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Looking for the successors of Merlier and Balsamo

Looking for the successors of Merlier and Balsamo

On Wednesday 8 April, we celebrate 100 years of the Scheldeprijs finishing in Schoten. In the men’s race, starting from Terneuzen and passing through Zeeland, Merlier and Philipsen will be aiming for a third victory. The women’s race is part of the UCI Women's ProSeries for the first time this year. Riders to watch include Kool, Consonni, and Gillespie.

Participants men

In the men’s race, we welcome three riders who have each won the Scheldeprijs twice. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step), after a period of injury struggles, is aiming for a third victory on the Churchilllaan. His biggest competition comes from the Alpecin–Premier Tech camp with Jasper Philipsen. Fabio Jakobsen (Team Picnic PostNL) is also a two-time winner. The Dutchman is aiming for his first victory since April 2024.

Unibet Rose Rockets bring in-form Dylan Groenewegen to the start. The Dutchman finished third in 2024 and can rely on advice from Marcel Kittel, the team’s sprint coach and record holder in the Scheldeprijs with five victories. Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello–Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) completes last year’s podium at the start in Terneuzen. Also on the provisional start list are several fast Belgians: Jordi Meeus (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe), Milan Fretin (Cofidis), Milan Menten & Steffen De Schuytteneer (Lotto–Intermarché), and Tom Crabbe (Team Flanders–Baloise).

These sprinters are also preparing for the Scheldeprijs: Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious), Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl–Trek), Hugo Hofstetter (NSN Cycling Team), Pascal Ackermann (Team Jayco AlUla), Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies), and Timothy Dupont (Tarteletto–Isorex).

The Markt in Terneuzen will serve as the backdrop for the men’s team presentation from 11:45. The start gun will then sound at 13:00 at Stadhuisplein.

Provisional start list men

Participants women

Charlotte Kool will be aiming for her first victory in the Scheldeprijs, which is part of the UCI Women’s ProSeries for the first time this year. The Fenix–Premier Tech rider finished second in each of the past three editions and will face Italian Chiara Consonni (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto), runner-up in 2022 and thrid in 2023 and 2025. According to the provisional start list, the title defenders of Lidl-Trek will head to Schoten with Clara Copponi and Fleur Moors.

Attention is also on Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ), who has already shown her speed several times this season. Team Visma | Lease a Bike is counting on Martina Fidanza, who finished third in 2024, and Nienke Veenhoven. Rachele Barbieri (Team Picnic PostNL) also knows what it feels like to be on the Scheldeprijs podium; the Italian sprinted to third place in 2022.

Team SD Worx–Protime is fielding the duo Barbara Guarischi and Femke Markus. Other names on the provisional start list include Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco), Gladys Verhulst Wild (AG Insurance–Soudal Team), and Maggie Coles-Lyster (Human Powered Health).

Provisional start list women