FDJ United-Suez sports director Lars Boom is aiming to exploit the weather on the opening stage of the Tour of Britain Women, with echelons potentially splitting the race and producing a reduced-group finish in Cockermouth.
Stage one on Wednesday covers 158.9km and almost 2,000 metres of elevation, much of it along the exposed Cumbrian coastline beside the Irish Sea. Strong winds and possible rain could make for an unpredictable stage.
Speaking to Velora before the start, Boom said the weather could determine whether defending champion Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-Suez) faces a full bunch sprint or a more selective contest.
“Well, it depends a bit on the wind on the coast, I think,” Boom said. “I hope there's enough wind to pull some echelons and that something will happen there. Of course, then you have a bit of a reduced bunch and maybe that suits us even better to do something.”
If echelons form, day one could become important in the five-day GC fight. The route takes the peloton towards Whitehaven before following the Energy Coast through Workington and Maryport, then continuing towards Silloth. At Silloth, a 700-metre cobbled section runs along the seafront.
FDJ United-Suez has selected Lauren Dickson as its principal general classification rider, while Eva van Agt gives the team another option if early splits alter the race. Wollaston remains the team's main sprint option across the five stages.
“We have options to sprint and options, I think, to do a GC with Lauren Dickson,” Boom said. “We have a bit of a harder parcours this year compared to last year, so we're happy to race and to be here again.”
Dickson finished 11th overall at the Giro d'Italia Women earlier this season before crashing at the Tour de Suisse. The main GC test comes on stage three, when the race finishes on The Great Orme above Llandudno, with the final 2.5km averaging about 6% and reaching gradients close to 15%. As covered in our race preview, those slopes are expected to produce the largest overall gaps.
Courtney's first World Tour test
Kate Courtney (FDJ United-Suez) will make her WorldTour debut as part of the six-rider team. The US national road race champion joined FDJ United-Suez in July after building her career in mountain biking, including world titles in cross-country and cross-country marathon with a focus on road race gold at the LA Olympics in 2028.
“For us, I think a week to learn and to show that she can work for the team, but also maybe a moment where she takes opportunities to try to create them themselves or with the team,” Boom said.
Courtney's move into top-level road racing has progressed quickly. She won the US title and signed a contract through December 2028 after winning a stage of the Tour de Féminin on her first road appearance since age 16. Her immediate switch to FDJ United-Suez has since included two Belgian kermesse victories.
Her first WorldTour assignment begins with positioning, radio communication and team responsibilities under pressure. If the Cumbrian wind creates the splits Boom wants, those responsibilities could begin on stage one.
