15 Must-Watch Women's Cycling Events That Matter in 2025
"Wait, did women's cycling just become the most exciting sport to follow?" 🚴♀️ — Every new fan in 2025.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the explosion of women's cycling events suddenly filling your social feeds? Take a deep breath — you're exactly where you need to be!
The 2025 women's cycling calendar isn't just bigger—it's absolutely bursting with action. We're talking 28 top-tier events stretching across a massive 10 months of wheel-to-wheel battles. Pretty incredible, right?
From the season-opening fireworks at Santos Women's Tour Down Under to the goosebump-inducing revival of Milan-San Remo Women (back after a 20-year timeout!), this calendar tells the story of how far women's cycling has come. The heavy hitters are all here—Giro d'Italia Women, Tour de France Femmes, La Vuelta Femenina—races that have transformed from afterthoughts to absolute cornerstones since the WorldTour kicked off in 2016.
Ready to grab your calendar and block out the can't-miss race dates? Perfect! I've handpicked 15 events that promise edge-of-seat drama, history-making moments, and performances you'll be talking about for years.
Whether you've been following women's cycling since forever or just figured out which end of a bike points forward, these races will show you exactly why this sport is absolutely soaring in 2025!
Ready? Clip in and let's roll! 🚴♀️
Tour de France Femmes
Image Source: Freewheeling France
"Nine days of pure cycling drama across France? Sign me up!" 🤩 — Every women's cycling fan right now.
The Tour de France Femmes is back with a vengeance for 2025! Now in its fourth edition, this race isn't just getting longer—it's getting downright brutal. We're talking a monster nine-day challenge that'll push riders to their absolute limits from July 26 to August 3.
Did you know? This year's route covers an eye-watering 1,165km with a punishing 17,240m of elevation gain [29]. That's like climbing Mount Everest twice... and then some! The route cuts diagonally across France from windy Brittany all the way to the lung-busting Alps. Talk about a proper tour of the country!
Tour de France Femmes route highlights
Buckle up for a wild route in 2025! 🗺️
The action kicks off in Vannes, Brittany with two punchy stages guaranteed to create early fireworks. Interestingly, unlike previous years, there's no time trial this time around—but don't worry, they've more than made up for it with extra climbing challenges [29].
First up, riders tackle those short, sharp Brittany climbs (ouch!) before getting a brief respite with two flatter stages where the sprinters can shine [29]. But the real fun—or torture, depending on who you ask—starts on day five with the longest stage stretching a massive 166km [29].
And those final Alpine stages? Pure cycling heaven! Stage 8 finishes atop the monster Col de la Madeleine, while the grand finale throws in the dreaded Col de Joux Plane before ending in Châtel [29]. My legs hurt just thinking about it!
Tour de France Femmes top contenders
The starting line in 2025 is basically a who's who of cycling superstars!
Defending champion Kasia Niewiadoma has her sights set on making history as the first rider to grab back-to-back yellow jerseys in the modern Tour de France Femmes [30]. But breathing right down her neck is Demi Vollering, who's still probably having nightmares about losing by just four seconds in 2024's heart-stopping finale. She's moved to FDJ-SUEZ and is absolutely hungry for redemption [30].
🚨 Breaking news alert! The cycling world nearly fell off their bikes when Anna van der Breggen announced she's coming OUT of retirement to race for SD Worx-Protime [29]. Talk about plot twists!
Other serious threats include Elisa Longo Borghini (now with UAE Team ADQ), climbing sensation Gaia Realini, and—wait for it—Olympic mountain bike champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot making her road comeback [30][6]. This lineup is absolutely STACKED!
Tour de France Femmes historical significance
The Tour de France Femmes isn't just a race—it's a movement.
After hibernating for 33 years (yes, really!), the race roared back to life in 2022 and has been growing in prestige, coverage, and leg-breaking difficulty ever since [33]. The original women's Tour ran from 1984-1989 before various iterations tried (and mostly failed) to fill those yellow jersey-shaped shoes [34].
Now with identical jersey classifications to the men's race and the richest prize purse in women's cycling at €250,000, this isn't just another event on the calendar—it's THE race that's lifting the entire sport to new heights [33].
Giro d'Italia Women
Image Source: Giro d'Italia Women
Ever wondered what happens when you mix Italy's stunning landscapes with the world's toughest female cyclists? The Giro d'Italia Women gives us the delicious answer! 🇮🇹
This Italian Grand Tour has been dishing out drama for over three decades and returns in 2025 with a route that'll make both cycling purists and postcard photographers equally happy.
Giro d'Italia Women 2025 route
Nine days. 950 kilometers. One unforgettable Italian adventure.
The 2025 edition (June 13-21) takes riders on a journey that feels like a proper Italian feast—starting with the antipasto in Rome before the main courses across Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, finally serving up the challenging Dolomites for dessert.
The race organizers have cooked up a perfectly balanced menu: three flat stages for the speed demons, three hilly days for the punchy attackers, and three mountain stages where the climbing specialists can shine. Everyone gets their moment—that's what makes the Giro so special!
Giro d'Italia Women key stages
Let's talk about where this race gets really interesting:
Stage 4 brings the first major shake-up with a 15km individual time trial around Bologna. This is where seconds turn into precious gems for GC contenders.
Stage 6 might just be my favorite—it throws in those notorious white gravel roads of Tuscany. Think Strade Bianche vibes but in a stage race context. Bike handling skills? You'd better have them!
But the real beast lurks on Stage 8, the queen stage. Back-to-back climbs of the Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego before dropping into Cortina d'Ampezzo? With over 3,000m of climbing packed into one day? 🚨 That's where champions are made and dreams are shattered.
Giro d'Italia Women legacy in women's road cycling
The Giro's story is as colorful as the leader's maglia rosa itself!
Born in 1988 as the Giro d'Italia Femminile (or Giro Rosa to its friends), this race has weathered storms that would've knocked lesser events into oblivion. From years of reduced stages to the dark ages of minimal media coverage, the Giro stubbornly refused to disappear.
Look at the winners' list and you're basically reading a who's who of cycling legends: Marianne Vos, Anna van der Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten... If you've conquered the Giro, you've etched your name into cycling immortality.
The best part? Recent years have finally brought the television coverage this race deserves. Its elevation to WorldTour status means more eyes than ever are witnessing this beautiful Italian cycling opera unfold. For many riders, winning the Giro isn't just another victory—it's the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
La Vuelta Femenina
Image Source: La Vuelta Femenina
"From Challenge to Cornerstone" — that's the La Vuelta Femenina story in a nutshell! 🇪🇸
Remember when this race was just the little sister to the men's event? Those days are long gone! Since transforming from the Challenge by La Vuelta in 2023, this Spanish stage race has exploded into a must-watch spectacle. The third edition hits the roads from May 4-10, 2025, perfectly positioned as the first major women's tour of the season—getting the party started before the Giro and Tour de France Femmes join the fun [33].
La Vuelta Femenina 2025 format
Seven days. 748 kilometers. Endless Spanish drama!
The 2025 route sends riders cruising across northern Spain's gorgeous landscapes [34]. Things kick off with a bang in Barcelona—an 8-kilometer team time trial that'll immediately sort out who's brought their A-game [35]. After this explosive appetizer, the main course serves up a delicious mix of terrain: three mountain stages for the climbers and three rolling stages for, well, everyone else to have a shot [34].
Let's peek at the daily menu:
Stage 1: Barcelona team time trial (8km) – Short, fast, furious! [35]
Stage 2: Molins de Rei to Sant Boi de Llobregat (99km) – The hills are alive! [35]
Stage 3: Barbastro to Huesca (132km) – Flat as a pancake... but watch for that sneaky Spanish wind! [35]
Stage 4: Pedrola to Borja (111km) – Mountains start to crash the party [35]
Stage 5: Golmayo to Lagunas de Neila (120km) – Hello, high mountain finish! [35]
Stage 6: Becerril de Campos to Baltanás (126km) – Sprinters, this one's for you! [35]
Stage 7: La Robla to Cotobello (152km) – The grande finale with a mountain-top showdown [35]
That final stage deserves special attention—at 152km, it's the longest in the race's history! With over 2,500 meters of leg-burning elevation gain and finishing on the brutal Cotobello climb [27], even thinking about it makes my quads scream. This is where champions will be crowned and dreams will be shattered.
La Vuelta Femenina top teams to watch
The starting list reads like a who's who of women's cycling—23 teams total, with 15 WorldTeams, 4 Women's Pro Teams, and 4 Continental squads [34].
Some teams bringing extra firepower include:
SD Worx-Protime (they bossed the team classification in 2024)
Visma-Lease a Bike (featuring the seemingly ageless wonder Marianne Vos, who snagged the points jersey last year)
Lidl-Trek with podium regular Elisa Longo Borghini [37]
🚨 Big news for American fans! CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto is bringing star Chloe Dygert for her La Vuelta debut. Meanwhile, Movistar (racing on home soil) plans to unleash Marlen Reusser and Liane Lippert—both serious threats for the overall [37].
Of course, defending champion Demi Vollering looms large over the proceedings. After absolutely demolishing the 2024 edition with a nearly two-minute advantage, she's the woman everyone wants to beat [37]. Good luck with that, folks!
Just like its big brother, La Vuelta Femenina keeps things consistent with the same colorful jerseys: red for GC, green for points, polka dots for mountains, and white for best young rider [37]. Which ones will you be cheering for?
Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Image Source: IDL Procycling
"Why would anyone willingly ride a perfectly good bike over what feels like a medieval torture device?" — Every first-time Paris-Roubaix viewer 🤯
Welcome to the "Hell of the North," folks! Paris-Roubaix Femmes isn't just a bike race—it's cycling's most beautiful nightmare, scheduled for April 12, 2025. This legendary beast tests riders over 148.5 kilometers of punishing terrain, including a jaw-dropping 29.2 kilometers of bone-rattling cobblestones spread across 17 sectors [34]. Not for the faint of heart!
Paris-Roubaix Femmes cobbled chaos
Those cobblestones (or pavé if you're feeling fancy) transform this race into cycling's version of a lottery where luck matters almost as much as leg power.
Starting in Denain, riders first hit the brutal reality check at Hornaing—a monster 3.7-kilometer four-star sector that separates the brave from the truly insane [37]. But the real nightmares? Two five-star sectors that make dental fillings shake loose: Mons-en-Pévèle (49km from the finish) and the infamous Carrefour de l'Arbre (17km from the finish) [34].
These cobbled sections don't just challenge riders—they break them. The peloton shatters like glass, bikes snap like twigs, and dreams vanish in clouds of dust. As Cycling News perfectly put it, "luck is always a factor at Paris-Roubaix... the rider who wins must have some good fortune to avoid the almost inevitable mechanicals and crashes across the pavé" [38].
Paris-Roubaix Femmes past winners
In just five editions, this race has already created legendary stories:
2021: Lizzie Deignan (GBR) - Launched an absolutely bonkers 80km solo attack that left everyone picking their jaws up off the floor
2022: Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) - Attacked with 30km left when everyone else was seeing stars
2023: Alison Jackson (CAN) - Emerged from a small breakaway to score the biggest win of her career
2024: Lotte Kopecky (BEL) - Outsprinted five others in a finish that had us holding our breath
2025: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA) - Delivered the first French victory after a glorious 25km solo attack that had the home crowd in tears [38]
Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2025 expectations
The 2025 route? Carbon copy of 2024—same 17 cobbled sectors that rattle your fillings loose, but still no Trouée d'Arenberg (the men's race's most infamous sector) [34]. Maybe next year? 🤞
Ferrand-Prévot's victory wasn't just another win—it was a historic moment representing the first French Paris-Roubaix triumph since 1997 [38]. Her attack with 25km to go showed masterful bike handling that left commentators speechless [39].
🚨 Money matters! The prize purse has seen massive improvements since 2022 (jumping from a measly €1,535 to a more respectable €20,000 for the winner) [38]. Still, the race continues evolving toward proper parity with the men's event, although hurdles remain in course access, spectator numbers, and media coverage [14].
What makes Paris-Roubaix special? It's the one race where the strongest rider doesn't always win—but the winner is always, always strong.
Tour of Flanders Women
Image Source: Cyclingnews
"Vlaanderens Mooiste" — that's what the locals call it. "Flanders' Finest." And honestly? They're not wrong.
The Tour of Flanders Women returns on April 6, 2025, marking the 22nd time the women's peloton tackles this Belgian monster. This isn't just another race—it's a 168.8km battle across terrain seemingly designed to break both bikes and spirits, featuring 12 leg-shattering climbs and 7 sectors of those infamous Belgian cobbles [15].
Tour of Flanders Women iconic climbs
What makes Flanders legendary? The climbs. Oh, those beautiful, terrible climbs.
The Koppenberg stands like a medieval torture device in the middle of picturesque Belgian countryside—a mere 600 meters that feel like 6 kilometers, averaging a nasty 11.6% gradient with sections that rear up to a bike-stopping 22% [6]. Hard to believe this cobbled nightmare only joined the women's course in 2022, but it's quickly become the place where dreams either soar or shatter [16].
Then comes the final trio of misery that truly defines this race:
Oude Kwaremont: A 2.2km cobbled monster that appears three times, just in case you didn't suffer enough the first two times. Its 4.6% average gradient is the cycling equivalent of a wolf in sheep's clothing—feels manageable until those cobbles start jackhammering your entire body [6].
Paterberg: Just 360 meters long—about the length of a running track—but with a 12.9% average and sections hitting 20.3%, it's like trying to ride up a cobbled wall. Watch for riders zigzagging desperately or even putting a foot down here [6].
Taaienberg: Nicknamed "Bettini's Hill" after the Italian champion who loved attacking here, this 530-meter climb at 6.6% is where tacticians often show their cards [6].
Position is everything in Flanders. Miss a turn before Paddestraat or Doorn, and you might as well wave goodbye to your chances [6]. The best riders in the world know: being fifth entering a climb is perfect—being fifteenth is race over.
Tour of Flanders Women 2025 preview
The 2025 route sticks to tradition, starting and finishing in Oudenaarde [17]. After 55km of relative calm—the calm before the storm, if you will—the real race ignites with Edelareberg, followed by Wolvenberg and Molenberg hitting the peloton like body blows [18].
World Champion Lotte Kopecky enters wearing the target on her back, hunting for Flanders win number three after her stunning victories in 2022 and 2023 [19]. Her SD Worx-Protime squad is frighteningly strong, bringing sprint sensation Lorena Wiebes and—still hard to believe—comeback queen Anna van der Breggen [20].
But defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini just demonstrated her spectacular form with a dominant win at Dwars door Vlaanderen [21]. Her punchy climbing style seems tailor-made for these Belgian bergs.
Don't discount Kasia Niewiadoma, still stinging from her near-miss in 2024, or the technically brilliant Puck Pieterse, whose mountain bike skills make her a cobbles natural. And never, ever count out Marianne Vos—seemingly ageless and always dangerous when the road tilts upward [20].
In Flanders, the strongest doesn't always win—but the winner is always among the strongest. And the smartest.
Strade Bianche Donne
Image Source: CyclingUpToDate.com
"Is this a bike race or a Renaissance painting come to life?" — Every cycling fan watching Strade Bianche for the first time 🇮🇹
Nestled in the dreamlike hills of Tuscany, Strade Bianche Donne isn't just a race—it's pure visual poetry on wheels. The 2025 edition, scheduled for March 8, sends riders on a 136-kilometer journey between Siena's ancient walls, with a jaw-dropping 50.3 kilometers raced across dusty white gravel roads spread over 13 sectors [2]. If you painted a perfect cycling race, it might look exactly like this!
Strade Bianche Donne gravel sectors
Those magical white roads (strade bianche) aren't just pretty—they're downright devious! They demand a perfect balance of technical finesse and raw leg power that few races can match.
Big news for 2025! The route introduces the brand new Serravalle sector, adding an extra 10 kilometers of bone-rattling gravel compared to previous editions [2]. That's like saying, "You know what this brutally beautiful race needs? MORE BRUTALITY!"
Among these dusty challenges, the 9.5-kilometer San Martino in Grania stands as the undisputed heavyweight champion—a seemingly endless uphill gravel path cutting through the stunning Crete Senesi landscape [3]. It's the kind of stretch where dreams evaporate faster than water in the Tuscan sun.
Each sector brings its own special flavor of suffering:
That first 4.4-kilometer sector? A wolf in sheep's clothing—gentle at first glance but secretly prepping you for the pain to come [22]
The notorious Colle Pinzuto will have riders crying for their mamas with gradients hitting 15% on gravel [3]
Le Tolfe sector saves the cruelest punch for last with 18% ramps that have turned professional cyclists into walking cyclists [23]
Just when riders think they've survived the gravel circus, the real showstopper awaits. The final kilometer climbs through Siena's medieval streets via Santa Caterina, featuring a wall-like 16% gradient before that glorious descent into the breathtaking Piazza del Campo [2]. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!
Strade Bianche Donne race dynamics
Despite being the cycling equivalent of a toddler compared to century-old classics (born in 2015!), this race consistently delivers edge-of-seat drama thanks to its unique terrain cocktail [24].
The 2025 edition saw Dutch powerhouse Demi Vollering (FDJ–Suez) claim victory with a perfectly timed attack on that final brutal climb [2]. The timing was so perfect you could set your watch by it!
What makes this race special? It's the Swiss Army knife of cycling tests—riders need climbing legs, sprinting kick, descending courage, and off-road handling skills. Interestingly, while the men's version often crowns cyclocross specialists, the women's race has been dominated by road racing experts [25].
The tactical chess match between former teammates-turned-rivals Anna van der Breggen (now calling shots from the director's seat) and Demi Vollering added an extra layer of spice to recent editions [26]. Nothing like a little friendly competition to heat things up, right?
When the dust settles in Siena's historic piazza, the winner isn't just another champion—they're an artist who's mastered cycling's most beautiful canvas.
Olympic Women's Road Race
Image Source: Olympics.com
"Five rings, one golden dream, and the entire world watching—what could possibly be more nerve-wracking?" — Every Olympic cyclist ever 🏅
The Olympic Games stand tall as the absolute pinnacle of women's cycling achievement. It's where the world's most elite riders gather every four years for what many consider their career-defining moment. After the heart-stopping drama of Paris 2024, all eyes now shift toward the next Olympic cycle and the critical preparation years ahead.
Olympic women's cycling road race 2025 location
Hold up—2025 isn't an Olympic year, right? Correct! But it marks something equally historic as Kigali, Rwanda becomes the first African city to host the UCI Road World Championships (September 21-28) [27]. This groundbreaking event isn't just another race—it's crucial preparation for riders with Olympic dreams simmering in their hearts.
Big news for women's cycling development, too! 2025 introduces separate races for Women Under-23 riders at these championships [27]. Previously, these young talents had to battle alongside the Elite women (talk about being thrown into the deep end!), but now they'll have their own dedicated competitions. Think of it as creating a clearer pathway toward future Olympic glory.
Olympic women's cycling qualification and format
Getting to the Olympics isn't as simple as being really, really good (though that helps!). The qualification system is a mathematical puzzle that would make Einstein scratch his head.
The women's road race allows for 90 total participants with a maximum of four cyclists per nation [28]. Here's how countries earn their golden tickets:
UCI Road World Ranking top 5 nations hit the jackpot with 4 spots each [28]
Nations ranked 6-10 get a respectable 3 spots each [28]
Nations ranked 11-20 receive 2 spots each [28]
Nations ranked 21-45 get at least 1 spot each [28]
The host nation automatically snags two quota places—no qualification needed! [29]
For perspective, the 2024 Paris course stretched 158km with 1,700 meters of climbing across nine named ascents [30]. Riders tackled three challenging circuits in central Paris, including the iconic Montmartre area where tourists usually sip coffee, not watch elite cyclists suffer [30].
Olympic women's cycling medal contenders
The next Olympics might seem distant, but certain riders have already established themselves as medal magnets.
Kristen Faulkner made American cycling history in Paris 2024, becoming the first U.S. rider to claim road racing gold in a mind-blowing 40 years [31]. Talk about breaking droughts!
World Champion Lotte Kopecky arrived at Paris 2024 with superhero-like ambitions, targeting medals across multiple disciplines (road race, time trial, AND track events) [30]. When most of us can barely manage a Monday morning commute, she's out here dominating entirely different cycling disciplines!
The Dutch squad? They're basically the Avengers of women's cycling, consistently fielding dream teams including Demi Vollering, the seemingly ageless Marianne Vos, and sprint sensation Lorena Wiebes [30].
Yet what makes Olympic road racing so magical is its unpredictability. With no race radios and limited team support [32], it's cycling stripped back to its purest form—tactical instinct, raw strength, and sometimes, a bit of good old-fashioned luck. This unique format creates the perfect stage for stunning upsets and career-defining performances when the pressure hits maximum.
The five Olympic rings represent the ultimate cycling dream—but the journey there runs straight through Kigali in 2025.
UCI Road World Championships
Image Source: UCI
"103 years of waiting, and finally cycling's biggest show lands in Africa!" 🌍 — Every cycling fan with a sense of history
For the first time EVER in its century-plus existence, the UCI Road World Championships will plant its rainbow flag on African soil when Kigali, Rwanda hosts this prestigious event from September 21-28, 2025 [33]. This isn't just another race on the calendar—it's a watershed moment that promises to reshape women's cycling while leaving a lasting legacy across an entire continent.
Women's cycling world championship 2025 venue
Did you know? Kigali sits at a lung-busting 1,850 meters above sea level [34], creating what organizers are boldly calling "the hardest UCI Road World Championships ever" [33]. (And that's saying something!)
The Rwandan capital isn't just a random pick—it's a vibrant cycling hotspot where the sport has been absolutely exploding in recent years. This choice finally fulfills UCI President David Lappartient's dream: "Bringing the World Cycling Championships to the African continent has been my vision for many years" [34]. Better late than never, David!
Women's road race and ITT breakdown
The women's competition kicks off with a bang—the Elite Individual Time Trial on Sunday, September 21, covering 31.2km with 460m of elevation gain [35]. Here's the full women's menu (warning: contains serious climbing):
September 21: Women Elite Individual Time Trial (31.2km, 460m elevation) — The appetizer!
September 22: Women U23 Individual Time Trial (22.6km, 350m elevation) — Youth gets its chance
September 23: Junior Women Individual Time Trial (18.3km, 225m elevation) — Future stars on display
September 25: Women U23 Road Race (119.3km, 2,435m elevation) — Not your average development race!
September 27: Junior Women Road Race (74.6km, 1,520m elevation) — Shorter but no less brutal
September 27: Women Elite Road Race (164.6km, 3,350m elevation) — The main event with ALL the climbing [35]
🚨 Big development alert! 2025 marks a breakthrough moment with the introduction of dedicated Women Under-23 races [27]. Previously these riders had to battle the elites (talk about being thrown into the deep end!), but now they get their own showcase. Progress!
The Elite Women's road race blasts off at 12:05 local time, tackling 11 laps of the Kigali circuit but—interestingly—bypassing the infamous Mur du Kigali [34]. Still plenty of pain to go around, trust me!
Top riders to watch at the world championships
Looking at recent performances, a few names jump straight off the page as potential rainbow jersey wearers.
Demi Vollering, now with her new FDJ-Suez family, brings climbing legs that seem tailor-made for a course where oxygen feels like a luxury item [37]. World Champion Lotte Kopecky enters as perhaps the most versatile athlete in the entire peloton—her mind-blowing 2024 haul of 16 victories speaks volumes [37].
Fresh from her Tour de France Femmes triumph, Kasia Niewiadoma brings that trademark aggressive style that could rip the peloton to pieces on Kigali's challenging terrain [37]. With the brutal combination of high altitude and significant climbing (3,350m of elevation gain—that's basically riding up a small mountain!), this course demands complete riders who can both soar uphill and descend like falcons [34].
Keep your eyes peeled for rising talents too! Climbing sensation Gaia Realini and Belgian powerhouse Julie De Wilde are both hungry to make history on this groundbreaking African stage [37]. The rainbow jersey has never been harder to win—or more significant to claim!
Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition
Image Source: Cyclingnews
"Welcome to Dutch Limburg—where the roads twist like pretzels and your legs burn like fire!" 🔥
The Ardennes Classics week kicks off with the Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition on April 20, 2025, when the women's peloton tackles the roller-coaster roads of Dutch Limburg. As the Netherlands' only Women's WorldTour one-day race this season, Amstel sits in that perfect sweet spot where neither pure climbers nor dedicated sprinters have a clear advantage [38]. It's cycling's version of a perfect compromise—yet totally uncompromising in its demands.
Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition course profile
The 2025 route sticks to its tried-and-tested formula: a leg-breaking 157.3-kilometer journey from Maastricht to Berg en Terblijt, featuring not one, not two, but a whopping 21 categorized climbs totaling 1,840 meters of elevation gain [39]. That's a lot of up-and-down for a country famous for being flat!
At the heart of this race beats the iconic Cauberg—a short but vicious climb that riders must conquer four separate times [40]. Just when you think you've seen it all, the 2025 edition throws in the Nijswillerweg climb early as a new surprise. But don't be fooled—the familiar punishment begins halfway through when Kruisberg, Eyserbosweg, Fromberg, and Keutenberg arrive like body blows in quick succession, softening up riders before they hit those local finishing laps [38].
The final circuit? An 18-kilometer loop around Valkenburg combining the Geulhemmerberg, Bemelerberg, and (you guessed it) Cauberg climbs [40]. That final ascent of the Cauberg comes with just 2.7 kilometers to go [41]—perfectly positioned for someone brave enough to launch that race-winning move.
One fresh twist for 2025: the women will ride the newly-named Mathieu van der Poel allee before descending via the Daalhemerweg toward that final Cauberg showdown [42]. I wonder if it gives you any of van der Poel's attacking powers just by riding on it!
Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2025 favorites
The starting line in 2025 looks like a who's who of cycling superstars:
Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) – Still haunted by that premature celebration that cost her victory in 2024 [8]. Ouch! But her spring campaign has been nothing short of spectacular with wins at Sanremo Women, Gent-Wevelgem, and Classic Brugge-De Panne [38]. She's not just out for a win—she's out for redemption.
Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) – The defending champion and only two-time winner of the modern race [38]. At this point, Vos entering her 19th professional season [10] feels like watching a cycling legend who's decided aging is optional.
Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) – Won here in 2023 during her historic Ardennes triple [40]. After her high-profile move from SD Worx, she returns to familiar hunting grounds with climbers like Juliette Labous providing firepower [41]. That team change adds extra spice to an already tasty rivalry.
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) – The world champion took second here in 2023 and brings a versatility that makes race planners tear their hair out [8]. Too fast to drop, too strong to contain—what exactly is the strategy against her?
Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) – Recently bounced back from a concussion suffered at Tour of Flanders, her punchy style makes Amstel's terrain look custom-designed for her strengths [10].
What makes Amstel so fascinating is that delicate tightrope walk—can pure climbers distance the faster finishers on the Cauberg, or will powerful sprinters like Wiebes hang tough and contest a reduced group sprint? The dramatic 2024 finale showed exactly how this knife-edge balance creates unforgettable racing [38].
The beauty of Amstel? You never really know until that final trip up the Cauberg...and sometimes not even then!
La Flèche Wallonne Féminine
Image Source: Cyclingnews
"When someone asks if you climbed the Mur de Huy, they're really asking if you've stared cycling hell in the face—and survived." 😱 — Every rider who's ever tackled this beast
Smack in the middle of Ardennes week comes cycling's ultimate 90-second power test: La Flèche Wallonne Féminine. Penciled in for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, this legendary race celebrates its 28th edition as a must-win WorldTour event that has every climbing specialist circling their calendar in both excitement and dread [43].
La Flèche Wallonne Féminine Mur de Huy challenge
The 2025 course delivers 140.4km of Belgian punishment, starting and finishing in Huy with a tooth-grinding 2011m of total elevation gain [43]. But let's be real—this entire race revolves around one fearsome feature: the Mur de Huy, a soul-crushing 1.3km wall averaging a ridiculous 9.9-10% gradient [43].
What makes this race particularly evil? Riders must conquer this monster TWICE—first as a mid-race warmup at 103.5km and then again at the finish when their legs are screaming for mercy [44]. It's like being told to climb Mount Everest, then do it again just when you thought you were done!
While eight categorized climbs dot the route [44], supporting players like the côte d'Ereffe and côte de Cherave are merely the opening acts. The real headliner is that final ascent of the Mur, where timing is absolutely everything. Launch your attack too early? Watch your dreams evaporate as rivals swallow you up. Wait too long? The race slips through your fingers like water. This isn't just a climb—it's a chess match played at 180 heartbeats per minute.
La Flèche Wallonne Féminine past champions
Talk about Flèche Wallonne, and one name towers above all others: Anna van der Breggen. Her seven consecutive victories from 2015-2021 [7] might be the most dominant streak in women's cycling history. How do you win the same race seven times in a row? By being an absolute master of the Mur, that's how!
After three years calling shots from the team car, the cycling world nearly exploded when van der Breggen announced her return from retirement for 2025, hunting an unprecedented eighth title [45]. If she pulls it off, they might as well rename the climb "Mur de Breggen"!
Other multiple champions include:
Marianne Vos (Netherlands) - 5 victories [46] (Is there any race this woman HASN'T won multiple times?)
Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) - 3 victories [47]
Fabiana Luperini (Italy) - 3 victories [47]
Recent winners create a who's who of climbing talent:
2024: Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) [7] - Finally conquered the Mur after years of near-misses
2023: Demi Vollering (Netherlands) [7] - Part of her incredible Ardennes triple
2022: Marta Cavalli (Italy) [7] - Announced her arrival as a climbing superstar
In an extraordinary twist, 2025 brings all four recent champions head-to-head in direct competition [48]. Talk about a stacked field! Don't forget persistent podium collectors Elisa Longo Borghini and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, both desperately hunting that elusive victory after so many near-misses [48]. Their hunger might just be the most dangerous weapon of all.
The Mur doesn't care about your reputation or past victories—it only respects those who can perfectly time their effort on its punishing slopes. Who will master the wall in 2025?
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes
Image Source: www.liege-bastogne-liege-femmes.be
"They don't call it 'La Doyenne' (The Old Lady) for nothing—she's beautiful, historic, and will absolutely break you if you don't respect her." — Every cyclist who's tackled this monster 🇧🇪
Crowning the Ardennes Classics trilogy, Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes stands as the grandest, toughest test of them all, ready to unleash its fury on Sunday, April 27, 2025 [1]. Now in its ninth edition, this prestigious WorldTour battle sends riders on a brutal 152.9km journey from Bastogne straight into the heart of Liège.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes Ardennes finale
Ten categorized climbs. 152.9 kilometers. Zero mercy.
This race doesn't waste time with pleasantries! Just 15km after the neutral zone ends, riders hit the Côte de Saint-Roch—a rude 11.2% gradient wake-up call that basically screams "Welcome to the Ardennes, hope you brought your climbing legs!" [9]
But the real suffering? That's saved for the final 50km. Around the 100km mark comes a quartet of climbs that would make grown cyclists weep: Côte de Mont-le-Soie, Côte de Wanne (3.6km at 5.1%), Côte de Stockeu (a wall at 1km with 12.5% gradient), and Côte de la Haute-Levée (2.2km at 7.5%) [49]. Four climbs, barely a moment to breathe between them. Ouch!
Then lurks the legendary Côte de la Redoute—1.6km at 9.4% average that has shattered dreams and created legends [9]. The road literally painted with fans' encouragements, this iconic climb has historically been where winning moves are born.
But wait—there's more! Just when riders think they've survived the worst, the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons delivers the final knockout punch: 1.3km at 11% [9]. From there, it's a white-knuckle 5km dash to Liège where champions are crowned and legends are written.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2025 contenders
The 2025 edition promises an absolutely mouth-watering battle with one notable absence—defending champion Grace Brown hung up her wheels after a perfect 2024 finale that included Olympic time trial gold [1]. Talk about going out on top!
With the throne vacant, two former queens are eyeing the crown: two-time winners Demi Vollering (now in her new FDJ-SUEZ colors) and—still hard to believe—Anna van der Breggen making her racing comeback with SD Worx-Protime [50]. I'm still pinching myself about that comeback!
The rainbow jersey of world champion Lotte Kopecky adds extra sparkle to an already stellar lineup [1]. Her ability to both climb with the best and sprint from a reduced group makes her a nightmare for race planners.
UAE's Elisa Longo Borghini returns with revenge on her mind after agonizingly missing victory in 2024 [51]—you can practically see the determination radiating from her.
What makes this race particularly fascinating is how it favors complete riders—those with climbing legs, tactical smarts, and the endurance to still have something left after 150km of punishment [52]. The course is simply too hard for pure sprinters but not quite selective enough for pure climbers. It's cycling's perfect middle ground.
Don't sleep on Kasia Niewiadoma (fresh from conquering the Mur at Flèche Wallonne), Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner, or rising French stars Juliette Labous and Évita Muzic [50]. In a race this demanding, sometimes fresh legs trump experience!
When La Doyenne speaks on April 27, the strongest, smartest rider will answer—and write her name into cycling legend.
Simac Ladies Tour
Image Source: Cyclingnews
"In the Netherlands, we don't have mountains—we have wind. And trust me, it hurts just as much!" 💨 — Every Dutch cyclist ever
Strategically positioned in early September, the Simac Ladies Tour stands as the crown jewel of Dutch stage racing, showcasing six days of tactical brilliance from September 2-7, 2025 [11]. This Women's WorldTour event celebrates its 27th birthday in 2025 [4], continuing the tradition of delivering edge-of-seat racing across pancake-flat terrain where the invisible enemy—wind—often determines who's smiling and who's crying at day's end.
Simac Ladies Tour Dutch cycling showcase
Ever wondered what happens when you race in a country where bikes outnumber people? The Simac Ladies Tour gives us the perfect answer!
This race holds special significance as the most prestigious multi-day event in a nation where cycling isn't just a sport—it's practically written into the DNA. Born back in 1998 to complement the World Championships in Valkenburg [53], the race has grown up nicely, earning its WorldTour stripes in 2017 [53].
Dutch dominance? You bet! Just look at the recent winners list:
2024: Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) — OK, she's Belgian, but practically Dutch cycling royalty!
2023: Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) — Yes, she defended her title. Because she's Lotte.
2022: Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands) — Sprint queen supreme
2021: Chantal Blaak (Netherlands) — Tactical mastermind
2019: Christine Majerus (Luxembourg) [54] — The exception that proves the rule
But results only tell half the story! This race showcases what makes Dutch racing special—the art of riding in echelons (if you don't know what that is, picture a diagonal line of cyclists desperately trying not to get blown into a ditch), the knife-fight positioning battles on narrow roads, and that signature Dutch resilience against North Sea winds that would blow your grandma to Germany.
The current lineup features world champion Lotte Kopecky, sprint sensation Charlotte Kool, and rising stars like Zoe Bäckstedt, who briefly rocked the leader's jersey in 2024 [55]. Not too shabby!
Simac Ladies Tour stage profiles
The 2025 route? Six consecutive stages entirely within the Netherlands [11]. No border-crossing required—there's enough drama right here!
Traditionally, things kick off with an individual time trial—usually around 10km—that establishes those crucial first time gaps [56]. After that? Flat, flat, and more flat... but don't you dare call it boring!
What makes this race fascinating is how unpredictable it remains despite minimal elevation gain. Remember the 2024 edition? Stage 5 turned into absolute chaos when crashes sidelined both Kopecky and Kool [55]. That's Dutch racing for you—flat doesn't mean safe!
In previous years, organizers have occasionally thrown in the VAM-berg—literally a man-made climb built on a former garbage dump—adding some vertical spice to an otherwise horizontal menu [57]. Only in the Netherlands would they look at trash and think, "Hey, let's make cyclists suffer on this!"
For 2025, expect a mixed bag of sprint-friendly highways to heaven, interspersed with potentially devastating wind-swept stages where GC contenders must stay hyper-alert or kiss their dreams goodbye. The beauty of this race isn't in what you can see (hills), but what you can't (crosswinds).
One thing's for sure—in a country where the highest point is basically a speed bump, the Simac Ladies Tour proves that flat terrain can create some of cycling's most fascinating battles!
Tour of Britain Women
Image Source: Cyclingnews
"British racing is back—and this time, it's heading north!" 🏴 — Every UK cycling fan in 2025
Remember when the Women's Tour suddenly disappeared from the calendar? Those dark days are officially over! The Tour of Britain Women makes its triumphant return as a four-day celebration of cycling from June 5-8, 2025, marking a massive win for the women's racing calendar [12]. After the original Women's Tour sadly folded in 2023 due to those pesky financial gremlins [12], British Cycling swooped in like superheroes to resurrect this beloved event.
Tour of Britain Women 2025 return
Big news for geography fans! For the first time ever, this race ventures beyond England into bonnie Scotland [58], writing an exciting new chapter for this WorldTour event.
The adventure begins in gorgeous North Yorkshire on June 5, with riders setting off from the lush Dalby Forest, then cruising across the stunning North York Moors National Park before hitting the finish line in Redcar [58]. Talk about postcard-perfect scenery!
Stage 2 keeps things local with a route entirely within Tees Valley, finishing with that leg-burning uphill sprint at Saltburn-by-the-Sea [58]. (Pro tip: if you're spectating, bring snacks—watching riders suffer up that final climb will work up your appetite!)
Stage 3 takes the peloton across the border into Scottish territory, with both the start and finish in the picture-perfect market town of Kelso [59]. The locals are already planning their roadside parties!
The grand finale? Glasgow baby! On June 8, riders will tackle ten fast-and-furious laps of an 8.4-kilometer city center circuit [58]. This represents a historic first—bringing elite women's cycling right into the beating heart of Scotland's largest city. The atmosphere will be electric!
Tour of Britain Women prize parity and coverage
Here's where things get really exciting—and about time too!
In a move that has cycling equality advocates cheering, British Cycling aims to extend the Tour of Britain Women to a full six days by 2025 [5]. This would finally establish complete parity with the men's Tour of Britain [5]. As British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton perfectly put it: "This would bring full parity to the events after our decision to align the event names this year—something which is fundamental to our vision for major cycling events in Britain" [5].
And we're not just talking about race duration—full parity means matching prize money too [5]. Though honestly, the Women's Tour was already leading the equality charge years ago. Way back in 2018, they achieved equal prize money with the men's event, boosting the women's purse from €35,000 to a much more respectable €90,000 [60]. Talk about being ahead of the curve!
Who's racing? The rumor mill suggests 2024 champion Lotte Kopecky will be back to defend her crown, with superstars like Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma likely joining the party [61]. With terrain that suits punchy riders and a mix of sprint and climbing opportunities, this race promises to be anything but predictable.
From near extinction to thriving expansion—the Tour of Britain Women's comeback story might just be the feel-good cycling tale of 2025!
Tour de Romandie Féminin
Image Source: CyclingUpToDate.com
Switzerland doesn't just make chocolate and watches—they also craft some of the most beautiful suffering in women's cycling! 🏔️
Nestled in the jaw-dropping Swiss Alps, the Tour de Romandie Féminin returns August 15-17, 2025 [62] as the ultimate late-summer climbing test. Despite being the new kid on the block in women's cycling, this three-day mountain festival has quickly become the event where climbing specialists come to shine and GC contenders come to prove themselves.
Tour de Romandie Féminin mountain stages
Have you ever looked at a mountain and thought, "I'd love to ride a bike up that"? Well, the Tour de Romandie organizers certainly have!
The mountain stages here showcase Switzerland's mind-blowing Alpine landscape in all its brutal glory. Historically, it's the second stage that delivers the decisive climbing test that shapes the entire race. Just look at 2024—the queen stage from Chippis to Vercorin covered 101.9km with enough elevation to make your quads scream for mercy [63]. On that day, Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky battled to the finish line, separated by just seconds after all that climbing [63]. Talk about drama!
What makes Swiss climbs special? Unlike the punchy walls of La Flèche Wallonne, Switzerland serves up long, sustained climbs where you can't fake fitness or hide weaknesses. The 2025 route will continue this tradition of lung-busting ascents set against those picture-perfect Swiss landscapes. Pretty scenery has never caused so much pain!
Tour de Romandie Féminin race evolution
Born in 2022 as part of the men's race 75th birthday party [64], this event hasn't wasted any time establishing itself as serious business. The first edition jumped straight into the deep end with a circuit in Lausanne, a monster mountain stage to Thyon 2000, and a final day from Fribourg to Geneva [64]. No gentle introduction here—they came out swinging!
By 2024, the event was attracting cycling's biggest stars. Demi Vollering conquered the queen stage while Lotte Kopecky (is there anything this woman can't win?) snagged both the overall title and best climber classification [65]. SD Worx-Protime practically owned the podium that year, with Vollering and Kopecky taking the top two spots ahead of climbing sensation Gaia Realini [65].
As the race enters its fourth year in 2025, its position in the calendar is pure genius—perfectly timed for riders seeking climbing form before the World Championships in Rwanda. The world's best climbers now circle this race in their calendars as a must-do event.
For a race still in its cycling childhood, Tour de Romandie Féminin has grown up remarkably fast. But in a country known for its precision, would you expect anything less than perfectly executed cycling suffering?
Tour of Chongming Island
!Image
Image Source: Cyclingnews
"Wait, a completely flat stage race? Is that even allowed in women's cycling?" — Every climber checking the WorldTour calendar 😅
As the European season winds down, the Women's WorldTour takes a thrilling detour to Asia for the Tour of Chongming Island from October 14-16, 2025. This three-day sprint festival unfolds on China's breathtaking Chongming Island, nestled right where the mighty Yangtze River embraces the East China Sea.
Tour of Chongming Island sprint-friendly terrain
If you're a climber, maybe skip this section—it might give you nightmares!
The defining feature of Chongming? Flat. Flat. And more flat. We're talking pancake-level flat across all three stages. This race doesn't just favor sprinters—it practically sends them engraved invitations to come collect UCI points!
Each stage traverses terrain so horizontal you could use it as a spirit level, virtually guaranteeing three consecutive bunch gallops to the line. With no mountains to create time gaps, the general classification battle becomes a game of seconds—or rather, fractions of seconds. That KOM jersey? Might as well leave it in the suitcase!
But don't mistake simplicity for boring! What makes Chongming fascinating is how placement and bonus seconds become the entire ballgame. Teams transform into tactical masterminds, targeting intermediate sprints where bonus seconds can secure favorable GC positions without necessarily winning stages. It's chess at 45 mph!
For pure sprinters, this race is basically heaven—three chances in three days to throw your hands up at the finish line. No wonder teams with powerful lead-out trains circle this race in bright red on their calendars! Recent champions include Marta Lach (2024), Chiara Consonni (2023), and sprint queen Lorena Wiebes (2019)—each showcasing that magical combination of perfect timing, raw power, and nerves of steel.
Tour of Chongming Island Asian cycling spotlight
More than just another race, the Tour of Chongming Island stands proud as the only Women's WorldTour stage race on the entire Asian continent! After a forced three-year vacation during the COVID pandemic, the race bounced back in 2023 and has reclaimed its strategic position as the European season's exciting Asian epilogue.
The starting list always features a fascinating mix—typically four WorldTour teams, thirteen continental squads, and one Chinese national team. This unique blend creates priceless opportunities for developing teams to test themselves against the big dogs while banking crucial UCI points. For many riders from smaller teams, this race represents their Olympic moment—a chance to shine on cycling's biggest stage.
Chongming Island itself? Pure visual poetry. The backdrop combines centuries of Chinese history with stunning natural landscapes. But this race isn't just about pretty scenery—it serves as women's cycling's ambassador to Asia, bringing world-class competition to new fans and inspiring countless young Asian cyclists watching from roadside.
In a sport dominated by European races, Chongming stands as proof that women's cycling is truly becoming a global phenomenon. And if you're a sprinter, those flat roads are calling your name!
Comparison Table
"Wait, my cycling calendar is getting full... which races should I absolutely not miss?" — Every women's cycling fan planning their 2025 viewing schedule 📺
Feeling overwhelmed by all these amazing races? Don't worry! I've put together the ultimate cheat sheet to help you navigate the packed 2025 women's cycling calendar. From cobbled classics to Grand Tours, here's your at-a-glance guide to the season's most thrilling showdowns.
Event Name |
Date (2025) |
Location |
Distance/Duration |
Key Features |
Defending Champion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tour de France Femmes |
July 26 - Aug 3 |
France (Brittany to Alps) |
1,165km / 9 days |
17,240m elevation gain, no time trial |
Kasia Niewiadoma |
Giro d'Italia Women |
June 13-21 |
Italy (Rome to Verona) |
950km / 9 days |
3 flat stages, 3 hilly stages, 3 mountain stages |
Not mentioned |
La Vuelta Femenina |
May 4-10 |
Spain |
748km / 7 days |
Team time trial start, mountain finish at Cotobello |
Demi Vollering |
Paris-Roubaix Femmes |
April 12 |
France |
148.5km |
29.2km cobblestones across 17 sectors |
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot |
Tour of Flanders Women |
April 6 |
Belgium |
168.8km |
12 climbs, 7 cobbled sectors |
Elisa Longo Borghini |
Strade Bianche Donne |
March 8 |
Italy |
136km |
50.3km white gravel roads across 13 sectors |
Demi Vollering |
Olympic Women's Road Race |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A (2025 is not Olympic year) |
Kristen Faulkner (2024) |
UCI Road World Championships |
Sept 21-28 |
Kigali, Rwanda |
164.6km (Elite Road Race) |
First African host, 3,350m elevation gain |
Not mentioned |
Amstel Gold Race Ladies |
April 20 |
Netherlands |
157.3km |
21 climbs, 1,840m elevation gain |
Not mentioned |
La Flèche Wallonne Féminine |
April 23 |
Belgium |
140.4km |
Multiple ascents of Mur de Huy (9.9% gradient) |
Kasia Niewiadoma |
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
April 27 |
Belgium |
152.9km |
10 categorized climbs |
Grace Brown |
Simac Ladies Tour |
Sept 2-7 |
Netherlands |
6 days |
Flat terrain, wind-exposed stages |
Lotte Kopecky |
Tour of Britain Women |
June 5-8 |
Britain/Scotland |
4 days |
First-time Scottish stages, Glasgow finale |
Lotte Kopecky |
Tour de Romandie Féminin |
Aug 15-17 |
Switzerland |
3 days |
Alpine mountain stages |
Lotte Kopecky |
Tour of Chongming Island |
Oct 14-16 |
China |
3 days |
Flat sprint stages |
Marta Lach |
Notice something? Lotte Kopecky appears as defending champion for THREE different events! The world champion has been absolutely dominating the scene. And speaking of dominance, look at April—it's basically wall-to-wall classics with Flanders, Roubaix, Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège all packed into a single month. Talk about a spring explosion of cycling goodness!
Whether you're a fan of bone-rattling cobbles, lung-busting climbs, or flat-out sprints, the 2025 calendar has something special waiting for you. Print this table, stick it on your fridge, and start planning those viewing parties now! 🎉
Conclusion
"Is women's cycling having its golden moment?" 🌟 — Every cycling fan watching the 2025 season unfold
What. A. Time. To be a women's cycling fan!
2025 isn't just another year—it's a landmark season where 15 premier events showcase just how far women's cycling has evolved. From the bone-rattling cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the oxygen-deprived climbs of Tour de Romandie Féminin, each race brings its own special flavor of cycling drama.
The historic UCI Road World Championships in Kigali deserves special mention—after 103 years, elite women's racing finally touches African soil! If that doesn't give you goosebumps, check your pulse!
Prize money? Getting better! Race coverage? Expanding! Calendar spacing? More thoughtful than ever! The 2025 schedule brilliantly allows riders to target their specific strengths, whether that's sprinting like a rocket at Chongming Island or climbing like a mountain goat at La Flèche Wallonne.
Perhaps most exciting is the perfect storm of talent—established superstars battling rising phenoms while legends like Anna van der Breggen return from retirement. The women's peloton has truly never been stronger, deeper, or more tactically fascinating.
When we look back at women's cycling history, 2025 might just be the year we point to and say, "That's when everything changed." The perfect combination of prestigious classics, multi-stage epics, and groundbreaking new events creates not just a season calendar, but an exciting roadmap for where this sport is heading.
One thing's crystal clear: women's cycling isn't just growing—it's absolutely soaring.
Ready for the ride? The peloton certainly is! 🚴♀️✨
FAQs
Q1. What are the most prestigious women's cycling events in 2025? The Tour de France Femmes, Giro d'Italia Women, and La Vuelta Femenina are considered the most prestigious stage races. For one-day classics, Paris-Roubaix Femmes and Tour of Flanders Women stand out as monuments of the sport.
Q2. Where will the 2025 UCI Road World Championships be held? The 2025 UCI Road World Championships will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, marking the first time the event will be held on African soil. It's scheduled for September 21-28 and is expected to be one of the most challenging courses in recent history.
Q3. How has prize money in women's cycling improved? Many events have made significant strides towards prize parity. For example, the Tour of Britain Women aims to match the men's event in both duration and prize money by 2025. The Tour de France Femmes now offers the richest prize purse in women's cycling at €250,000.
Q4. Which riders are expected to dominate in 2025? While competition is fierce, riders like Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky, and Kasia Niewiadoma are expected to be strong contenders across various events. The return of Anna van der Breggen from retirement also adds intrigue to the 2025 season.
Q5. How has the women's cycling calendar evolved for 2025? The 2025 calendar features an impressive 28 top-tier events spread across 10 months. New additions and expanded formats, such as the Tour of Britain Women growing to potentially six days, demonstrate the sport's continued growth and development.
References
[1] - https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/tour-de-france-femmes
[2] - https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-femmes-2025/preview/
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[27] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Strade_Bianche_Donne
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