With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe Bäckstedt and Chloé Dygert for Tour of Flanders success

Canyon-SRAM has announced its strategic lineup for the Tour of Flanders, notably without the expected presence of Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. Instead, the team will pivot its ambitions towards Zoe Bäckstedt, who is enjoying strong early-season form, and the returning Chloé Dygert. Dygert, alongside FDJ-SUEZ's Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, will make her Spring Classics debut at the monument, indicating a significant shift in leadership for the German-registered squad.

This tactical adjustment is particularly intriguing given Niewiadoma-Phinney's consistent top-ten finishes at Flanders, including a podium in 2021. Her absence leaves a void, placing considerable pressure on young Bäckstedt, who has impressed with her power and tactical acumen, and the formidable but often-injured Dygert. Dygert's return to the European peloton after a period of recovery adds an unpredictable, high-stakes element to Canyon-SRAM's Classics campaign, potentially defining their Spring.

Ultimately, Canyon-SRAM's Flanders gamble hinges on Dygert's fitness and Bäckstedt's rapid ascent. It's a bold play, substituting proven consistency for raw, albeit potent, talent.