2025 WC: Thread for all the women's races + Mixed Relay

[Samu Cuenca]

Ferguson is the another case of the British syndrome. Boothman was a false favorite in the junior hilly ITT and if you followed her career she was never winning on that course. Ferguson is likewise on this type of course.

Four or five teams have multiple riders so they need to bring back the lone breakaway.

Why are so you harsh on Boothman? She would likely have finished second without that mechanical, and she's even been signed by the organisation you support.

 

[Didinho]

You knew someone from G2 would attack. Let’s all support for her now.

 

[Red Rick]

If you have teammates here, when do you rock/paper/scissors to decide who starts pulling.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It won't be a cake walk for Kagevi, but it looks good now.

 

[steffr222]

If you have teammates here, when do you rock/paper/scissors to decide who starts pulling.

Germany messing it up

 

[QueenStagiaire]

If you have teammates here, when do you rock/paper/scissors to decide who starts pulling.

Apparently you don‘t need to until well over a minute.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Did Chladonova just flick her elbow after basically leading out Gery?

 

[Brullnux]

Blasi absolutely robbing a bronze there LOL

 

[Didinho]

Well done from France and Gery.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

That was easy for Gery in the end, but the French team did also play the numbers game during the race while others didn't/couldn't, although Bego's early attacks didn't lead too much.

 

[yaco]

Why are so you harsh on Boothman? She would likely have finished second without that mechanical, and she's even been signed by the organisation you support.

I am not harsh on Boothman. When Liv Alula Jayco signed Boothman, i thought it was a well considered signing. I watched her two races for the team as a stagiare and it was apparent that with her current body shape and lack of endurance that she struggles when the road went uphill. Obviously, she will develop over the next two years to be a more well-rounded rider. The mechanical on the final climb cost her one position in the ITT. Anyway the Liv Alula Conti team will have a good team in 2026 with Boothman, Appleton and Swieringa.

 

[yaco]

France played that as well as you could in the final and were rewarded. Appleton the only in the top 10 who is not on a WT team.

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

Surely within 2-3 years Chladoňová will dominate the women's field in the mountains...

 

[JosephD]

Surely within 2-3 years Chladoňová will dominate the women's field in the mountains...

She's certainly at the very forefront of the next generation, with Holmgren, Bunel, De Schepper, Ciabocco, Vinke, Appleton etc when it comes to stage racers/climbers.

Likewise with Classics riders like Gery, Ferguson , Wolff...

Women's cycling just continues to excite with some terrific talents coming through to join the established stars

 

[theyoungest]

Why wasn't Backstedt in this race? Sure, she probably wouldn't have won if you see who dominated this race, more proper climbers, but it's not like the other English women had much more of a chance.

It's interesting that the two strongest riders in this race were both first year U23s. Also interesting that the only rider who was their equal last year, Ferguson, didn't feature at all... but maybe I missed a crash or something.

 

[yaco]

Why wasn't Backstedt in this race? Sure, she probably wouldn't have won if you see who dominated this race, more proper climbers, but it's not like the other English women had much more of a chance.

It's interesting that the two strongest riders in this race were both first year U23s. Also interesting that the only rider who was their equal last year, Ferguson, didn't feature at all... but maybe I missed a crash or something.

England has no team in the women elites. The current crop of talented English cyclists are not suited on this parcours. maybe someone can surprise in the juniors.

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

She's certainly at the very forefront of the next generation, with Holmgren, Bunel, De Schepper, Ciabocco, Vinke, Appleton etc when it comes to stage racers/climbers.

Likewise with Classics riders like Gery, Ferguson , Wolff...

Women's cycling just continues to excite with some terrific talents coming through to join the established stars

By the way, she's two years younger than Holmgren and Brunel... This is her first year as a professional, having only raced in very amateur conditions last year.

 

[theyoungest]

By the way, she's two years younger than Holmgren and Brunel... This is her first year as a professional, having only raced in very amateur conditions last year.

Holmgren is from 2005, so just one year older than Chladonova. I think we can safely say that there's a margin for growth for all of them. Chladonova actually had the most anonymous season of the three... until this week. Of course she's also the youngest, but for complete dominance in 2 years time a lot will have to happen

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

Holmgren is from 2005, so just one year older than Chladonova. I think we can safely say that there's a margin for growth for all of them. Chladonova actually had the most anonymous season of the three... until this week. Of course she's also the youngest, but for complete dominance in 2 years time a lot will have to happen

All right, one and a half years. Holmgren: May 2025, Chladonova: November 2006

As I said, she trained and raced in very modest conditions last year. Everything was literally at an amateur level, whereas the two others were already at a World Tour level. I would say that her season was much better than those of Holmgren and Bunel at the same age.

 

[theyoungest]

All right, one and a half years. Holmgren: May 2025, Chladonova: November 2006

As I said, she trained and raced in very modest conditions last year. Everything was literally at an amateur level, whereas the two others were already at a World Tour level. I would say that her season was much better than those of Holmgren and Bunel at the same age.

Given that Holmgren became U23 world champion on the mountain bike last year, I would disagree. You can't really compare. Different focus, different trajectory.

 

[Unchained]

U23 race had some good moments, including multiple attacks by Sweden and Afghanistan I think ..enjoyed watching leaders try to pulse hard to prevent chasers from getting on easy. It's had some emotional stuff were young riders were dropped and heartbreak was made obvious on camera. Good race overall.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

England has no team in the women elites. The current crop of talented English cyclists are not suited on this parcours. maybe someone can surprise in the juniors.

But the question was about a Welsh woman.

 

[Skalman]

Liked it, so much better then having U23 integrated in the Women´s elite race.

 

[yaco]

England has no team in the women elites. The current crop of talented English cyclists are not suited on this parcours. maybe someone can surprise in the juniors.

Its the same principle. They ride under the banne rof Great Britain.

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

Given that Holmgren became U23 world champion on the mountain bike last year, I would disagree. You can't really compare. Different focus, different trajectory.

What are you talking about? Different focus, different trajectory?

Chladonova was the junior XCO world champion at the same event. Aged just 18, she finished sixth at the CX U23 World Championships, one place behind Holmgren, who was in her second year of competing in this age group. What's more, Chladonova finished tenth in her first elite category CX World Cup race. I expect her to have a very strong CX season this winter, now that she has spent a full year with Visma.