In Itzulia, Team SD Worx was extremely successful. All stages won, two riders on the podium each time and winner of the final classification, the points and mountain jersey and the team classification. "I honestly didn't expect us to be so supreme. Of course there were some teams not present in the Basque Country. But, this does not detract from the performance of our riders. They are carrying on the good form from the spring. That's nice to see," said Danny Stam.
"It also makes me happy that the whole team was good in Itzulia. Blanka Vas is developing better and better, allowing her to get more and more involved in this kind of race. We are also satisfied with newcomer Marie Schreiber. The first days of La Vuelta Femenina were difficult for her, but it is impressive how she then keeps taking a new step as a 20-year-old."
In Itzulia, Marlen Reusser and Demi Vollering ensured that last season's win total of 20 victories has already been equalled. Stam: "I simply have no words for that. We ask ourselves how this is possible and how long we can continue like this. Everyone is at level. Although you can't always control that yourself. With us too, some riders are now suffering a bit from injury, but our winners are spared from it for now. One of the keys to success is that our riders understand each other. Everyone gets a piece of the pie, which is why the atmosphere is so good. Top riders like Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser, Lotte Kopecky and Lorena Wiebes know what they have in common and go through fire and water for each other. Then you know you can have successes. But even then, we didn't expect to have 15 WorldTour wins by the middle of May. The pressure is therefore a lot less."
Team SD Worx is therefore moving towards Burgos in a relaxed manner. "With Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser, Marie Schreiber, Blanka Vas and a fresh Lorena Wiebes, we again have a strong block at the start. Wiebes rode a dike of a spring, in which she played an important role in many victories. In addition, she has a positive contribution to the group. In Burgos we want to get involved in the sprints with her. There are also two arrivals uphill, including one explosive climb and one long climb. Our aim is to grab another stage and to see how far we get in the general classification."