The Simac Ladies Tour, first run in 1998 as the Holland Ladies Tour, was created to give the Netherlands a home stage race that matched the strength of its riders and teams. Wim van Duivenbode and Leo van der Wal helped drive its founding, recognising that the country’s dominance in women’s cycling needed a showcase beyond one-day races. The very first stage, a 4.6 km prologue in Ter Aar, was won by Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, though it was Elsbeth Vink who claimed the first overall title. That set the tone for a race where both Dutch stars and international champions would leave their mark.
Through the years, the roll of honour has featured a blend of homegrown and foreign winners. Marianne Vos tops the list with four overall victories, while names such as Mirjam Melchers, Chantal Blaak, Ellen van Dijk and Annemiek van Vleuten underline the depth of Dutch success. Abroad, figures like Petra Rossner, Kristin Armstrong and Lisa Brennauer have also stood on the top step, showing its international prestige. The race has also been a hunting ground for sprinters, with Ina-Yoko Teutenberg’s fourteen stage wins still the record.
Sponsorship has reshaped the name over time, from Profile and BrainWash to Boels Rental, before Simac came on board in 2021. Since then, it has been the only stage race on the Women’s WorldTour calendar in the Benelux, elevating its profile further. It has also been closely tied to the World Championships, often scheduled in September as a dress rehearsal for riders fine-tuning form. With its mix of flat roads that can split in crosswinds, lumpy circuits, and at least one decisive time trial, it has consistently rewarded the most rounded riders in the peloton.
Previous Winners
2024
Lotte Kopecky
2023
Lotte Kopecky
2022
Lorena Wiebes
2025 Simac Ladies Tour Stage Profiles
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Live TV Coverage
Tuesday 2nd September to Sunday 7th September 2025
Live on Discovery Plus/Max/TNT Sports across most of Europe
Stage 1: 12:30-14:15
Stage 2: 13:30-15:15
Stage 3: 13:30-15:15
Stage 4: 12:30-14:15
Stage 5: 12:00-13:45
Stage 6: 13:30-15:15
All times in BST
Twitter: Updates
Startlist: FirstCycling
2025 Simac Ladies Tour Contenders
Lorena Wiebes as the standout name in the SD Worx line-up and very much the favourite to take overall honours. She’s already won the GC here in 2022 and racked up eight stage victories at the race – three of them coming last year alone. The Dutchwoman has mastered the mix of technical roads, narrow finishes, and bunch gallops that define this event, and will almost certainly be the benchmark across the flatter days. Barbara Guarischi will likely reprise her usual lead-out duties for Wiebes, but it’s worth remembering she won a stage here last year from a late break – proving she can take opportunities when they arise. Femke Gerritse might be handed similar freedom, especially if Wiebes has a comfortable grip on GC. Gerritse’s results in 2025 speak volumes – wins at the Vuelta, Volta NXT Classic and Omloop van het Hageland underline her finishing speed and ability to navigate tough finales. Blanka Vas is another option for the team. After a quiet stretch of racing, her win at the Tour de Romandie Féminin hinted at a return to form, and she’s the sort of versatile rider who could threaten from a reduced group or a solo move.
The Lidl-Trek line-up looks built around options for both stage wins and the overall, with Elisa Balsamo returning as a key figure in the sprints. She won a stage here in 2023 and was 9th overall last year, though her repeated second-place finishes behind Wiebes suggest she’ll need something special to topple the Dutch sprinter this time. The team’s real GC potential lies in the time trial, with both Riejanne Markus and Ellen van Dijk historically strong here. Markus was 4th in GC in 2022 with a stage win to her name, while van Dijk – now in the final weeks of her road career – remains a serious threat against the clock. She was 5th overall last year, 3rd in 2021, and could sign off in style if she hits top form. Lucinda Brand is the wildcard, likely stage hunting as she sharpens her form ahead of the cyclocross season. The combination of sprint depth, GC pedigree and attacking options makes Lidl-Trek one of the most well-rounded squads in the race.
Back for another run at Simac, Zoe Backstedt lines up as Canyon SRAM zondacrypto’s clear GC leader after a dominant showing at the Baloise Ladies Tour, where she won the overall classification and three of the five stages. She already has a strong pedigree here, finishing 3rd in 2024 and 5th the year before, and her breakthrough time trial win last season showcased the kind of foundation she can build a GC challenge around. Backstedt’s progression across all terrains this year suggests she could go even better this time. For the flatter stages, Chiara Consonni is the sprint option. She last won a Simac stage in 2019 and has struggled to replicate that success since, with just two other top-5s across several editions. While she lacks consistent results here, her recent sprint performances elsewhere make her worth watching if she gets to contest the line. The tactical balance between GC and stage hunting will likely dictate how much support she receives.
AG Insurance-Soudal bring a more opportunistic line-up, and there’s a good mix of time trial ability and finishing speed in the squad. Shari Bossuyt will likely be their primary option in any mass finishes, returning to the race after DNFing on Stage 1 back in 2022. Her sprinting form has improved steadily since then, and she’s increasingly comfortable in chaotic finales. Marthe Goossens, fresh off 3rd overall at the Baloise Ladies Tour, could be a real factor if time gaps are tight heading into the TT. She’s always been a strong time triallist, and her GC ambitions will depend on how much she limits losses on the punchier stages. Ilse Pluimers and Nicole Steigenga both offer attacking options – Pluimers is often the team’s animator on rolling terrain, while Steigenga has had a solid year with 9th on a Baloise stage, 7th at Dwars door de Westhoek, and 5th at Antwerp Port Epic Ladies. With no pressure for the overall, both are good bets for breakaways and stage results.
Fenix-Deceuninck bring a versatile line-up well suited to hunting stages across multiple terrains, led by Julie de Wilde, who placed 10th overall in 2022 and showed off her TT ability with 4th that year. Her form heading into this edition includes 11th at GP Yvonne Reynders and a strong showing on the final day of the Baloise Ladies Tour, where she placed 6th, ending up 15th overall. Christina Schweinberger has built a solid reputation at Simac with her ability to finish in the top 10 on multiple stages – achieving that three times in both 2023 and 2024, alongside 7th and 17th in GC, respectively. She brings punch on rolling terrain and is a consistent threat to make the podium on any given day. Meanwhile, Marthe Truyen will look to deliver in the faster finales, having sprinted to 3rd on the final stage last year and posted 8th recently at GP Lucien van Impe. Without a nailed-on GC contender, the team will have the freedom to animate multiple stages, especially if time gaps open early in the race.
Photo Credit: Visma | Lease a BikeVisma | Lease a Bike brings multiple options to the 2025 Simac Ladies Tour, though none are outright favourites. Martina Fidanza has yet to make a mark here, but she’s been in strong form recently with a stage win at the Baloise Ladies Tour, plus earlier victories at Trofee Maarten Wynants and Festival Elsy Jacobs à Luxembourg. While the terrain may not always suit her, she has the top-end speed to win a reduced sprint. Lieke Nooijen is a more likely GC option, especially after finishing 2nd in the time trial last year and 19th overall. With more experience and improved positioning, she has the tools to break into the top 10 this time around. There’s also a chance for Nienke Veenhoven to feature in the sprints. She was 13th in GC last year thanks to consistent stage finishes, including 3rd and 4th places, and could repeat that pattern if the race stays open.
UAE Team ADQ will expect Karlijn Swinkels to lead the charge. She’s one of the most consistent GC riders in recent editions, finishing 6th overall last year, 8th in 2023 and 3rd in 2022. Her mix of fast finishes and a strong time trial makes her a reliable contender, especially in a race often shaped by bonus seconds and TT gaps. In the bunch sprints, there are several possibilities. Sofie van Rooijen, Tereza Neumanova, and Sofia Bertizzolo could all be options, though it’s the latter who arrives with the strongest form. Bertizzolo was 7th at GP Lucien van Impe and took 5th in the Tour de Pologne GC, suggesting she could take on more responsibility if Swinkels falters or splits occur.
Form might be lacking for Daria Pikulik in 2025, but a year ago, she would have been considered a legitimate sprint threat. Her best this summer came with a 4th at GP Mazda Schelkens in June, but that result has been followed by three consecutive DNFs, casting doubt over how she’ll cope with the demands of Simac’s punchy stages and technical finishes. That may shift attention towards the more consistent Lily Williams, whose recent run of six top-10 finishes across June and July suggests she could quietly climb the GC if she can limit time losses in the time trial and stay up in the sprints. Ruth Edwards, back for her first Simac since 2017 when she placed 12th overall and 5th on a stage, is expected to target stage wins again, especially on the hillier routes. Human Powered Health may need to be opportunistic, but they bring a versatile mix capable of influencing the race on different terrain.
Both Letizia Paternoster and Georgia Baker return as sprint finishers for Liv AlUla Jayco, each having shown their ability to contest podiums on the right day. Paternoster’s 4th-place stage finish last year highlighted her potential, but she’ll need to be more consistent if she’s to compete against the best across the week. Baker, third on a stage back in 2022, remains a reliable top-10 contender in flatter finales. The team is built around their sprint ambitions, but if either rider can hold position in the time trial, a solid GC placing isn’t out of the question.
Cat Ferguson lines up for Movistar with clear stage ambitions and the potential to deliver in the general classification if she can post a solid time trial performance. A strong all-rounder, Ferguson continues to impress in her debut season and has the profile to thrive on the varied terrain the Simac Ladies Tour presents. There’s also a possibility for Carys Lloyd to get involved, particularly if the team looks to animate the race from breakaways or on transitional days, but much of the strategy is likely to hinge on how Ferguson fares in the early stages.
The absence of Charlotte Kool leaves a clear opportunity for Megan Jastrab to take on full sprint duties for Picnic PostNL. After a solid 9th-place finish on a stage last year and 16th overall, she’ll be hoping to convert that experience into more consistent top-tier results. Meanwhile, Pfeiffer Georgi arrives off the back of a morale-boosting 7th at Classic Lorient Agglomération and has an excellent record at this race. Fourth overall in 2023 with four top-10 finishes, and 6th in GC in 2021, Georgi’s climbing ability, time trial strength and race craft make her a credible threat for the podium again this year, particularly if the race becomes selective.
Ally Wollaston leads the line again for FDJ-Suez and will aim to build on her three top-10 stage finishes from last year. She’s proven she can mix it in flat sprints, though cracking the top three remains a challenge in a field that includes Wiebes and Balsamo. The team also has a potential GC option in Vittoria Guazzini, who had looked set for a top-10 overall last year before being forced to abandon. With a strong time trial in her arsenal, she could easily find herself in GC contention again if she can stay close on the sprint stages and avoid the misfortune that ended her 2024 campaign.
Uno-X Mobility have a proven performer in Maria Giulia Confalonieri, who always seems to find herself in the thick of things at the Simac Ladies Tour. She was 3rd on a stage last year and 5th in 2023, showing her ability to handle both flat and slightly punchier finishes. While a GC bid may be out of reach, she’s reliable for top-10 stage placings, especially when the sprint field is thinned out. Alongside her, Linda Zanetti comes in with serious momentum after finishing 2nd overall at the Tour de Pologne, where she also claimed a stage win and backed it up with 2nd at La Picto-Charentaise. If the team decide to test her on GC here, her form suggests it’s worth the gamble, and she’s looked more than capable of handling multi-day races with a variety of terrain.
EF Education-Oatly will likely play a more opportunistic role, with Babette van der Wolf the likeliest to contest sprints. She was 12th on a stage at this race in 2023 and recently improved on that with 8th in a bunch finish at the Tour de Pologne. The Dutchwoman knows the local roads and could deliver a breakthrough result if the finishes are chaotic. For stage hunting, Letizia Borghesi is always worth watching – aggressive, savvy and capable of handling crosswinds and punchy terrain. Expect her to be involved in any dangerous-looking breakaways. Nina Berton, too, is the kind of rider who thrives when the race opens up and would be a surprise omission from at least one major move over the week.
VolkerWessels brings a couple of intriguing riders to the Simac Ladies Tour, led by Lonneke Uneken, who already has a stage win at this race to her name from 2021. Her recent 2nd place at the Egmont Cycling Race and 6th at GP Yvonne Reynders show she’s returning to strong form and could be a reliable presence in both sprint finishes and more selective finales. Alongside her, Scarlett Souren is quietly building a reputation as a punchy all-rounder. While she’s yet to land a big result here, her recent Tour de l’Avenir stage win, plus a 9th at Tour de Pologne and 7th on a Baloise Ladies Tour stage, suggest she’s ready to mix it at this level. Both could be in the hunt for stages depending on how the race develops, especially in transitional days with unpredictable finishes.
2025 Simac Ladies Tour Outsiders
Cofidis will be counting on Martina Alzini to deliver in the sprints after she powered to victory at the Egmont Cycling Race. She’s looked sharp in recent weeks and will be eager to test herself against Wiebes and Balsamo on flatter stages. For the hillier or more chaotic days, Victoire Berteau offers a very different approach. Known for her attacking instincts, she finished 10th on a stage here last year and 25th in GC. Expect her to be active from the breakaways again, especially in transitional stages where the favourites may hesitate.
Katrijn De Clercq continues to emerge as a reliable finisher for Lotto Ladies and should again be in the conversation for top-10 stage results at the Simac Ladies Tour. Ninth on two stages last year and once again in 2023, she’s proven her ability to stay in contention on punchy days and in fast finishes. Her current form backs that up, with 6th at GP Lucien van Impe and 8th at the Egmont Cycling Race, alongside a victory at GP CHW Beveren in July. If the race splits late or the sprint isn’t dominated by the big teams, De Clercq has the speed and positioning to take advantage.
Team Coop-Repsol arrive with a balanced line-up featuring several promising riders. Stina Kagevi will be eyeing the time trial in particular, where she has the potential to climb into GC contention thanks to her strength against the clock. Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset is another to watch, almost pulling off a solo win at the Egmont Cycling Race before being caught metres from the line. She’s a strong all-rounder who could be a threat in small group finishes or aggressive stages. India Grangier, fresh from 2nd overall at the Volta a Portugal and a stage win there, has been consistent across all terrain this season and will be one to watch in the GC mix if things come back together. Camilla Rånes Bye will likely race aggressively as well, with several attacking rides already this year, including 8th overall at the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and 9th at the Ladies Tour of Estonia. Expect to see at least one of them in the day’s move if the peloton hesitates.
Julie Stockman brings attacking intent to the Simac Ladies Tour for DD Group Pro Cycling, and despite riding for a smaller team, she’s more than held her own across a busy 2025 calendar. A consistent top-20 presence, Stockman’s aggressive style earned her the sprints jersey at the Baloise Ladies Tour, and she’ll no doubt be in the breakaway mix again here. Her biggest result this season remains her win at GP Immo Zone in May, but with form trending well and an eye for intermediate points, she could again come away with classification success if the right opportunities present themselves.
For Roland Le Dévoluy, Kaja Rysz looks set to be their main finisher and should be in the mix on both flat and slightly punchier stages. The Pole was 7th overall at the Tour de Pologne thanks to 4th and 10th-place stage finishes, and has shown all year she can hold her own against stronger teams. Earlier season highlights include 13th at La Périgord Ladies and 7th at GP della Liberazione PINK, underlining her consistency across varying terrain. While a GC challenge might be ambitious, Rysz is capable of top-10 finishes if she gets a clean sprint.
Top 3 Prediction
⦿ Lorena Wiebes
⦿ Zoe Backstedt
⦿ Ellen van Dijk
