Spring classics 🤝 chaos
➕ Is Zaaf over already?
Hello! Welcome to Women’s Cycling Weekly! 🚴♀️
It’s that time of year that I never used to be bothered about but am now all about: the spring classics baby! And if De Panne yesterday is anything to go by it’s going to be 🔥
I’ll admit I was a bit sad not to see the Wiebes vs Kool showdown that I think a lot of us expected but the two-up teamwork masterclass that Pfeiffer Georgi and Megan Jastrab put on instead was 👩🍳💋 and I’m obsessed with Megan Jastrab excitedly exclaiming that she did her first echelon after destroying the field in the crosswinds on De Moeren.
I enjoyed our lil poll last week so let’s do another: What’s your fav race? (If you choose Gent-Wevelgem pls explain!!!!)
Amy x
News 📰
The snow-canceled GP Oetingen has been rescheduled to the 19th August.
New team Zaaf have reportedly not paid their riders or riders in full this season, and are being investigated by the Spanish Cycling Federation. If the issue is not resolved soon, the Federation will use the team’s UCI bank guarantee to pay their riders. Read more on this from Sadhbh O’Shea here.
Julie De Wilde and Alice Barnes are both out injured after their heavy crash in Brugge-De Panne on Thursday. De Wilde fractured her scapula, whilst Barnes underwent surgery on a broken radius, as well as receiving stitches in her lip.
The Women’s Tour crowdfunding campaign has tipped over the £15,000 mark - 15% of their goal.
Read 🗞️
Kaia Schmid on switching from skiing to cycling and her big goals in the sport.
ICYMI Tilda interviewed Tiff Cromwell for our subscriber-only content.
Cyclist Anne Apfelbeck put her life on hold to drive a van around Europe.
Listen 🎧
This one slipped the newsletter net last week but BETSY 💘
And previous podcast guest Jojo Harper also joined Dominique for a chat!
Maghalie Rochette and Zoe Backstedt discuss confidence in racing
And Wheel Talk ft. Tilda again!
Watch 📺
Kiwi Jess Blewitt is a newsy fave and Rob Warner is also gold in this
Get to know SD Worx’s rising Scottish star:
We hope Ella is alright after this!
And if you’re a subscriber to Prime Video NL, you can watch their new four-part documentary about SD Worx at the Tour de France Femmes.
Results 🏆
Road
Trofeo Alfredo Binda
Shirin van Anrooij (TFS)
Elisa Balsamo (TFS)
Vittoria Guazzini (FSF)
Classic Brugge-De Panne
Pfeiffer Georgi (DSM)
Elisa Balsamo (TFS)
Lorena Wiebes (SDW)
Tour de Normandie Féminin
Stage 2: Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT)
Stage 3: Shari Bossuyt (CSR)
Overall:
Cédrine Kerbaol (WNT)
Gladys Verhulst (FSF)
Martina Alzini (COF)
Upcoming races 📆
26th March: Gent-Wevelgem (1.WWT)
Starts 14.00 CEST, finishes ~18.00 CEST
Live on Eurosport/GCN+ from 16.15 CEST
Start list here
Preview here
29th March: Dwars door Vlaanderen (1.Pro)
Starts 14.50 CEST, finishes ~17.45 CEST
Live on Eurosport/GCN+ from 15.50 CEST
Start list here
Friday fun🕺
A lesson in believing in yourself x
Hope this man is okay and thank you for the laughs
That’s all 👋
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Amy and Tilda x
de Panne was really, really interesting and I wonder why Wiebes didn't help chase down Georgi when Balsamo flicked the elbow. And then she ignored Amalie as well (I think it was her, but in any event Wiebes clearly refused to help and then had the nerve to gesticulate at the group closer to the line). Either she didn't have the legs, doesn't like Balsamo and other riders, or maybe paying back her DSM buddies? Could be drama!
I found the race really interesting and read all the coverage I could find. Amy, your piece on CT was easily the best- most comprehensive, best-written, and entertaining. Thank you for putting in the effort.