SD Worx-Protime is responding to developments in women’s cycling and is specifically strengthening its mountain-climbing capabilities. Following an analysis in the spring of 2025, the management concluded that the total elevation gain in races is steadily increasing and that the team needs to improve its climbing capabilities. The signing of Cédrine Kerbaol is now intended to fill this gap.
Four female climbers for the Grand Tours
Team manager Erwin Janssen believes the team is now well-positioned for the major stage races. With Anna van der Breggen, Cédrine Kerbaol, Nienke Vinke and Valentina Cavallar, the team has four riders who can keep up with the best on the climbs. This group is set to contend for the top places in the Grand Tours. Janssen explains the decision to prioritise climbing strength by pointing out that the mountains are increasingly decisive not only in the three-week stage races but also in other races.
Cédrine Kerbaol’s aggressive racing style
Sports director Danny Stam has been keeping an eye on Kerbaol for several years. He emphasises that the Frenchwoman is not only one of the best climbers, but also stands out above all for her attacking riding style. Kerbaol doesn’t wait to see how long she can keep up on the climb; instead, she sets the pace herself. This approach is in line with the DNA of SD Worx-Protime, which always strives to control races and capitalise on its own opportunities. Stam sees new possibilities for the team in this signing, particularly thanks to the strong group of climbers it now possesses.
Achievements to date and potential for development
Cédrine Kerbaol has proved time and again that she is among the world’s best. She finished sixth twice in the Tour de France Femmes and once finished eighth in the general classification. In 2024, she won a stage of the Tour. She finished fourth in last year’s Vuelta Femenina. In the 2025 Tour de Suisse, she finished second overall. In almost every stage race she enters, she finishes in the top ten. At the age of 25, Stam still sees room for improvement.
The discussion with van der Breggen was convincing
Before making her decision, Cédrine Kerbaol spoke to Anna van der Breggen. The experienced general classification rider convinced the Frenchwoman that SD Worx-Protime offers the right environment for her to develop as a stage racer. Kerbaol emphasises that she is at the start of her career and has a lot to learn from van der Breggen and the team. Her conversation with Stam also left a positive impression, as the sports director showed genuine interest in her own aspirations and how the team can support her in achieving them.
Goals and ambitions for Cédrine Kerbaol
The French cyclist is aiming for overall victory in the Grand Tours. Her results so far in the Tour de France Femmes have fuelled her ambition. As well as stage races, she dreams of victories in classics such as Strade Bianche and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. She already finished fourth in the latter in 2024. Kerbaol looks up to riders such as Lotte Kopecky and Anna van der Breggen, who remain composed in the peloton and launch decisive attacks at just the right moment. She favours an aggressive racing style, taking every risk to secure victory rather than settling for safe mid-table finishes.
Cédrine Kerbaol has already started learning Dutch and is looking forward to this new challenge as part of the team. Above all, she is looking forward to getting to know new people, cultures and languages.
Leon Weidner
Editor
