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Former European junior champion Ilse Pluimers has extended with AG Insurance-Soudal for another two years. “The spring season is a particularly important goal for me. Without a doubt, it’s my favourite time to race, and I’m really looking forward to delivering my best performances, especially in Paris-Roubaix. This is the race I’ve set my sights on, and I’m determined to achieve strong results here,” she said about her future goals.
Jeanne Korevaar, Silke Smulders and Quinty Ton have all put pen to paper to ink new two-year contracts with Liv AlUla Jayco. The trio came over to Liv AlUla Jayco in January 2024 following the merger with their former team Liv Racing TeqFind. Smulders’ victory at the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia and 13th place overall at the Giro d’Italia demonstrated her ability and talent, and the Dutch rider has a lot of motivation heading into the new season. Teammate Quinty Ton quickly found her race rhythm this year with a strong second-place finish at the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia.
Australian riders Georgia Baker and Amber Pate, along with Swede Caroline Andersson, have extended their contracts with Liv AlUla Jayco for another two years. Italian rider Anna Trevisi will also continue with the Australian squad for another season. Pate, who transitioned to road cycling in 2022 and turned professional with the team in 2023, has embraced the learning curve and has thrived in challenging situations. The experienced 32-year-old Trevisi has played a vital role in mentoring the younger generation throughout the 2024 season, often serving as road captain for the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental team. Andersson joined the squad in January 2024 following the merger of Liv Racing TeqFind and GreenEDGE Cycling, and has quickly established herself as a valuable teammate.
Australian rider Alex Manly will be joining AG Insurance-Soudal through 2026. Reflecting on her journey, she said: “I got into cycling through a talent identification program. It took me some time to develop my skills and fully understand the sport. I see myself as a versatile rider and want to support the team in as many ways as possible. With my experience in different roles, I believe I can add value throughout the season. Personally, I’m aiming for a strong spring and looking forward to achieving success in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.”
Ashleigh Moolman Pasio extended with AG Insurance-Soudal through 2026. The South African champion said about her contract extension with the team: “Over the next two years, my aim is not only to achieve great results and personal growth but also to help foster a positive team culture, reach new milestones, and make a meaningful impact in our community. More specifically, of course, pursuing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift remains one of my biggest goals for the next two season.”
Australian Anya Louw has extended her contract with AG Insurance – Soudal until the end of 2026. She has been part of the team since 2022 and is eager to keep improving her time trial skills over the next two seasons.
Former Australian champion Sarah Roy has signed with EF-Oatly-Cannondale to bolster the team’s classics roster. She began her professional racing career in Europe in 2013 and has since achieved notable victories, including wins at the Australian Road Race National Championships, the Navarra Elite Classics, Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik, and the SwissEver GP Cham-Hagendorn. Additionally, she has claimed stages at the Bretagne Ladies Tour, the Simac Ladies Tour, and the OVO Energy Women’s Tour. Reflecting on her versatility, Sarah states: “I enjoy one-day races as well as stage races, and I think that’s one of my strengths as a rider. In the first part of the season, I want to focus on the classics and aim to be a lead rider in those events.”
Gladys Verhulst will join AG Insurance-Soudal through 2026. The French rider would like to take the French national championships title and win a race in Flanders. She said about joining her new team: “I expect to grow as a rider within AG Insurance – Soudal by discovering a new culture within a Belgian team that shares a similar vision of cycling as I do and is full of talented riders. I’m sure I’ll rediscover my aggressive racing style. The team will also help me develop a stronger mental side, which has been a weaker point for me up until now.”
Dominika Wlodarczyk has extended with UAE Team ADQ through 2028. The young Polish rider has proven her talent in her debut season with the squad. After an impressive start to the year in Australia, where she finished in the top five at the Santos Tour Down Under, she won the 2024 national road championships and the GC at this year’s Watersley Women’s Challenge. Wlodarczyk claimed the mountain classification at the Princess Anna Vasa Tour and achieved numerous top 10 finishes at the Tour de l’Ardèche. These standout performances earned her a spot to compete at the 2024 World Championships in Zurich, further underscoring her potential.
Portuguese rider Maria Martins and Finnish rider Wilma Aintila will join Canyon//SRAM Racing until the end of 2026. Martins is already a well-established figure in track cycling, having become the first woman from Portugal to win a World Championship track medal with her bronze in the 2020 scratch race. Earlier this year, she added to her accolades with a gold in the same event at the European Championships. Martins has also shown her versatility on the road, with a national road title in Portugal and an impressive fifth place finish at Brugge – De Panne in 2023. Aintila, racing with Lotto Dsnty this season, recently claimed the U23 ITT national title and finished second in the road race.
Lea Lin Teutenberg and Romina Hinojosa will join the Lotto Dstny Ladies Team in 2025. Hinojosa, who transitioned from gymnastics to cycling, expressed her excitement about this new chapter: “I know this is a huge step; not many Mexicans have the opportunity to join a continental team in Europe. I’m thrilled to continue pursuing my dream despite the challenges I’ve faced. I’m also studying nutrition online, which allows me to focus on what I love most: riding my bike.” Teutenberg shared her thoughts on her new contract, reflecting on a tumultuous year: “I’ve experienced many ups and downs. I started the year with a silver medal in the elimination event on the track, which was encouraging, but then I faced several crashes. It’s been tough, but I’ve persevered, and now I’m excited for this new challenge with the Lotto Dstny Ladies Team.”
Ella Heremans will step up to the WWT, having signed with dsm-firmenich PostNL for the next two years. Heremans, currently in her second year of racing as a junior, has shown potential over a variety of terrain and races. She took a second place in the Belgian junior time trial championships and, in the latter half of the year, she represented her country at the European Championships.
U19 Belgian champion and winner of the GP CERATIZIT Women Junior, Auke de Buysser, joins NXTG Racing. The young Belgian has also shown her talent on the track, winning the junior scratch race at the 2024 European Track Championships.
Lonneke Uneken has announced that she will be leaving SD Worx-Protime after five seasons with the team. This past season has been particularly challenging for the Dutch rider, who struggled to perform at her best due to injuries and illness. While she has not disclosed her plans for next year, her departure marks the end of a significant chapter in her cycling career.
Cofidis has decided to terminate Alana Castrique’s contract with immediate effect. The team cited “disloyal behavior that has damaged the image and integrity of the team” as the reason for this decision. The Belgian rider will join AG Insurance-Soudal in 2025 for two years.
Marianne Martin, the first winner of the women’s Tour de France, was recently involved in a serious bike accident and is currently hospitalised in Boulder, Colorado. She has sustained extensive injuries, including a collapsed lung, concussion, fractured clavicle, fractured collarbone, and multiple broken ribs. It is expected that she will face a lengthy rehabilitation process. We wish Marianne all the best for her recovery.
In an interview with French media, Arkéa-B&B Hotels team manager Emmanuel Hubert has expressed concern about the future of the team. He noted that Maëva Squiban is departing the squad, reportedly set to race for UAE Team ADQ next season, after they bought out her contract with the French team. “At this time, I cannot guarantee anything beyond 2025. As long as there’s a clause in their contracts, they are free to explore other commitments,” Hubert has stated.
The UCI has announced the application of teams for the 2025 seasons. There are 15 teams for registration as WWT squads and 8 teams for registration as Pro Teams, a new category introduced for next season. More information can be found here.
The presentation for the Giro d’Italia Women, held alongside the men’s edition, will be held on 12 November in Rome starting at 13.00 CET.
British Cycling has announced that Sara Symington will be stepping down from her role as Head of Olympic and Paralympic Programmes for the GB Cycling Team. Having joined GBCT in October 2021 from a string of Performance Director roles in archery, netball and athletics, Sara brought to GBCT knowledge and experience that she used to support the team over the latest Olympic and Paralympic cycle. ”On a personal note, I am off travelling by bike for a while whilst deciding ‘what next,” she said about leaving the team.”
The ten finalists for the Velo d’Or, awarded to the best rider of the season, have been announced. Riders nominated include Demi Vollering, Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky. The full list can be found here, with the winner being announced on 6 December.
Lotte Kopecky has been honoured with the Belgian National Sports Merit Award, an annual accolade established in 1928 to recognise exceptional achievement by a Belgian sportsperson or team. This prestigious trophy can only be awarded once in a career, making it one of the highest honours in Belgian sports. Notably, Kopecky is the first female rider to receive this award.
Last week, Kopecky was also presented with the Kristallen Fiets, recognising her as the best-performing Belgian rider of the year, an impressive achievement, as this marks her fifth consecutive win of this esteemed trophy. Runners-up in the competition included Justine Ghekiere and Sanne Cant, with Ghekiere also earning the title of best Belgian domestique, becoming the first woman to receive this honour. Additionally, Fleur Moors was recognised as the best young rider, showcasing the remarkable emerging talent.
Puck Pieterse, the 2024 U23 Road World Champion and UCI World Champion in cross-country, as well as a stage winner at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, has added an impressive non-sporting achievement to her resume. The Dutch cyclist has successfully earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Movement, showcasing her dedication not only to her athletic career but also to her academic pursuits.
After two seasons away, Gene Bates will return to GreenEDGE Cycling in 2025 as the Team Manager and Head Sport Director for Liv AlUla Jayco. Bates is not new to the Australian outfit, after making his directorial debut with the women’s squad back in 2014. He later transitioned to the men’s team in 2019 before taking up a new role with the Australian national team in January 2023 where he was Head of Endurance, overseeing the road, mountain bike and track endurance programs.
NXTG Racing, a pioneering team dedicated to nurturing the next generation of women’s cycling talent, has announced ambitious plans for growth, including international expansion and partnerships with key sponsors to revolutionise the sport’s talent pipeline. A key highlight is their strategy to enter international markets, specifically targeting countries with developing cycling cultures. “Our vision is to cultivate young talent for long-term success and build a sustainable future for women’s cycling,” says NXTG founder Natascha Knaven-den Ouden. “While the recent growth in Women’s World Tour teams shows the sport is expanding rapidly, the talent pool remains limited. We are committed to increasing that pool and providing riders with the support they need to become the next generation of champions.”
The UCI has made amendments to its regulations for the discipline of mountain biking, which will come into force on 1 January 2025. One of the biggest changes is in the qualifying process for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. More details can be found here.
Results
Chrono des Nations: Grace Brown (FDJ-SUEZ) ahead of Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ-SUEZ) and Anna Kiesenhofer (AUT)
Tour of Chongming Island:
Stage 1: Mylene de Zoete (CERATIZIT WNT-Pro Cycling) ahead of Teresa Neumanova (UAE Team ADQ) and Silvia Zanardi (Human Powered Health)
Stage 2: Marta Lach ahead of Mylene de Zoete and Kathrin Schweingeberger (all CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling)
Stage 3: Marta Lach ahead of Scarlett Souren and Sofie van Rooijen (all CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling)
GC: Marta Lach ahead of Mylene de Zoete and Scarlett Souren
World Track Championships:
Scratch: Lorena Wiebes (NED) ahead of Jennifer Valente (USA) and Ally Wollaston (NZL)
Team Sprint: Great Britain ahead of the Netherlands and Australia
Elimination race: Ally Wollaston (NZL) ahead of Lotte Kopecky (BEL) and Jennifer Valente (USA)
Team Pursuit: Great Britain ahead of Germany and Italy
Sprint: Emma Finucane (GBR) ahead of Hetty van de Wouw (NED) and Mina Sato (JPN)
Omnium: Ally Wollaston (NZL) ahead of Jessica Roberts (GBR) and Anita Stenberg (NOR)
500m Time Trial: Sophie Capewell ahead of Katy Marchant and Emma Finucane (all GBR)
Zwift Blog
Megan Jastrab shares a powerful reminder about the ups and downs of injury recovery, shifting perspective and trusting the process. “I hope this blog helps those reading to realise that you are exactly where you need to be on your journey to your goals. It might take a different timeline than originally anticipated, but staying focused on doing the best you can at where you are is the most you can ask of yourself.” Catch her must-read blog here.
Voxwomen Club
Calling all cycling enthusiasts! Join the Voxwomen Club on Zwift for some exciting upcoming rides. The next one is coming up soon, so find out more here
This week in cycling history
Roberta Bonanomi
The retired Italian rider celebrated her 58th birthday on 15 October. Over her impressive career, Bonanomi represented her country in five Olympic Games and secured numerous national championship titles. Notably, she won the Giro d’Italia Femminile in 1989, marking a significant milestone in her cycling journey. She also triumphed at the World Championships in Belgium, claiming victory in the 50km team time trial. In 1987, she also earned a bronze medal in the same discipline at the Championships in Villach, Austria. In an interview prior to the Paris Olympics, she commented on women cycling: ”I am happy because now many more female athletes can dedicate themselves totally to cycling, considering it is a real job. This is a great achievement, one of the great battles that together with my female colleagues we have been fighting for years.”
Clare Greenwood
Born on 17 October 1958, the Welsh rider was part of the British team that competed in the inaugural Tour de France Féminin in 1984, a race in which she participated four times. In a recent interview, she shared that the teams raced 18 stages on the same roads as the men, navigating without team radios or computers. Instead, she relied on spectators to inform her of her position in the race. With no team coaches or soigneurs, she humorously referred to the crowd as her “moving buffet,” providing her with essentials like water, tea, coffee, baguettes, and croissants. After her cycling career, she trained as a reflexologist, but cycling remained close to her heart, and she went on to win the World Masters Cycling Championship twice.
The beginning of women’s cyclo-cross
Cyclocross originated as a form of “steeplechasing,” where riders raced towards a landmark, often crossing obstacles like fences and rivers and taking any shortcuts they could find. The first official race took place in 1902, organised by a French soldier who established the inaugural French National Cyclocross Championships. However, it wasn’t until 1929 that the first women’s cyclocross race was held in Ville d’Avray, a western suburb of Paris, where 28-year-old Francine Even claimed the first trophy in this discipline. Despite this early milestone, the sport didn’t gain significant traction until women’s races were included in the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in 2000. This pivotal moment greatly contributed to the growth and popularity of women’s cyclocross.
WorldTour highlight videos
Catch up on the action from the Simac Ladies Tour right here!
