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The first-ever unified UCI Cycling World Championships come to an end on Sunday, August 13th, with the Women Elite Road Race, which will decide the last rainbow jersey out of the more than 200 awarded during the 10-day competition. In Glasgow 2023, jerseys have been given in road, track, BMX, mountain bike, trial, indoor cycling, and paracycling, making it a true celebration of our sport.

Traditionally, in road cycling championships, the elite men's road race is the main event and the one that concludes the program. However, this time, it will be the women who take the prime spot for media exposure on the closing Sunday, showcasing the significant growth women's cycling has experienced in recent years.

Route

The majority of the elite women's race takes place on the same 14.4 km urban circuit in the streets of Glasgow where the men's race was held last Sunday, featuring its famous 44 90-degree turns. The total distance has been reduced to 154 kilometers for the women, as they will complete 6 laps of the circuit compared to the 10 laps for the men, and there is a different initial part of the route. Nevertheless, the race's development may be similar to the men's, and the specialists in spring classics might also shine here. The event includes a cumulative total of 1777 meters of positive elevation gain.

Favorites

For the first time in many years, the Netherlands do not have the top favorite for the rainbow jersey, spot that now belongs to Belgian Lotte Kopecky (1200). Nevertheless, the Dutch team will strive for victory with a formidable lineup strong in numbers including Demi Vollering (1200), Marianne Vos (1200), Annemiek Van Vleuten (1200), and Lorena Wiebes (1200). Other riders expected to compete for the title are Katarzyna Niewiadoma (1000), Elisa Balsamo (1000), Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (1000), Chloe Dygert (600), Juliette Labous (1000), Liane Lippert (1000), Silvia Persico (1000), Alison Jackson (600), Soraya Paladin (800), Grace Brown (800), Blanka Kata Vas (600), and Alexandra Manly (800).

It is worth mentioning that the race will also award the Under-23 World Champion jersey to the top rider born after January the 1st 2001, but this won't affect the scoring in Cycling Fantasy, where only the Elite jersey will be contested.

Photo: © Sprint Cycling Agency / Movistar Team