The fifth edition of Scheldeprijs Women delivered a classic sprint finale, but not before a tense and tactical build-up that briefly threatened to upset the expected script. With Lorena Wiebes absent for the first time, the question was whether the race would still come down to the usual bunch finish in Schoten—or whether someone else might rewrite the story.
The day began with an early breakaway formed by Amelia Tyler and Allison Mrugal. The Irish-American duo pushed out a lead that stretched to around 2 minutes and 30 seconds as the peloton allowed them room while keeping the move on a tight leash. Their effort provided the first structure of the race, but it was always clear that they wouldn’t be left to go the distance.
Things shifted dramatically with just under 25 kilometres remaining as the race reached the penultimate passage of the Broekstraat cobbles. Zoe Bäckstedt chose that moment to attack, using the rough terrain to force a selection. Her move sparked a flurry of counterattacks and led to the formation of a strong chase group that bridged to the two leaders.
The resulting front group of ten riders included a mix of danger and experience: Bäckstedt, Marie Schreiber, Anna Henderson, Julie De Wilde, Saray Roy, Scarlett Souren, Femke Gerritse and Puck Pieterse all made the junction, creating a genuine threat to the sprint teams. Lidl-Trek, aware that they had Henderson in the move, were able to sit back and let others chase.
Photo Credit: St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93The gap settled around 18 to 20 seconds as the kilometres ticked down. With 6km to go, the leaders still had a real chance of making it. But the cohesion in the break began to falter as riders started looking at each other. That hesitation allowed the gap to shrink rapidly. Picnic PostNL, who had missed the move entirely, were forced to take up the chase with full commitment, burning through their resources to ensure Charlotte Kool had a chance in the sprint.
At 2km to go, the breakaway was finally reeled in. Lidl-Trek moved to the front with Clara Copponi leading out Elisa Balsamo. Kool was left to find her own line, surfing wheels after her teammates had emptied themselves during the chase.
Kool opened up her sprint early and appeared to be heading for victory, but Balsamo timed her effort perfectly. Launching late, she surged past Kool in the final metres to take her first Scheldeprijs title and become the first rider not named Wiebes to win the race.
Chiara Consonni, also well-positioned in the final drag to the line, came through for third. The top ten also featured a strong ride from Marith Vanhove of AG Insurance–Soudal U23, who sprinted to eighth in her first top-level showing at this race.
From a long-range two-rider break to a dangerous ten-rider chase group and a fast catch just inside the final two kilometres, the 2025 Scheldeprijs Women kept its usual sprint conclusion, but only after a race that saw tactics, timing, and team roles play out to the very end.
Photo Credit: AFPPost-race reactions
Elisa Balsamo was full of praise for her Lidl-Trek teammates after finally breaking Lorena Wiebes’ grip on the Scheldeprijs. With Anna Henderson up the road in the decisive breakaway, Lidl-Trek had no need to contribute to the chase and were able to focus fully on delivering Balsamo for the finish. “I’m happy that I could finally finish off the work of the whole team today,” said Balsamo. “With Henderson in the break, we didn’t have to chase, and that made a big difference. In the final, the lead-out was fantastic, and I had the perfect position to sprint.”
Charlotte Kool was visibly disappointed after finishing second. Team Picnic PostNL had missed the move when ten riders went clear with around 25 kilometres remaining, meaning they had to commit fully to the chase. That cost them in the sprint, where Kool had to go long and alone. “We started the race really well and in control, especially into the local laps,” said Kool. “It’s a shame we missed the break, because that cost us a lot of energy and meant I had to open my sprint too early. I felt good, but I missed some power at the end.”
Marith Vanhove was a surprise name in the top ten. The 22-year-old from AG Insurance–Soudal U23 finished eighth in the bunch sprint, the best Belgian on the day and a breakthrough ride against a world-class field. “The team was incredible today. I was never alone in the bunch, and they kept me perfectly positioned,” said Vanhove. “Things got hectic on the last lap, but Messane helped keep me calm and brought me up in the finale. It’s just crazy to score a top ten in this field. I’m proud and definitely hungry for more.”
AG Insurance–Soudal sports director Dani Christmas was impressed by how her young squad handled the pressure of one of the fastest finishes of the season. “They stayed together, they stayed focused, and they rode with maturity beyond their years,” said Christmas. “Marith’s eighth place is a reward for the entire team. And Messane? She was superb. Even after crashing earlier, she delivered a huge lead-out.”
2025 Scheldeprijs Women result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Lidl-Trek
