Leuven has signed an agreement with organizer Sportadviesbureau GLS for the next five editions of the Baloise Ladies Tour. The city, which previously successfully hosted the final stage of the Simac Ladies Tour, sought a successor after that race decided to focus exclusively on the Netherlands from 2026. The Baloise Ladies Tour, part of the UCI Women Elite 2.1 calendar, annually attracts a strong international field of participants.
Sports alderman Christophe Stockman emphasizes the value of this collaboration: “Leuven has built a strong reputation as a host city for international cycling events in recent years. With the arrival of the Baloise Ladies Tour, we are building on that tradition and continuing to invest in the growth of women's cycling. This way, we bring top-level sports to Leuven and give female cycling talents the stage they deserve.”
The final stage will take place next year on Sunday, July 18. The course is yet to be finalized, but the finish offers residents and visitors the opportunity to experience top-level sports up close for free. The event also generates national and international media attention, strengthening Leuven's image as a dynamic sports city.
Geert Stevens, organizer of the Baloise Ladies Tour, calls it a great honor to collaborate with cities that promote the sport. “Leuven has more than proven its worth in this regard. It honors the city that it continues to invest in cycling in general and women's cycling in particular. We are therefore very proud that the finale of this five-day event, with a peloton of about twenty nationalities, will take place in Leuven for five years.” The agreement runs until 2031.
The organization is working on an intensive and hilly course for the final stage, which will likely make it decisive for the overall victory. Both the start and finish will take place on Leuven's territory. Various scenarios will be developed in the coming weeks for a high-quality course, considering both the riders and the public to ensure everyone can enjoy the race to the fullest.
Furthermore, in 2027, the Baloise Ladies Tour will serve as the final major test towards the Tour de France Femmes. It remains to be seen who will follow in 2027 on the roll of honor after names like Emma Johansson, Jolien D’hoore, Lisa Klein, Marianne Vos, Lucinda Brand, Ellen van Dijk, Lorena Wiebes, and Zoë Backstedt.
