Enter spring with Tom Boonen's good advice: “Take what you can, Lottie Kopecky!”

Together with Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky, Marlen Reusser and Lorena Wiebes, SD Worx-Protime occupies the top four positions in the current UCI classification.

The first team has already won 7 times this season. Are we on the verge of a repeat of the past miraculous year?

“It's comparable to Visma-Lease a Bike,” says Robin van Gucht in Sporza Daily. “They owe it to their class.”

“Will it be 10 out of 10? No, but maybe 9 out of 10. There is competition, but the dominance is great. We have already seen that in previous races.”

“They're ready. Other teams don't have to rely on SD Worx being less than last year. That's clear.”

Last year the snacks were divided among the four table guests. Kopecky won the Tour of Flanders, Vollering won the Strade and the Classics in the Ardennes, Reusser took her chances in the Wevelgem and Wiebes scored in between.

But are they at SD Worx at risk of becoming victims of their own success? For example, Kopecky wants to go on an expedition to Liège, Vollering dreams out loud of Flanders, Rosser also wants a more protected position, and Wiebes also puts on the table.

“Will Kopecky and Vollering end up in each other's way? To ask the question is to answer it immediately,” says analyst Maren de Vries.

“I'm very curious about Kopecky. I was very impressed with her at the UAE Tour. She has taken another big step this winter, which makes you think: 'This is not possible at all.'

“It's said about Fullering that she can't sprint, but she can finish very well. They will get in each other's way, it's almost inevitable.”

“Although they would certainly think they could take advantage of each other, because one of them could win if they gave the other space.”

This last hook seems like an easy starting point, especially on paper. The reality may be more complex.

“I think they had already discussed who would get safe behavior where,” says former racer De Vries.

“Lotte wants to win Roubaix and Liege are also at the top of her list. Vollering wants to win the Tour. I think they will split it a little that way.”

De Vries believes Rosser will mainly try to strike “in her usual way”. “Just take it back when you get away.”

And Wiebes is climbing better and better. “It digests those hills better and gets closer to the Kopecky profile.”

“I wasn't sure who to partner with for Omloop, but in the end I chose Kopecky.”

With all of these competitors in the same stable, it becomes a balancing act to give everyone a moment of glory. Although Robin van Gucht extracts some good advice from Tom Boonen for Lottie Kopecky.

I remember his words from last year: “If Lottie is in situations like this, there is only one solution. She must then race hard. “It must control the course and not run after the facts.”

“As a leader, she has to shape the competition for herself. She doesn't necessarily have to rely on her fast racing, but she will have to continue last year's streak in Glasgow.”

“Lottie will have to beat the drum of attack and that will be interesting for the viewer.”

“I would advise her, wearing the rainbow shirt, to take it all in! Don't hesitate, this is your year. Don't delay, do it now.”