These are the races where young riders take risks, team strategies unfold in real time, and every second counts. With fewer stages and tighter competition, the action is punchier, the tactics more daring, and the outcomes far from certain. It’s also where future stars cut their teeth—and where devoted fans get a glimpse of the sport at its most raw and exciting.
So if you’re ready to broaden your cycling horizons this summer, keep your eye on these under-the-radar women’s races. You might just discover your new favourite event.
Tour de Romandie Féminin
August 15–17, Switzerland
The Tour de Romandie Féminin may be a relatively new addition to the calendar—first held in 2022—but it’s already carved out a distinct identity. Set in French-speaking Switzerland, the three-day race delivers a blend of mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather, and punchy finishes that make it anything but straightforward.
Each edition has packed in drama, with routes that challenge both climbers and all-rounders. Expect rolling hills, technical descents, and the kind of mid-stage crosswinds that can split the bunch and derail GC ambitions in an instant. The Swiss roads demand constant attention, and time gaps can open quickly, especially on the final stage, which usually finishes with a decisive summit or selective circuit.
What makes Romandie particularly compelling is the late-season feel in mid-August—riders aiming to sharpen up before Worlds often show up here with serious intent. It’s also a rare chance for Swiss riders to shine on home soil in front of passionate crowds.
Classic Lorient Agglomération – Trophée CERATIZIT
📅 August 30
📍 France
🔗 classiclorient.bzh
One of the final chances for riders to impress before the World Championships, this French one-day classic often flies under the radar—but it shouldn’t. Held in the cycling-mad region of Brittany, the Classic Lorient is a punchy, technical race that almost never ends in a straightforward sprint.
The route typically includes short climbs, twisty descents, and multiple laps of a circuit that encourages relentless attacking. It’s perfect terrain for riders like Liane Lippert or Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig to go rogue and shake up the script. Team tactics here tend to be aggressive, especially from riders aiming to lock in World Championship selections or finish the summer season on a high.
It’s also a great watch—dynamic, open, and unpredictable, with the feel of a mini Ardennes Classic.
Simac Ladies Tour
September 2–7, The Netherlands
Flat on paper, but never easy—the Simac Ladies Tour is a high-speed chess match across the Dutch lowlands. As the longest-running women’s stage race in the Netherlands, it’s a staple of the calendar and a favourite among sprinters, rouleurs, and time trial specialists. But don’t be fooled by the terrain: narrow roads, aggressive racing, and ever-present crosswinds mean this race is anything but predictable.
Stages range from short, sharp time trials to circuit-heavy road days that reward strong team tactics and sharp positioning. With a mix of WorldTour and Dutch domestic squads on the start list, there’s always a lively fight for breakaways—and it’s one of the few stage races where stage wins can matter more than the general classification.
The Simac Ladies Tour also offers a valuable look at post-Tour form. Held in early September, it often features top riders tuning up for the World Championships or capping off their season on a high. For Dutch fans, it’s a chance to cheer on homegrown talent, many of whom have grown up racing on these very roads.
Don’t forget the big ones…
Of course, no summer of women’s cycling is complete without the flagship events. The Giro d’Italia Women, running from July 6–13, is a cornerstone of the calendar. This year’s route features classic Italian climbs like Monte Nerone and the iconic Passo del Tonale, alongside flatter stages and a technical time trial opener in Bergamo. It’s a week of intense GC racing, and it often provides the first real showdown between the season’s top climbers.
Then there’s the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, returning July 26 to August 3 with its most ambitious route yet: nine stages crossing from the coast of Brittany into the Alps, with decisive mountain finishes on Col de la Madeleine and Col de Joux Plane. With a deep GC field and growing media attention, this race continues to redefine what’s possible in women’s cycling—and elevate the sport to new heights.
But while these two races will dominate headlines, it’s the smaller, scrappier events where you often see the most daring tactics and the biggest surprises!