In Nokere, we also do everything we can to organize women’s cycling at the highest possible level. It starts with the atmospheric team presentation in Deinze. The riders leave there for a challenging course where we spare no expense to make everything as safe as possible. When they arrive, they receive the same prize money as the men. When we first introduced this 3 years ago, it was a world first and we set the trend for global women’s cycling. We also provide a live TV broadcast of 2 hours via Sporza and Eurosport. This TV broadcast reaches millions of viewers in dozens of countries, but also comes with a price tag of around 90,000 euros for the organization. During Danilith Nokere Koerse for women, there are also many people along the road and at the finish. An incentive for the riders who, in other races, too often give their best in front of too few people.

Our field of participants should therefore always be top-notch. We invest heavily in this. And yes, almost all of the top teams are at the start: 12 WorldTeams (out of 15), 6 ProTeams (out of 7) and 2 of the strongest continental teams. Unfortunately, the participation of the top riders in those teams is very limited this year. Of the Top-20 in the world ranking, there is currently only 1 woman (Marta Lach) who thinks it is worth the effort to come to Deinze. The teams apparently do not realize what it costs and means to organize a top race. It is understandable that not everyone wants to or dares to make the Nokere – Milan-San Remo combination, but this is very disappointing. We therefore hope that a number of top riders will add Nokere to their program in the final straight line.

Don’t worry. Every top team that is at the start has strong riders. And even if they are not always the well-known names; it is often about upcoming talents with a lot of potential. Emma Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek) has already won in the Tour de France. From the same team: Clara Copponi; top 10 in the Omloop and early in the season already winner in Australia. Zoë Backstedt, daughter of Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus, has been raised on cobblestones. Sofie Van Rooijen, European champion among the promises last year, 4th last year and one of the upcoming sprint talents. The Swiss Linda Zanetti (Uno-X) can also sprint, she has already won in Spain and was second in Le Samyn, after Lorena Wiebes. Another rider who has already won in Spain is Lotta Hentalla; former winner of Dwars door Vlaanderen and Gent-Wevelgem. Floortje Makaij is also starting, she has also won Gent-Wevelgem before and was 6th in Nokere last year. Also our number 3 from last year; Lily Williams (Human Powered Health), is expected back at the start.

From the Belgian side, we expect, among others, Fauve Bastiaenssen (Ag Insurance) and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck); they were already good for a top-10 in Nokere last year. What can they do this year? Also Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek), only 19, but a real top talent, can, just like Julie De Wilde (22 and riding for Fenix-Deceuninck) go for a strong result in Nokere.