The Waalse Pijl is always a bit of an odd duck among the Ardennes classics. Known for its finish on the Muur van Huy, this race is tailored for a specific type of rider—those who are not only light but also capable of explosive bursts of speed. As the cycling world gears up for this year’s edition, the question on everyone’s lips is: who will be in contention this time around?
Following the thrilling Amstel Gold Race, all eyes are on two names: Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar. These two titans were the strongest riders in the previous race, although Mattias Skjelmose ultimately took home the victory. Both the Olympic champion and the world champion are confirmed to be on the start list for this part of the famed trilogy, promising an exciting showdown in the Waalse Pijl.
Evenepoel and Pogacar have both confirmed their participation, but some speculate that Pogacar might be better off resting ahead of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, especially after the rigors of the Amstel Gold Race and the cobbled classics. However, the Slovenian is known for his relentless drive, so don’t be surprised if he lines up at the start.
There are plenty of challengers in the mix as well. Riders like Skjelmose, along with previous winners Dylan Teuns and Stephen Williams, are set to make things interesting. Recent editions have shown that outsiders can certainly clinch victory on the steepest sections of the Muur.
Confirmed teams and their riders for the Waalse Pijl 2025 include:
- Soudal Quick-Step: Remco Evenepoel and Max Schachmann
- Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale: Clément Berthet and Jordan Labrosse
- Lotto: Lennert Van Eetvelt and Arjen Livyns
- UAE Team Emirates-XRG: Tadej Pogacar and Jan Christen
- EF Education-EasyPost: Ben Healy and Neilson Powless
- Movistar: Enric Mas and Davide Formolo
- Cofidis: Dylan Teuns and Alex Aranburu
- Jayco-AlUla: Ben O'Connor and Michael Matthews
- Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe: Maxim van Gils and Daniel Felipe Martinez
- Flanders-Baloise: Victor Vercouillie and Ward Vanhoof
- Picnic PostNL: Warren Barguil and Oscar Onley
- Lidl-Trek: Mattias Skjelmose and Thibau Nys
- Groupama-FDJ: Valentin Madouas and Romain Grégoire
- Israel-Premier Tech: Stephen Williams and Joe Blackmore
- XDS-Astana: Clément Champoussin and Cristian Scaroni
- Intermarché-Wanty: Louis Barré and Alexander Kamp
- Visma | Lease a Bike: Tiesj Benoot and Ben Tulett
- Arkéa-B&B Hotels: Kévin Vauquelin
- INEOS Grenadiers: Axel Laurance and Magnus Sheffield
About an hour and a half after the men’s race, the women will take to the course, and their start list is equally packed with favorites. Kasia Niewiadoma, Demi Vollering, and Elisa Longo Borghini are all eager for redemption after disappointing performances in the Amstel Gold Race. However, they’ll have to contend with a formidable block from SD Worx, which includes Lotte Kopecky. Seven-time winner Anna van der Breggen is also expected to compete, but her fitness remains uncertain.
The women’s race participants for the Waalse Pijl 2025 include:
- Canyon//Sram zondacrypto: Kasia Niewiadoma, Neve Bradbury, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Antonia Niedermaier, Soraya Paladin, Alice Towers
- FDJ-Suez: Demi Vollering, Elise Chabbey, Léa Curinier, Juliette Labous, Evita Muzic, Eglantine Rayer
- UAE Team ADQ: Elisa Longo Borghini, Brodie Chapman, Alena Ivanchenko, Erica Magnaldi, Greta Marturano, Maeva Squiban
- Team SD Worx-Protime: Anna van der Breggen, Femke Gerritse, Steffi Häberlin, Mikayla Harvey, Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes
- Team Picnic PostNL: Marta Cavalli, Eleonora Ciabocco, Pfeiffer Georgi, Josie Nelson, Esmee Peperkamp, Nienke Vinke
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike: Marion Bunel, Viktoria Chladonova, Mijntje Geurts, Maud Oudeman, Rosita Reijnhout, Eva van Agt
- Lidl-Trek: Niamh Fisher-Black, Lizzie Deignan, Riejanne Markus, Gaia Realini, Amanda Spratt, Shirin van Anrooij
- AG Insurance-Soudal Team: Kim Le Court, Lore De Schepper, Anya Louw, Alexandra Manly, Ashleigh Moolman, Julie Van De Velde
- Fenix-Deceuninck: Pauliena Rooijakkers, Ceylin Alvarado, Sara Casasola, Yara Kastelijn, Flora Perkins, Puck Pieterse
- EF Education-Oatly: Noemi Rüegg, Henrietta Christie, Veronica Ewers, Alison Jackson, Cédrine Kerbaol, Magdeleine Vallieres Mill
- Movistar Team: Liane Lippert, Jelena Eric, Sara Martin, Mareille Meijering, Paula Patino, Claire Steels
- Ceratizit Pro Cycling Team: Dilyxine Miermont, Elena Hartmann, Fariba Hashimi, Marta Jaskulska, Célia Le Mouel, Petra Zsanko
- Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi: Ane Santesteban, Yuliia Biriukova, Yanina Kuskova, Debora Silvestri, Alba Teruel, Eneritz Vadillo
- Liv AlUla Jayco: Silke Smulders, Caroline Andersson, Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Quinty Ton, Anna Trevisi, Monica Trinca Colonel
- Uno-X Mobility: Anouska Koster, Katrine Aalerud, Solbjork Minke Anderson, Simone Boilard, Ingvild Gaskjenn, Mie Bjorndal Ottestad
- VolkerWessels Pro Cycling Team: Eline Jansen, Anne Knijnenburg, Marieke Meert, Laura Molenaar, Anne van Rooijen, Bodine Vollering
- Arkéa-B&B Hotels: Lotte Claes, Laura Asencio, Valentina Cavallar, Maaike Coljé, Michaela Drummond, Titia Ryo
- Cofidis Women Team: Julie Bego, Flavie Boulais, Victorie Guilman, Spela Kern, Clara Koppenburg, Nikola Noskova
- St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93: Ségolène Thomas, Lucie Fityus, Adèle Normand, Coline Raby, Ella Simpson, Emily Watts
- Winspace Orange Seal: Karolina Perekitko, Camille Fahy, Jenaya Francis, Nadia Gontova, Kiara Lylyk, Constance Valentin
- Team Coop-Repsol: India Grangier, Stine Dale, Monica Greenwood, Tiril Jorgensen, Stina Kagevi
- Lotto Ladies: Maureen Arens, Lucy Benezet-Minns, Dina Boels, Audrey De Keersmaeker, Esmee Gielkens, Sterre Vervloet
- DD Group Pro Cycling Team: Manon de Boer, Marieke Goossenaerts, Cleo Kiekens, Julie Stockman, Yonna van Dam, Julie Vlyminck
As the Waalse Pijl approaches, anticipation is building for a thrilling race that promises to showcase the best in cycling talent. With a mix of established stars and hungry challengers, fans are in for a treat as they watch the drama unfold on the iconic Muur van Huy.
