The full line-up of 15 teams has now been confirmed for the inaugural Maryland Cycling Classic Women, with WorldTour squad Ceratizit Pro Cycling among the final additions to a race that’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive standalone women’s events on US soil this year.
Set for Saturday, September 6th, the UCI 1.1 race will take place on the same Baltimore-area roads as the men’s 1.Pro event, with 90 riders expected to start across 15 squads. Each team will field six riders, and organisers are promising a high-level route reveal in the coming weeks.
Women’s WorldTour presence and North American firepower
The race now boasts two Women’s WorldTour teams in Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto and Ceratizit, plus the ProTeam-level EF Education-Oatly – all ranked inside the current UCI top 15.
Ceratizit Pro bring serious stage racing pedigree with Sarah van Dam, a consistent GC performer in 2025. The Canadian was third overall at Itzulia Women and took fifth on GC at the Tour of Britain Women.
EF Education-Oatly’s line-up is expected to include several of their rising North American talents, while Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto’s presence adds additional European depth.
“We’re really pleased with the competitive field we’ve assembled,” said Joanne Kiesanowski, the women’s competition manager. “Our goal was to attract top European teams alongside some of the best talent from North America, and we believe we’ve achieved that.”
US teams with GC-winning riders
Among the domestic squads, Aegis Cycling Foundation arrives in flying form. The new US-based team features Lauren Stephens, reigning US gravel champion and former national road champion. She’s already won GC at both UCI-ranked stage races on US soil in 2025 – Tour of the Gila and Tour de Bloom.
Fount Cycling Guild brings another standout in Alia Shafi, who won Redlands Bicycle Classic, took silver at Tour de Bloom, and earned bronze in the elite ITT at US Pro Nationals. They’re joined by Fearless Femme Racing, Cynisca Cycling, L39ion of Los Angeles, and Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28 – the latter continuing to blend youth development with UCI-level ambition.
International representation and history-making debut
The Benin National Team earns a historic spot, becoming the first African women’s national squad to compete in a top-level UCI road race on US soil. Canada also has two teams represented – Milton Women’s U23 Project and The Cyclery Racing Team – while Mexico’s PatoBike-BMC completes the international field.
Additional spots go to Team USA and CCB p/b Levine Law Group, rounding out a diverse and competitive line-up.
Maryland Cycling Classic Women 2025 Team
- Benin National Team
- Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto (GER)
- CCB p/b Levine Law Group (USA)
- Ceratizit Pro Cycling (GER)
- Cynisca Cycling (USA)
- EF Education-Oatly (USA)
- Fearless Femme Racing (USA)
- Fount Cycling Guild (USA)
- L39ion of Los Angeles (USA)
- Milton Women’s U23 Project (CAN)
- PatoBike-BMC (MEX)
- Team USA
- The Cyclery Racing Team (CAN)
- Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28 (USA)
Final team rosters are expected to be released closer to race day, while route details will be announced later in July.
