Live: 2025 Nokere Koerse Women

Mathew Mitchell

Published on March 19, 2025
in Women's Cycling

The 2025 Nokere Koerse Women sees a significant adjustment this year, with the finish moving away from the traditional cobbled climb of Nokereberg. For the first time, riders will approach the finish line via Waregemsestraat, a gentler, slightly uphill stretch leading directly into Nokere. This alteration was introduced primarily for safety reasons, eliminating the fast downhill approach to the cobbled finale, which previously heightened risk in the closing moments of the race.

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History and past winners

Despite its relatively brief history, Nokere Koerse Women has firmly established itself among the early-season classics since its debut in 2019. Initially known as a sprinters’ event, it has evolved to become a more versatile classic. Lorena Wiebes dominated early editions, winning twice in powerful bunch sprints, while recent editions highlighted the race’s unpredictability. Lotte Kopecky showcased a more aggressive approach in 2023, breaking clear to win ahead of her teammate, a performance she impressively repeated in 2024.

Past editions have also shown that the race is not purely for sprinters, with breakaway victories such as Amy Pieters’ success ahead of Grace Brown and Lisa Klein, proving multiple race scenarios can unfold on the challenging course.

Tactical implications of the new finish

The decision to relocate the finish to Waregemsestraat changes the tactical dynamic significantly. While the cobbled climb finish on Nokereberg previously favoured explosive power riders who excelled at positioning and timing, the new approach provides an opportunity for classic-style sprinters to assert themselves in a slightly less frantic finale. However, with the preceding series of climbs and cobbles remaining integral to the course, endurance, sharp tactical awareness, and careful positioning will still be crucial in determining who ultimately prevails in Nokere today.

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