The 2025 edition of Le Samyn des Dames got underway under cool but dry conditions, with the peloton setting off from Quaregnon for 122 kilometres of racing towards Dour. The early part of the race was relatively steady, with no significant attacks in the opening kilometres. The first real selection came as the riders hit the series of cobbled sectors, including Rue du Vert Pignon and Rue de Belle Vue, which began to wear down the bunch.
The first significant action of the day came just before the halfway mark when a crash involving Katrijn De Clercq forced the Lotto Dstny rider out of the race. Moments later, another incident saw Elizabeth Holden hit the deck, though she was able to continue.
With around 50 kilometres remaining, the first attacks began to take shape. Ruby Roseman-Gannon launched a move for Liv Alula Jayco, opening a small gap before being reeled back in. Shortly after, Lotto Ladies rider Romina Hinojosa tested the bunch with a brief attack, but the high pace in the peloton meant she never gained more than a few seconds.
Uno-X Mobility took up the responsibility at the front, setting the pace with six riders controlling the tempo. Despite their efforts, a late move from Eugenia Bujak threatened to derail a bunch sprint. The Cofidis rider attacked on the Côte des Nonettes, briefly holding a five-second advantage before SD Worx-Protime shut it down inside the final 10 kilometres.
Final selection and sprint finish
With the race heading towards its conclusion, Liv Alula Jayco tried one last surge on Rue de Belle Vue, with Letizia Paternoster upping the tempo. The acceleration further thinned out the front group, leaving only the strongest sprinters in contention.
As the final kilometre approached, the reduced peloton prepared for a sprint. Maria Giulia Confalonieri, Charlotte Kool and Lara Gillespie were all well-positioned, but SD Worx-Protime executed a textbook lead-out. Wiebes launched her sprint with a few hundred metres to go, immediately opening a gap. Zanetti and Gillespie fought hard, but neither could come close as Wiebes crossed the line with a comfortable margin to take her first victory at Le Samyn des Dames in 3 attempts.
“The first part of the race was a bit chaotic, especially on the cobbles, but I felt good. My teammates did an amazing job, and I’m happy to finish it off,” said Wiebes, who now sits on 97 career wins.
Wiebes continues her blistering start to the 2025 season with another commanding win – it’s now 4 wins in 6 race days. Her 100-win milestone is now within reach, and her form heading into the Spring Classics suggests she won’t have to wait long to achieve it. We could see it happen at Brugge-De Panne or Gent-Wevelgem
2025 Le Samyn des Dames result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Getty
