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Get your week started with the latest news in women’s cycling

Lidl-Trek has announced the signing of Dutch time trial Champion Riejanne Markus, who will ride with the squad through 2027. Markus, who began her professional career with Parkhotel Valkenburg, has accumulated 11 professional victories over the past decade, including three national titles – two in the time trial and one in the road race. This season, she impressed with a stellar performance in the Vuelta a España, where she secured second place overall.

Lidl-Trek has also announced the signing of Olympic silver medallist Anna Henderson on a three-year contract, beginning in January 2025. The British rider initially pursued a career in alpine skiing but transitioned to cycling following an injury in 2016. Henderson quickly made her mark on the sport, winning the U23 British Time Trial Championships in 2019. She has since added two elite National Championship titles, a European Championship silver medal, and an Olympic silver medal in the time trial to her impressive resumé.

Aude Biannic will remain with the Movistar Team for the 2025 season. The French rider from Brittany will return to racing next year after maternity leave. Notably, Biannic is the only rider who has been with the team since its inaugural season in 2018.

British Cycling has announced the team representing Great Britain at the 2024 UCI MTB World Championships in Par Arinsal, Andorra, from Wednesday 28 August to Sunday 1 September. Evie Richards and Annie Last, alongside Scottish national champion Isla Short, Ella Maclean-Howell and five-time medallist Tahnée Seagrave will be at the start.

The SBT GRVL race in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is the latest gravel race to announce changes to its mass start format by introducing separate start lines for elite riders. The organisers noted that gravel racing is evolving, with the number of female participants at an all-time high – more than 30 percent of this year’s starters were women. Starting next year, elite female athletes will have separate starting times to ensure fairer competition. This year’s race was won by Lauren Stephens, who also rides on the road for the U.S. based Cynisca Cycling Team.

All European Cyclocross Championships races will be held on Sunday, 3 November, this year. The schedule was adjusted due to a conflict with a cyclocross race in Belgium that is set for Friday.

Esther Galarza took a win in the Vuelta Colombia last week and dedicated her victory to herself, saying that the Ecuadorian Cycling Federation doesn’t support riders adequately, yet claims their successes. The organisation has responded, saying it has paid more than US $36,000 for flights, accommodation, food and medical costs for attendance at events such as the Youth Olympics and the Pan American championships.

Now that the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has concluded, it’s time to review the prize money earned by the riders for their tremendous efforts. A total of €250,000 was up for grabs. Kasia Niewiadoma emerged as the top earner, taking home €56,000, with her team also securing the top spot and earning €58,980. Demi Vollering collected €41,110 for her performance, while third-place finisher Pauliena Rooijakkers earned €12,980. Marianne Vos,. who won the maillot vert, added approximately €6,900 to her prize pool. More details here.

A recent survey by the London Cycling Campaign’s Women’s Network has revealed a distressing level of abuse and aggression directed towards women who ride in London. The survey highlighted numerous instances of harassment, aggression, and even physical and sexual assault faced by female cyclists. Out of more than 1,000 respondents, 93 percent reported that drivers had used their vehicles to intimidate them. As a result, over 20 percent of the women surveyed said they stopped cycling, either temporarily or permanently. Additionally, nine out of ten women indicated that they would cycle more, or start cycling, if safer routes were available.

Results

Zwift Blog

Ever wondered what it’s like to ride a Grand Tour? Franziska Koch takes you behind the scenes at the Giro, sharing the highs, lows and everything in between. From unexpected challenges to unforgettable moments, have a read here!

Voxwomen Club!

Calling all cycling enthusiasts. The Voxwomen Cycling Club is hosting a series of exciting rides on Zwift with our ambassadors and we’re inviting YOU to join. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting out, let’s pedal together, have fun and stay fit! More information can be found here.

This week in cycling history

Keetie van Oosten-Hage

Born on 21 August, van Oosten-Hage is a renowned figure in the history of cycling, celebrated for her exceptional achievements and dominance in the sport during the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout her illustrious career, she amassed an impressive collection of titles and accolades. She secured six World Championship titles, including four in the individual road race (1968, 1969, 1975, and 1976) and two in the individual pursuit on the track (1975 and 1976). In addition to her world titles, van Oosten-Hage won the Dutch Road Race Championships nine times. After retiring from professional competition, she taught handicrafts at a college near her home. To commemorate her achievements, a trophy in her name is awarded each year to the Netherlands’ best female rider.

WorldTour highlight videos

Catch up on all the action from the latest WorldTour races! Watch highlights of the Tour de Femmes avec Zwift right here.