women's cycle tour 2023 uk

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Tour of Britain Women Route, Stages and Results 2023

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Derby to host Women's Tour of Britain for first time

Published: 9 March 2023

This year's Women's Tour of Britain will finish in Derby (Picture: SWpix)

The Women’s Tour, the UK’s leading international women’s cycle race, will visit Derby for the first time in June.

Stage four of this year’s free-to-attend race will finish in the city on Saturday 10 June, following a day of top-level sporting action that begins in Coleshill, North Warwickshire.

Set entirely within the Midlands, the penultimate stage of the five-day event will see the peloton will race through Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire, before making its way towards the finish line in Derby, which is home to one of the UK’s six indoor velodromes.

Councillor Jerry Pearce, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Leisure and Public Spaces said:

To share this announcement, especially the day after International Women’s Day, is fantastic. Derby is a city where anyone can get involved with cycling, whether they’re a beginner or an elite cyclist. Derby Arena and the Cycle Hub are great foundations for getting the community involved, so our city really is the ideal finishing point for this year’s Women’s Tour, and I couldn’t be more delighted. The opportunities that being a host city brings are tremendous, from raising our city’s profile and boosting our local economy to inspiring the next generation of cyclists. It will be a fantastic spectacle for the residents of Derby.

Councillor Matthew Eyre, Cabinet Member for Community Development, Place and Tourism, added:

We are thrilled to be hosting the Women’s Tour and delighted to be part of inspiring the next generation of female cyclists into this incredible sport. Cycling is one of very few sports which can be attended and watched close-up, without purchasing a ticket or subscription, meaning it provides a fantastic and exciting event, for all the family, at very low cost. This event is the next chapter in solidifying Derby’s place at the heart of the cycling world and we cannot wait to play our part.

As an award-winning race that showcases its host regions and promotes community activities along the race route, the Women’s Tour continues to form part of the prestigious UCI Women’s WorldTour series of events.

Last year’s race averaged a daily roadside attendance of 60,000 spectators and delivered an economic boost of over £1m to local economies.

Mick Bennett, Women’s Tour race director, said:

Derby is fast becoming a hotbed of cycling, helped in part by its spectacular velodrome, so I cannot wait for the UK’s leading women’s race to visit the city for the first time in June. I want the Women’s Tour to inspire people of all ages to live healthy, active lifestyles, and I’m sure that the people of Derby will be blown away by the power of this incredible, free-to-attend event!

The Women’s Tour will begin in Warwickshire on Wednesday 7 June and then continue with a stage between Northampton and Ampthill (Thursday 8 June). Day three will mark the most northerly stage in race history to date, as riders will tackle a grueling route from Dalby Forest to Guisborough via the North York Moors. This year’s champion will be crowned following a spectacular circuit race around the centre of Birmingham on Sunday 11 June.

This year’s Women’s Tour has already attracted the support of cottages.com, Brother UK, Accurist and cycleGuard. Organisers hope that today’s route announcement will generate additional commercial interest in the race, with event title, jersey, and stage specific sponsorships available. 

Launched in 2014, the award-winning event was the UK’s first international women’s stage race for women. Heralded as a game-changer in the journey towards gender equality in sport, previous winners of the Women’s Tour include Marianne Vos (2014), Lizzie Deignan (2016, 2019) and Elisa Longo Borghini (2022).

Further details of this year’s race, including competing teams, leaders’ jerseys and stage routes, will be revealed in the coming weeks.

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Women's tour to break new ground with most northerly stage in race history

The Women’s Tour, the UK’s leading international women’s cycling event, will break new ground when Dalby Forest and Guisborough host the race in June. 

Stage three of this year’s event (Friday 9 June) will be the most challenging of the 2023 edition. It will also mark the most northerly day of racing the race will have held since launching nine years ago.

Home to over 8,500 acres of walking, running and cycle trails, the Forestry England site of Dalby Forest lends itself perfectly to hosting the Women’s Tour. While a new host venue to this event, it was the scene of a stage finish in the men’s Tour of Britain in 2008.

Guisborough is also no stranger to cycling, having previously welcomed rounds of the Tour Series circuit race event in 2021 and 2022.

Ed Woollard, Head of Recreation and Public Affairs at Forestry England Yorkshire, said :

“Dalby Forest is a well renowned destination for cycling, so we’re thrilled to be hosting this stage of the Women’s Tour – and being the furthest north they have travelled with this race! “We’re so lucky to have such a stunning, varied landscape here in Dalby and over the North York Moors which we’re excited to showcase. There has never been a more prominent time to champion women in sport so we’re delighted to be supporting and bringing this to our visitors.”

Councillor Louise Westbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, said:

“I am thrilled to welcome the Women’s Tour to Redcar and Cleveland on Friday, June 9, when elite women cyclists will weave their way across the North York Moors from Dalby Forest to Guisborough. “The race will provide the opportunity to attract visitors to the town and showcase what the area has to offer while hopefully providing the inspiration to women and girls to become more active and get into sport. “I would urge people from across the area to come along to Guisborough on what is sure to be a fantastic day of elite racing and wider sporting and cultural activity.”

More details of the stage three route will be announced in the coming weeks.

A free-to-watch spectacle that showcases its host regions and promotes community activities along the race route, the Women’s Tour continues to form part of the prestigious UCI Women’s World Tour series of events.

Last year’s race averaged a daily roadside attendance of 60,000 spectators and delivered an economic boost of over £1m to local economies. 

Mick Bennett, Women’s Tour race director, said:

“We are very excited to be bringing the Women’s Tour to North Yorkshire for the first time in what is sure to be a very popular, and action-filled, day of racing. “It is great to be working with Forestry England, the North York Moors National Park and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council once again. We know that they are huge supporters of our events and I thank them all for their efforts.”

The Women’s Tour 2023 will begin in Warwickshire on Wednesday 7 June and will continue with a stage between Northampton and Ampthill (Thursday 8 June). The penultimate stage of the race (Saturday 10 June) takes place between Coleshill and Derby, creating a Midlands doubleheader to end the event, as this year’s champion will be crowned following a spectacular circuit race around the centre of Birmingham on Sunday 11 June.

This year’s Women’s Tour has already attracted the support of cottages.com, Brother UK, Accurist and cycleGuard. Organisers hope that today’s route announcement will generate additional commercial interest in the race, with event title, jersey, and stage specific sponsorships available for selected stages. Visit womenstour.co.uk/partners/commercial-opportunities for more information.

Launched in 2014, the award-winning event was the UK’s first international women’s stage race for women. Heralded as a game-changer in the journey towards gender equality in sport, previous winners of the Women’s Tour include Marianne Vos (2014), Lizzie Deignan (2016, 2019) and Elisa Longo Borghini (2022).

Further details of this year’s race, including competing teams, leaders’ jerseys and stage routes, will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The 2023 Women’s Tour stages

Stage one     Wednesday 7 June   Stratford-upon-Avon to Royal Leamington Spa

Stage two     Thursday 8 June        Northampton to Ampthill

Stage three  Friday 9 June             Dalby Forest to Guisborough

Stage four    Saturday 10 June      Coleshill to Derby

Stage five     Sunday 11 June         Birmingham city centre circuit race

Women's Tour cancelled for 2023 because of lack of funding and increased costs

• Published 31 March 2023

Britain's Lizzie Deignan and Dutch rider Marianne Vos are among the winners of previous events

The Women's Tour will not take place this year after organisers failed to find the funding required for the race.

They said last month sponsorship was "urgently needed" for the British event and started a crowdfunding campaign.

But now organisers say it has "proved impossible to deliver the event" because of "increased running costs and a reduced level of commercial support".

Plans are under way for the race to return in 2024, in what would be the 10th anniversary of its first edition.

"The Women's Tour thanks everybody who donated for their unwavering loyalty, as well as all the messages of goodwill that have been sent," organisers Sweetspot said.

"This outcome is incredibly disappointing for the stakeholders set to host this year's race, who have shown great support and understanding throughout this process.

"We will continue to work with them to explore opportunities for hosting world-class cycling events in the near future."

The crowdfunding campaign raised over £18,000 from more than 500 individuals but did not secure the larger deals required. The funding gap remained at around £400,000 when the event was cancelled on Friday.

Refunds will be available to those who contributed to the campaign.

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Women’s Tour ‘impossible to deliver’ as organisers admit defeat over 2023 event

• Loss of five-day race a further blow for British cycling
• Funding gap of £400,000 proves insurmountable

The Women’s Tour will not take place this summer after the organising company admitted defeat in its attempts to find the funding required to stage the five-day Women’s WorldTour race in June.

Last month Sweetspot announced a five-day route for the popular race, down from the usual six, but warned it needed to find £500,000 in new sponsorship in order to go ahead – even launching a crowdfunding campaign to try to spur interest. It set a soft deadline of Easter to make progress before it would need to start paying deposits on some of the primary expenses, mainly accommodation at this point, but has now announced that the target is for the race to return for its 10th anniversary edition in 2024.

“Owing to a combination of increased running costs (approximately 20% higher in comparison to the 2022 race) and a reduced level of commercial support, it has proved impossible to deliver the event that was proposed for June,” a statement said.

The crowdfunding campaign raised over £18,000 from more than 500 individuals, with pledges ranging from £5 to £1,000, but it did not lead to the bigger deals Sweetspot needed and the funding gap remained at about £400,000 when the plug was pulled. The crowdfunding pledges will now be refunded.

The loss of the race, which counts Lizzie Deignan, Marianne Vos and Elisa Longo Borghini among its former winners, is the biggest hit yet for a domestic scene that has absorbed a number of blows this year. The domestic Tour Series has not taken place while there has been a downscaling of British Cycling’s national road series. The UCI Continental team AT85 Pro Cycling abruptly closed their doors this month.

Deignan, a two-time winner of the Women’s Tour, last month said the postponement of the race would represent “a huge loss” for both the domestic and international calendar, saying she had been targeting the event in training as she plans her return after giving birth for a second time.

Sweetspot said the Tour of Britain, the eight-day men’s race due to take place in the first week of September, is still on track, with details of the route expected next month.

“While not immune to the economic environment and same commercial pressures faced by the Women’s Tour and Tour Series, we remain confident that the Tour of Britain (Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 September) will run as planned,” the statement added. “This is, in part, due to a number of commercial agreements already in place that are unique to this event. Plans to launch the race in the coming weeks are unaffected by this announcement.”

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This year’s edition of the Women’s Tour was due to start in Stratford-upon-Avon on 7 June and include a stage in the North Yorkshire Moors, the furthest north it would have ever ventured, before a final-day circuit race in Birmingham city centre.

Sweetspot have already announced that next year’s race is due to start in Wales as part of a long-term agreement with the Welsh government, with talks due to be held with those local authorities which have missed out this year on whether they would like to host a stage in the future.

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Queens of the Road: A Spotlight on the Top Women Cyclists of 2023

The 2023 women’s cycling season unfolded with a dynamic blend of talent, resilience, and thrilling race moments. Beyond a collection of races — it was truly a stage where athletes showcased their grit, determination, and distinctive styles. Over the last 12 months, the peloton witnessed the rise of several formidable athletes, each leaving an indelible mark on the 2023 season. Let’s explore some of the top women riders who made this year one for the history books! 

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx): A Belgian star on the rise

Lotte Kopecky’s rise in 2023 cannot go without mention. While finishing second in the rankings, Kopecky’s victories were spectacular, boasting triumphs at the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Thüringen overall with stages, and both the Belgian RR and TT titles. The 28-year-old Belgian sensation had a magical run, including a podium finish at the Tour de France and securing the road race World Championship.

With plenty of highlights to choose from — Kopecky’s top moment was still likely her victory at the Tour de Flanders, where her unstoppable form became evident in the last 18 km of the race. Alongside Demi Vollering, she emerged as the star of the season, solidifying her status as a versatile and dominant force in women’s cycling.

Demi Vollering (SD Worx): The Queen of the Ardennes

Speaking of Demi Vollering, her 2023 campaign was nothing short of incredible. The Dutch powerhouse opened her account with a resounding win at Strade Bianche, followed by victories at Dwars, the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège – an impressive feat that solidified her status as a dominant force in women’s cycling.

The Ardennes Triple Crown, a rare achievement won previously only by Anna van der Breggen in 2017, was only one of Vollering’s crowning glories in 2023. Another defining moment of Vollering’s season came on Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes. Sitting seventh on the general classification and trailing her teammate Lotte Kopecky, Vollering faced a daunting challenge on the challenging Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet. The refusal to cooperate with Annemiek van Vleuten and a dramatic pursuit of Kasia Niewiadoma set the stage for a nail-biting finale. Vollering’s decisive attack in the final 5km secured her the stage win and an overall victory in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, underlining her resilience and ability to thrive under pressure.

Annemiek van Vleuten: A graceful exit

Annemiek van Vleuten, the 40-year-old Dutch Superduperstar, bid farewell to her illustrious career with a season that would be the envy of any cyclist. The Vuelta-Giro Donne Double was the centrepiece of her final season, with a wire-to-wire Giro win that began with stage 1 being neutralised due to adverse weather conditions. Van Vleuten’s triumphs extended to the Scandinavia Tour, where she added another win to her impressive list of accomplishments.

Despite a lack of top finishes later in the season, Van Vleuten’s retirement marks the end of an era, as she exited the sport on a high note — securing her position as one of the best cyclists of all time. Van Vleuten’s departure leaves a void in the peloton, but her legacy as a cycling legend will undoubtedly inspire future generations of riders.

Charlotte Kool (DSM–Firmenich): Challenging the sprinting status quo

In the often predictable realm of women’s sprinting, Charlotte Kool emerged as a refreshing challenger to the established order in 2023. Once the leadout rider for Lorena Wiebes, Kool stepped into the limelight and demonstrated that she was a force to be reckoned with all her own.

Case in point, she outpaced Wiebes in a showdown at the UAE Tour, securing two wins to Wiebes’ one. The 24-year-old sprinter’s prowess also extended to notable victories at the RideLondon Classique and Baloise Ladies Tour. Kool’s ability to compete with and defeat Wiebes in bunch finishes elevated her status, placing her alongside elite riders like Elisa Balsamo and Marianne Vos. As a part of the young and talented DSM–Firmenich team, she is signed on until at least 2026. We definitely feel that Kool’s potential and room for development suggest that the competition in women’s sprinting will only intensify in the coming seasons.

Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl–Trek): Young super talent continues making a name for herself 

In the realm of promising young riders, Shirin van Anrooij’s stellar performance in 2023 deserves special recognition. Although on a slightly different level from some of the established names, Van Anrooij’s achievements signalled a significant levelling up and the attainment of major wins in the highly competitive women’s peloton.

Van Anrooij’s signature moment in 2023 was her triumph at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, a race that showcased her climbing ability and tactical prowess. Additionally, she secured victories in the Tour de l’Avenir and achieved commendable results in classics, finishing third in Amstel and eighth in Flanders. Her well-rounded skill set was further highlighted by a second-place finish in the Euros U23 race and the prestigious title of reigning U23 World Champion in cyclocross.

Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx): Sprinting sensation and emerging classics star

Lorena Wiebes, a major presence in the SD Worx lineup, continued establishing herself as one of the premier sprinters in women’s cycling during the 2023 season. While she did not clinch the top spot in the overall victories list, Wiebes’ fast finishes were undeniable, with stage wins in races such as Burgos, UAE Tour, Thüringen, Giro Donne, Tour de France, and Scandinavia Tour.

At just 24 years old, Wiebes showcased remarkable growth and versatility in her cycling repertoire. Joining SD Worx elevated her status beyond being a dominant sprinter, as she evolved into a Classics rider with podium finishes in races like Ronde van Drenthe. Wiebes’ palmares in 2023 highlighted her consistency, frequently landing on the podium or being a runner-up in races where she might not have been considered a favourite in the past.

Marlen Reusser (SD Worx): Swiss sensation knows how to go fast 

Marlen Reusser, the Swiss chrono and road star, left an indelible mark on the 2023 women’s cycling season. The 31-year-old athlete smashed all her previous bests, surging to fourth in the world overall rankings (PdC; 5th in other rankings) in just her third World Tour season. Remarkably, Reusser only took up cycling during university, making her ascent even more impressive.

Reusser’s victories in her home tour, Gent-Wevelgem, and the concluding time trial stage of the Tour de France showcased her prowess in both chrono and road racing. As the Swiss road and ITT champion, Reusser added the overall title at the Itzulia Women’s Tour to her list of achievements. Her nickname, the Flying Elephant, hints at her ability to gracefully soar above her competitors, and her performances throughout the season certainly lived up to this moniker.

Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM): Gravel World Champion and tenacious competitor

Kasia Niewiadoma, a formidable rider for Canyon-SRAM, stands out not only as one of the finest riders in the world but also as a tenacious competitor who thrives in challenging conditions. As far as her 2023 performance goes — her triumph at the Gravel World Championships in 2023 earned her a spot on this list. After pulling away from favorites Silvia Persico and Demi Vollering on the penultimate climb — her victory at the Gravel World Championships added another layer to her versatile skill set, proving her ability to excel on diverse terrains.

As she looks to 2024, Niewiadoma remains a formidable force, ready to take on more challenges and add to her impressive list of victories. The cycling community eagerly anticipates her future performances, both on gravel and traditional road races.

As these remarkable cyclists continue to set new standards and redefine the possibilities in women’s cycling, the excitement for the upcoming seasons intensifies. As we bid farewell to 2023, we will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter — to see just how far these incredibly women will push the boundaries of professional cycling in the months and years to come!

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Lotte Kopecky Claims Victory at Paris-Roubaix: ‘It was exactly as we planned’

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Women’s Tour de Romandie 2023 Race Preview

Mathew Mitchell

• Published on September 13, 2023
• in Women's Cycling

Women's Tour de Romandie History

The Women’s Tour de Romandie got off to a great start last season with a surprise but well-deserved win by Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio . The South African managed to outclimb Annemiek van Vleuten , who’d won all 3 major GC battles in 2022 and Elisa Longo Borghini. We also saw one of the real major results from young Swiss rider Petra Stiasny. She finished 5th on the queen stage amongst exalted company.

Table of Contents

The first stage had been won by Arlenia Sierra, the Cuban being the quickest finisher in the lead group of nearly 30 riders. The final day was something nearer to a purer sprint but with the biggest sprint names like Wiebes not there, it was Marta Lach who took her first-ever Women’s WorldTour victory. 

This year’s route is going to be similar fare. There are a couple of rolling stages that should end up in a sprint, although Stage 1 might also reward a well-timed attack. Stage 2 is the one that decides the GC battle though with its summit finish. 

Previous Winners

2022 Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio 2021 Not held 2020 Not held

Women's Tour de Romandie 2023 Profiles

Stage 1 profile.

Stage 2 Profile

Stage 3 Profile

TV Coverage

Friday 15th September 2023 to Sunday 17th September 2023

Live on Eurosport/GCN

Stage 1: 14:05-15:35 Stage 2: 12:35-14:05 Stage 3: 14:10-15:30

All times in BST

Twitter:  #TDRF2023

Startlist: FirstCycling

Women's Tour de Romandie 2023 Contenders

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio will revisit this race as a favourite again. As other riders’ form faded in the late season, the South African could outclimb GC-winning riders for the GC win. She will be targeting the GC win again this year but doesn’t have the most obvious strong form coming into it. 11th at Plouay is solid, 13th in GC at the Tour of Scandinavia was affected by the TT. There’s also a chance we see one of her fast finishes on the rolling stages too.

Antonia Niedermaier looks like she’ll get the nod for Canyon SRAM. This season has contained near misses at the Thüringen Ladies Tour and the Giro Donne but has also been strong along the way and was 4th at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes 2 weeks ago. The German is strong on a climb and with relatively few race days in the legs this year might be able to close the gap to the big-name favourites here. Teammate Elise Chabbey is going to want to do something on home roads as well. Normally that’s a hunt for the Queen of the Mountains jersey but I think we could see her roll the dice for a stage win. Kasia Niewiadoma will also be here too. Another rider who had to pull out of the World Championships, she came back strong at the Simac Ladies Tour finishing 6th in GC despite the pair of time trials. She was the only rider able to take the fight to SD Worx on the Cauberg, where she finished 3rd too. 

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig will be a GC threat after coming 2nd on home roads at the Tour de Scandinavia. It felt like at times she was bossing that race with a pair of stage victories secured and a big near miss too when the sprinters caught and passed her near the line. It’s going to be tough to beat the likes of SD Worx but the podium is a real shout at this year’s Women’s Tour de Romandie. Teammate Gladys Verhulst might also be a shot for the more sprinting stages if Uttrup Ludwig doesn’t go for them herself. There aren’t many sprinters here so there is a good chance for the more all-round riders like Verhulst to do well.

SD Worx will be full of talent as usual. Demi Vollering will be a favourite but she also left the Simac Ladies Tour early with an illness. Fully recovered it’s tough to see anyone else winning the summit finish of Stage 2. It’s probably also worth noting that Demi Vollering lives in Switzerland, so there’s a sort of home advantage at play too. If she’s not at 100% though, it’s possible that she pivots to supporting Marlen Reusser . With the Swiss racing on home roads and showing a remarkable climbing ability this season, with a bit of support from Demi she might be able to sort out a GC win for herself. There are also the likes of Plouay winner Mischa Bredewold , and Niamh Fisher-Black and Anna Shackley here to support. Last time racing in Switzerland, Fisher-Black took her first Women’s WorldTour victory and Anna Shackley was runner-up at Avenir recently too.

Lidl-Trek will be fully in for the GC here. They’ve got Elisa Longo Borghini and Gaia Realini. The Italian duo has worked well already this year to secure GC wins, I’d be tempted to go with Gaia Realini as the main GC hopeful as Longo Borghini will be racing for the first time since the Tour de France Femmes back in July. She’s had surgery on a saddle sore infection, which removed her from contention at the World Championships this year. She was 3rd here last year and whilst possible I think her teammate will have the stronger race.

Liane Lippert is in good form after 4th place in GC at the Tour of Scandinavia whilst supporting Annemiek van Vleuten . That result puts her in good stead to lead at the Tour de Romandie this year. With Van Vleuten now retired, Lippert is the future for Movistar and this will be the first race as the team’s new #1. 

Team dsm-firmenich’s Juliette Labous is in some good form of her own as well. The French rider was 5th at Plouay, to go with 5th in the World’s TT and 5th in the Tour de France Femmes. Maybe 5th is likely here at the Tour de Romandie as well. Again she will be a threat on the summit finish stage mostly. 

It’s the first race since May for Kristen Faulkner . In that time, the American was hit by a driver whilst riding in California. That saw her forced to have a spell in hospital and she required some mending. Her form will be wildly unknown, as is her team for 2024 as well. She could be a threat on any of these stages but after 4 months of no racing, it’s prudent to guess she might need time to find her feet. There aren’t many sprinters here so someone like Ruby Roseman-Gannon will have a real shot for a stage win. The Aussie finished 4th at the GP Plouay and followed that up with 4th on the final day of the Simac Ladies Tour. She will be able to get over the climbs better than most and give herself a shot in the finishes of the Tour de Romandie. The team also has Ane Santesteban who was 8th at the Tour de France Femmes and was looking good at the Tour of Scandinavia before testing positive for covid. If the Spanish rider is back to full fitness she will be a threat in the GC. There’s also the wildcard of Urska Zigart who seems to excel in the one-off summit finish climbs like we’ll see in this race.

Jumbo-Visma also has the twin pairing of Amber Kraak and Eva van Agt to work with. Kraak won La Perigord Ladies recently and then finished 3rd in GC at the Tour of Scandinavia too. Unfortunately for Kraak, there’s no TT here but she will still be able to climb well. Eva van Agt crashed out of the Tour de France Femmes back in July and is another returning rider at the Tour de Romandie. Kraak will get the GC lead but will be well supported by Van Agt. A late startlist update also has Fem van Empel and Kim Cadzow added. Van Empel will be a threat on the rolling stages that are likely to end up in a sprint and has a shot at being a surprise strong climber here as well depending on the form of other riders. Kim Cadzow is one of the purest climbers in the peloton and could even lose time on Stage 1 before gaining plenty on the summit finish on Stage 2.

UAE Team ADQ is well-stocked for this race. There’s Silvia Persico who was 2nd at Grisette Grand Prix de Wallonie this week, surprisingly her first individual top-10 finish since the 2nd stage of the Tour de France Femmes almost 2 months ago. Sofia Bertizzolo was 4th in that race too and is entering a bit of late-season form. She’s been consistent throughout August and September, racking up top-10s at all levels and a podium at Plouay. She will be a threat on Stages 1 and 3. They’ve also brought Erica Magnaldi who was 2nd in GC at the Tour de l’Ardeche too for good measure. Magnaldi had a strong week, with 2nd on a pair of stages there too. Alena Ivanchenko has shown herself to be a strong threat on a summit finish like this too and was 9th in Ardeche. She might be the surprise candidate still up there late on.

It’s the countdown until her move to Jayco-AlUla for Mavi Garcia and whilst she had a slightly disappointing Tour de France Femmes, the Spanish rider has hit back since with 10th at the Worlds and 14th at Plouay despite the sprint finish there at the end. At her best, Garcia will be a big threat on the summit finish and also the GC too as a result. 

Marta Lach  is going to be a threat on the 2 rolling sprint stages. She’s shown herself to be in great form at the moment, winning her last 2 races at Fourmies and the Grisette Grand Prix de Wallonie. On top of that, there’s 4th at A Travers les Hauts de France and 2nd at GP Plouay too. The Pole is in truly strong form and will be a stage contender.

Yara Kastelijn will be an all-round threat here. A solid climber the rolling stages will also give her a chance too. She was consistent at the Simac Ladies Tour finishing 10th in GC and then 9th at the Grisette Grad Prix de Wallonie this week too. 

Claire Steels ‘ outstanding season continues here and shows no sign of slowing down just yet. She was 9th at Plouay, following on from 11th at the Tour of Scandinavia as well. We know she’ll be moving onto Movistar for next season already but there is still time to secure a strong finish for her Israel-Premier Tech Roland. 

Women's Tour de Romandie 2023 Outsiders

Still on the comeback trail is Krista Doebel-Hickok . The American is still officially on the hunt for a new team in 2024 and had a solid week in Ardeche finishing 12th overall. There’s another opportunity here with a pure climb to finish that she can make the top 10 GC in one of the last races of this season. 

One of the purest of climbers, so far we’ve seen Petra Stiasny get her best results on home roads. That included 7th at the Tour de Suisse this year and 5th on the queen stage of last year’s Tour de Romandie. In fairness, she was also good at the recent Tour de l’Avenir Femmes, finishing 3rd on the final day and 5th overall too.

Barbara Malcotti is another rider in some strong form after finishing 7th at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes. A stage win on the penultimate day was the Italian’s first UCI victory as well. She won that day by going solo at the end of a rolling stage not too dissimilar to the first stage of this year’s Tour de Romandie. 

Always good fun in a road race in Switzerland is Jolanda Neff . She’s a mountain bike rider but always gives a good account of herself on the road when it happens too. She won Trofeo Ponente in Rosa much earlier this season and was 5th at the Tour de Suisse last year. 

Top 3 Prediction

• Demi Vollering
• Gaia Realini
• Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig

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Women's Tour cancelled for 2023 due to financial shortfall

Organisers begin work for 2024 edition as crowdfunding contributors get refunds

The Women's Tour won't go ahead this year due to increased running costs and a lack of sponsorship, race organisers SweetSpot have announced.

The five-stage race route for June was announced earlier this month with a call for sponsorship funding, while SweetSpot also started a crowdfunding campaign to fill the financial gap.

The campaign has raised £18,000 of a target £100,000 so far, but with a lack of a title sponsor for the race and three of the four jerseys also without sponsorship, it has proven too big a hurdle to overcome to run the race this season.

"Owing to a combination of increased running costs (approximately 20% higher in comparison to the 2022 race) and a reduced level of commercial support, it has proved impossible to deliver the event that was proposed for June," SweetSpot announced on Friday morning, stating that the race will take a "one-year hiatus".

Over 500 fans who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign will receive refunds, while SweetSpot will begin work on planning for the 2024 edition of the race.

Women's Tour announces 2023 route with 'urgent' call for sponsors Women’s Tour launches crowdfunding campaign to ensure 2023 race goes ahead Longo Borghini overhauls Brown by one second to win 2022 Women's Tour

"The Women's Tour thanks everybody who donated for their unwavering loyalty, as well as all the messages of goodwill that have been sent. A refund process, overseen by the GoFundMe platform, has begun.

"Organisers are already working on plans for next year's edition, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the first Women's Tour. Wales will host the event's Grand Départ for the first time as part of a long-term agreement already in place with the Welsh Government."

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The race was due to start this year in Stratford-upon-Avon on June 7, taking in stages at Northampton, Guisborough, and Derby before a closing circuit race in Birmingham on June 11.

Previous title sponsors of the race have included Friends Life, Aviva, Ovo, and AJ Bell, though last year's race took place without a title sponsor.

Cottages.com, Brother UK, Accurist, and CycleGuard were on board as sponsors of the 2023 race, though Skoda pulled out of supplying vehicles for the race as well as the men's Tour of Britain, while jersey sponsorships and stage partnership packages also remained unfilled.

The cancellation of the race won in the past by Marianne Vos , Lizzie Deignan, Demi Vollering , and Elisa Longo Borghini, among others, leaves a gap in the Women's WorldTour calendar, while it's also another body blow for the domestic racing scene in Britain.

In February, SweetSpot announced that the long-running annual criterium series, the Tour Series, wouldn't take place in 2023, stating that, "It has proved impossible to compile a commercially viable calendar of events for May due to the pressures on local authority funding, combined with the wider economic challenges all businesses face."

Elsewhere, men's and women's Tour de Yorkshire have never returned to the calendar after the COVID-19 pandemic, with organisers stating last September that the 2022 race would also be cancelled due to "economic factors", while the men's RideLondon Classic stopped in 2019.

The men's Continental racing scene has also been decimated, with just two teams remaining in business this season, down from a high watermark of six as recently as 2018.

Since then, JLT Condor, One Pro Cycling, Wiggins, SwiftCarbon and Vitus have all fallen by the wayside, while the winter saw Ribble drop to club level and earlier this month AT85 (formerly known as Canyon dhb) also collapsed , leaving just Trinity Racing and Saint Piran remaining in the men's peloton.

In the women's peloton, Lifeplus-Wahoo also faced a battle to continue over the winter, having faced a €400,000 budget shortfall after title sponsor Le Col pulled out. The team was able to continue, however, as nutritional wellness company Lifeplus stepped in as title sponsor.

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Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.

As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees How to Watch guides and works on The Leadout newsletter throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix and their favourite published article is from the 2024 edition of the latter: 'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix

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Paris-Roubaix 2024: How to Watch a UCI World Tour Cycling Livestream for Free

The world's best riders take on the Queen of the Classics.

The UCI World Tour heads to the rugged roads of northern France this weekend for the 2024 edition of the Paris-Roubaix. 

Widely regarded as the toughest one-day race on the road cycling calendar, Paris-Roubaix features some of the most grueling cobblestone stretches on any of the Spring Classics. The peloton's ordeal eventually concludes after almost 160 miles in the iconic velodrome in Roubaix.

Last year's event saw Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) claim victory in the men's race while Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) was the 2023 women's race winner. 

Below, we'll outline the best  live TV streaming services  to use to watch the Paris-Roubaix live wherever you are in the world.

The 256.6km one-day race is known as "The Hell of the North," and these cobblestones might give you a clue as to why.

Paris-Roubaix 2024: Where and when is it?

The 2024 Paris Roubaix Femmes takes place on Saturday, April 6, at 1:35 p.m. CET local time, making it a 7:35 a.m. ET or 4:35 a.m. PT start in the US . For viewers in the UK it's a 12:35 p.m. BST start , while in Australia the action begins at 9:35 p.m. AEST .  

The Men's race meanwhile starts on Sunday, April 7 at 11:10 a.m. CET local time, which is 5:10 a.m. ET or 2:10 a.m. PT in the US, 10:10 a.m. BST in the UK and 7:10 p.m. in Australia. 

How to watch the Paris-Roubaix 2024 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the race locally, you may need a different way to watch -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. 

With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to what you want to watch. If your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our  Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN , make it really easy to do this. 

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. 

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great  VPN deals  taking place right now.

Best VPN for streaming

ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 35% -- the equivalent of $8.32 a month -- if you get an annual subscription. 

Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Livestream the Paris-Roubaix 2024 in the US

US cycling fans can watch all the action live via NBC, as well as streaming service  Peacock . 

Watch Paris-Roubaix in the US from $6 per month

NBC's streaming service Peacock offers access to a wide selection of top tier cycling events, including the Tour de France. You'll need to have a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to stream races live, which costs $6 a month or $60 per year.

Livestream Paris-Roubaix 2024 in the UK 

Viewers in the UK will need to subscribe to Eurosport or the streaming service Discovery Plus to watch this year's action live.

Discovery Plus

Carries the 2024 paris-roubaix live in the uk.

A subscription to Discovery Plus in the UK costs £7 per month or £60 for the year.

The service is available on a wide array of devices, and also includes access to all Eurosport TV channels.

Stream Paris-Roubaix 2024 in Australia for free

It's good news for cycling fans Down Under, with the 2024 Paris-Roubaix set to be broadcast for free in Australia on SBS .

Carries the 2024 Paris-Roubaix in Australia

Viewers can livestream Paris-Roubaix coverage on the free-to-use SBS On Demand service.

The platform has dedicated apps for Android and iOS, and you can also access the service on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV stick, Apple TV and most smart TVs.

Stream Paris-Roubaix 2024 in Canada

Dedicated cycling streaming service FloBikes is the place to watch live coverage of this year's race in Canada.

Watch Paris-Roubaix 2024 in Canada

A subscription to FloBikes currently costs $150 per year (roughly CA$190), which works out at $12.50 per month (roughly CA$16). The service has dedicated apps for Android and Apple devices.

Quick tips for streaming Paris-Roubaix 2024 using a VPN 

• With four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming the 2024 Paris-Roubaix live may vary.
• If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.
• If you're having trouble after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location. 
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend  Brave .

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Results ands Highlights from Paris-Roubaix 2024

Kopecky is the first woman to win the Hell of the North in the World Champion’s jersey, Van der Poel dominates the peloton with a savage long-range attack.

How Paris-Roubaix Femmes unfolded

2024 paris-roubaix top 10, 2024 paris-roubaix femmes top 10.

Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck crossed the line unchallenged following a 59-kilometer attack the day after Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime won Paris-Roubaix Femmes from a six-up sprint.

This is the second time Van der Poel claims victory in the prestigious Roubaix Velodrome on a day filled with intense action and drama. Second place was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) was third.

This is the third Spring Classics race won by Alpecin-Deceuninck this season. It was the fastest-ever edition of Paris-Roubaix with Van der Poel averaging 47.85 kilometers per hour for 260 km—1 kilometer per hour faster than his previous record, which was set last year.

“It is hard to believe. The team was stronger than last year. I’m super proud of the boys and happy to finish it off,” said Van der Poel in the post-race interview.

When asked if his 59-kilometer attack was planned, he said. “No, not really. I wanted to make the race hard from there on because I knew that was my strength, and I felt super good today. I knew it was a tailwind to the finish line for the most part. I had a really good day.”

“I never could have dreamt of this as a child. I was super motivated for this year. I wanted to show the jersey in a nice way. It goes beyond expectations. I’m a bit loss for words,” the World Champion added.

Saturday’s Paris-Roubaix Femmes was an entirely different race from the 2023 edition, with a lead group featuring multiple World Champions and six racers who all could handily win a race like Paris-Roubaix. But it was reigning World Champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) who played the race flawlessly from the early moments, including an on-bike handlebar adjustment to a picture-perfect sprint finish. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) finished second, and Pfeiffer Georgi (dsm-firmenich PostNL) third.

“This was the goal of the season,” said Kopecky in the post-race interview. “The confidence the team has given me the whole season, but especially this week—they made me laugh as much as possible, and they made me feel like I could win this race.”

“It’s always nervous. You are here with two very fast sprinters, Vos and Balsamo, so you’re never sure. One moment, I thought, ‘Now I’m boxed in,’ and I had to start the sprint pretty early, but I could keep sprinting,” the Belgian added.

Kopecky is the first woman to win Paris-Roubaix Femmes in the World Champion colors.

How Paris-Roubaix unfolded

As the peloton rolled out from Compiègne, anticipation was heavy. Riders knew they would face a true test of grit and endurance across 29 punishing cobblestone sectors spanning nearly 260 kilometers. Among the favorites were Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), alongside stars like Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers).

Numerous attempts at breakaways were made throughout the early kilometers, but it wasn’t until Kasper Asgreen (Lidl-Trek) made his move that a serious threat to the peloton formed. Asgreen, along with a select group of ten riders, including Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marco Haller (Bora-hansgrohe), and Rasmus Tiller (Uno X-Mobility), managed to carve out a 1:30 gap, signaling the beginning of a strategic battle.

Behind them, the peloton, led by Alpecin-Deceuninck, remained vigilant, unwilling to let the breakaway gain too much ground as they entered the first cobblestone sector. The dynamic changed continuously as attacks and counterattacks peppered the race, with each rider jockeying for position on the unforgiving roads.

Van der Poel positioned himself strategically throughout the race. His Alpecin-Deceuninck team worked efficiently to control the pace and keep him in contention. Despite challenges like punctures and crashes that plagued some riders, Van der Poel remained focused on staying near the front of the race.

With still 150 kilometers left to go, just 60 riders were left on the front, six of them from Alpecin-Deceuninck. Crosswinds kicked in as the race entered its decisive phases, and Van der Poel led a chase group that gradually reeled in the leaders.

Ineos-Grenadiers rider disqualified

Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) was disqualified from the race after taking an illegal tow from his team car following a puncture. Tarling was part of the select 30-rider front group, which formed after Alpecin-Deceuninck forced the pace for Van der Poel with 150km to go.

After an impressive performance from the young Brit at Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders, his race ended early with 130km to go when he was officially disqualified by race commissaries and visibly disappointed.

60 kilometers to go

With 59 km to go, Van der Poel unleashed a savage attack on the Mons-en-Pévèle sector, leaving his rivals struggling to respond. Behind him, the chase group fractured, unable to match Van der Poel’s relentless pace. Riders like Pedersen and Pidcock fought bravely but couldn’t close the gap. Philipsen, meanwhile, was happy to sit in the group while his teammate Van der Poel stormed away from the group.

With his lead approaching almost a minute, Van der Poel’s victory seemed increasingly inevitable. As he navigated sector 10, his lead grew to over one minute and thirty seconds. His lead extended to 2 minutes and 46 seconds as he finished sector 9 unscathed. Despite attempts by the chase group to close the gap, Van der Poel’s lead remained substantial.

10 kilometers to go

With just 10 kilometers to go, Van der Poel’s lead continued at over 2 minutes. And despite the efforts of the chasers, including Pedersen, Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), and Politt, Philipsen maintained a strong position for the podium.

Van der Poel navigated Carrefour de l’Arbre with ease, extending his lead to 2 minutes and 46 seconds. However, a crash for Laurence Pithien (Groupama-FDJ) interrupts the chase behind them as he loses control on a corner.

Philipsen makes a decisive attack on sector 3, putting pressure on the chasers. Despite no attacks from the chase group, Pithie and Vermeersch struggle to bridge the gap, trailing by almost 30 seconds.

With a lead holding steady at about 2 minutes and 50 seconds, Van der Poel’s advantage was remarkable, reminiscent of his Tour of Flanders win. As the race entered the final kilometers, Van der Poel faced only two more sectors, both relatively tame.

As the tension mounted in the chase group behind, it was evident that only two podium spots remained, leaving one rider disappointed. Van der Poel smoothly navigated Sector 2, inching closer to a worry-free finish.

Van der Poel’s dominance continued as he began to relax and celebrate, even sharing a fist bump with his team car. Meanwhile, Küng fell further behind after being distanced by Philipsen’s earlier attack.

At the velodrome

Once at the Roubaix Velodrome, Van der Poel crossed the finish line with exactly a three-minute margin—the biggest the race has seen in 22 years. This is also his sixth monument victory, putting him inside the top sixteen riders to ever do so, joining the likes of Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, and Johan Museeuw. Van der Poel is the first rider since Cancellara in 2013 to win both the Tour of Flanders and Roubaix in the same season.

Behind him, the group of three, consisting of Philipsen, Pedersen, and Politt, entered the velodrome for the sprint. Küng trailed seconds behind. Following the ring of the bell, Politt attacked first, but Philipsen came around the German for a 1-2 win, and Pedersen finished in third place.

For Jasper Philipsen, this is another great result in an exceptional spring. He’s now won Milano-Sanremo and Brugge-De Panne and made the podium at Paris-Roubaix.

One-hundred thirty-nine riders took to the start in Denain on a warm, almost sunny day—definitely not your usual cobbled classic weather! The crosswinds were brutal, though, and riders spread across the cobbles, buffeted by 18 mph wind gusts.

Early in the race, there were some minor crashes, including Coryn Labecki (EF Education–Cannondale) and last year’s winner Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale). Still, there were no major catastrophes, and all the riders made it back onto their bikes, though Jackson required a bike change and was forced to chase. Small breaks attempted to ride away early, but the peloton quickly swallowed them up.

At 15 kilometers, Victoire Joncheray of Komugi-Grand Est launched a solo attack, growing her gap to an impressive 1:50. She held her solo lead for over 20 kilometers before getting caught by the peloton as Jackson caught up from behind.

At kilometer 66, the first cobbled section of the race, from Hornaing to Wandignies. The peloton entered the 3.7km stretch of cobbles together, jockeying for position. SD Worx-Protime’s Lotte Kopecky—one of the top contenders for the win—controlled the pace at the front. Team dsm-firmenich also wanted to control the race, with Rachele Barbieri attacking at the front. Visma-Lease-a-Bike’s Marianne Vos also moved towards the front, using her cyclocross skills to fly over the cobbles.

Live coverage thankfully began with 80 kilometers of racing to go. As riders hit the road between the cobbled sectors, the peloton swarmed and bunched, jockeying for position. The pace seemed higher than you would typically see with 80 kilometers to go, with key riders clearly trying to stay close to the front after the early crashes in the day.

Strategic moves and on-the-fly adjustments

As they hit the fourth cobbled section, Kopecky attacked, spreading the peloton out across the cobbles, stringing out riders behind her. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) stayed close as Vos accelerated to jump from the peloton into the newly formed lead group. While no serious breakaway had formed once the riders hit the pavement again, the peloton had certainly broken up quite a bit, with a group of 15 in the front and a large chase group close behind.

Jackson attacked out of the front group, with Lidl-Trek’s Ellen Van Dijk covering the move instantly. In the short sector 14 (Beuvry-la-Forêt to Orchies), the chase group worked to make that connection to the lead group as Van Dijk took control of the front of the race. A drone shot showed riders stretched across the entirety of the sector. Kopecky had a bike issue at 61 kilometers to go, asking the team car for an Allen key as she impressively tightened her handlebars on the fly .

Kopecky quickly raced her way back up to the lead group, moving towards the front just as the lead group hit Sector 13, the 1.7-kilometer Orchies segment, lead by Visma Lease-a-Bike’s Sophie Von Berswordt. Following the sector, the pace settled at the front as the peloton came back together.

At 53 kilometers to go, Kopecky made another attack on the cobbles, this time joined by her teammate Lorena Wiebes, who almost instantly began to struggle with a bike issue, Vos, Christina Schweinberger, and Pfeiffer Georgi. As Wiebes struggled with her bike, Vos attacked, bringing the lead group of four to a gap of 10 seconds.

Behind them, several riders, including FDJ Suez’s Grace Brown and two Human Powered Health riders, struggled with flats on the tricky cobbled section. The attack was reabsorbed into the dwindling peloton, forming a lead group of about 25 riders. Riders, including Kopecky and Van Dijk, tested small attacks, but they were quickly contained by the strong riders in the lead group.

FDJ-Suez’s Jade Wiel attacked out of Sector 8, building a slight advantage as Tiffany Cromwell of Canyon SRAM led the chasers. Wiel’s advantage grew to 10 seconds before Kopecky moved to the front, with Vos tight on her wheel. Van Dijk counterattacked, but FDJ-Suez moved into the lead group to cover moves as their rider moved up the road. Wiel’s advantage grew to over 20 seconds as Kopecky made a stop at the team car to pick up extra bottles. Wiel’s lead continued to extend, hitting 30 seconds with just under 28 kilometers and a few sectors of gravel of racing left.

20 kilometers to go

At the front of the chase group, Vos and Kopecky looked around, and Van Dijk attacked the group, aiming to shut down Wiel’s attack. But the FDJ riders hopped on her wheel, dropping the efficacy of Van Dijk’s attack. Wiel’s advantage dropped to 10 seconds, but then began to grow again. But in sector 6—Bourghelles to Wannehain—Wiel’s was reabsorbed into the lead group as Visma Lease-a-Bike and Van Dijk brought her back with FDJ’s Amber Kraak close behind. Van Dijk and Kraak both dropped into the time trial position, creating yet another small gap off the front.

Kraak and Van Dijk quickly extended their small gap as FDJ continued to play defense in the front of the race. As the gap grew to 15 seconds, the Visma Lease-a-Bike and SD Worx riders seemed unbothered by the two-woman attack, though the peloton’s pace accelerated as they hit the cobbles yet again.

Kopecky moved to the front and attacked with Balsamo, Georgi, and Vos on her wheel. The gap to the leaders quickly came down as Georgi fell off the pace and dropped back. Thanks to Kopecky’s massive surge, the gap to the rest of the peloton stretched aggressively in mere moments. The trio closed on Kraak and Van Dijk, putting two Lidl-Trek riders in the lead group with 18 kilometers to go.

Van Dijk let into Carrefour de l’Arbre, and the group of five maintained a strong lead on the peloton as Georgi tried to claw her way back, only eight seconds behind. Balsamo started to separate slightly from the lead group, struggling to hold the pace. Georgi made contact with Balsamo, passing her in her quest to connect to the leaders.

At the front, the riders struggled to pull together, as Van Dijk didn’t want to pull since Balsamo and Georgi were coming close to bridging up to the group. Balsamo and Georgi closed the gap, and immediately, Van Dijk attacked, with Vos staying tight to her wheel. The group of six stayed together as they hit 10 kilometers of racing to go, 40 seconds ahead of the chasers.

With eight kilometers to go, the group’s advantage shrunk to 25 seconds as the riders at the front struggled to work together cohesively. As the gap dropped to 20 seconds to a chase group of 10, including Wiebes and Borghesi, Kraak worked at the front, seemingly trying to press their advantage as Kopecky calmly sat on her wheel.

At five kilometers, the gap was just under 20 seconds as Kraak attacked, then Van Dijk with Kopecky and Vos on her wheel, Georgi and Balsamo staying tight behind. Behind them, the group of chasers tried to bridge up, but couldn’t seem to make any headway. The lead group’s 20-second gap was still in place at 2.5 kilometers to go, as the six racers started to focus on being prepared for the finish sprint while maintaining their gap. Van Dijk took a pull on the front with Vos right on her wheel, and they hit the final small cobble sector.

The final sprint

The group of six—nearly all World Champions—hit the velodrome together, preparing for the final sprint.

The bell rang for one lap to go. Georgi was the first to go, followed by Vos, but it was Kopecky coming from the back and around the other riders to take her first-ever Paris-Roubaix Femmes win. “This was the goal of the season,” said Kopecky in the post-race interview. “It’s always nervous. You are here with two very fast sprinters, Vos and Balsamo, so you’re never sure. One moment, I thought, ‘Now I’m boxed in,’ and I had to start the sprint pretty early, but I could keep sprinting”

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Ronnie O'Sullivan admits to struggles as he reaches Tour Championship final

• Published 6 days ago

Ronnie O'Sullivan won the inaugural Tour Championship in 2019, beating Neil Robertson 13-11 in the final

World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan said he has gone through a period of feeling scared to play snooker as he reached the Tour Championship final.

The seven-time world champion hit three century breaks as he beat Gary Wilson 10-7 on Friday in Manchester.

But he revealed he felt like he has been suffering from the "yips", and has tried to "change his mindset".

"I'm just trying really hard to not get down on myself," said the 48-year-old, who has won five events this season.

O'Sullivan hit breaks of 102 and 110 to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead but fellow Englishman Wilson compiled runs of 83, 84, 82 and 96 to level at 7-7.

However, he barely got a look-in from there as O'Sullivan won the final three frames, helped by visits of 98 and 129.

O'Sullivan, who faces Mark Allen or Mark Williams in Sunday's final, told ITV4: "It's not easy. Maybe two weeks ago I'd have mentally thrown the towel in, just because I wasn't flowing.

"But I just thought, 'just keep going, keep going' and just focus on some of the positives that might be round the corner."

He says he has been speaking regularly with psychiatrist Steve Peters, adding: "I've just got to commit to it now for a good year to try to get myself out of this sort of hole I've got myself in mentally with the obsession of the game, tinkering.

"I know I'm never going to stop tinkering, but I have to somehow get sort of my head strong enough to be able to deal with it and not go too deep into that horrible murky world that it is.

"Every sportsman - maybe golfers, tennis players, snooker players - I suppose we all do it, but I went so deep into that it's like detoxing myself from it.

"It kind of felt like I've had the yips in a way - mentally, physically - it feels like you get scared to even want to go and play.

"That's not a nice place to be, so I've got nothing left to do other than to try to get myself mentally out of it and hopefully my game will start to flow again, maybe."

The Tour Championship is in its sixth edition after being launched in 2019 for the top players on snooker's one-year ranking list.

This is the third time O'Sullivan has reached the final, having won the inaugural event by beating Neil Robertson before losing to the Australian in the event's showpiece two years later.

Northern Ireland's Allen and Welshman Williams, both seeking their first Tour Championship title, contest the second semi-final on Saturday, starting their best-of-19 encounter at 13:00 BST.

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