On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Kim Le Court Pienaar made history by winning the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, a prestigious one-day cycling race that has seen some of the sport's elite. The 29-year-old rider from Mauritius, racing for AG Insurance-Soudal, secured her first major classic victory in a thrilling finish, outpacing top competitors like Demi Vollering and Puck Pieterse.
The race unfolded over a challenging 152.5 km course featuring ten climbs, testing the riders' endurance and tactical prowess. The Côte de La Redoute, with its steep gradients, was a pivotal point in the race, as riders aimed to position themselves for the final sprint. As the race neared its conclusion, Le Court bridged to a select front group with just 11 km remaining, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
Le Court's victory was particularly significant as she became the first African rider, male or female, to win a Monument, a term used to describe the most prestigious one-day races in cycling. "I don’t have words. I suffered a bit with my breathing, I couldn’t breathe," Le Court expressed after her win. "I tried everything I could to come back. You have to never give up, that’s what we proved today." Her determination shone through as she fought back from being dropped during the race.
In the final sprint, Le Court launched her attack from the second position, coming off the wheel of two-time champion Demi Vollering. As the four-woman sprint began, Le Court surged ahead, leaving Puck Pieterse unable to catch her. The final results saw Le Court crossing the line in a time of 4:15:42, with Pieterse and Vollering finishing closely behind.
The race began in Bastogne, where a star-studded peloton gathered, including the likes of Elisa Longo Borghini and Lotte Kopecky. However, the race saw early drama with a crash involving Silvia Persico, who was forced to abandon after the first climb. Despite this setback, the competition remained fierce as various breakaway attempts were made throughout the day.
Initially, a group of eight riders formed a breakaway but was eventually caught with 72 km to go. Among them was Afghani rider Fariba Hashimi, who showcased the growing diversity in women's cycling. As the race progressed, the pace intensified, particularly on the climbs, where riders like Anna van der Breggen and Cédrine Kerbaol attempted to establish a gap.
Kerbaol proved instrumental in the race, launching attacks that kept the pressure on the leading group. Her efforts paid off as she secured a solid fourth place finish. Meanwhile, the chase group, which included Kopecky and Longo Borghini, struggled to keep pace, with Kopecky ultimately finishing fifth, 24 seconds behind the leaders.
The final climbs, including the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, were critical in determining the outcome of the race. Le Court's strategic positioning allowed her to capitalize on the fatigue of her competitors. "To be honest, when I bridged the gap on Roche-aux-Faucons, I really felt strong compared to the others," she reflected. "Of course, I was suffering too, but making that effort to bridge to them, I knew I had maybe a bit more legs."
As the race drew to a close, Le Court's confidence shone through as she prepared for the sprint. With her legs screaming from exertion, she pushed through the pain to secure her place in history. The reaction from her teammates and fans was electric, celebrating not just a victory, but a milestone for African athletes in cycling.
With this win, Le Court joins an elite list of past champions of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, a race that has seen many of the sport's greats. Her journey to this point has been marked by consistent performances, including a strong showing at the UAE Tour earlier this year, where she finished third on the Queen Stage and secured multiple top-10 finishes in major Classics.
As the cycling community reflects on this remarkable race, the spotlight is now on Le Court, whose victory is expected to inspire a new generation of cyclists from Africa and beyond. The 2025 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes will be remembered not only for its thrilling finish but also for the historic achievement of Kim Le Court Pienaar.
Looking ahead, the cycling world anticipates what Le Court will achieve next as she continues to build on this momentum. Her victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting chapter in her career.
