Baloise Ladies Tour: Nienke Veenhoven outpowers Charlotte Kool to secure stage 1 sprint victory
Zoe Bäckstedt takes third and keeps the overall race lead ahead of stage 2
Nienke Veenhoven (Visma-Lease a Bike) sprinted to victory on stage 1 at the Baloise Ladies Tour. The Dutch sprinter outpowered her compatriot Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) and overall race leader Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM) on the streets of Knokke-Heist.
Bäckstedt remains in the overall race lead by five seconds ahead of Kool and eight seconds ahead of Veenhoven as the race heads into stage 2 on Friday.
“It was quite a chaotic day because there was a fair amount of wind along the coast at the start of the race. At one point, a group of around thirty riders got away, and we had four riders represented in that group. As a team, we were in a good position throughout the race,” Veenhoven said.
"This victory is a very good start to the week. Our goal was to win a stage, and the fact that we managed to do it at the very first opportunity is a great bonus. It gives us a lot of confidence for the rest of the week."
The first road stage of the Baloise Ladies Tour was another pan-flat race from Oostende to Knokke-Heist. The 112km route included a sector of cobbles at approximately 40km in the first half of the race, then entered a two-lap finishing circuit.
The peloton raced through the first quarter of the stage largely intact with Bäckstedt wearing the leader's jersey after her prologue victory the previous evening. Although there was a large split in the field, it was back together again through the second half.
Anne Knijnenburg (VolkerWessels Cycling) late-race breakaway and held 18 seconds into the last 20km of the race. Just as she was caught, her teammate Bodine Vollering went on the attack, but it was short-lived, and she was reeled in with 8km to go.
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AG Insurance-Soudal, Visma-Lease a Bike and Fenix-Premier Tech moved to the front to set up their sprinters for the final, but a crash in the peloton took down several riders inside the 2km to go mark.
Lidl-Trek's team took control at the front but coming into the final straight away it was Veenhoven who proved fastest, taking the day's victory.
Stage 1 Results
General classification after stage 1
Pos |
Rider |
Time |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Nienke Veenhoven (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike |
02:44:29 |
2 |
Charlotte Kool (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:00:00 |
3 |
Zoe Backstedt (GBr) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:00 |
4 |
Gladys Verhulst Wild (Fra) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:00 |
5 |
Clara Copponi (Fra) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:00 |
6 |
Fleur Moors (Bel) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:00 |
7 |
Georgia Baker (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:00 |
8 |
Linda Zanetti (Swi) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:00 |
9 |
Lotte Kopecky (Bel) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:00 |
10 |
Laura Lizette Sander (Est) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:00 |
11 |
Maike van der Duin (Ned) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:00 |
12 |
Katrijn de Clercq (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:00 |
13 |
Millie Couzens (GBr) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:00:00 |
14 |
Lonneke Uneken (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:00 |
15 |
Laura Tomasi (Ita) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:00 |
16 |
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Aus) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:00 |
17 |
Lisa van Belle (Ned) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:00 |
18 |
Elisa Serné (Ned) |
00:00:00 |
19 |
Camilla Rånes Bye (Nor) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
20 |
Helena Bieber (Ger) |
00:00:00 |
21 |
Franziska Brauße (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
00:00:00 |
22 |
Margaux Vigie (Fra) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:00 |
23 |
Loes Sels (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
24 |
Kaja Rysz (Pol) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:00 |
25 |
Marthe Truyen (Bel) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:00:00 |
26 |
Femke van Goethem (Bel) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
27 |
Wilma Aintila (Fin) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:00 |
28 |
Lauretta Hanson (Aus) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:00 |
29 |
Barbara Guarischi (Ita) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:00 |
30 |
Femke Gerritse (Ned) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:00 |
31 |
Silje Bader (Ned) |
00:00:00 |
32 |
Anna Henderson (GBr) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:00 |
33 |
Tiffany Keep (RSA) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:00 |
34 |
Oda Aune Gissinger (Nor) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:00 |
35 |
Zoe Schiess (Swi) |
00:00:00 |
36 |
Clemence Cousineau (Can) |
00:00:00 |
37 |
Nina Kessler (Ned) Nexetis |
00:00:00 |
38 |
Lauren Bates (Aus) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
39 |
Cleo Kiekens (Bel) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
40 |
Rose Kloese (Ned) |
00:00:00 |
41 |
Alberte Greve (Den) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:00 |
42 |
Aliyah Rafferty (Irl) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:00 |
43 |
Agata Kowalska (Pol) |
00:00:00 |
44 |
Femke Markus (Ned) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:00 |
45 |
Julia Borgström (Swe) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:00 |
46 |
Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:00 |
47 |
Jinse Peeters (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
48 |
Yonna van Dam (Ned) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
49 |
Hélène Hesters (Bel) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:00 |
50 |
Mieke Docx (Bel) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:00 |
51 |
Messane Bräutigam (Ger) Ag Insurance Soudal Devo Team |
00:00:00 |
52 |
Britt de Grave (Ned) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
53 |
Alexandra Manly (Aus) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:00 |
54 |
Bodine Vollering (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:00 |
55 |
Ava Holmgren (Can) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:00 |
56 |
Mizuki Ikeda (Jpn) Nexetis |
00:00:00 |
57 |
Frauke Bruylandts (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
58 |
Joëlle Amélie Messemer (Ger) Canyon//Sram Generation |
00:00:00 |
59 |
Lea Lin Teutenberg (Ger) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:00 |
60 |
April Tacey (GBr) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:00 |
61 |
Matilde Vitillo (Ita) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:00 |
62 |
Maaike Boogaard (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:00 |
63 |
Lien Schampaert (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
64 |
Noemie Thomson (GBr) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:00 |
65 |
Heidi Antikainen (Fin) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
66 |
Emma Duchateau (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
67 |
Nette Coppens (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
68 |
Lea Waldhoff (Ger) |
00:00:00 |
69 |
Britt Huybrechts (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
70 |
Xenna de Bruyckere (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
71 |
Hannah Kunz (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
00:00:00 |
72 |
Masja Keesman (Ned) |
00:00:00 |
73 |
Anne Knijnenburg (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:00 |
74 |
Antje Valkeneers (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
75 |
Martina Fidanza (Ita) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:00 |
76 |
Clara Lundmark (Swe) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
77 |
Gwen Nothum (Lux) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:00 |
78 |
Lani Wittevrongel (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:00 |
79 |
Sterre Vervloet (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:00 |
80 |
Julie Hendrickx (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
81 |
Carmen van der Veen (Ned) |
00:00:00 |
82 |
Aileen Schweikart (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
00:00:00 |
83 |
Dina Scavone (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
84 |
Hanna Theys (Bel) |
00:00:00 |
85 |
Anna Bruneel (Bel) Ag Insurance Soudal Devo Team |
00:00:00 |
86 |
Mia Gjertsen (Nor) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:00 |
87 |
Francesca Pellegrini (Ita) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:00 |
88 |
Jasmin Liechti (Swi) Nexetis |
00:00:00 |
89 |
Annika Liehner (Swi) Nexetis |
00:00:00 |
90 |
Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) Fenix-Premier Tech Development Team |
00:00:00 |
91 |
Anna Dubier (Aus) |
00:01:21 |
92 |
Eline van Rooijen (Ned) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:01:45 |
93 |
Katharina Sadnik (Aut) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:00 |
94 |
Viktória Chladoňová (Svk) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:00 |
95 |
Puck Langenbarg (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech Development Team |
00:01:45 |
96 |
Evy Kuijpers (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:01:45 |
97 |
Emmy Pordon (Ned) |
00:01:45 |
98 |
Anniina Ahtosalo (Fin) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:00 |
99 |
Alli Anderson (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:00 |
100 |
Margarita Lopez Llull (Spa) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:04:07 |
101 |
Amandine Fouquenet (Fra) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:00 |
102 |
Lente Boskamp (Ned) |
00:04:10 |
103 |
Maria Martins (Por) Canyon//Sram |
00:04:10 |
104 |
Julie Stockman (Bel) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:04:14 |
105 |
Marthe Goossens (Bel) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:00 |
106 |
Julie Brouwers (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:00 |
107 |
Sandrine Tas (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:00 |
108 |
Imogen Wolff (GBr) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:00 |
109 |
Meis Poland (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:00 |
110 |
Scarlett Souren (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:00 |
111 |
Erin Boothman (GBr) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:00 |
112 |
Marie Schreiber (Lux) SD Worx-Protime |
DNF |
113 |
Kamma Bergholt (Den) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
DNF |
114 |
Nika Bobnar (Slo) Nexetis |
DNF |
115 |
Tsuyaka Uchino (Jpn) Nexetis |
DNF |
116 |
Ellie Parry (GBr) Das-Hutchinson |
DNF |
117 |
Iana Alesia Baltes (Rom) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
DNF |
118 |
Miriam Gerwig (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
DNF |
119 |
Falke Kerkhof (Bel) |
DNF |
120 |
Rebecca Gariboldi (Ita) |
DNF |
121 |
Reine Slegers (Bel) |
DNF |
122 |
Lisa van Oost (Bel) |
DNF |
123 |
Leani van der Berg (Aus) |
DNF |
Pos |
Rider |
Time |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Zoe Backstedt (GBr) Canyon//Sram |
02:49:05 |
2 |
Charlotte Kool (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:00:05 |
3 |
Nienke Veenhoven (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:08 |
4 |
Millie Couzens (GBr) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:00:09 |
5 |
Fleur Moors (Bel) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:10 |
6 |
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Aus) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:10 |
7 |
Sandrine Tas (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:12 |
8 |
Femke Markus (Ned) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:14 |
9 |
Anna Henderson (GBr) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:14 |
10 |
Lotte Kopecky (Bel) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:14 |
11 |
Georgia Baker (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:14 |
12 |
Lonneke Uneken (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:15 |
13 |
Erin Boothman (GBr) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:15 |
14 |
Hélène Hesters (Bel) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:16 |
15 |
Marthe Goossens (Bel) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:17 |
16 |
Femke Gerritse (Ned) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:17 |
17 |
Katharina Sadnik (Aut) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:18 |
18 |
Clara Copponi (Fra) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:18 |
19 |
Lauretta Hanson (Aus) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:18 |
20 |
Margaux Vigie (Fra) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:18 |
21 |
Maike van der Duin (Ned) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:19 |
22 |
Rose Kloese (Ned) |
00:00:19 |
23 |
Scarlett Souren (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:19 |
24 |
Jasmin Liechti (Swi) Nexetis |
00:00:20 |
25 |
Ava Holmgren (Can) Lidl-Trek |
00:00:20 |
26 |
Franziska Brauße (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
00:00:21 |
27 |
Marthe Truyen (Bel) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:00:22 |
28 |
Martina Fidanza (Ita) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:23 |
29 |
Anniina Ahtosalo (Fin) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:23 |
30 |
Silje Bader (Ned) |
00:00:24 |
31 |
Wilma Aintila (Fin) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:24 |
32 |
Alberte Greve (Den) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:25 |
33 |
Messane Bräutigam (Ger) Ag Insurance Soudal Devo Team |
00:00:25 |
34 |
Anne Knijnenburg (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:25 |
35 |
Mia Gjertsen (Nor) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:25 |
36 |
Hanna Theys (Bel) |
00:00:26 |
37 |
Alli Anderson (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:26 |
38 |
Laura Lizette Sander (Est) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:27 |
39 |
Lisa van Belle (Ned) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:27 |
40 |
Laura Tomasi (Ita) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:27 |
41 |
Lauren Bates (Aus) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:27 |
42 |
Alexandra Manly (Aus) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:28 |
43 |
Maaike Boogaard (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:28 |
44 |
Xenna de Bruyckere (Bel) |
00:00:28 |
45 |
Julia Borgström (Swe) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:28 |
46 |
Matilde Vitillo (Ita) Liv AlUla Jayco |
00:00:28 |
47 |
Katrijn de Clercq (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:28 |
48 |
Joëlle Amélie Messemer (Ger) Canyon//Sram Generation |
00:00:29 |
49 |
Linda Zanetti (Swi) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:29 |
50 |
Amandine Fouquenet (Fra) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:29 |
51 |
Sterre Vervloet (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:29 |
52 |
Barbara Guarischi (Ita) SD Worx-Protime |
00:00:30 |
53 |
Noemie Thomson (GBr) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:30 |
54 |
Cleo Kiekens (Bel) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:31 |
55 |
Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) Fenix-Premier Tech Development Team |
00:00:31 |
56 |
Anna Bruneel (Bel) Ag Insurance Soudal Devo Team |
00:00:31 |
57 |
Oda Aune Gissinger (Nor) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:31 |
58 |
Clemence Cousineau (Can) |
00:00:31 |
59 |
Viktória Chladoňová (Svk) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:32 |
60 |
Aileen Schweikart (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
00:00:32 |
61 |
Antje Valkeneers (Bel) |
00:00:32 |
62 |
Helena Bieber (Ger) |
00:00:33 |
63 |
Gladys Verhulst Wild (Fra) AG Insurance-Soudal |
00:00:34 |
64 |
Hannah Kunz (Ger) Rembe | Rad-Net Women |
00:00:34 |
65 |
Tiffany Keep (RSA) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:35 |
66 |
Meis Poland (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:35 |
67 |
Imogen Wolff (GBr) Visma-Lease a Bike |
00:00:35 |
68 |
Masja Keesman (Ned) |
00:00:36 |
69 |
Nina Kessler (Ned) Nexetis |
00:00:36 |
70 |
Bodine Vollering (Ned) Volkerwessels |
00:00:36 |
71 |
Gwen Nothum (Lux) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:36 |
72 |
Clara Lundmark (Swe) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:36 |
73 |
Britt de Grave (Ned) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:37 |
74 |
Lea Lin Teutenberg (Ger) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:37 |
75 |
April Tacey (GBr) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:38 |
76 |
Francesca Pellegrini (Ita) Uno-X Mobility |
00:00:38 |
77 |
Mizuki Ikeda (Jpn) Nexetis |
00:00:38 |
78 |
Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon//Sram |
00:00:39 |
79 |
Annika Liehner (Swi) Nexetis |
00:00:39 |
80 |
Lien Schampaert (Bel) |
00:00:39 |
81 |
Britt Huybrechts (Bel) |
00:00:39 |
82 |
Yonna van Dam (Ned) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:40 |
83 |
Aliyah Rafferty (Irl) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:40 |
84 |
Julie Hendrickx (Bel) |
00:00:41 |
85 |
Lani Wittevrongel (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:42 |
86 |
Loes Sels (Bel) |
00:00:44 |
87 |
Femke van Goethem (Bel) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:00:44 |
88 |
Julie Brouwers (Bel) Lotto-Intermarché |
00:00:44 |
89 |
Carmen van der Veen (Ned) |
00:00:44 |
90 |
Emma Duchateau (Bel) |
00:00:45 |
91 |
Camilla Rånes Bye (Nor) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:45 |
92 |
Kaja Rysz (Pol) Hitec Products-Fluid Control |
00:00:47 |
93 |
Nette Coppens (Bel) |
00:00:47 |
94 |
Elisa Serné (Ned) |
00:00:47 |
95 |
Jinse Peeters (Bel) |
00:00:47 |
96 |
Zoe Schiess (Swi) |
00:00:48 |
97 |
Lea Waldhoff (Ger) |
00:00:49 |
98 |
Dina Scavone (Bel) |
00:00:50 |
99 |
Heidi Antikainen (Fin) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:00:51 |
100 |
Mieke Docx (Bel) Das-Hutchinson |
00:00:53 |
101 |
Frauke Bruylandts (Bel) |
00:00:57 |
102 |
Agata Kowalska (Pol) |
00:00:59 |
103 |
Puck Langenbarg (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech Development Team |
00:02:16 |
104 |
Evy Kuijpers (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech |
00:02:16 |
105 |
Anna Dubier (Aus) |
00:02:18 |
106 |
Eline van Rooijen (Ned) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:02:19 |
107 |
Emmy Pordon (Ned) |
00:02:25 |
108 |
Maria Martins (Por) Canyon//Sram |
00:04:40 |
109 |
Lente Boskamp (Ned) |
00:04:53 |
110 |
Margarita Lopez Llull (Spa) Minimax Cycling Team |
00:04:58 |
111 |
Julie Stockman (Bel) Citymesh - Customm Pro Cycling Team |
00:05:08 |
Kirsten Frattini has been the Editor of Cyclingnews since December 2025, overseeing editorial operations and output across the brand and delivering quality, engaging content.
She manages global budgets, racing & events, production scheduling, and contributor commissions, collaborating across content sections and teams in the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia to ensure audience and subscription growth across the brand.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
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