Danilith Nokere Koerse has established itself as a key fixture in the women’s calendar since 2019, with past winners including Lotte Kopecky, Amy Pieters, and Lorena Wiebes. While the race once again attracts a high number of top-tier teams, the start list is currently lacking some of the biggest names in the sport. Only one rider from the world’s top 20, Marta Lach, is confirmed at this stage.
Despite this, the teams arriving in Deinze still bring strong squads filled with emerging talent and proven contenders. Lidl-Trek fields Emma Norsgaard, a past Tour de France stage winner, and Clara Copponi, who won in Australia earlier this season. Zoë Backstedt, raised on cobbles, will also be one to watch.
Uno-X’s Linda Zanetti has shown her sprinting credentials already this year, finishing second at Le Samyn behind Wiebes. Another strong sprinter, Lotta Henttala, has previous wins at Dwars door Vlaanderen and Gent-Wevelgem. Meanwhile, Floortje Mackaij, a past winner of Gent-Wevelgem, will look to improve on her 6th place finish at Nokere last year.
Lily Williams, third in this race last year, returns with Human Powered Health. Belgian hopes include Fauve Bastiaenssen (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck), both of whom finished in the top 10 last year. Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek), just 19 years old, and 22-year-old Julie De Wilde (Fenix-Deceuninck) are also riders to keep an eye on.
Women’s teams set to race at Danilith Nokere Koerse 2025
Women’s WorldTeams
- Team SD Worx-Protime
- Lidl-Trek
- Canyon SRAM ZondaCrypto
- Team Picnic PTNL
- UAE Team ADQ
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike
- FDJ-SUEZ
- Movistar Team
- Fenix-Deceuninck
- Human Powered Health
- AG Insurance-Soudal Team
- Uno-X Mobility
Women’s ProTeams
- EF Education-Oatly
- VolkerWessels Cycling Team
- Cofidis Women Team
- Winspace Orange Seal
- St Michel-Préférence Home-Auber93
- Arkéa – B&B Hotels Women
Women’s Continental Teams
- Team Coop-Repsol
- Lotto Ladies
Elite men’s field prepares for battle at Nokere as well
The 2025 edition of Danilith Nokere Koerse promises an intense battle on the cobbles, with 10 WorldTour teams leading the charge. Last year’s winner, Tim Merlier, could return as he considers an attempt at a fourth victory—a feat last achieved in a men’s semi-classic by Tom Boonen at E3 Prijs.
Merlier would face stiff competition, with Jasper Philipsen eager to finally secure a win in Nokere after multiple podiums across his junior and professional career. Fabio Jakobsen, another former winner, is also expected to start, along with the likes of Cees Bol and Timothy Dupont.
Rising stars will also have their chance to shine. Antonio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates) has already won twice this year and placed 5th in last year’s Tour of Flanders. Lidl-Trek’s Tim Torn Teutenberg, winner of Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, is another young rider tipped to challenge the established names. Israel-Premier Tech’s Ethan Vernon, a sprinter with 11 professional wins, will be looking for his first major cobbled classic success.
Among the experienced contenders, Arnaud De Lie has confirmed his participation. The Belgian champion believes the new finish suits him well, and a home win would add to his growing reputation. Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-Premier Tech), a rider known for aggressive racing on the cobbles, will also be in the mix, along with Milan Fretin (Cofidis), who recently outsprinted big names in the Algarve.
Lidl-Trek’s Edward Theuns, second in 2023, returns looking to go one better. Meanwhile, Arne Marit, a two-time junior winner at Nokere, will hope to make the step up to victory in the elite ranks.
Men’s teams set to race at Danilith Nokere Koerse 2025
WorldTour Teams
- Soudal Quick-Step
- Lidl-Trek
- Intermarché-Wanty
- Cofidis
- Groupama-FDJ
- UAE Team Emirates
- Team Picnic PostNL
- Alpecin-Deceuninck
- XDS Astana Team
- Bahrain Victorious
ProTeams
- Lotto
- Wagner Bazin WB
- Euskaltel-Euskadi
- Israel-Premier Tech
- Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
- Unibet Tietema Rockets
- Team Flanders-Baloise
- Uno-X Mobility
- Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Continental Teams
- Tarteletto-Isorex
