not only crashes before the circuit, there was also a crash in a bend in Copenhagen, which affected several riders. Meanwhile, the peloton was much smaller as many athletes lost touch with the field due to the crashes and the high pace. Lorena Wiebes only had a single helper at her side in the final kilometres, while other teams were able to show complete sprint trains. Team Lidl-Trek did most of the work in the final kilometres and kept the pace at a high level.
However, Wiebes could not be stopped without the numerous help of her team. The rider from Team SD Worx - Protime went to the front 500 metres before the line and could no longer be caught. On the contrary. She even gained a lead of more than two bike lengths and crossed the finish line with it.
Leon Weidner
Working student
