18.08.2025 World-Tour, News, Race news

DOUBLE DOSE OF BELGIAN RACING FOR GENERATION

Exactly one month after their last race at La Périgord Ladies on July 19, CANYON SRAM zondacrypto Generation returns to the peloton for two gritty one-day races in Belgium: Egmont Cycling Race and GP Lucien Van Impe, held on August 19 and 21.

The line-up for these typically Belgian races includes Emily Dixon, Diane Ingabire, Jule Märkl, Awen Roberts and Maddie le Roux (Van Impe only). They’ll be joined by former Generation rider and current WorldTeam member Nastya Kolesava.

Although the Generation team hasn’t raced together as a unit recently, riders have still had ample opportunities to race their bikes. Jule won the Dr. Gerhard Hage Renntag and placed second in the Großer Silberpreis, with teammate Joëlle Messemer close behind in both of these German elite events. Meanwhile, Diane competed in Namibia at the UCI 2.2 Pupkewitz Megabuild Windhoek Tour, her best result being seventh on stage two. Most recently, 2024 Zwift Academy winner Emily debuted with the WorldTeam at the Tour de Pologne Women, where she contributed to two stage wins, the points classification, and the overall GC victory of Chiara Consonni.

Here’s how Emily reflected on her three days in Poland.

“I’m really happy with how the Tour de Pologne went because I felt like I was able to properly contribute to the team’s goals and fulfil my rider role. There were still some times where I felt a bit lost in the peloton and unsure of where to be and what to do, but having the experience of the WT riders was super helpful – they were always able to help give me the right guidance.”

“One of the biggest things I noticed was the massive amount of experience that the team has, which shows in how they handle stressful situations – making things far more clear and straight forward to still execute the team objectives. An example of this was when the breakaway was ahead on stage 3 and Tiffany [Cromwell], who has so much race experience and knowledge, helped me keep things under control at the front of the peloton. We held a decent pace, but not full gas so we could save energy. She knew that this meant it was going to be manageable to reel back the break before the finish, but by letting them stay up the road, we didn’t need to worry about fighting for the sprint bonus seconds as they would already be taken.”

Emily now heads into the rest of the season with fresh motivation and a hunger to reinforce her learning.

“The opportunity to race with the WT team has been so valuable and the amount I’ve learnt from only 3 days with the girls is really so much. I’m looking forward to applying the things I’ve learnt from them in my races coming up to finish this season strong.”

“Looking specifically at Belgium, although the roads will be narrower and more technical, I think I can come away from Poland with much more confidence in my ability to position in the peloton. I now know I can be there for the key parts of the race, to work for the team and do my job to the best of my ability.”

Both Egmont (Tuesday) and GP Lucien Van Impe (Thursday) are relatively new additions to the women’s UCI calendar; Egmont debuted in 2023, and GP Lucien Van Impe followed last year. Tuesday’s race returns to Zottegem, 2024’s base, covering 128 kilometres comprised of one large lap and five smaller laps. The course features gentle rollers, a smattering of cobbles, and plenty of twists and turns along similar roads to last year. A quintessential Belgian circuit race, you might say!

Thursday’s race starts nearby in Erpe-Mere, birthplace of the race’s namesake – a former Tour de France yellow jersey and six time polka-dot winner. The peloton heads southwest toward some of the most savage and fiercely raced Flandrien roads, but avoids any major climbs or cobbled sectors. The 139km route includes a tame 1100m of elevation, finishing with six laps of the same circuit where Nastya made a decisive move last year. The finish lead-in features a narrow inner-town road, a sweeping roundabout heading into the final 200m, and an uphill drag to the line – a tricky ending that promises a ruthlessly fought sprint from a larger group.

Nastya is strong in these unforgiving Belgian races, often thriving when the battle is against herself, relentless terrain, tough weather, and fierce competitors. Despite that, she wouldn’t say it’s her favourite style.

“I don’t really like this type of racing, but it depends on your mindset. If you’re not afraid to do something, or can do the positioning without fear, then it can be good for you.”

Last year, she finished 12th at Egmont and 2nd at Van Impe, attacking solo with 25km to go in the latter. Joined by one rider in the final 10km, she and her breakaway companion held off the peloton by five seconds.

Here’s what she had to say ahead of her return to the races this year.

“This year, I think we just need to not come to the finish of this race with the big bunch sprint because there’s no point. We need to make the race hard and go to the breakaway and then from there, you can win it! Last year it was raining but this year it will be dry, so it will be much easier in the cobbles, especially because a lot of crashes happened there last year.”

Both races will be streamed live. Egmont and GP Lucien Van Impe will be shown on a non-geoblocked Pickx Proximus livestream, with additional coverage of Van Impe on Sporza. Stay updated on X with #EgmontCyclingRace and #GPLucienVanImpe, and follow the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto social media channels for the latest updates.

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