“I’m really looking forward to the start of the spring classics,” Wolff says enthusiastically. “Compared to last year, I think I’ve had a very good and consistent winter. My form is higher than it was last year, and I hope that will help me in the race finale.”

Van Emden also sees progress in his rider: “She’s had a very strong winter and is very motivated. The track training over the winter may have given her extra speed, which we hope to take advantage of. She started strong last year, with that victory in Extremadura for the team, and then progressed to racing the major events. We’re curious to see where she stands now.”

At just nineteen, Wolff notices a big difference from last year. “This is my second year on the team, which gives me a lot of peace of mind. I know everyone in the team well and feel their trust. That allows me to focus more and more on the races themselves, which should only help my results.”

She hopes to see those results start this weekend. “I hope I can make it to the finale in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and really compete. With my current form, I think that’s possible. I’ve never raced this event before, but I’ve prepared well. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Van Emden, in his third year as sports director at Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women, is equally eager to see how far Wolff can go. “Imogen will have a free role in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. For us, this is also a moment to see how she has developed. She has big ambitions and wants to be involved in the finale.”

Joining the young British rider is Daniek Hengeveld, who will start her first spring classic for the Dutch squad this weekend. “Daniek is someone who loves working for the team. At the same time, she wants to seize her own opportunities when they arise. This weekend is a great chance for that. She will have the freedom to race and choose her moment,” Van Emden explains.

Still, everything depends on how the race unfolds, the 41-year-old Dutchman knows from experience. “Omloop is always a tough and nervous race. We hope to stay with the favorites as long as possible and maybe surprise in different ways, for example by joining an early break or playing a role in the finale. We’re not starting as top favorites, but we do have a broad and motivated squad. Our goal is to be an active part of the race and compete in the finale.”

And what does a successful Omloop Het Nieuwsblad look like? The sports director has a clear answer. “If we’ve been active as a team and visible in the race, then I consider it a success. I don’t necessarily tie it to a result. The most important thing is to show that we’ve made progress and that we have a team that will go through fire for each other.”

Alongside Wolff and Hengeveld, Nienke Veenhoven, Katharina Sadnik, and Rosita Reijnhout complete the five-rider squad for Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women.