Lotto Ladies will race under a new name in 2026, with the long-running Belgian programme becoming Lotto-Intermarché Women’s ProTeam. The move aligns the squad with the Intermarché structure already present on the men’s side and signals a renewed commitment to stability, development and visibility within the second tier of women’s professional cycling.
A team with deep roots in women’s cycling
Founded in 2006, the team has been a consistent presence through every major phase of women’s road racing. What began as a modest Belgian project has developed into a reliable home for emerging riders, national champions and future WorldTour talent. Over the years, Lotto have won African, European and national titles across both the road and track, while riders such as Grace Verbeke, Lotte Kopecky, Jolien D’Hoore, Ashleigh Moolman, Elena Cecchini and Amy Cure all left their mark during their time with the team.
In the UCI rankings, the squad enjoyed some of its strongest seasons between 2009 and 2016, regularly finishing inside the top 15 and reaching fifth overall in 2009. The transition to the Women’s WorldTour era brought new challenges, but even in years of rebuilding, the team maintained a clear purpose: supporting Belgian talent and creating opportunities at the highest level. The arrival of riders such as Lotte Kopecky in the mid-2010s underscored the team’s ability to spot and develop world-class potential long before global stardom followed.
Recent seasons have seen the programme re-centre around youth and long-term development. The shift to Lotto-Intermarché is a continuation of that trajectory, offering the resources and structure of a larger organisation while keeping intact the team’s identity as a launching pad for ambitious riders.
A refreshed roster for a new chapter
The off-season has brought considerable movement. Eight riders have departed, including Julie Nicolaes, Mieke Docx, Esmee Gielkens, Kloe Saugrain, Audrey De Keersmaeker, Julie Hendrickx, Lucy Minns Bénézet and Maureen Arens. In their place comes a strengthened and notably more diverse group of recruits.
The team welcomes Julie Brouwers, Elisabeth Ebras, Marieke Meert, Annelies Nijssen, Linda Riedmann and Sandrine Tas. Each arrives from a competitive environment – whether from the Belgian development scene or from established UCI Continental teams – and several bring experience across both the road and the track, continuing a longstanding hallmark of the Lotto setup.
They join an existing core that already includes experienced all-rounders, developing sprinters and riders with strong technical skills, giving Lotto-Intermarché a balanced roster with scope to grow through the season.
Photo Credit: Brecht SteenhouwerLooking ahead to 2026
With the structural rebrand and a renewed squad, Lotto-Intermarché aim to deepen their footprint at ProTeam level. The Women’s WorldTour remains extremely competitive, but the format now offers more opportunities through wildcard invitations and a clearer development pathway for teams outside the top tier.
Lotto’s track record shows how valuable that pathway can be. The squad has repeatedly produced riders who go on to thrive in WorldTour colours, while also providing a competitive environment for those balancing both road and track ambitions. That dual identity remains a strength heading into 2026.
The new roster reflects that familiar balance of tradition and renewal. Fresh talent blends with returning leaders, and with the wider Intermarché organisation now behind the programme, the team enters the season with increased support and a clearer long-term strategy.
2026 Lotto-Intermarché Women’s ProTeam roster
Dina Boels
Julie Brouwers
Katrijn De Clercq
Elisabeth Ebras
Romina Hinojosa Cruz
Marieke Meert
Annelies Nijssen
Linda Riedmann
Ilken Seynave
Sandrine Tas
Lea Lin Teutenberg
Anna van Wersch
Sterre Vervloet
Lani Wittevrongel
