Simac Ladies Tour 2023 prediction

The Simac Ladies Tour 2023 promises to be particularly special, as it marks the farewell of none other than Annemiek van Vleuten, one of the greatest Dutch female cyclists of all time. She has participated in this race 11 times before and has already claimed the overall victory twice. She has also won six stages in the past. Hopefully, she can add more successes in the coming days.

The Parcours of the Simac Ladies Tour 2023 

This year, the course promises to be challenging and varied once again, with a mix of stages that highlight all aspects of cycling. Let's take a look at the stages that await the riders:

Tuesday, September 5th, Prologue: Ede - Ede (2.4 km) 

The Simac Ladies Tour kicks off in Ede with a short prologue covering 2.4 kilometers. The route is similar to that of 2021, with riders starting from the Market and heading towards the uphill finishing straight of the 2019 Dutch National Championship. The prologue demands a perfect execution, with obstacles such as corners, manhole covers, and driveway blocks. It is unlikely to produce significant time gaps, but every detail can make a difference.

Wednesday, September 6th, Stage 1: Gennep - Gennep (139.6 km)

The first stage of the Simac Ladies Tour takes the riders from and back to Gennep, where they will follow a route similar to previous editions. They will need to complete two laps of a figure-eight course, with a loop to the south of Gennep through the beautiful Maasduinen and a brief hilly zone. While some climbs like the Groesbeekseweg and Klein Amerika can pose challenges, it's likely to conclude with a mass sprint on the Nijmeegseweg.

Thursday, September 7th, Stage 2: Individual Time Trial Leuven (7.1 km)

For the first time in the history of the Simac Ladies Tour, an individual time trial is taking place in Leuven, Belgium. The short course includes some climbs, such as the Keizersberg and Hoge Berglaan. After these climbs, it remains mostly flat until the finish, where riders will race 7100 meters on the Bondgenotenlaan. The time trial in Leuven is likely to be a crucial moment for the overall classification.

Friday, September 8th, Stage 3: Emmeloord - Lelystad (149 km)

The third stage of the Simac Ladies Tour is the most northern leg of the race, from Emmeloord to Lelystad. The course includes a large circuit of 60.4 kilometers that is completed twice. The wind can be a significant factor on the open roads in this part of the Netherlands. The stage finishes near Batavia Stad, and it may culminate in a mass sprint or a sprint from a reduced peloton, depending on the conditions.

Saturday, September 9th, Stage 4: Valkenburg - Valkenburg (131.6 km)

The queen stage of the Simac Ladies Tour takes place in South Limburg, starting and finishing atop the Cauberg. The course features numerous climbs, including the Geulhemmerberg, Bemelerberg, Loorberg, and Kruisberg. After more than 1500 meters of climbing, the finish will be just after the ascent of the Cauberg. It promises to be a challenging stage with the potential to impact the overall standings.

Sunday, September 10th, Stage 5: Arnhem - Arnhem (150.5 km)

De laatste etappe van de Simac Ladies Tour markeert het afscheid van Annemiek van Vleuten en vindt plaats in de buurt van Arnhem. Het parcours begint aan de rand van Park Sonsbeek en gaat vervolgens naar de Posbank, waar de rensters de Zijpenberg en de oostkant van de Emmapiramide beklimmen. Daarna volgen vijf plaatselijke rondes van acht kilometer in Arnhem, met enkele uitdagende klimmetjes op de route. De bonussprints en bonificatieseconden aan de finish kunnen de strijd om de eindoverwinning beïnvloeden.

Favorites for Stage Wins and the Overall Victory

Given the course's mix of short time trials, sprints, and punchy stages, there are several riders who have the potential to win individual stages and compete for the overall victory. Here are some riders to watch, although the outcome of each stage and the general classification can be highly competitive and subject to race dynamics.

Prologue / Short Time Trial

The computer counts on prologue specialists and potentially sprinters who can also time trial.

The first one we mention is Anna Henderson, in good form in the Baloise Ladies Tour and she also finished 4th in the time trial at the World Championships.

Lucinda Brand won the Baloise Ladies Tour by distancing everyone in the time trial. While it was a 17.1-kilometer time trial, she performed well in the prologue too, sharing the same time as Charlotte Kool, who won there. 

Lisa Klein also excelled in the time trial during the Baloise Ladies Tour and finished 3rd in the mixed relay at the World Championships.

Riejanne Markus might have hoped for a longer time trial, but she could still contend for victory in the short time trial.

Sprinters

Will it be another battle between Charlotte Kool and Lorena Wiebes, or will Chiara Consonni, Elisa Balsamo, or Lotte Kopecky also join the competition during the flat stages?

Lorena Wiebes was ill during the World Championships but managed to win twice in the Tour of Scandinavia, and she came close to victory in the final stage.

Charlotte Kool came close to victory multiple times in the Tour de France Femmes but couldn't reward herself and her team with a win on the top step of the podium after her four consecutive victories in the Baloise Ladies Tour.

Chiara Consonni is in good form and recently won the Grote Prijs Beerens in a sprint.

Elisa Balsamo has repeatedly finished on the podium, indicating that her form is returning after her fall and injury in the first stage of the RideLondon Classique.

Lotte Kopecky is the new world champion and will undoubtedly want to showcase her best in her first race wearing the rainbow jersey.

Puncheurs / General Classification

Of course, we must immediately mention Annemiek van Vleuten, who has already claimed the overall victory twice and hopes to shine one more time in her impressive career's final race.

Demi Vollering, from Team SD Worx, might be the best puncheur and possesses a lot of explosiveness. However, she had to acknowledge Lotte Kopecky's superiority at the World Championships, making Kopecky a significant candidate for the overall victory. Team SD Worx also has Lorena Wiebes, who performs well on shorter climbs, and Mischa Bredewold, the winner of last year's final stage who was in good form last weekend, winning the Classic Lorient Agglomération - Trophée CERATIZIT.

Shirin van Anrooij showcased her excellent form last week in the Tour de l'Avenir Femmes, winning the final stage and securing the overall victory with a lead of over 2 minutes. Her team also includes Elisa Balsamo and Lucinda Brand, providing multiple tactical options for the hilly stages.

Christina Schweinberger displayed her good form at the World Championships and finished in the top 10 during the Classic Lorient Agglomération - Trophée CERATIZIT.