After a busy spring packed with one-day racing, the peloton changes gears.
Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the women’s calendar has been thrown out of kilter, with just one stage race so far since the season began in February.
That changes with four key stage races filling the cycling landscape during the next few weeks, beginning Friday with the Festival Elsy Jacobs in Luxembourg. Other stage races on the horizon include Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, Vuelta a Burgos Feminas and the International Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen.
U.S. national champion Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) will be among the contenders this weekend after a strong classics campaign that saw her win Brabantse Pijl. Winder was forced to miss Liège-Bastogne-Liège after she was considered a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Already have an account?
Sagan at the 2021 Volta a Catalunya. Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
The spring classics are now in the rearview mirror, and the peloton switches gears into stage-racing mode.
The weeklong Tour de Romandie highlights a busy week that also sees stage races in Spain, with Nairo Quintana headlining the Vuelta a Asturias, and with the women’s peloton at Ceratizit Festival Elsy Jacobs.
75th Tour de Romandie grand tour stars converge
Switzerland, April 27 to May 2
The Tour de Romandie is the traditional transition race that bridges the race calendar from the spring classics to the grand tours.