WOMEN'S SEASON PREVIEW

With some big transfers completed, expect reinvigorated battles among the women

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AG Insurance-Soudal

Belgium

2024 WT wins: 5

Team leader: Justine Ghekiere

Team boss: Jurgen Foré

Raison d'être: Continue growing and solidify credentials on the World Tour

It's hard to believe that AG Insurance-Soudal only rose to World Tour level at the start of last season. They got off to a flying start, too, winning the opening race of the year through Sarah Gigante at the Tour Down Under. Since then, the boat has steadied for the Belgian squad, and new talents have begun emerging. The biggest of those appears to be Justine Ghekiere who won the mountains classifications at both the Tour and the Giro d'Italia last year. New signing Urška Zigart adds further climbing firepower, alongside the veteran Ashleigh Moolman, now 39 years old and in her third year with the team.

Canyon-SRAM Zondacrypto

Germany

2024 WT wins: 5

Team leader: Kasia Niewiadoma

Team boss: Ronny Lauke

Raison d'être: Race aggressively, put rivals on the backfoot, and retain the Tour de France Femmes