HAHNDORF, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Ruth Edwards of The United States and Team Human Powered Health prior to the 8th Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2024, Stage 1 a 93.9km stage from Hahndorf to Campbelltown / #UCIWWT / on January 12, 2024 in Campbelltown, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Ruth Edwards has reaffirmed her commitment to Human Powered Health, signing a contract extension that will keep her with the team until the end of the 2026 season. This decision comes on the back of a series of commendable performances, including a podium finish at the Trofeo Oro in Euro and a strong showing in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, where she finished fourth.
Speaking on her experiences and future ambitions, Edwards expressed a deep appreciation for her team’s support, particularly during a challenging spring marred by crashes and illness. “The level of care and support I receive here while striving to improve in a motivating environment is unparalleled. I couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said.
Despite a tough season, her decision to extend her stay is a testament to her belief in the team’s direction and her desire to continue competing at the highest levels of cycling. “It’s been a rough spring, but feeling nothing but support from Human Powered Health is very inspiring to me,” Edwards stated.
2024 Trofeo Oro in Euro podium (l-r: Karlijn Swinkels, Elisa Longo Borghini, Ruth Edwards)
Looking ahead, Edwards is set to lead her team in the upcoming Vuelta España Femenina by Carrefour.es, reflecting her pivotal role in stage racing for her team. Her goals remain clear as she aims to push herself to the best of her abilities, hoping to secure strong results against the best in the sport.
This renewal is part of a broader strategy by Human Powered Health, which has been focusing on building a competitive women’s team. General Manager Ro De Jonckere commented on the extensions, “We are very happy with these contract renewals through 2026, as they fit perfectly in our strategy of building a top-tier women’s team over the next few years.”
Edwards and her teammates, including recently signed Daria and Wiktoria Pikulik along with Lilly Williams, who have also secured extensions this spring, will be back in action this Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, ready to take on one of cycling’s most challenging races.
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates pictured in action during the 'E3 Saxo Bank Classic' one day cycling race, 204,1km from and to Harelbeke on March 24, 2023. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS / various sources / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liège-Bastogne-Liège, affectionately known as “La Doyenne” due to its status as the oldest of the cycling classics, is a formidable challenge characterised by relentless climbs and strategic depth. With iconic ascents like La Redoute and Roche-aux-Faucons, Liège-Bastogne-Liège tests the riders’ endurance and tactical savvy. Legends such as, the 5-time winner Eddy Merckx, 4-time winners Moreno Argentin and Alejandro Valverde and more recently Tadej Pogacar, who won in 2021, have triumphed here, making it a race where true men’s cycling greats are made. As we approach the 2024 edition, let’s explore five riders whose recent performances and historical success suggest they could make a significant impact.
Tadej Pogacar, the 2021 winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, returns to the race with high expectations after a season highlighted by victories at Strade Bianche and Volta Catalunya in 2024. Although he did not finish last year’s edition, his current form and previous success on this course indicate he is a prime contender. Pogacar’s remarkable climbing ability and resilience, combined with his recent wins in other challenging races, position him well to tackle the demanding climbs and strategic demands of Liège.
Tom Pidcock
Tom Pidcock, coming off a recent victory at the Amstel Gold Race, is in excellent form as he approaches Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he finished second last season. His proven capability on similar terrain and his knack for timing his efforts effectively make him a formidable contender this year. Pidcock’s all-around skill set, including strong climbing and strategic race execution, suggests he could very well improve on his impressive result from the previous year and possibly vie for the top step on the podium.
David Gaudu
David Gaudu, who secured third place in the 2021 edition of this race, has shown he’s in top form this season with a recent victory at the Tour de Jura (1.1). His consistency in performing well in tough races, combined with his exceptional climbing skills, makes him a strong candidate to contend for a top spot at Liège-Bastogne-Liège once again. Gaudu’s ability to handle the race’s late climbs could be crucial in his quest for another podium finish or better.
Marc Hirschi
Marc Hirschi has a track record of success at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with a second-place finish in 2020 and consistent top-10 placements in subsequent editions. His aggressive racing style and strong performance on steep climbs align well with the race’s profile. Hirschi’s experience and proven ability on this course set him up as a serious contender, potentially ready to challenge for the win and add another top result to his Liège-Bastogne-Liège achievements.
Benoit Cosnefroy
Benoit Cosnefroy, coming into Liège-Bastogne-Liège with momentum from a win at Brabantse Pijl and a fourth-place finish at Fleche Wallonne this season, is showing signs of top form. Despite his best previous result at this race being only 18th, his current season’s performances indicate he is ready to significantly improve on that. Cosnefroy’s strength on hilly courses and recent results in the Ardennes classics suggest he could be a surprise package in this year’s race, challenging for a career-best finish.
18/04/2024 - Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift - Yellow Thursday Rotterdam - Media Day
The Tour de France Femmes has officially unveiled the routes for its 2024 stages, featuring a spectacular start from Rotterdam on 12th August. The organisers, ASO, presented the detailed route maps in a grand setting in Rotterdam, marking a historic beginning to the race as it launches outside France for the first time.
The race will kick off with a 124 km stage from Rotterdam to The Hague, passing through scenic routes including Schiedam, Vlaardingen, and Maassluis, before concluding with a circuit through The Hague and finishing at Kijkduin. The choice of Kijkduin as the finish has drawn some concerns due to its proximity to protected Natura 2000 sites.
The following day will be particularly challenging with two stages: a morning road race covering 73 km from Dordrecht back to Rotterdam, taking the peloton past notable landmarks like the Feyenoord Stadium. The course will finish on the Boompjes, right at the foot of the iconic Erasmus Bridge.
In the afternoon, a brisk 6.3 km individual time trial will see riders speeding past Rotterdam’s famous spots, including the Coolsingel and over the Erasmus Bridge, with the time trial expected to be a flat, fast affair ideal for powerful riders. The time trial’s straightforward route features long straight stretches and minimal turns, challenging riders to maintain high speeds.
Christian Prudhomme, the ASO director, highlighted the unique aspects of the stages, praising the city’s deep cycling passion and the course’s design, which is expected to create exciting racing dynamics.
Among the attendees at the route unveiling was Demi Vollering, last year’s yellow jersey winner, who expressed excitement about starting the race in her home country. “It’s special to experience this, especially after winning the yellow jersey last year. It’s tough between the classics, but I’m already looking forward to it,” Vollering shared with the press. Her teammate Lorena Wiebes also shared her anticipation, particularly for the sprint-friendly stages that could see her wearing the yellow jersey.
With the cycling world eagerly looking forward to the Tour de France Femmes, Rotterdam is set to showcase its commitment to sport and cycling culture, enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of women’s cycling on a global stage.
In a display of sheer determination, Kasia Niewiadoma of Canyon Sram clinched a long-awaited victory at La Flèche Wallonne, marking her first win since 2019. The race, notorious for its gruelling finish on the Mur de Huy, was a fitting battleground for Niewiadoma’s triumph, making her the first Polish rider to win this prestigious event.
The women’s race followed the men’s event under slightly improved weather conditions, though the early part of the race was marred by challenging weather with hail and heavy rain marking the start from Huy. A three-rider breakaway featuring Julie Van de Velde, Elena Hartmann, and Sara Martin initially escaped, building a significant lead over the peloton of 4 minutes at one point. They were gradually reeled in by the peloton which saw a counter move by Grace Brown and Pauliena Rooijakkers dangle off the front by a handful of seconds for an hour of racing.
Elena Hartmann, Julie Van de Velde & Sara Martin in the day’s main breakaway
Elena Hartmann dropped back after the first ascent of the Mur de Huy but the other riders still needed catching. The peloton ramped up the speed and unlucky crashes for Niamh Fisher-Black and Veronica Ewers took them out of contention. Both breakaways were caught with time to spare into Huy from where the battle commenced on the steep climb.
The harsh conditions began to relent slightly, setting the stage for a climactic showdown on the Mur de Huy. Niewiadoma, having bided her time through the peloton’s manoeuvres, positioned herself perfectly for the final climb. With the gradient reaching a punishing 18%, she launched a meticulously timed attack in the final 150 metres, outpacing her rivals to claim a victory she had dreamed of for over a decade and finally breaking her long streak without a road victory.
Kasia Niewiadoma celebrates her win (Photo credit:Tino Pohlmann)
Rider reactions
Kasia Niewiadoma
I hope this race will inspire many people to keep believing and pursuing their dreams. I’ve had so many second, third, and fifth places. I never stopped believing that, as a team, we could win. The victory was here waiting for us.”
“Deep inside, I knew this was my day. I just felt it. The race was intense from the start, with the wet and cold weather. It was brutal initially when it rained so hard, and the temperature went so low. I knew the conditions were on my side because I always benefit from hard and challenging races like this. As a team, we kept positive despite all shaking from the cold. My teammates were amazing, taking care of me, ensuring I was warm and bringing jackets when needed so I could change. It meant I could focus only on the final.”
“When I started my sprint, I didn’t want to waste energy by looking around. I just gave my best and sprinted to the line for the victory. It’s my tenth time racing here at Flèche, and ever since the first time I raced in 2014, it’s been a dream of mine to win.”
Elisa Longo Borghini
“It was a really hard finish, I was trying to do my job to help Gaia to the end but she told me she was not good and gave me a go, so I tried my best. It was again a good team effort today because I had all the girls around me and Gaia and they were really taking care of us, bringing us warm clothing. Thank you to them.”
“It’s a good satisfaction to be third in Flèche Wallonne. It was a very cold and kind of strange race. It started raining at the very beginning of the race. I’m sorry for my teammate Gaia who isn’t coping really well with the cold weather, because I think normally on this final she could win. In the end it was just a pity she couldn’t be there.”
“I think Niewiadoma went in a perfect spot. She was the strongest today, and to be fair and honest I’m delighted she won. She’s always a fair rider and somebody I have a lot of respect for, and she deserved the win.”
Demi Vollering
“I tried to find my own rhythm on the final climb. This year it was for Kasia Niewiadoma. It was a somewhat easier edition of the Flèche Wallonne than previous years. We missed five tough climbs in the finale compared to last year.”
“It’s nice for Kasia to win now. She is always strong and always attacks in races. Kasia had the punch to get away. I was hoping her legs would explode in the last hundred metres so I could come back. But she was very strong.”
Flèche Wallonne Femmes is the middle of the 3 Ardennes Classics and features the brutally steep Mur de Huy as its final. Dotted with hills throughout, it’s the Mur de Huy that sees a tough uphill sprint to the line that can only be won by a select few. Anna van der Breggen absolutely dominated this race in her time with 7 victories in a row and Marianne Vos managed 5 herself before then. Demi Vollering got off the mark last season and will be looking to build a similar dynasty of wins to her mentor. A route change this year sees the Cote de Cherave removed which both had a tendency to shed riders out of the back and stifle moves before the Mur. Only once has a winning move come before the Mur.
As the Flèche Wallonne Femmes approaches, notable alterations to the course have sparked comments, particularly from seven-time winner Anna van der Breggen, who now serves as a team director for SD Worx. The reconfigured approach to the iconic Mur de Huy, a hallmark of this race, sees the removal of the Côte de Cherave, a move Van der Breggen views unfavourably. “The Côte de Cherave previously added an extra layer of tactics to the finale, giving riders who didn’t want to wait for the Mur a chance to make a significant move,” she noted.
Van der Breggen pointed to the new route leading into the Mur de Huy, which features a descent on a wide road, as potentially favouring strong climbers, thereby condensing much of the race’s decisive action into the final climb where a select group is likely to fight for victory. Recollecting her own strategies, Van der Breggen mentioned, “There was a time I secured a victory at the Flèche Wallonne by breaking away before the Mur, a feat that’s now harder with the course changes.”
Focusing on this year’s competition, Van der Breggen is confident in Demi Vollering, last year’s winner, who will lead the SD Worx team. She is well-supported by a formidable lineup, including Lotte Kopecky, who will act as a high-calibre support rider. “Demi is well-prepared and capable of managing the demands of the Mur,” stated Van der Breggen. The team’s tactics will likely involve having riders like Blanka Vas and Elena Cecchini join early breakaways to help Vollering conserve energy for the critical final climb.
Van der Breggen also highlighted potential rivals in the race, pointing to Kasia Niewiadoma, Elisa Longo-Borghini, and Gaia Realini as key competitors.
Anna Shackley, a rising talent within the women’s peloton, has been compelled to end her professional cycling career due to a heart condition. The decision follows a series of medical tests which diagnosed Shackley with cardiac arrhythmia back in January. Her team, SD Worx-Protime, stated that subsequent heart screenings conducted at the Maxima Medisch Centrum in Veldhoven, along with further examinations in Barcelona near her hometown, uncovered additional irregularities.
The findings have ultimately deemed that the heart issues are incompatible with the demands of top-level sport. “We are very sorry to see Anna’s cycling career end like this,” said SD Worx-Protime’s sports manager, Danny Stam. “She was one of the bigger talents in the women’s peloton and was making good progress towards the world top.”
Shackley, just 22 years old, has not trained or competed in races since the diagnosis was first made. “It is especially unfortunate for her that she is now forced to stop,” Stam expressed. However, he also noted relief that more severe health complications had been averted. The team is now focusing on supporting Shackley as she transitions back to everyday life.
SD Worx-Protime has requested privacy for Shackley during this period, as she adjusts to these significant life changes.
As the cycling season progresses, there is much talk about Demi Vollering’s next steps. The skilled cyclist is set to leave Team SD Worx ProTime at the end of 2024, sparking many rumours about where she might go next. This news is especially notable as it contrasts with her teammate Lotte Kopecky, who has recently secured a long-term contract to stay with the team until 2028.
Vollering and Kopecky had contrasting fortunes in 2023. While Vollering delivered strong performances throughout the season, enhancing her standing as one of the sport’s top competitors, Kopecky not only matched but perhaps surpassed expectations with several championship wins. Her stellar season was quickly rewarded with a new contract extension.
Vollering, adhering to UCI regulations, has said that she will not announce her future team until August 1st, the earliest date set by the governing body for riders to officially disclose transfers for the upcoming season. This has left fans and followers eager to see where she will take her talents next. With no confirmation, the rumour mill is going into overdrive with teams linked to the signing of the Tour de France Femmes winner only to then also rule themselves out.
Demi Vollering
Demi Vollering 2024 Transfer Rumours by Team
UAE Team ADQ
The first place to start is at UAE Team ADQ. Marijn de Fietst talked in her column on NRC in February 2024 about an offer made by the team at the end of the 2023 season for Demi Vollering with a salary of 1 million Euros. That headline was picked up and repeated across almost all of the cycling media at that point as that salary would comfortably be the largest seen in women’s cycling up to this point. Whilst we don’t know what the top earners are actually on with precise figures there’s speculation that no one else has hit the 500k mark to this point but after her 2023 season, this number kinda made sense for guaranteed success.
This week, however, Daniel Benson appeared to rule UAE Team ADQ out of the running. From what we know, only Silvia Persico has a contract on the team past 2024, with 15 riders on the 2024 roster needing to either renew or find new roles. That does allow for some flexibility in arranging things for Demi Vollering yet.
Lidl-Trek
There hasn’t been much serious linking to Lidl-Trek other than the fact they’re a team that could actually afford to sign a superstar like Vollering. Their issue, however, is that their budget is largely tied up in their existing riders. Unlike UAE Team ADQ, they don’t have as many riders with expiring contracts with 7 needing deals. One of those is Elisa Longo Borghini who has gone a long way at the start of 2024 to show she’s worth building a team around. Always a contender, her big win at the Tour of Flanders and pair of smaller wins at Brabantse Pijl and Trofeo Oro in Euro pretty much already eclipse her unlucky 2023 season.
How Lidl-Trek juggles the likes of Deignan and Spratt, with both probably not worth quite as much as their original deals now as they move from race contenders to leading elite domestique roles is going to be interesting. Ilaria Sanguineti is an important rider for team star Elisa Balsamo and the pair of Elynor Backstedt and Brodie Chapman are workhouses who chip in with the odd result. An interesting one could be Ellen van Dijk who just hinted at a possible retirement after the Olympics on her podcast recently but could very well continue. It really feels like there isn’t the budget available to sign another big star to the team.
At the end of March, it was said that Lidl-Trek had spoken to Demi Vollering’s agent but by mid-April, Daniel Benson also reported that Lidl-Trek had ruled themselves out of the running at the same time as UAE Team ADQ.
Funnily enough, back in February, the FDJ-Suez team boss Stephen Delcourt had this response to the 1 million offer supposedly made by UAE Team ADQ:
“We need to be more clever about the money, The visibility of our sport is not at the same speed as our teams’ budgets. We have visibility like this and it’s good for the women on one side, but it’s not good for the long term sustainability of the sport.
If UAE is crazy and wants to offer one million for Demi, she can go, it [would be] good if every rider on SD Worx was on a separate team, but it’s not the normal price if we compare with the visibility of our sport. But I’m sure of one thing: Demi with UAE is not the same Demi.”
Stephen Delcourt (February 2024)
Before the latest rumours of a borderline done deal with FDJ-Suez surfaced, there were more comments from Delcourt that sought to downplay the chances of signing Demi Vollering. Whilst firstly acknowledging that his main sponsors in FDJ and Suez are up for renewal this season, he believes both are likely to re-sign up to 2028. He also brought up that their priorities are in the riders they currently have with Grace Brown, Marta Cavalli and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig up for renewal this season. Loes Adegeest and Gladys Verhulst-Wild are also up for renewal with both having done their chances a world of good with results in recent weeks. There was also talk that FDJ-Suez had engaged with Demi Vollering’s agent but that negotiations failed around this time too.
When pressed about Demi Vollering, Delcourt didn’t bite and seemed to say it was unrealistic, with hints that the team were hoping that Juliette Labous would become available when she is willing to talk contracts in May.
“How’s that possible? We’re not Dutch, and with Lapierre. Do you think it’s possible? Maybe we can start the negotiations tomorrow… I don’t know but every team wants a Demi, every team wants a Juliette Labous, everyone wants an Elisa Longo Borghini.”
Stephen Delcourt (April 2024)
It is interesting that Lapierre is mentioned here as well. The cycling brand was bought out by an American investment fund in 2022 and subsequently seems less willing to fund promotion through the form of pro cycling teams using their bikes. The men’s Groupama-FDJ team, which is linked to the women’s only through the sponsorship of FDJ moved to using Wilier bikes for 2024 after using Lapierre for 22 years. It feels a similar situation will happen for the women’s team.
As the done deal rumour evolved this week, the name of Specialized came to attention. Dutch sources like Wielerflits and Algemeen Dagblad began to mention the possibility that Demi’s signing by FDJ-Suez would be partially funded by Specialized as a personal sponsor of Demi Vollering. That would resolve the issue of Lapierre with the French team getting a serious deal and an upgrade in their equipment in the bargain. It helps to identify where FDJ-Suez might have achieved the budget needed and how they might yet get Demi Vollering and keep some of their big trio of renewals.
Demi Vollering
Movistar
The news was that Movistar was looking to strengthen its line-up after the departure of Annemiek van Vleuten with a strong signing this off-season. However, the team quickly ruled itself out of Demi Vollering (or Pauline Ferrand-Prevot) being that rider at the start of March.
At the end of March, team owner Sebastian Unzue also confirmed that the team hadn’t been in contact with Demi Vollering’s agent. A move to Movistar feels very much off the table.
Visma | Lease a Bike
The combination of a Dutch star on a Dutch team has led to some mentioning Visma | Lease a bike as a possibility. The team however has been offloading decent riders in recent years to other teams as it looks to invest in youth around its own obvious star in Marianne Vos. That doesn’t exactly scream that there’s a large budget available to the team in yellow and black. Famously Vollering and Vos were on separate sides of the Dutch Olympics team divide and the 2021 Flanders World Championships finish which saw Marianne Vos just miss out on the win. The initial reaction there was that Vollering had worked too much for her own chances and not her leader and whilst that thought didn’t necessarily stand up quite so much after scrutiny it was still the reaction most saw.
At the end of March, however, Visma | Lease a Bike ruled themselves out of signing Demi Vollering this year as they want to build their team around Marianne Vos and Fem van Empel.
Demi Vollering
Other Options
There have been no direct or indirect confirmations from these teams but a general feeling that they may or may not be in the running.
AG Insurance-Soudal
AG Insurance-Soudal are in the market for a big star with Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio set to actually retire this season after a few postponements to achieve some more great results. With the South African leaving the team, that frees up the budget to be spent on a star. As a Belgian team, they made an effort to sign Lotte Kopecky but she decided to stay with SD Worx. Will we now see a pivot to signing Demi Vollering instead? What may give that thought some legs is the split between the team’s founder Natascha den Ouden, sponsors AG Insurance and partial owner Patrick Lefevere recently. In Natascha’s statement, she said that there had been a difference in vision between herself and the others with her focus largely on development through the U23 and U19 teams. If the team are looking to pump money in to sign stars like Demi Vollering, that feels like a clear-cut difference as a possible reason.
Canyon SRAM
Canyon SRAM gets a mention as one of the few teams who actually could maybe find the budget to pull off the signing of Demi Vollering. They’re not exactly flush with money but the timing of key rider contracts lines up nicely to potentially be an option. Kasia Niewiadoma has been a mainstay of the team over the years with some great results but after 5 years without a road victory, maybe the Pole could be tempted elsewhere to finally break that duck. EDIT: Kasia finally won at Fleche Wallonne!
Also of note is that Chloe Dygert’s long-term contract, signed shortly before she suffered the horrific injury at the Worlds in Imola in 2020, is up at the end of this year. The American obviously has a big reason for not racing that much but you’d think the return on investment of what looked set to be a long-term signing of a major GC rider for 4 years hasn’t quite worked out. She’s been good in fits and starts over the last 2 seasons but could be a rider moved on to secure Vollering if they wanted.
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL
Another one where the Dutch rider to a Dutch team logic makes sense. The team hasn’t even been mentioned at all as a serious destination for Demi Vollering. Similar to Visma | Lease a Bike, their strategy in recent years has been to snap up the best and brightest from the junior ranks and develop them into contenders. Juliette Labous will be the focus of their re-signing efforts first as well with the French rider saying she won’t talk contracts until after May. Presumably, she will be looking to have a strong Vuelta to raise her value.
EF Education-Cannondale
We’ll finish with a left-field option in EF Education-Cannondale as probably the only Continental team likely to even come close to having the budget. The American team certainly made plenty of signings this off-season to get them immediately into a good place to challenge for UCI points which they’ll need for guaranteed Women’s WorldTour invites next season. That would make them a de facto WWT team in 2025, ready for a points challenge to join the top level officially in 2026. They’re off to a strong start already and it would be a big surprise if they don’t earn a Tour de France Femmes wildcard this year too. Whether they have the budget to sign a big star again is unclear as they already have the likes of Veronica Ewers, Kristen Faulkner and Alison Jackson under contract. The first pair in that trio are already signed for 2025.
Imogen Cotter, a significant figure in professional cycling, has announced her decision to retire from the sport via an Instagram post. Cotter, who has encountered notable obstacles, including a serious crash, conveyed appreciation to her team and reflected on her journey in the sport. In her announcement, Cotter mentioned her increasing discomfort with competitive racing, highlighting feelings of anxiety and fear during training rides. She recognised that prioritising her mental well-being was crucial and made the challenging decision to step away from professional cycling.
Despite the challenges, Cotter expressed pride in her accomplishments, particularly in her mental resilience following her crash and subsequent recovery. She acknowledged the steadfast support of her family, friends, and partner, Youri, throughout her career.
Imogen Cotter’s career
Imogen Cotter’s cycling journey commenced in 2019 when she embarked on her inaugural road-racing season. Joining S-Bikes Bodhi, she delved into the realm of professional cycling, navigating the challenges of competitive racing in the Belgian peloton. Despite her limited experience, Cotter quickly adapted, pushing herself to the limits and earning commendable results, including a second-place finish at the Nationals.
Imogen Cotter
In 2020, amidst uncertainties surrounding racing, Cotter returned to Ireland, where she explored Zwift racing as a means of staying motivated. Despite facing setbacks, she persevered and secured her first Belgian win, garnering attention from UCI teams. However, the toll of rigorous training took its toll on Cotter’s motivation, impacting her performance in prestigious races like the Tour of Flanders.
The following year, Cotter encountered another obstacle when she contracted COVID-19, disrupting her training regime. Despite the setback, she seized opportunities to represent Ireland and clinched victories, culminating in her first professional contract with Plantur Pura.
In 2022, Cotter faced adversity once again when she was involved in a severe car accident, resulting in multiple surgeries and a challenging recovery process. Undeterred, she made a triumphant return to racing in 2023 with Fenix Deceuninck, showcasing her resilience on the road.
As Cotter embarked on the 2024 season with Hess Cycling Team, she reflected on her journey, acknowledging the highs and lows that shaped her career. Despite her achievements, Cotter realised that the pursuit of professional cycling no longer brought her joy. Citing anxiety and a desire for a calmer lifestyle, Cotter announced her retirement from professional cycling.
The upcoming Ford RideGlasgow FreeCycle event, scheduled for Sunday, June 9th, aims to enhance Glasgow’s cycling legacy by offering a unique opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy cycling on traffic-free roads in the heart of the city.
This free event, organized in collaboration with Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, builds upon the city’s commitment to becoming more bike-friendly, as demonstrated by its status as the UK’s first UCI Bike City and the success of last year’s UCI Cycling World Championships.
Participants in the inaugural Ford RideGlasgow FreeCycle will traverse a scenic four-mile loop, passing through iconic landmarks such as Glasgow Green, Merchant City, and George Square. Along the route, Festival Zones will provide opportunities for riders to engage in free, family-friendly activities.
Bailie Annette Christie, Glasgow Life Chair, highlighted the city’s dedication to promoting cycling as a means of improving physical and mental well-being. She encouraged people from all backgrounds to join the event and experience the joy of cycling.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, praised Glasgow’s cycling heritage and the event’s role in promoting active lifestyles and supporting sustainable transportation initiatives.
Lisa Brankin, Chair & Managing Director of Ford Britain & Ireland, expressed Ford’s commitment to promoting cycling through initiatives like the Ford RideGlasgow FreeCycle.
The Festival Zones, located at George Street and Glasgow Green, will offer a variety of activities, including bike stunt shows, cycle skills training, and entertainment for all ages.
Ford RideGlasgow FreeCycle will take place from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sunday, June 9th, with Festival Zones open throughout the weekend. For those without a bike, OVO bikes will be available for rent at docking stations across the city.
By leveraging Glasgow’s existing cycling infrastructure and investing in future enhancements, the city aims to further promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation and recreational activity for residents and visitors alike.
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