Dwars door het Hageland may not boast the profile of a mountainous classic, but what it lacks in elevation, it makes up for with chaos. The women’s race, introduced in 2021, has quickly built a reputation for its punishing terrain, where gravel, narrow paths, and the uphill drag into Diest combine to create a race of attrition. The course covers just over 120 kilometres but includes multiple unpaved stretches and three ascents of the Citadel of Diest. Riders need to be technically sharp and tactically switched-on, as gaps can open quickly on the gravel, and poor positioning often proves fatal to ambitions.
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ToggleThe gravel sectors of Prinsenbos, Heidebos, and Demerdijk provide the race’s core difficulty. While none are brutally steep or long in isolation, their repeated presence, combined with the race’s nervous rhythm, grinds down the bunch. The most decisive action, though, tends to come late, particularly on the final trip up the cobbled climb to the citadel. Last year, Lucinda Brand judged her effort perfectly, launching a powerful acceleration on the steepest section to drop her rivals and solo to victory. It’s a finish that doesn’t suit every type of sprinter – the winning rider must be able to produce a punchy, sustained effort uphill after a demanding day.
Tactical racing often unfolds in the final 25 kilometres, especially once the laps around Diest begin. Breakaways are common, but often doomed unless they form with the right mix of riders. Last year, Anneke Dijkstra tried to force a decisive move with an early solo attack, but the peloton timed the catch perfectly before the final climb. That sort of scenario is typical of Dwars door het Hageland – it’s a race where timing is everything and where team support in the build-up to the finale can make the difference between winning and fading.
This year’s edition is expected to follow a similar script. With Lucinda Brand out due to illness, and Lotte Kopecky likely skipping the race, there’s room for new names to shine. Lorena Wiebes, if she races, will be the rider to beat – her ability to sprint uphill is unmatched in the women’s peloton. Ilaria Sanguineti, winner in 2022, could feature again, though there’s a possibility she may ride in support of Fleur Moors, who claimed her breakthrough win just last weekend at Dwars Door de Westhoek. As always, weather and positioning will play a role, and with no shortage of gravel or pressure points, the race promises another unpredictable and gritty showdown at the gates of Diest.
Which teams are racing at Elmos Dwars Door het Hageland 2025?
- Lidl-Trek
- AG Insurance-Soudal Team
- CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto
- Fenix-Deceuninck
- Human Powered Health
- Team SD Worx-Protime
- UAE Team ADQ
- Cofidis Women Team
- VolkerWessels Pro Cycling Team
- CJ O’SHEA Racing Team
- DD Group Pro Cycling Team
- Handsling Alba Development Road Team
- Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team
- Lotto Ladies
- Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team
- Team Coop-Repsol
- Velopro-Alphamotorhomes
- Cyclingteam Belco/Van Eyck
- De Ceuster-Bouwpunt
What does the Elmos Dwars Door het Hagelandrace profile look like?
Where can I watch the Elmos Dwars Door het Hageland race?
Men’s on Discovery/TNT Sports/Max & Sporza but nothing for the women’s race so far – TBC
Who are the main riders to watch?
- Lorena Wiebes
- Kathrin Schweinberger
- Lara Gillespie
- Sofie van Rooijen
- Scarlett Souren
- Daria Pikulik
- Giada Borghesi
- Clara Copponi
- Victoire Berteau
- Valentine Fortin
- Lily Williams
- Julie De Wilde
- Jesse Vandenbulcke
- Ilse Pluimers
- Maggie Coles-Lyster
- Lonneke Uneken
- Lauren Dickson
- Julie Stockman
- Fleur Moors
- Martina Alzini
- Maike van der Duin
- Marion Norbert Riberolle
- Katrijn De Clercq
- Eilidh Shaw