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Movistar Team has announced its entry into the cyclocross season, featuring Cat Ferguson. The U19 Cyclocross World Championship runner-up will make her debut in the Elite/U23 category, taking on a demanding calendar that includes eight World Cup events, one of which will be the team’s home race in Benidorm. Ferguson will kick off her campaign on the weekend of 15 December, competing in the XCO Trophy in Herentals and the World Cup in Namur. She has stated: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of Movistar Team for this cyclocross season. The trust they’ve placed in me, and the backing they’re offering, is clear in their willingness to explore something new this winter and tackle the muddy fields of Belgium. As this is my first year in the Elite/U23 category, I’m excited to compete, learn, and improve – without the pressure of immediate results.”
After dealing with health challenges in 2024, Australian rider Georgie Howe of Liv AlUla Jayco will take a break from the WorldTour in 2025. The former rower turned pro rider only picked up cycling a few years ago, and will focus on other goals next year, which she is yet to reveal.
Lidl-Trek became the first WWT team to unveil their new kit for 2025 last week. Designed and crafted by Santini, the updated kit retains the core colours of red, blue, and yellow, but with a refreshed design. While the 2024 jersey featured a predominantly blue base with yellow sleeves and a red band, the 2025 version sees red taking a more prominent role throughout, giving the kit a bold new look.
Akea B&B Hotels has announced its 2025 squad, which features 14 riders in its women’s roster. In addition to a strong French contingent, the team also features riders from Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Finland, reflecting its international reach and diverse talent pool.
EF-Oatly-Cannondale is determined to build on its success next season and is confident that a blend of youthful energy, fresh talent, and seasoned veterans will help to elevate its performance in 2025. “This is my dream roster,” said EF-Oatly-Cannondale general manager Esra Tromp. “We have a young, dynamic group alongside experienced riders, creating a perfect balance. The team is a mix of diverse characters and nationalities, each bringing their own strengths to the table. What stands out is their openness to learning—from one another, with one another, and growing together. That’s crucial for success.”
It’s official! FDJ-SUEZ will ride Specialized next season. Stephen Delcourt, General Manager of the French squad, has stated: “This partnership represents a tremendous opportunity for our team to reach new heights by combining our strengths and expertise to achieve our ambitious goals. This is a relationship built on trust, driven by innovation, and dedicated to supporting the ambitions of our athletes and the sport of cycling as a whole.”
Team SD Worx – Protime has signed Laura Stigger for one year. The 24-year-old Austrian rider has excelled in mountain bike cross country, while also showing her talent on the road. At the 2018 World Championships in Innsbruck, she took the world junior title on the road. She has commented: “It was super special to immediately take the world title in my own region at my first real introduction to the road. I am now curious to see what I am worth in the elite category on the road. It’s nice that I can discover that while I can still continue my mountain bike career with the Specialized Factory Racing Team.”
Tamara Dronova has extended with Roland Cycling Team. The squad has commented: “A true leader and road captain, Tamara embodies team spirit and sharing. Always eager to pass on her experience to the group, she plays a pivotal role within Team Roland. In 2025, she will embark on her fifth season with the team, driven by ambitious goals after a 2024 season that fell short of her expectations. With her sights set firmly on the future, Tamara aims high, targeting success in both the classics and Grand Tours, ready to take on new challenges and lead her team to victory.”
Elena Pirrone will remain with Roland Cycling Team. The squad commented about the extension of its contract with the 25-year-old Italian rider: “In her third year with the Roland team, Elena Pirrone continues to impress. A former world junior champion in road racing and time trials, she has performed well in the colours of the Roland Pro Cycling Team, with a landmark victory in the Grand Prix of Stuttgart, podium finishes in the Italian time trial championships and the GP El Salvador, and a remarkable performance in the 2024 Tour of Flanders, where she spent a large part of the race in the lead. In 2025, Elena is aiming even higher, with her sights set on shining in the time trials and asserting herself in the classics, as she continues to progress among the best.”
DAS – Hutchinson – Brother UK will be parting ways with Brother UK moving into 2025. The team has stated that it is proud to see the sponsor focusing on the development of cycling, continuing as the main sponsor of Team On Form. “It’s been an amazing year, and a privilege to represent Brother UK as a title sponsor. Their commitment to the sport has been valued by so many teams over the years, and we’re glad to have been part of the journey.” The team also farewells Handsling Bikes next year, commenting “We’ve had an incredible partnership with Handsling Bikes for the past two years. The belief they’ve had in our team has helped us go from strength to strength, both in the UK and abroad. We’re proud to have worked alongside Handsling over the past few years. Our shared goals, motivations and ambitions have helped us achieve more than we ever imagined.” The squad will share news about its new partners shortly.
Julia van Bokhoven signs for DAS – Hutchinson – Brother UK. Julia has had a long journey back from injury, but is determined to make a strong comeback and continue her development with the squad, particularly on hilly terrain. She comments: “The environment focuses on development and positivity, aiming to improve step by step. I believe this suits me very well and am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and new adventure. I already feel a lot of trust from the team and look forward to working together in 2025”
Ellie Parry will also be joining the team from the Watersley R+D Cycling Team, where she has spent the past three years gaining valuable experience. She had a strong 2024 season, with particularly strong performances at the British Road Championships, where she finished fourth in the U23 ITT, and was the fifth U23 rider in the road race. She comments: “I was really impressed by the positive vibe within the team and how well they race together. I think there’s a lot of potential for success in 2025 and I’m excited to get stuck in.”
Bodine Vollering, the younger sister of Demi Vollering, will ride for VolkerWessels starting in 2025. The 21-year-old rider has signed a two-year contract with the Dutch team. She began her career at Parkhotel Valkenburg, the predecessor of VolkerWessels and spent the past few seasons as a club rider for WV Schijndel. “Bodine rides very strongly uphill, which she also showed in several races last season,” said Team Manager Raymond Rol in a press release, “we see a lot of potential in her and expect her to continue to grow in the coming years to keep up with the top.”
Katie Archibald has announceed that after three years with CERATIZIT WNT spanning four UCI Track Champions League seasons, this weekend will be her final outing as a rider for the German squad. In an Instagram post, she wrote: “I’ve benefitted from Ceratizit’s support over the most challenging years of my career. The team’s advice, patience, professionalism and, more that anything, their sense of the big picture has delivered me as a stronger rider on the other side of it all… I’m so proud of all the wins we’ve had together. Thank you CERATIZIT WNT – here’s to one more good weekend!”
Kim de Baat will take on a new role as Talent Coach of the Junior Women’s Program at Belcian Cycling, as its High Performance structure takes further shape.
A new UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite in Peru has opened its doors. This new UCI WCC Satellite will be in charge of developing cycling in South and Central America, and joins a worldwide network that now comprises nine Continental Development Satellites and a Regional Development Satellite.
The reigning Olympic mountain bike champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, is making her return to road racing with Visma | Lease a Bike, and has one clear goal at the top of her wish list: winning the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. “I signed for three years,” she said, “and during that time, I really want to be the best I can be and aim for that victory. Now it’s all about hard work, and I know I’m capable of putting in the intense training required. You never know until you’ve given it everything.” Approaching her 33rd birthday in February, Ferrand-Prévot is undaunted by her age or by the fact that she hasn’t competed in a stage race since 2018. For her, the challenge is a matter of preparation, and she’s ready to take it on.
The 5th edition of the GP Oetingen, set for 12 March 2025, has been officially unveiled. The race will enter a new era after being elevated to UCI ProSeries status. With that came a new title sponsor: Ixina. In addition to the name change, there are also several exciting updates for this edition. For the first time, the race will depart from Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, while the finish line will remain in the heart of Oetingen. The organisers have also secured participation from 12 WorldTeams, a significant milestone for the event. “We’re thrilled to be recognised as part of the UCI ProSeries,” said the event organiser. “Our long-term goal is to reach WorldTour status, though we know this will be a challenge, especially with the UCI’s restrictions on the number of races in Belgium.”
The conceptual course for the 2026 Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst has been revealed. It will be partially built on newly acquired farmland, and the cost of the newly planned course will run up to 6.8 million Euros.
Last week, Anna van de Breggen was spotted in Rwanda pre-riding the Worlds course for 2025. One of the reasons for her visit was to promote the Dutch Cycling Federation’s partnership with the ”Right To Play” organisation. “Right To Play is starting a campaign called Power to Pedals and we are here to launch the campaign. The goal is to help get children on bikes, especially girls. I think that is especially nice. Women often have even less chance to do that kind of thing,” she said about her trip.
Unbound Gravel, held annually in Emporia, Kansas, USA, is widely regarded as the world’s premier gravel event. Entries are now open for Heathland Gravel, the only European qualifier for Unbound. Set to take place from 8 to 10 August in Maasmechelen, in the far east of Belgium’s Limburg province, Heathland Gravel will showcase some of Flanders’ finest gravel roads, along with several timed sections designed to challenge even the most seasoned riders. To earn a spot at Unbound Gravel, participants must compete in the longest distance of Heathland Gravel, a challenging 160km course. Fifty percent of the qualifying spots will be awarded based on performance, determined by times on the event’s timed segments. The remaining 50% will be allocated randomly. This unique format provides an opportunity for European riders to earn a place at Unbound Gravel.
Results
UCI World Cup Dublin
Elite: Lucinda Brand (NED) ahead of Fem Van Empel (NED) and Zoe Bäckstedt (GBR)
Junior: Lidia Cusack (USA) ahead of Lison Desprez (FRA) and Rafaelle Carrier (CAN)
GP Guerciotti Brembate
Elite: Rebecca Gariboldi ahead of Carlotta Borello and Lucia Bramati (all ITA)
Junior: Elisa Ferri ahead of Elisa Bianchi and Elisa Giangrasso (all ITA)
Voxwomen Cycling Hub
Exciting news! Voxwomen has just launched the Voxwomen Cycling Hub, a paid membership packed with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, discounts, and more. By joining, you’re not only unlocking premium perks, but also directly supporting the growth of women’s cycling. Don’t miss out on this chance to dive deeper into the sport you love and be part of a community that’s driving real change. Sign up today and help us elevate women’s cycling together!
Blog
Sarah Gigante reflects on her 2024 season, from notching up 29,000km on the bike to conquering the Tour Down Under on Willunga Hill. Find out her fastest race, biggest season surprise, favourite off-bike moments and Duolingo streak! Check out her latest blog right here.
Voxwomen Club
Calling all cycling enthusiasts! Join the Voxwomen Club for some exciting upcoming rides. The next one is coming up soon, so find out more here
This week in cycling history
Rachel Laura Atherton
Born on 6 December 1987, Rachel Atherton is a legendary downhill MTB racer who began competing at just five years of age, inspired by her two brothers. A former multiple national champion, European champion, and UCI World Champion, she is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport. In June 2016, Atherton made history by becoming the first woman to win ten consecutive rounds of the World Cup. Later that year, she achieved the unprecedented feat of winning every round of a World Cup season. After suffering an injury in 2019, she took a three-year break from racing. However, she made a triumphant return in September 2022 at the Lenzerheide World Cup, securing an impressive sixth place. Atherton also co-founded Atherton Bikes, which manufactures bicycles in the U.K. and following on from that, opened the DYFI Bike Park, a place for downhill mountain bike enthusiasts.
WorldTour highlight videos
Catch up on the action from the Tour of Guangxi right here.
