'Wiebes is an absolute animal' – Cat Ferguson says riders need to believe SD Worx-Protime star is beatable, or 'it's never going to happen'

Nineteen-year-old British rider Cat Ferguson of Movistar Team has voiced a compelling perspective on the dominance of SD Worx-Protime's Lorena Wiebes. Following teammate Carys Lloyd's unexpected victory at Ronde Van Brugge, Ferguson asserted that the peloton must actively believe Wiebes is beatable, or the Dutch sprinter’s formidable winning streak will remain unbroken. This sentiment highlights a growing psychological challenge facing competitors in women's cycling.

This isn't merely a young rider's musing; it speaks to a deeper trend in women's cycling where SD Worx-Protime, and Wiebes in particular, have established an almost unassailable position in sprints and classics. Wiebes' consistent victories, often by significant margins, have created an aura of invincibility. Ferguson's call to action, inspired by a teammate's breakthrough against the odds, underscores the psychological warfare inherent in elite sport, especially when one team or rider appears to have unlocked the winning formula.

Ultimately, Ferguson's observation is a stark reminder that belief, or the lack thereof, can be as potent a factor as watts per kilogram. Until the peloton collectively decides Wiebes is merely human, the finish line will continue to be her personal property.