The inaugural edition of the Egmont Cycling Race in 2023 saw American rider Heidi Franz claim her first European UCI victory in dramatic fashion. Racing for DNA Pro Cycling, she broke clear of the peloton in the closing kilometre and held off the sprinters to win in Zottegem. Franz’s victory was notable not only as a breakthrough for her personally, but also because it came against a strong Dutch presence, with Scarlett Souren and Danique Braam completing the podium. The result reflected the open nature of the race, where well-timed aggression can succeed even against organised teams.
The 2024 edition played out very differently. Lieke Nooijen of Visma-Lease a Bike attacked with more than 40 kilometres still to race, bridging across to early escapee Lea Fuchs before continuing alone. Her time-trial ability and composure allowed her to build a lead of nearly four minutes, sealing a dominant solo win on a rain-soaked day. Sofie van Rooijen and Nienke Veenhoven rounded out an all-Dutch podium, further highlighting the race’s growing prestige among the Netherlands’ top talents.
At the heart of both editions has been a testing circuit around Zottegem, characterised by cobbled stretches such as the Lange Munte and Lippenhovestraat, as well as short climbs including the Grotenbergestraat and De Vlamme. The combination of these features, along with narrow roads and often wet late-August weather, ensures that the Egmont Cycling Race rewards bold racing and resilience as much as sprinting power.
Now in 2025, the race takes another step forward with both the start and finish moved onto the Stationsplein in Zottegem’s centre, designed to bring the spectacle directly into the heart of the city. With UCI 1.1 status confirmed for 2026, the organisers’ ambition is clear: to build the Egmont Cycling Race into a recognised late-season classic, rooted in local tradition but increasingly attractive to a broader international peloton.
Which teams are racing at Egmont Cycling Race 2025?
- Cofidis Women Team
- Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi
- St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93
- VolkerWessels Pro Cycling Team
- AG Insurance Soudal U23
- BePink-Imatra-Bongioanni
- Canyon SRAM zondacrypto Generation
- CJ O’SHEA Racing Team
- Cynisca Cycling
- DAS-Hutchinson
- DD Group Pro Cycling Team
- Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team
- Hess Cycling Team
- Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team
- Lotto Ladies
- Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team
- Team Coop-Repsol
- UAE Development Team
- Velopro-Alphamotorhomes
- Baloise Minimax WB Ladies
- Carbonbike Giordana by Gen Z
- Cyclingteam Belco/Van Eyck
- De Ceuster-Bouwpunt
- KDM-Pack Cycling Team
- Keukens Redant Cycling Team
What does the Egmont Cycling Race profile look like?
Where can I watch the Egmont Cycling Race?
Shown live on Pickx
Live: 12:15-15:45
Who are the main riders to watch?
- Eline Jansen
- Victoire Berteau
- Catalina Soto Campos
- Valentine Fortin
- Laura Tomasi
- Marthe Truyen
- Karolina Kumiega
- Eugenia Bujak
- Amalie Dideriksen
- Anne Knijnenburg
- Arianna Fidanza
- India Grangier
- Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset
- Eilidh Shaw
- Anneke Dijkstra
- Jesse Vandenbulcke
- Lucie Fityus
- April Tacey
- Danique Braam
- Martina Alzini
- Katrijn De Clercq
