Australian cyclist Matilda Raynolds was out for dinner in Brussels when she received a text message. The Lotto Belgium Tour, a five-day race featuring some of the country’s most iconic climbs, was cancelled due to ‘unforeseen challenges’ that affected the race budget and riders’ safety. It was due to start in four days’ time.
‘It was a huge shock,’ says Raynolds. ‘It marked the end of my trip.’
Raynolds, 35, had made the 16,300km journey from Australia at her own expense to ride for a local team, Keukens Brabant. As with every rider among the 23 teams signed up, Raynolds had her own ambitions for the race. It was an opportunity to prove herself on a parcours – full of short, punchy climbs – that suited her, in a televised race. Above all, it was a chance to sign with a professional team.
‘Most of my races in 2023 were in training for the Belgium Tour, my key goal. It was my best opportunity to get some results,’ says Raynolds, who had turned down openings with other teams to spend eight weeks in Belgium. ‘That’s cycling. It’s such a beautiful, fucked sport. When it’s good, it’s so good. And when it’s bad, it’s so bad.’
The Lotto Belgium Tour, set to take place in June, was not the only women’s race to be cancelled
