This Friday marks the start of the 2024 Ford RideLondon Classique, with British champion Pfeiffer Georgi set to compete on home soil. The race, a fixture on the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar, will showcase an array of talent from 24 to 26 May.
Georgi, who clinched the Road Race title at last year’s National Championships and recently secured third place at the Paris-Roubaix Femmes, is part of Team dsm-firmenich PostNL. The team is aiming for a third consecutive victory at the event, following successes by Lorena Wiebes in 2022 and Charlotte Kool in 2023.
Charlotte Kool, last year’s winner, returns to defend her title and is among the favourites. Kool expressed her enthusiasm for the competition, stating, “It’s always special to race here, and after last year’s win, I’m even more motivated to repeat that success.”
The lineup also includes the likes of Lizzie Deignan, current world champion Lotte Kopecky, and Lorena Wiebes, who is making a comeback after skipping last year’s race.
Elisa Balsamo, who had to withdraw in the previous edition due to a crash, is back. The 2021 world champion and twice runner-up at the Classique shared, “Last year was a disappointment, but I’m back stronger and eager to challenge for the top step this time.”
The British talent pool is well-represented with Elynor and Zoe Backstedt, Alice Towers, and Olympic champion Elinor Barker all participating. Moreover, new faces like Fem van Empel, 2023 UCI Cyclocross World Champion, and Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini, aiming to retain her Best Young Rider title, add to the depth of the field.
Stage One kicks off in Saffron Walden and concludes in Colchester, setting the scene for what promises to be an enthralling race. The event continues over the weekend, with a decisive conclusion on Sunday along the iconic eight laps of central London, finishing on The Mall. The riders are set for a challenging yet thrilling contest, with each lap potentially altering the dynamics of this prestigious race.
