Oh goodness me, the Classics have begun!
I think if you were to ask a cyclist what they thought of the Classics, and they’d respond it was like Christmas. Indeed, those who live in Flanders Fields always enjoy the celebration. It’s the month of heaving crowds along the Paterberg, barbequed lunches on the Oude de Kwaremont and frites aplenty.
The Flemish Classics ensure the riders enjoy every part of Belgium. The roads, the cobbles and, if it is wet, the wonderful taste of Belgian road grit. Eat the Classics while you race the Classics? Yum.
The Flemish Classics are just around the corner, but first we must debrief the Italian counterparts. We crowned a new queen of Milan-San Remo Donne on Saturday. Lorena Wiebes wears the crown for the race, while Puck Pieterse collects the downhill QOM on the Poggio with an eye-watering speed of 53.6 km/h. You can read all about the race with Kit Nicholson’s debrief.
Unfortunately, there were crashes aplenty due to the tension in the bunch and grimy roads. I wish all those who touched down a speedy recovery.
While all this racing was going on in Italy, Belgium hosted a couple of races that collected interesting results …
Racing roundup
Nokere Koerse
Lotte Kopecky stamped her authority on this race last year, with a late attack on the cobbles on a slippery day in Belgium. With no Kopecky this year, and no Wiebes (another prior victor), it was anyone’s guess who would take line honours.
The 134 km course began in Deinze before finishing with a tough uphill sprint into Nokere. A nervous peloton expected a hard race, with many riders viewing it as an opportunity for a top result in the absence of those top riders who were prepping for Milan-San Remo.
FDJ-Suez, SD-Worx Protime, UAE Team ADQ, CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto and Lidl-Trek had a solid start list with the likes of Zoe Bäckstedt, Marta Lach, Marie Le Net, Lara Gillespie and Emma Norsgaard. This was the time for Le Net to show her class as a backable option in those fast finishes for FDJ-Suez, and Gillespie to continue her show of form after an impressive UAE Tour.
The peloton was twitchy, with many crashes happening on the fight into sectors and just general nerves. The latter of the aforementioned duo (Gillespie) even gave herself a little ice bath in a canal at 15 km to go after getting pushed in on a right-hand turn on small roads. Perhaps that was performance enhancing, given the end result … Nothing like ice-cold Belgian canal water to make you more alert!
The whole peloton was on alert as Aniina Ahtosalo tried again for Uno-X Mobility to split the group on one of the many flat cobbled sectors. The young Finnish rider is always excellently positioned in these races, and Uno-X Mobility is in serious form this year. Reports from within the peloton suggest they are a different team to previous years. The risk of relegation is lighting a fire of motivation to push the envelope in the chase for points.
We also saw the likes of Floortje Mackaij of Movistar have a squeeze off the front. We haven’t seen a lot of the Dutch rider in 2025; hopefully there is more to come as the Spring Classics get well and truly underway. Lidl's Anna Henderson was wise to Mackaij’s antics, latching onto her wheel and using it for a springboard of her own attack. After sitting out M-SR, she is no doubt fully committed for the big three coming up (Classic Brugge-De Panne, Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders).
Zoe Backstedt really showed her worth in this race, proving her domestique ability impressively shutting down moves essentially solo. The likes of Henderson and Zanetti only had to look behind to see the Red Bull helmet, hunting.
The finish was uphill, and certainly stung the legs of the peloton. Lach found herself alone, but was ‘happily’ sitting on Zanetti’s wheel. Once the Swiss rider opened up her sprint, Lach patiently waited until ~80 m to go before stepping around and claiming victory. Gillespie took third.
Didn’t I say this was an opportunistic race for those second-tier riders in teams to show themselves? This is Lach’s first win with SD-Worx Protime and she has underlined her own name as a rider to use throughout the year for the Dutch outfit.
Midwest Cycling Classic
A smaller race, and new on the calendar for 2025 is the Midwest Cycling Classic. 134 km starting from the city of Ghent, Belgium, the race was predicted to be a bunch kick. With no wind to influence the day, that seemed inevitable. There were smaller teams on the start list - predominately continental and development teams. This provided further unpredictability as riders such as Eugenia Bujak or Team Cofidis attempting to disrupt those with bunch sprint ambitions.
The race, however, did some down to a sprint in Oostrozebeke. A photo finish was required to separate the two leaders crossing the line. Abby Mickey’s draft rider Scarlett Souren of VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling Team was judged to cross the line first, ahead of Martina Alzini of Team Cofidis. Lonneke Uneken from SD-Worx Protime rounded out the podium.
Racing continues ...
... at the Classic Brugge-De Panne. The Sprinters' World Championship! Brugge-De Panne (or known simply as De Panne) is, for lack of a better phrase, pancake flat. The only ‘climbs’ are highway overpasses. Average speed is typically in the realm of 44 km/h. The fight for position is fierce and you can be sure the weather is the key player in this race.
How is it won? The race is for the sprinters, but it has been won by a breakaway, notably in 2021 with Grace Brown of Team BikeExchange tossing the coin in a late attack that proved successful. If the wind is up, you can be sure De Moren is where the action will occur, if not earlier. That stretch of road is technically below sea level, in the Belgian marshes. Open, rough road with the valley of death down the middle. The race is won or lost here. Indeed, a reduced bunch was able to strong arm their way clear in the echelons of 2023 along De Moren. Pfeiffer Georgi then went on to take the win with a late attack from that group of five.
Typically, if the weather behaves, it is a bunch sprint into the line. Sprinters need their teams in this race, with massive accelerations required for pinch points along the way. One cannot win this race alone.
When: March 27th, 13:00 CET
Distance: 162 km from the city of Bruges with a long lead into the local laps around the city of De Panne, with multiple passes through the feared De Moren section.
How to watch: TNT Sports (UK), Max (US), FloBikes (CAN)
Weather predictions: At the time of publishing, the weather looks to be behaving. Dry roads, reasonable temperatures. The wind will be the key focus as it picks up to around 20 km/h as the riders hit the marshes.
If there was an ‘echelon watch’ for any race, it would be this one. We can never truly know how the wind will behave until we’re out on the road, and it depends how teams ride the wind - yet the wind on De Moren does not seem to be strong enough to warrant echelons.
Riders to watch: It’s all about the fast finishers and lead out trains for De Panne! Yes, sure, a team might have a long range breakaway as a backup option, but this race is all about the sprinters. Charlotte Kool (Picnic-PostNL) has never won this race. Perhaps this is the year she steps up? There will be stiff competition: Lorena Wiebes (SD-Worx Protime) will be fresh off her victory at M-SR. Two-time winner Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) has come with a full contingent of lieutenants to help her make it three. Dark horses would include Georgia Baker of Liv AlUla Jayco, Maike Van der Duin (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) and Linda Zanetti (Uno-X Mobility).
This has to be one of my favourite races to watch and race. While on paper it looks simple, it is anything but. I can’t wait to watch it unfold.
Gent-Wevelgem
This is probably one of the most underrated of the cobbled Classics. From the start location to the Kemmelberg to the bunch politics at play on the run into the line - this race is impossible to predict. The race is almost 170 kilometers in length, the same length as the Tour of Flanders, and one of the longest races on the Women's WorldTour calendar.
The race has changed somewhat in recent years, with the organisers sending the riders down De Moren on their run into the laps of the Kemmelberg. The 2024 edition had this addition and it caused absolute chaos. Expect much of the same, and I’ll explain why once we get to the weather forecast and start list.
The race always has a sombre tone to it. Those who are familiar with the Allied forces from World War I will know the archway riders stand under before the race gets underway. The Menin Gate holds great symbolism. It is a monument to those Allied forces who lost their lives in the establishment of the Ypres Salient, a key battle line. Riders stand silent as the Last Post is performed followed by a minute of silence. In wet weather, it is quite dramatic as the peloton shelters from the elements.
How is the race won? Gent-Wevelgem is always marked by attrition. Survive De Moren? You’ll have to last the fast approach into the laps of Kemmelberg. Survive that, and you have one side of the Kemmelberg to summit. Splits occur there, with a regrouping before the second ascent. The steeper side of the berg always proves pivotal with breakaways forming. The run into Ypres is typically crosswind, followed by headwind into Wevelgem. However, this year it is a tailwind run into the finish line. While those who breakaway on the Kemmelberg can last until Menen, they are hard pressed to make it to the line. Yet, with this push from behind, I fear whatever goes on the Kemmelberg will stay away.
When: March 29th, 13:20 CET
Distance: 169 km from the Menin Gate to Wevelgem. The riders will venture north, before cutting south along De Moren into the local laps of Kemmelberg. Then it is about 30 km into Wevelgem.
How to watch: TNT Sports (UK), Flobikes (US and CAN); SBS (AUS)
Weather predictions: In short, this could light up. The weather is looking prime for an entertaining race. The moist roads, coupled with crosswinds on De Moren, cold temperatures and a tailwind into the finish line is a recipe for something special.
Crosswinds will wreak havoc before the local laps. The tailwind off De Moren will make it very difficult for riders who are dropped to find their way back. But it is a Classic, and one never knows. You just have to keep riding.
Riders to watch: It is tough to ride for a singular leader in a Spring Classic. The racing is so unpredictable, and anything can happen. Due to this, many teams will have dual-pronged attack should one option be incapacitated.
Lotte Kopecky (SD-Worx Protime) continues her campaign with this Spring Classic. She will be a hard bet to pass, especially with the likes of Marta Lach and Lorena Wiebes – who could also be victors in their own right – backing her up. Young Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) could have a good showing here. Additionally, Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) would be tough to beat in a reduced bunch sprint, or a late long-range attack. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) has done well at this race previously, so will be looking to better her result with an almost-all Australian squad. Her teammate, Jeanne Korevaar is lining up. She has been on flying form and I can’t wait to see her take her opportunities this year. Imogen Wolff for Team Visma-Lease a Bike will be interesting to watch, as will Cat Ferguson for Team Movistar. The battle of the 18-year-olds commences. Team Picnic-PostNL are coming with Charlotte Kool and Pfeiffer Georgi. Options for a reduced sprint and breakaway.
Lastly, the classiest rider in the bunch, Elisa Longo-Borghini will be taking to the start line with UAE Team ADQ. A stacked list, inclement weather and an unpredictable race. Must be the Classics.
Other sporting news
Sorry to harp on about March Madness, but it’s heating up! And stats from the 2024 edition have been released by Front Office Sports and Alexis Ohanian (husband of Serena Williams) which shows that the 2024 final had over 4 million more viewers than the men's championship.
The tournament is well and truly underway. Notre Dame, Duke, Kansas State and South Carolina have booked their places in the Sweet Sixteen. Projections expect UCLA and University of Connecticut to join them. Other spots are up for grabs!
Will UConn nab their first March Madness championship since 2016, headed by Paige Buecker and phenom freshman Sarah Strong? Can USC persevere despite the loss of star JuJu Watkins to a devastating season-ending knee injury? Or will South Carolina back up their 2024 victory under the unflappable coach Dawn Staley? Don’t miss out on the action!
Alpine World Cup - Sun Valley
Lindsey Vonn is now the oldest female skier in history to podium at an Alpine World Cup. The American Olympic Champion retired from the sport, but 2,565 days after that retirement, she was back and fighting for a medal in the Super G finals at Sun Valley. She finished second at 40 years of age. Vonn now has 138 World Cup podiums to her name. Every sport has its legends.
Wheel Talk podcast
This week the team will debrief Milan-San Remo Donne, including THAT pull from Kopecky, the synergy between SD-Worx Protime, the lack of synergy between Team Visma-Lease a Bike and Elisa Long-Borghini’s heartbreak. Afterwards, Bruges-De Panne and Ghent-Wevelgem are previewed, with some spicy weather on the cards…
So what's my take?
A new section, call it a chance to ‘throw the cat amongst the pigeons.’ I’ll throw out an opinion on a topic, express my view, and wait with the popcorn for the response. If you’ve seen Subway Takes, you’ll know what I’m on about.
This week, kicking things off with this: sport does not have the luxury of morality when it comes to funding boosts.
Women’s sport is a booming business these days. As you’ll read about below, Deloitte released their latest report on the state of play in a dollar amount. It estimates US$2.35 billion as the valuation for women’s sports by the end of 2025. That’s an increase from $1.88 billion in 2023. Still behind when compared to men’s sports, but the gap is closing.
Europe and other regions are still lagging behind North America. That continent holds 59% of the market share. Additionally, sports other than basketball and soccer make up the minority. Applying this to the Women’s WorldTour, we are seeing massive gains by way of business revenue, salaries, broadcast coverage and sponsorship deals. However cycling, like many sports outside of the soccer / basketball sphere, still requires all hands on deck to remain afloat.
This brings me to a conversation I was having with a prominent marketing executive at the Paris Olympic Games. We were eating alfresco, on the heaving streets of Paris on a lovely summer evening debating whether or not Rowing Australia, Swimming Australia and many of the Olympic sports had the luxury of turning away financial endowments from mining tycoon Gina Rinehart, of Hancock Prospecting. Rowing Australia have not, indeed many letters have been penned thanking Mrs Rinehart for her contribution. Hancock Prospecting and the Rinehart family have a coloured history. Lang Hancock, father of Rinehart (whose net-worth is now $29.1 billion USD), was a known racist. Hancock Prospecting has also been wrapped up in turmoil, accused of misleading the public by advertising their gas was ‘clean.'
Hancock Prospecting was just an example we used in our somewhat heated debate: does sport have the luxury of a moral footing when deciding on key sponsors?
Does women's cycling have the luxury to choose its sponsors, even when the optics become uncomfortable?
Cycling has its own raft of issues in this space. Santos is the name sponsor to the Santos Tour Down Under; AlUla (a tourism town in Saudi Arabia) is a title sponsor of women’s and men’s WorldTour Teams, Liv AlUla Jayco and Jayco AlUla. Shell is a key partner to British Cycling, UAE is the title sponsor of UAE Team ADQ and UAE Team Emirates XRG, and Bahrain Victorious enjoys a solid pot from the Gulf state of Bahrain.
Cycling, as we know it, requires a huge amount of funding to get off the ground. Indeed, Team Jayco AlUla unveiled exactly how many resources they require each season just to function: 60,000 bidons, 800 jerseys, 200 bikes, three buses, three trucks and 18 cars. That doesn’t include the amount it costs to enter into each race, the ratio of specific staff to riders, etc. It’s not cheap. For the race organisations, there is the cost of housing riders, closing roads, ensuring enough safety staff are on hand, logistics are nailed and, crucially, there’s enough food for the riders to perform!
It is an expensive sport to run. Craig Foster, broadcaster, former Socceroo and current advocate for environmentally clean sport, partnered with the New Weather Institute to publish a report investigating the prevalence of ‘dirty’ money polluting sport. Cycling was found to be guilty of $486 million in active sponsorship deals with entities within or associated with the fossil fuel industry. The average length of the contracts were the longest at 6.83 years. One of the biggest regions funding this is the Persian Gulf. UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have in some cases openly admitted to sportswashing by associating their companies with sport teams or stars in the name of increased visibility and notoriety. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia was quoted in Foster’s report stating, “If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we’ll continue doing sportswashing.”
Money talks.
This is such a wicked problem. I am part of the generation who abhors anything to do with damaging our climate. This is our home, and I want to protect it for generations to come. Additionally, I also have staunch values on humanity and morality. A student of the ancient philosophers, I do believe in living a virtuous life. Yet, I have been a recipient of the money these ‘dirty’ companies have given sport. I was an athlete of Rowing Australia, rowing every day out of the Hancock Prospecting Women’s Training Centre in Penrith, Australia. Additionally, I was a professional cyclist for Team Liv AlUla Jayco – a team partnering with a country that has a known and public history of human rights issues and climate damage. I doubt either of my experiences could have had the resources they did without input from these behemoths.
I live in a state of dissonance. Yet, I know that women’s cycling isn’t ‘big’ enough yet to go against the tide and refuse these partnerships. That’s not to say it cannot be done. The Diamonds (Australia’s Netball team) however, did just that when one of their players, an Indigenous athlete, refused to play with Hancock Prospecting on her uniform given the founder, Lang Hancock’s, attitude to the Indigenous population of Australia. The resulting dispute rocked the sport financially, impeding their new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The players drove this, and they stood by their teammate.
However, due to the cash footprint required for cycling, the sport relies on these partnerships. Are we at a point to stand for morality when these funding options become available? My point is: the money will be going somewhere. In my opinion, better it goes into advancing women’s sport.
A picture worth a couple of words
Marianne Vos. The GOAT. She began racing in 2006. The original edition of Milan Sanremo Donne, then named La Primavera Rosa, was cancelled in January of that same year. Fast forward 19 years and she finally raced it. 155 km along the Italian coastline, battling up the Cipressa and Poggio to the adoration of the fans. Culminating in a dramatic run-chase-sprint to the line in Sanremo.
Marianne Vos now can say, after 19 years in the peloton, she has raced Milan Sanremo Donne.
Who runs the world?
Continuing on the success of women’s sport is the new report from Deloitte, released last week. The numbers, again, don’t lie that investment in women’s sport is a good business move. Women’s sport is estimated to be valued at $2.35 billion USD. This is a 240% increase in only 24 months. Majority of this amount will come from commercial revenue, 25% will come from broadcast and 21% from match day sales.
The really interesting stat for this readership is the geography split. North America will hold 59% of the $2.35 billion share. Europe stands at 18%, with APAC and the rest of the world making up the rest. Europe includes sports such as cycling, women’s soccer, nordic skiing, etc. However 44% of the huge valuation rests with basketball, feeding that 59% North American share. Soccer amounts to 35% with other sports rounding out the remaining 21%.
We still have a ways to go to elevate cycling to even inch closer to the likes of basketball and soccer. We are making moves, however. The viewership of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is increasing year-on-year. Female cyclists are now an attractive ‘get’ for brands to increase their revenue. Race organisations are treating the women’s peloton with the same respect as the men’s. Times are changing, we have to keep pushing.
Until next time ... Lastly, I would like to extend my well wishes to Fem van Empel as she takes time away from racing. There has been no explicit reasoning as to why she is taking time away, however any rider that is vulnerable enough to publicly admit bike racing isn’t everything, is a winner in my book. We need to normalise our athletes showing they are indeed human, and support them in that. Elite sport makes up a slither of our lives. We must care for ourselves for the rest of it.
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