Watersley Challenge
Dutch junior cycling race
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The Watersley Ladies Challenge is a women's junior road cycling stage race held around the estate of Huis Watersley in the Dutch province of Limburg. First held in 2018, the race is part of the UCI Junior Nations' Cup, meaning the competitors ride as part of national teams.[1]
Marith Vanhove, winner of the 2020 edition | |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | August / September |
| Region | Sittard, Limburg, Netherlands |
| Discipline | Road |
| Competition | UCI Junior Nations' Cup |
| Type | Stage race |
| History | |
| First edition | 2018 |
| Editions | 7 (as of 2025) |
| First winner |  Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR) |
| Most wins |  Paula Ostiz (SPA) (2 wins) |
| Most recent | Paula Ostiz (SPA) |
The race is typically organized as three stages: a criterium stage, an individual time trial, and a "queen stage" with difficult climbing.[2][3] The race is considered one of the most prestigious on the junior calendar, noted for its challenging course and high level of competition.[4][5][6]
In 2021, the Watersley Women's Challenge was created by the same organizers for female riders under 23. At the time, it was the only U23 women's race on the UCI calendar.[7] Following the 2023 edition, the race was cancelled, citing financial difficulties and "a struggle to attract entries".[8]
In 2022, the Watersley Junior Challenge was created for male junior riders, following a similar three-stage format. It was classified as part of the UCI Junior Nations' Cup.[9] In 2024, the race was cancelled due to lack of participation.[10]
Winners
Watersley Ladies Challenge
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR) |  Rozemarijn Ammerlaan (NED) | Anna Docherty (GBR) |
| 2019 |  Wilma Olausson (SWE) | Shirin van Anrooij (NED) | Anna Shackley (GBR) |
| 2020 |  Marith Vanhove (BEL) | Julie De Wilde (BEL) |  Anniina Ahtosalo (FIN) |
| 2021 | Flora Perkins (GBR) |  Makayla MacPherson (USA) |  Linda Riedmann (GER) |
| 2022 | Zoe Bäckstedt (GBR) |  Julia Kopecký (CZE) | Justyna Czapla (GER) |
| 2023 |  Federica Venturelli (ITA) | Fleur Moors (BEL) | Carys Lloyd (GBR) |
| 2024 | Paula Ostiz (ESP) | Puck Langenbarg (NED) | Esther Wong (GBR) |
| 2025 | Paula Ostiz (ESP) |  Maria Okrucińska (POL) | Abigail Miller (GBR) |
Watersley Womens Challenge
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Marit Raaijmakers (NED) | Shari Bossuyt (BEL) | Pien Limpens (NED) |
| 2022 | Dominika Włodarczyk (POL) |  Ella Wyllie (NZL) | Lieke Nooijen (NED) |
| 2023 | Dominika Włodarczyk (POL) | Valentina Basilico (ITA) | Eline Jansen (NED) |
Watersley Junior Challenge
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Max van der Meulen (NED) | Menno Huising (NED) |  Roman Ermakov (RUS) |
| 2023 |  Oscar Chamberlain (AUS) |  Paul Seixas (FRA) |  Kasper Haugland (NOR) |
| 2024 | Race cancelled | ||
| 2025 | Samuel Gunnink (NED) |  Monty Rigby (CAN) | Ben Morin (CAN) |