Despite the rise of women’s cycling in recent years, the pathway to the top remains far from smooth. That’s the warning from former Belgian national coach Christel Herremans, who says the sport is still failing to support young talent in the crucial transition from junior to elite level.
Speaking to Sporza, Herremans said the issue of limited progression has been masked by the increasing professionalism and exposure of the WorldTour. But beneath the surface, the system isn’t working as it should.
“There needs to be more investment in U23 teams,” she said. “Right now, juniors are riding races of 60 to 70 kilometres and then, at 18, they’re expected to compete against riders like Vos, Le Court and Vollering. That’s just not realistic.”
Photo Credit: GettyThe gap isn’t just about distance, but about speed, intensity and experience. Riders coming out of the junior ranks face a doubling of race length, significantly higher speeds, and the need to race tactically against seasoned professionals.
“The step is too big,” Herremans said. “And that’s why so many riders stop – because it becomes too difficult.”
Currently, the women’s calendar offers no structured under-23 race series or dedicated teams that can serve as a stepping stone to the elite level. By contrast, the men’s side has long had a well-established U23 category, with its own set of races and development squads designed to ease riders into the pro ranks.
“A U23 team could really help bridge that gap to the WorldTour. It’s something we’re badly missing right now.”
Herremans also pointed to an over-concentration of attention and resources at the top of the pyramid, which she says is hurting development at grassroots level. While the growth of WorldTour races has boosted the sport’s visibility, it’s also diverted focus from the national and regional scene where young riders typically cut their teeth.
“At kermesse races, you’ll sometimes see 150 riders on the start list, but only about 50 of them are Belgian. The rest are riders from abroad just looking for racing opportunities.”
In her view, national federations need to re-evaluate their role in developing riders and supporting domestic racing.
“There’s too much focus on the WorldTour,” she said. “That’s something federations should also look at. In Belgium, we’re moving in the right direction, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Photo Credit: Lewis CatelHerremans’ comments highlight a fundamental tension in women’s cycling: the sport has grown rapidly at the top level, but without parallel investment in the development tiers. For riders fresh out of the juniors, the leap to elite racing can feel impossible – and too often, they simply fall through the cracks.
Creating space for under-23 riders, whether through teams, races or development programmes, may be the missing piece in building a sustainable pipeline of talent. Without it, the peloton risks remaining the domain of the same familiar names, while the next generation never quite gets a chance to shine.
