A successor to Elin van Dijk will be sought on the Baloise women’s tour next week. The stage race begins on Wednesday 12 July, with an evening prologue in Vlissingen, Netherlands, followed by the apotheosis in Diens on Sunday 16 July.
No less than seven WorldTour teams will travel to Belgium to test their level in the women’s Tour de France: Jumbo-Visma, Lidl-Trek, DSM-Firmenich, Liv Racing, Fenix-Deceuninck, UAE Team ADQ and Movistar.
“Interest in women’s cycling continues to grow,” said organizer Gert Stevens. It is believed that this is also evident from the list of participants.
“The field looks very nice,” he said. “Of the 24 teams at the start, seven have WorldTour status. Ten teams will also participate in the Tour de France after the Women’s Baloise Tour.”
“Some great names are at the top of the list,” Stevens continued. “Elisa Balsamo, who was crowned world champion in Leuven two years ago, will normally resume the women’s Baloise Tour after her fall at the London Ride Classic.”
“There is no shortage of fast women: Charlotte Cole, Emma Norsgaard and Martina Fidanza. Other tenors at the start include British champion Georgie Pfeiffer, Polish champion Monika Brezna and Lucinda Brand.”
“We are also pleased that so many world-class cyclists are taking part in our stage race in preparation for their winter campaign. We are thinking of Marion Nobert-Ribrol, Annick van Alphen, Laura Verdonschut and Alicia Frank.”
