All the fun of the gravel from the men’s and women’s Strade Bianche in a packed EUROTRASH Monday. Video, reports, results and rider quotes from Siena, plus stage 1 of Paris-Nice, the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré and the Grand Prix Criquielion.
TOP STORY:
- First World champion to win Strade Bianche? Tadej Pogačar corrects journalist
Rider news:
- Michel Wuyts thinks Wout van Aert is ‘too popular’
- Luca Colnaghi attacked during a training ride
- Richard Carapaz: ‘I’m going to the Giro d’Italia to win’
- Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi on different schedules for Ardennes Classics
- Patrick Lefevere admitted to hospital
- Johan Museeuw wants to ride the Gravel World championship this year
Team news:
- Deceuninck will not be a name sponsor of Mathieu van der Poel’s team at the end of 2025
- Tiberti leads Bahrain Victorious at Tirreno-Adriatico
- Ambitious Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in Tirreno Adriatico
- Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico next up for UAE Team Emirates-XRG
- Another WorldTour race for Team Polti VisitMalta: It’s Tirreno-Adriatico’s week
- Soudal Quick-Step to Tirreno-Adriatico
- Soudal Quick-Step to Paris-Nice
- Visma | Lease a Bike extends partnership with Bygma, introducing a unique helmet for Jonas Vingegaard
Race news:
- Zwift Academy winners awarded life-changing professional cycling contracts for 2025
- Oldest Spanish one-day race disappears from the calendar
- Paris-Nice 2025: Matteo Jorgenson: “I want to win Paris-Nice”
EUROTRASH Monday coffee?
TOP STORY: First World Champion to Win Strade Bianche? Tadej Pogačar Corrects Journalist
Strade Bianche didn’t go quite to plan for Tadej Pogačar, but he still won his third Strade Bianche in impressive fashion on Saturday. The Slovenian not only equaled the record wins of Fabian Cancellara, but he is also the first World champion to win the Italian gravel Classic… Well, in the men’s race.
Lotte Kopecky was the first reigning World champion to win Strade Bianche, preceding Pogačar. The Belgian won the rainbow jersey at the end of 2023 and then beat Elisa Longo Borghini as world champion, in the 2024 Strade Bianche.
Pogačar was asked at the finish how it felt to be the first World champion to win the race. “I don’t really understand why everyone says that. If I remember correctly, Lotte Kopecky won here last year, didn’t she?”. The UAE Emirates XRG leader pointed out.
Pogačar was right in what he said and on International Women’s Day. Kopecky appreciated it. The 29-year-old rider, who did not start in Strade Bianche on Saturday, but she wrote on Instagram: “What a man!”
Pogačar not the first World champ to win in Siena:
Strade Bianche 2025
When Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) rode away from the rest of the race, it looked like the race was over… then the World champion crashed on a bend. A battered and bruised Pogačar fought his way back Pidcock and then left him in his dust to solo to his third win in the Italian gravel Classic. Tim Wellens (UAE Emirates XRG) was third.
The early break had 10 riders: Pepijn Reinderink (Soudal Quick-Step), Stan Dewulf (Decathlon AG2R), Albert Withen Philipsen (Lidl-Trek), Connor Swift (INEOS Grenadiers), Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ), Simone Petilli (Intermarché-Wanty), Mark Donovan (Q36.5), Anders Foldager (Jayco AlUla) and Fabian Weiss (Tudor). The group built up a lead of more than 5 minutes. In the peloton, UAE Emirates XRG were in control. Pogačar’s team slowly reduced the gap to the escapees. Several riders were dropped from the leading group due to mechanical problems and the high pace. In the peloton, Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana) crashed and had to abandon. On the Monte Sante Marie, the four-star section where Pogačar attacked last year, there were 6 left in the break and a severely thinned peloton. The World champion let his teammates do the work. Isaac Del Toro and Tim Wellens made sure that halfway through the section only a handful of riders could follow. These were Pidcock, Ben Healy, Roger Adrià, Gianni Vermeersch, Lennert Van Eetvelt and Magnus Cort were still hanging on.
Pidcock then accelerated. The British rider didn’t want to wait for Pogačar’s attack and put in one of his own. Pogačar reacted immediately, and then put Pidcock under pressure. The Q36.5 leader didn’t give up. He clung to the champ’s wheel, and they caught the last of the escapees. Only Connor Swift was able to hold onto the two top riders. The three started the next gravel section, the Monteaperti, 53 kilometres from the finish together. A group with Healy, Adrià, Cort, Wellens Van Eetvelt, Gianni Vermeersch, Michael Valgren and Pello Bilbao followed at almost 1:30. Nothing happened on the Monteaperti, Pogačar took the lead on a descent, but went too fast into a left-hand bend. He lost control of his rear wheel and slid off the road and going head over heels into a field. The leader of UAE Emirates XRG suffered a few scratches and ripped his clothing, but was able to continue, although he needed a bike change a little later. Pidcock managed to avoid the crash and continued alone. Pogačar went on the pursuit and soon caught Swift, who had to stop due the crash. The World champion left the INEOS Grenadiers rider and went after Pidcock. Pidcock had decided to wait, so with 46 kilometres to go there were two leaders. Pidcock and the battered Pogačar then worked together on the sterrati of Le Tolfe and Strada del Castagno.
After some roads without gravel sections, the two leaders reached the Montechiaro. Here they didn’t attack. But on the Colle Pinzuto, the penultimate section of the day, the race really got going. Sat in the saddle, Pogačar accelerated. Pidcock tried to hold his wheel, but after a few hundred metres the Briton cracked. At the top of the Colle Pinzuto, Pogačar had 30 seconds and at the end of the Tolfe, the last section of the day, the difference was already 1 minute and the race was as good as over. Pogačar then soloed to Siena. He was able to ride at an easier pace on the Via Santa Caterina and crossed the finish line on the Piazza del Campo with a nice lead to win his third Strade Bianche. Behind the winner, Pidcock couldn’t take it easy. Pogačar’s teammate, Wellens had ridden away from the chasing group and had a chance of second place. The Belgian came within 20 seconds of Pidcock, but then the gap grew again. Pidcock held his ground and crossed the line in second place, a minute and a half behind Pogačar. Wellens completed the podium, a two minutes behind his team leader.
Race winner, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates XRG): “It was a pretty good race today. It was super fast, a really strong breakaway and our guys did amazing work on the front. I’m really happy to take the win. I really enjoyed it all until I crossed the finish line. After the adrenaline wore off I start to feel the scratches and scrapes, so it is not the best way to win a race. Thankfully it’s nothing serious but I will be picking out thorns from my side for a few days. I know that stretch of road very well, I have ridden it already 20 times in my life but sometimes you misjudge and I just slipped. For a moment, I did not know if I was ok, and I had to change the bike. I was a bit worried because when you crash, the body takes a lot from you but I still had enough to finish and I managed to pull it off. Tim also taking the final podium spot with me was the icing on the cake. He’s a great guy and deserves it.”
2nd, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team): “I didn’t do anything wrong today, so this is the best result. To be honest I did a really good ride and one of my best performances ever. I was feeling comfortable in the peloton so I thought that when I attacked, I could take away the element of surprise, and it worked. When Tadej crashed it looked quite bad at first, so I am glad he is okay. We were going very fast at that point. The moment I heard he was back on his bike I decided to wait. It’s good to continue together. It is important to ride with respect and dignity and that’s not how you take advantage in races. It’s bittersweet result but I did the best I could and a good shot. Now it’s time to recover because it was a big day and Tirreno Adriatico is coming fast.”
3rd, Tim Wellens (UAE Emirates XRG): “Both times on the podium of Strade Bianche are very good feelings, to be honest. This is a race I really like. I thank the team for the opportunity. I was the last guy to stay along with Tadej. He went pretty early. It was not the plan, I think, to go on Sante Marie. Behind it was a fight for positions. I had good legs to finish third. Tadej to win is never a sure thing, especially with a crash like that. But he has the legs to do what he did today. Being third while Tadej has won makes me very happy”.
5th, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious): “Crazy race. I really enjoyed it. Once you are in front of this race you enjoy very much. I was all the 213 kilometres in the game. Super intense day, I was trying to improve position every time. I needed to put my foot down three or four times because of the crashes but I was always trying to come back and never give up. I had all the time in my mind that race was longer and that I needed to always play intelligent and find the riders for good collaboration and we did our best. It was impossible to fight for the podium. In Sante Marie they went, I couldn’t follow that pace but I was able to organise a good group at the back and I was always trying to make some moves to be always there to collaborate with the rest of the guys. I found also Roger there, he has a lot of class and he could understand and we arrived at the finish together. It is a pity Matej was not there. It would be much easier because I was alone, but I am happy with 5th place today.”
9th, Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto): “I am completely empty. The last 40 kilometres were pure survival. I am completely empty, absolutely shattered. As soon as Tadej Pogačar made his move, the lights slowly started to go out. The last hour, the last 40 kilometres, was pure survival. Respect to Tom Pidcock, who was still able to follow. Last year, he was the one in our chasing group who said it felt like we were in the grupetto behind Pogačar. And this time, it felt the same. We had no chance, even though we rotated better than last year. Everyone was just empty, we were like a group of dying swans. I’m just glad I made it to the finish in one piece.”
Strade Bianche Result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Emirates XRG in 5:13:58
2. Tom Pidcock (GB) Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team at 1:24
3. Tim Wellens (Bel) UAE Emirates XRG at 2:12
4. Ben Healy (Irl) EF Education-EasyPost at 3:23
5. Pello Bilbao Lopez de Armentia (Spa) Bahrain Victorious at 4:20
6. Magnus Cort Nielsen (Den) Uno-X Mobility at 4:26
7. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 4:29
8. Michael Valgren Andersen (Den) EF Education-EasyPost at 4:37
9. Lennert Van Eetvelt (Bel) Lotto at 4:47
10. Roger Adria Oliveras (Spa) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 5:06.
Strade Bianche’25:
Strade Bianche – Women 2025
Demi Vollering won a memorable Strade Bianche. The FDJ-SUEZ rider fought a duel with Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) on the road to Siena. The battle was only decided on the last steep climb. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) finished third, at well over a minute and a half.
Early in the race, Franziska Brausse (Ceratizit) and Virgina Bortoli (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) took a small lead, but Brausse crashed and by the start of the second gravel section, the peloton had already caught them. Then there was attack after attack. Marielle Meijering (Movistar) made a solo attempt, while later Eva van Agt (Visma | Lease a Bike) also tried to get away. Van Agt was briefly joined by Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime), but the peloton was letting anyone go. By halfway through the race, the pace was faster than the fastest schedule. The peloton was thinned out by this point and with 50 kilometres to go, there was only just over riders left. Pre-race favourite, Katarzyna Niewiadoma had a hard crash, after which the Polish leader of Canyon-SRAM remained on the ground for quite a while and eventually had to abandon.
Femke Gerritse (SD Worx-Protime) then took a lead of 10 seconds. She was caught after a few kilometres, but then rode away again with six other riders. Kimberley Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), Évita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ), Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck), Mavi García (Liv AlUla Jayco), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike), Marte Berg Edseth (Uno-X Mobility) and Gerritse took a lead. At the start of the final 30 kilometres, the difference had already increased to more than 1 minute. In the chase group, Vollering, Van der Breggen and Elisa Longo Borghini would have a hard job with 25 kilometres and three gravel sections still to come. Little happened on the 3 kilometre long section of Montechiari, except that Longo Borghini cracked just after this section.
The seven leaders hit the penultimate gravel section, the Strade di Colle Pinzuto. This gravel climb had ramps well over 10% and the groups split. In the leading group, Gerritse had to let go, but in the chasing group it was also hard. Led by Juliette Labous, the group was severely decimated. This turned out to be the impetus for an attack by her team leader Vollering, but this did not make much difference. Labous increased the pace again. The French champion managed to cross over to the leading group with a strong effort, with Vollering, Van der Breggen, Pieterse, Niamh Fisher-Black and Noemi Ruëgg on her wheel. These riders were now back in the race and could think of victory. Van der Breggen, who had been quiet until then, managed to get away in the run-up to Le Tolfe. The SD Worx-Protime rider started the steepest sections of Le Tolfe with a small lead. Vollering saw the danger and was the only one to get to her wheel.
The two big favourites were now in the lead. Vollering and Van Vleuten rode well together after Le Tolfe and increased their lead. With 7 kilometres to go, the lead had already increased to 45 seconds. The decision would be made on the steep Via Santa Caterina to the Piazza del Campo. Van der Breggen was the first to throw down the gauntlet. Vollering didn’t give up and waited for her moment. Her attack was too much for Van der Breggen. Vollering managed to drop her rival and take the victory in the Strade Bianche for the second time in her career. Van der Breggen had to acknowledge Vollering crowned a strong race with a first WorldTour podium since her return. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot finished in third place, just ahead of a very impressive Juliette Labous, who had worked hard all day.
Race winner, Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ): “I already felt before the last gravel section that I could dropped Anna [van der Breggen] but my chain dropped and it disturbed my plan. She got a gap and I was first to come across with Juliette [Labous]. We stayed calm. I was not only eager to beat Anna, it would have been the same if it was Elisa [Longo Borghini]. Strade Bianche was our first team goal, to achieve it like this is amazing. [Muzic] Evita crashed but kept fighting and then made the breakaway. The girls did a great job. I had a flat and as soon as I realised it, I already had a new bike. It was a tough decision to leave SD Worx that was such a winning team. It was scary to move to a new team. Last year, there was so much going on. My mind was full of too many worries, now I feel that I’m free on the bike and I’m happy to see all my team-mates being so strong in opening a new chapter for FDJ-Suez. The team spirit is amazing. Sanremo Women is also a very nice race to win but maybe a bit more difficult for our team. We have a good sprinter but we don’t know how the race will unfold, it’s new to us.”
2nd, Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime): “Strade Bianche was an eye-opener how stressful such a race can be from start to finish. That’s also because the course has changed compared to the Strades I used to ride. Then you had moments of rest where you could get back into position. Now it goes from one gravel strip to another and you’re constantly in the red. Just because it was such a hard race, I am really happy that I was able to do this until deep into the final. I would never have dared to think that beforehand. It went better than hoped. Of course we didn’t have the top favourite with us as we had in previous years. Our plan was to try to get into a leading group and get some girls in front that way. My job was to try to follow Demi Vollering or Elisa Longo-Borghini or if someone went. Our team rode strong today. Unfortunately, we lost Blanka Vas at a crucial moment when she punctured, because she was very good. It was full course from the start. That made it super tricky. Hageland was a nice simulation for that. That’s also the reason why I continually placed an acceleration there from the start. That way I tried to prepare for the Strade Bianche. That intensity is still a working point, but I feel that every time I do it, I can keep it up a bit longer. For the last time Le Tolfe, I knew I had to be at the front. There was nobody in front of me, so I could follow my own line on the descent. That’s why I dared to take it so quickly. That was ideal because it allowed me to take the lead I needed. When I was alone in front with Demi Vollering in the final kilometres, I knew it would be difficult to win. She is just a bit more explosive and my legs were already not feeling too good. The only thing I could do was to start early and not wait for that explosive attack at the end. I therefore went on first. If I had had the legs, it would have been a good moment there. But that was all there was to it. Anyway, this second place gives me a lot of confidence for the classics to come. Coming second now in a very tough Strade Bianche, I didn’t expect that beforehand. My next race is the Trofeo Binda next Sunday. After that, I leave on altitude training before starting back in the Brabantse Pijl.”
3rd, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike): “This third place confirms that it was worth coming back as a road rider. I wanted to get back to the bunch and work with team-mates. Strade Bianche was a great race to make it happen. My years on gravel roads helped me today. I made the breakaway today and I didn’t know if I should go full gas or not but not everyone was cooperating. When the group of the favourites came across, I was on the edge of following Demi [Vollering] and Anna [van der Breggen] but I had already reached my limits so I tried to save as much energy as possible for finishing on the podium. I was very happy to make it. I had a stupid crash, going a bit too fast in a downhill, after that I tried to not think about it anymore and just focus on getting the best result possible.”
Strade Bianche – Women Result:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) FDJ-SUEZ in 3:49:04
2. Anna van der Breggen (Ned) SD Worx-Protime at 0:18
3. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Fra) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:42
4. Juliette Labous (Fra) FDJ-SUEZ
5. Margarita Victoria Garcia (Spa) Liv AlUla Jayco at 1:47
6. Yara Kastelijn (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 1:48
7. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 1:49
8. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ) Lidl-Trek at 1:54
9. Noemi Rüegg (Sui) EF Education-Oatly at 1:55
10. Silke Smulders (Ned) Liv AlUla Jayco at 1:59.
Strade Bianche’25:
Paris-Nice 2025
Tim Merlier won the opening Stage 1 of Paris-Nice on Sunday. The European champion was by far the fastest in the bunch sprint. Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) finished second and Alberto Dainese (Tudor) was third.
The first stage of the 83rd edition of Paris-Nice started and finished in Le Perray-en-Yvelines. The opening stage went up and down all day, over a distance of 156.5 kilometres with 2,600 meters of climbing. The final blow was an uncategorised climb of 900 metres at an average of 6.9% to Les Mesnuls. There were 9 flat kilometres from there to the finish.
Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Wanty) saw his opportunity and attacked together with Alexandre Delettre (TotalEnergies) and Samuel Fernández (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA). The peloton only let the three get a lead of 2:30. With 60 kilometres to go, they only had 30 seconds. Fernández attacked and Delettre responded, but Van der Hoorn let them go. The move was pointless and they were caught with 50 kilometres to go. The peloton stayed together for a long time. As the race approached the Côte de Villiers-Saint-Frédéric (1.2km at 6.8%), the pace increased.
Tudor made the first move. Marco Haller came to the front with Julian Alaphilippe on his wheel. Victor Campenaerts then took over, but just before the top Alaphilippe jumped. Matteo Jorgenson responded, but the rest of the peloton was not far behind. Alaphilippe’s attack didn’t achieve anything, although Alexander Kristoff had to chase to get back on and was able to return with the help of his teammates. Kristoff and the other fast-finishers still had the climb to Les Mesnuls. Santiago Buitrago attacked and initially only had Powless, Jorgenson and Brandon McNulty with him. Alaphilippe had missed the move, but closed the gap. He brought the rest of the peloton with him. There was sprint at the top, as there were 6, 4 and 2 bonus seconds to be won. Jhonatan Narváez was the first, ahead of Jorgenson and Magnus Sheffield.
Narváez then pushed on and Jorgenson and Sheffield also wanted to race, but the rest quickly returned. The skirmishes were not over yet. Joshua Tarling chose a good moment to attack and had Matteo Trentin and Mattias Skjelmose with him. Skjelmose wouldn’t work, because he had Mads Pedersen behind, but Tarling and Trentin gave it their all. The trio took 10 seconds with less than 5 kilometres to go. Thanks to the work of Visma | Lease a Bike and Jayco AlUla, it was soon over for Tarling, Trentin and Skjelmose with 3 kilometres to go. There would be a sprint in Le Perray-en-Yvelines. In the last kilometres the sprinter’s teams. Bert Van Lerberghe took the lead into the finishing straight. His sprint-leader, Tim Merlier, was a bit further back, but managed to get out in the last few hundred metres. The European champion was by far the fastest. He won the opening stage and took the leader’s jersey. Arnaud Démare sprinted to second place and Alberto Dainese was third.
Stage winner and overall leader, Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step): “It’s always nice to start a stage race with a victory. It was our goal coming into the race and I’m happy I could deliver it for the boys today and repay them for all their hard work. A couple of teams tried to make the race hard with 70 kilometres to go, then there were a couple of attacks on the final climbs of the stage, but we remained together, chased the leaders in order to bring them back and managed to close the gap. In the final kilometre, I enjoyed a perfect lead-out and took the win. It feels great to have this start to the race.”
Most combative rider, Samuel Fernández (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA): “First of all, I want to dedicate this podium to my grandmothers, my family and my friends. I wasn’t expecting a podium, but I did plan to get into a breakaway, we were looking for it because just being here is a dream, and the truth is that the reward came very quickly and was very good. This is just the beginning and I really want to keep fighting. I’m going to keep trying these days and I feel pretty good, so I’ll keep trying to be combative and let myself be seen.”
Paris-Nice Stage 1 Result:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step in 3:32:03
2. Arnaud Démare (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
3. Alberto Dainese (Ita) Tudor
4. Sebastian Molano (Col) UAE Emirates XRG
5. Axel Zingle (Fra) Visma | Lease a Bike
6. Yevgeniy Fedorov (Kaz) XDS Astana
7. Mick van Dijke (Ned) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
8. Timo Kielich (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
9. Vincenzo Albanese (Ita) EF Education-EasyPost
10. Max Walscheid (Ger) Jayco AlUla.
Paris-Nice Overall After Stage 1:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step in 3:31:53
2. Arnaud Démare (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Hotels at 0:04
3. Jhonnatan Manuel Narváez (Ecu) UAE Emirates XRG
4. Alberto Dainese (Ita) Tudor at 0:06
5. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Visma | Lease a Bike
6. Magnus Sheffield (USA) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:08
7. Sebastian Molano (Col) UAE Emirates XRG at 0:10
8. Axel Zingle (Fra) Visma | Lease a Bike
9. Yevgeniy Fedorov (Kaz) XDS Astana
10. Mick van Dijke (Ned) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.
Paris-Nice’25:
Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré 2025
Alexys Brunel was the surprising winner of the GP Jean-Pierre Monseré. The Frenchman of TotalEnergies was part of the early break and managed to hold off the peloton. Stian Fredheim (Uno-X Mobility) won the sprint from the peloton. The Norwegian just passed Michiel Coppens, one of Brunel’s fellow escapees, at the finish line. The BEAT cycling team rider was third.
The GP Jean-Pierre Monseré was 201.6 kilometres long, starting in Ichtegem. There was a 24.8 kilometre approach via Kortemark, Torhout, Lichtervelde and Gits. This was followed by three large circuits and a small lap that ended in Roeselare. There were some short climbs, but nothing difficult. A bunch sprint was the most likely scenario.
Seven riders managed to escape: Victor Vercouillie (Team Flanders-Baloise), Michiel Coppens (BEAT Cycling), Michiel van Vliet (Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel), Alexys Brunel (TotalEnergies), Federico Biagini (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè), Leo Doyle & Bogdan Zabelinskiy (Atom 6 Bikes-Decca) and gained a lead of almost 6 minutes. Due to the work of Unibet Tietema Rockets, Tudor and Equipo Kern Pharma, the lead quickly shrank. With 25 kilometres to go, the difference had been reduced to about 1 minute. The riders in the break lifted the pace, but only Vercouillie, Brunel and Coppens were left. The three kept their lead on the peloton for a long time. Fifteen kilometres from the finish, they had 1:15.
Intermarché-Wanty, Alpecin-Deceuninck and Q36.5 wanted to pull them back and the attackers gradually lost time. It wasn’t fast enough for Brunel in the break. Six kilometres from the finish, he blasted away from Vercouillie and Coppens. The two didn’t give up and worked together and kept the Frenchman in sight. The peloton was also still chasing, although they were running out of time. One kilometre from the finish, Brunel still had 25 seconds. This was enough to take the victory. The peloton was too late and so Brunel took his second professional victory, after winning a stage in the Etoile de Bessèges in 2020. At the time, the Frenchman rode for Groupama-FDJ, after which he moved to UAE Team Emirates in 2022. He said goodbye to the professional peloton that same year. However, this year Brunel made his comeback and the 26-year-old rider is now celebrating that comeback with a victory. Ten seconds after Brunel, Stian Fredheim (Uno-X Mobility) won the sprint from the peloton. The Norwegian just passed Coppens on the line, who still came third. The BEAT rider narrowly stayed ahead of Hugo Hofstetter and Milan Fretin. Vercouillie had to settle for sixth place after a long day in the break.
Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré Result:
1. Alexys Brunel (Fra) TotalEnergies in 4:42:45
2. Stian Edvardsen-Fredheim (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 0:10
3. Michiel Coppens (Bel) BEAT
4. Hugo Hofstetter (Fra) Israel-Premier Tech
5. Milan Fretin (Bel) Cofidis
6. Victor Vercouillie (Bel) Team Flanders-Baloise
7. Gleb Syritsa (-) XDS Astana
8. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
9. Gerben Thijssen (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty
10. Noah Vandenbranden (Bel) Team Flanders-Baloise.
GP Monseré’25
Grand Prix Criquielion 2025
Matteo Moschetti won the Grand Prix Claude Criquielion on Saturday. He gave his team Q36.5 a day’s success. In the final sprint, the Italian trumped Hugo Hofstetter and his own teammate Giacomo Nizzolo.
Almost the entire route of the GP Criquielion is on Lessines territory, a town in the province of Hainaut near the Flemish border with Geraardsbergen, which was the home base of the late Claude Criquielion. The unofficial start was in the Grand Place of neighbouring Ath, but after less than 8 kilometres of racing, the race was in Lessines for five circuits.
The peloton expected a bunch sprint, but Aivaras Mikutis (Tudor), Nicola Marcerou (TotalEnergies), Miguel Ángel Fernández (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Francisco Joel Peñuela (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) attacked early. The seven WorldTeams wanted the UCI points, so XDS Astana in particular for Matteo Malucelli kept the four under control. With about 40 kilometres to go the race started to warm up. That caused a lot of unrest in the peloton, especially on a part of the route with many short climbs. Lotto then sent Lionel Taminiaux and Alexys Brunel off the front. At the same time, Fernández and Peñuela were dropped, which meant that there was four again at the front. XDS Astana and Intermarché-Wanty had to work hard for a sprint finish in Lessines.
Gerben Thijssen and Arne Marit both crashed in the peloton. Intermarché-Wanty lost all its sprinters. Luca Van Boven attacked and, together with Andreas Stokbro (Unibet Tietema Rockets), Piet Allegaert (Cofidis) and Erik Resell (Uno-X Mobility) crossed to the leading group. There was some panic in the peloton, because the leading group took 30 seconds more. Alpecin-Deceuninck and Bahrain Victorious pulled the race back together in the last 4 kilometres. Unibet Tietema then took charge to set up the sprint. Q36.5 timed their effort a little better: after an early attack by Giacomo Nizzolo, Matteo Moschetti finished the job.
Race winner, Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team): “It was tricky in the final with two climbs and the small roads, but we were always in the right position as a team. David, Marcel and Nicoló closed the gap to the last attackers in the final. The last 500 meters were a bit uphill at 4-5% and we had a headwind, so it was not a fast sprint but in the end it all worked well. This is a big confidence boost for me and for the team. Winning is always nice and having a teammate on the podium even more so. We show we have a team for the sprint races with two potential winners, so we try again tomorrow.”
Grand Prix Criquielion Result:
1. Matteo Moschetti (Ita) Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in 4:39:29
2. Hugo Hofstetter (Fra) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
4. Milan Fretin (Bel) Cofidis
5. Sandy Dujardin (Fra) TotalEnergies
6. Aaron Gate (NZ) XDS Astana
7. Tom Van Asbroeck (Bel) Israel-Premier Tech
8. Jenthe Biermans (Bel) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
9. Axel Huens (Fra) Unibet Tietema Rockets
10. Sebastian Kolze Changizi (Den) Tudor.
GP Criquielion’25
Michel Wuyts Thinks Wout van Aert is ‘Too Popular’
Wout van Aert was the most popular rider with the public last Saturday morning in ‘t Kuipke, at the team presentation for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. This could be where the problem lies for the Visma | Lease a Bike leader. Michel Wuyts, former Sporza commentator, said on the HLN podcast Wuyts & Vlaeminck: “He is too popular”.
Wuyts recalled last year’s E3 Saxo Classic, where he presented the teams. “Van der Poel received a deafening applause, but for Van Aert it was a times five. I am also convinced that he will receive a bigger applause than Evenepoel. He is by far the most popular. Van Aert is a star, but also an underdog. He is two in one, and he has to deal with that. I asked him on stage: ‘Does that stimulate you to give even more of yourself or is it the other way around?’ He said that I should not ask him that question at that moment. He is struggling with that, you know. He is approached as a demigod. Whether he wins or loses, he will always be on the first cycling page.”
The most popular rider in Belgium:
Luca Colnaghi Attacked During a Training Ride
Luca Colnaghi had a terrible training ride on Wednesday. The VF Group-Bardiani-CSF Faizanè rider was attacked and abused twice by a motorcyclist during a training ride, he told Tuttobiciweb.
“It was all so absurd that if I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would have thought it was a scene from a movie,” Colnaghi described his training ride with his brother Andrea. “On the way, we came across a man on a motorbike who was looking for trouble. He rode up next to me, insulted me and cornered me, trying to force me to stop.”
The Colnaghi brothers tried to calm the man down. “We told him to stop, that we didn’t want to argue, but he pushed me and made me fall. Then he attacked me and grabbed me by the neck,” said the 26-year-old rider, who together with his brother eventually managed to stop the attacker. “He then tried to intimidate us again by riding against the traffic and coming at us head-on, but that seemed to be the end of it.”
But that wasn’t the end of it. After he got home, he noticed that he had lost his earphones for listening to music, so he decided to cycle back to look for them, but he came across the motorcyclist again, now with a passenger. The two caused him to crash. “And when I rode away, the passenger picked up a stone from the road and threw it at my rear wheel. That was not the end of it, because they came at me with their motorbike and pinned me against the wall along the road. I had already hurt myself in the fall, but then the two men got off their bikes to hit me in the face.”
Colnaghi eventually managed to free himself, but he was already badly hurt. He suffered a dislocated shoulder and a broken rib. He was supposed to ride the Grand Prix Criquielion and the Grand Prix Jean Pierre Monseré in Belgium at weekend, but now he has to rest for ten days. Colnaghi was also threatened during the incident. He was told not to contact the police “otherwise they would come and get me”, but he did tell the authorities. He did file a report. “An amateur cyclist who witnessed the whole scene offered to be my witness,” says Colnaghi, who otherwise received little help during the incident. “I was very sad when I noticed that no motorists stopped, despite my openly asking for help.”
Luca Colnaghi attacked while training:
Richard Carapaz: ‘I’m going to the Giro d’Italia to win’
Richie sets out his road to the Giro
Before every ride and training session Richard Carapaz catches a glimpse of his past and, hopefully, his future.
Nestled in his home in Carchi, Ecuador, at an altitude of 9,442 feet, our men’s squad leader has a trophy room where all his career highlights, trophies, and most cherished jerseys are displayed. The collection grew significantly last summer when the EF Education-EasyPost rider wore the Tour de France yellow jersey for a day, won a stage, and spectacularly earned the iconic polka-dot jersey. But as beautiful as those two jerseys are, perhaps the prizes that mean the most to Richard are his maglia rosa and the Trofeo Senza Fine, which he claimed back at the Giro d’Italia in 2019.
This year, Richard and EF Education-EasyPost return to Italy to try and win a second career Giro d’Italia for both rider and team. Along the way, the 31-year-old will build his form and aim to pick up results in Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, before reaching the Giro d’Italia in peak condition on for the La Grande Partenza on May 9. A Tour de France – where he will target stage wins – also looms, but for now, the Italian grand tour is taking up all of Richard’s focus.
Richard Carapaz’s road to the Giro:
Strade Bianche
Tirreno-Adriatico
Milano-Torino
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Giro d’Italia.
Giro win for Richard Carapaz?
Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi on Different Schedules for Ardennes Classics
Tudor Pro Cycling has announced the race schedules of its new leaders, Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi. The two will not meet each other before the Ardennes Classics, a major goal for both.
Hirschi started the season with a win in his first race, the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana, but he rode Strade Bianche on Saturday and then moves on to Milan-Turin, GP Indurainn and Tour of the Basque Country should prepare him for the tough Ardennes races.
Alaphilippe didn’t impress in the Volta ao Algarve and didn’t ride Strade Bianche. In Paris-Nice, he should get ready for a combination of Milan-San Remo, the E3 Saxo Classic and the Tour of Flanders, before he also tackles the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège after a break of one and a half weeks.
The two new leaders of the team will not get in each other’s way before the big goals come along. Both riders already have the Flèche Wallonne (Alaphilippe in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and Hirschi in 2020) on their palmarès.
Alaphilippe for the Ardennes Classics:
Patrick Lefevere Admitted to Hospital
Patrick Lefevere was transferred to the University Hospital of Gent on Wednesday evening. The former team manager of Soudal Quick-Step became unwell after a drop in blood pressure at a restaurant. According to information from Sporza and Het Laatste Nieuws, the 70-year-old Lefevere spent the night in hospital. It could be a drop in blood pressure, something the former rider and team boss often suffers from.
“Patrick felt good this morning,” his former team Soudal-Quick Step announced. “The team wishes him a speedy recovery and hopes to welcome him back to the race soon.”
Update:
Patrick Lefevere: “Thank you for all your kind messages and support!” Lefevere wrote on X (Twitter). “I feel a lot better and I am happy to leave the hospital tonight (Friday).”
Patrick un well:
Johan Museeuw Wants to Ride the Gravel World Championship this Year
Johan Museeuw ended his cycling career about twenty years ago, but he is still keen to pin on a number. The now 59-year-old Belgian hopes to ride the Gravel World championship this year in his age category.
“I am indeed going to try to qualify for the Gravel World championship,” the Lion of Flanders said on the Radio 2 program Weekwatchers with Ruben Van Gucht. “I am going to do some competition again. It grew last year with the World championship in Leuven. I saw some older people like me competing and I thought: maybe I should do that too.”
“I like the gravel hype. It is a family, with a nice barbecue with a campfire the day before,” Museeuw continued. “Jan Bakelants says I can’t do it. That triggers me to try anyway. I call it The Last Dance,” Museeuw refers to the Netflix documentary about basketball legend Michael Jordan.
It is still unclear where the 2025 World gravel championship will take place. Nice was supposed to organise the Worlds this year, but this has been canceled. The UCI is busy behind the scenes exploring other options and will come up with a new location and place on the calendar as soon as possible.
Museeuw will also have to qualify for the World championship by finishing in the top 25% of his age category in one round of the UCI World Gravel Series. The former world champion and three-time winner of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix will participate in the age group between 55 and 59 years as his 60th birthday in October.
Johan Museeuw is not the only former champion from Belgium who is interested in participating in the gravel World championship. The 64-year-old Dirk De Wolf, winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1992, wants to compete with the Lion of Flanders, although they ride in different age categories at the moment.
“I will try to qualify in Turnhout or Aachen. If I finish in the top 25 percent of those gravel races in the 64+ category, I will be there,” De Wolf said in the podcast Wielerclub Wattage. “Johan has a much better track record than I do, but we have always been able to work well together. Dueling with Museeuw would be great.”
Museeuw to go gravel:
Deceuninck Will Not be a Name Sponsor of Mathieu van der Poel’s Team at the End of 2025
Philip and Christoph Roodhooft will have to look for a new second name sponsor at the end of 2025. Deceuninck has decided to phase out its sponsorship of WorldTeam Alpecin-Deceuninck and Women’s WorldTeam Fenix-Deceuninck.
The West Flemish company that produces PVC windows and doors joined the Roodhooft brothers’ teams at the beginning of 2022, after having been the first name sponsor of Patrick Lefevere’s Quick-Step team for three years.
Deceuninck is now taking a step back, but will remain less involved with the team. “The successful collaboration has delivered the desired results for the company in terms of brand awareness. In consultation with the team management, we have come to the conclusion that we can continue to strengthen each other in another form of cooperation,” says Francis Van Eeckhout, the executive chairman of Deceuninck, in a press release.
General manager Philip Roodhooft now knows what he has to do. “Of course, this creates a challenge for us as a team, but we were informed in good time and we are doing everything we can to attract a solid second name partner again. The gratitude for their commitment is much greater than the disappointment of the decision to take a step back.”
No more Deceuninck:
Tiberti Leads Team Bahrain Victorious at Tirreno-Adriatico
Tirreno-Adriatico, ‘The Race of the Two Seas’ which crosses five regions of central Italy, will this year have its 60th edition between the 10th & 16th March. A total distance of 1,142.5 km is split across seven stages, and includes 14,250 meters of altitude difference. It starts with an individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore and ends, as usual, in San Benedetto del Tronto, with plenty of climbs and Apennine passes to negotiate along the way. The longest stage (S3, 239km) starts from Follonica and arrives at the Valico di Colfiorito, while the highest point (1,558m, Valico la Crocetta) comes on the following day’s route between Norcia and Trasacco. Also of note is the uphill finish at Frontignano, (1,327m above sea level) that concludes stage six from Cartoceto.
Bahrain Victorious’ leader for the race is the 2024 Giro d’Italia’s best young rider, Antonio Tiberi. The Italian finished the Volta ao Algarve strongly, and feels his form has been improving since the season began. “I have good feelings and ambitions for this Tirreno-Adriatico. I want to perform well, not only for this race but also in preparation for the upcoming challenges on my calendar. The race will likely follow a similar pattern to last year, starting with the opening time trial, where my goal is to secure a strong result right away. From there, it’s all about staying focused and ready for the demanding stages ahead. Last year, I struggled more because it was one of my first races of the season after the cancellation of Ruta del Sol. This time, I’ve had a solid start in Portugal, feeling stronger in the later stages. I hope to continue building my form throughout Tirreno-Adriatico and bring home a strong result.”
Sports Director Gorazd Štangelj said: “The undisputed leader is Antonio, although we would like to have backups with Damiano and Pello once he has recovered from Strade Bianche. Robert will sprint when there is a reduced or bunch sprint, and would also like to be there on the breakaway stages with Afonso. Maybe Pello will attack stage five. At the end of the race, a top 5 result in the General Classification would be good, but we would like to have two places in the top ten position. Above all, Antonio, Damiano and Pello should get good results on the opening stage in the Individual Time Trial.”
The Bahrain Victorious line-up in full for Tirreno-Adriatico 2025, is Antonio Tiberi, Damiano Caruso, Pello Bilbao, Robert Stannard, Fran Miholjević, Andrea Pasqualon and Afonso Eulálio.
Ambitious Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in Tirreno Adriatico
The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team continues racing in Italy with the seven-day stage Tirreno Adriatico which starts on Monday. The team will be led by Strade Bianche runner-up Tom Pidcock alongside David De La Cruz, Damien Howson, Xabier Mikel Azparren, Gianluca Brambilla, Nick Zukowsky and Mark Donovan.
Sports director Gabriele Missaglia said: “Tirreno Adriatico is always a hard race where the weather can play an important role. Rain and cold temperatures are often the case and this week the predictions look rainy. If we look at the build-up of this race we focus on the middle part. The first stage is a short and flat time trial, followed by a sprint stage on Tuesday. The last stage on the Adriatic coast on Sunday is also for the sprinters. We think about the stages in the mountains from Wednesday to Saturday where it’s important to show we race aggressively. Our ambition is to go for a stage win and a good result in the general classification with Tom. There are interesting stages for him. Then we will look day by day at the general classification.”
David De la Cruz looks forward to the time trial in Lido di Camaiore on Monday. The Spanish champion can’t wait to show his special Q36.5 skinsuit again. “When I became national champion last year, I said that I wanted a full white skinsuit with the Spanish national flag. Q36.5 made that for me, and I look forward to wearing it again on Monday. It’s so very special to represent your country. I did some work on the velodrome last week to work on my position on the time trial bike, so Monday’s time trial is an important goal for me. It’s the first one of the year! For the rest of the week, I look forward to racing again with the team because it’s been a month since the Tour of Oman. I haven’t done the Tirreno Adriatico often before because I usually focused on Paris-Nice, but I look forward to doing something great with the team. The start to the season has been really great for all of us so let’s continue that good energy in this next big race.”
Tom Pidcock moves on to Tirreno Adriatico:
Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico Next up for UAE Emirates-XRG
Emirati team confirm squads, as the WorldTour stage racing season kicks off in Europe and the likes of Juan Ayuso, Adam Yates and João Almeida are in action
UAE Team Emirates-XRG will tackle the first WorldTour stage races of the European season over the next week, with the Emirati outfit fielding impressive squads for both Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. With 14 victories already on the board for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, both races present another opportunity to continue the team’s fine start to the season.
As is tradition, Paris-Nice will begin proceedings on Sunday 9 March, before Tirreno-Adriatico gets underway on Monday 10 March. Both races will run concurrently and come to an end on Sunday 16 March, but not before some of the world’s best riders have gone head-to-head over a series of challenging stages which promise to deliver exciting racing.
In France, UAE Team Emirates-XRG will be hoping to reclaim the Paris-Nice title last won in 2023 through Tadej Pogačar, with João Almeida, Pavel Sivakov and Brandon McNulty – third-place finisher last season – presenting a trio of options in the mountains. All three riders will like the look of the second half of the race, which tends to decide the winner of the leader’s yellow jersey.
Before the climbers battle it out for the general classification, however, there are plenty of tests to be overcome within the race’s opening knockings.
Beginning on the outskirts of Paris, the race affectionately known as the Race to the Sun is often prone to crosswinds and ironically, inclement weather. Such hazards can derail a GC push before it has even begun, but in the UAE Team Emirates-XRG stable, there is a cohort of riders who can take to this challenge with tenacity, rather than trepidation.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad for Paris-Nice is as follows:
João Almeida (Por)
Brandon McNulty (USA)
Sebastián Molano (Col)
Jhonatan Narváez (Ecu)
Ivo Oliveira (Por)
Nils Politt (Ger)
Pavel Sivakov (Fra)
Nils Politt and Ivo Oliveira are two masters of the flatlands, both with enough experience and knowhow to pilot the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad as the peloton winds its way down the spine of France. Their powers of positioning will be crucial as Sebastián Molano and Jhonatan Narváez look to continue the Emirati squad’s winning start to the campaign. Whilst Molano is making his return from a crash that ruled him out of the UAE Tour, Narváez produced a strong showing on Opening Weekend in his recently-retained Ecuadorian national champion’s jersey.
Teamwork will be essential at this year’s Paris-Nice not just on the road bike, but also on Colnago’s time trial units, with stage 3 testing the peloton with a team time trial that will be sure to leave its mark on the fight for the overall win. Here, the time of the first rider across the line will determine the stage standings, but times will be taken individually for the general classification.
Almeida, McNulty and Politt were all part of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG team that won this stage in last year’s race, providing ample encouragement to offer another strong performance this time out.
Stage 1 is ripe for aggressive racing, before stages 2 and 6 offer the sprinters their clear opportunities. As for stages 4, 5 and 7, these are the days that hold a significant amount of climbing and should see the likes of Almeida, McNulty and Sivakov come to the fore. The latter grew up watching this race on television and will recognise the traditional final day that takes in the hills surrounding Nice before heading to the coast for a classic finish on the Promenade des Anglais.
Speaking ahead of the start of the race, Almeida is keen to build on his recent form that has delivered runner-up spots in both the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and the Volta ao Algarve.
Almeida: “It’s been a good start to the season for me and the team. We have found the winning way and been fighting for every race as they come. Here in Paris-Nice, we are going to do our best as a team. I want to be up there with the best guys and fighting for a good result. The shape is good after the Volta ao Algarve. I have been recovering and doing some training to stay sharp. Now I am feeling good about this one and we are going to go for it as a team.”
Meanwhile, over in Italy, Juan Ayuso will hope to better his runner-up spot from last year’s Tirreno-Adriatico, with Adam Yates also on the start line for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The pair will continue their build to May with the customary pre-Giro d’Italia stage race from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic.
As ever, stage 1 takes the form of an out-and-back individual time trial, which will bring back good memories for Ayuso, in particular. The Spaniard won this opening stage last year and heads into the 2025 edition with two wins from just three days of racing. After taking out the Faun Drôme Classic in France, the 22-year-old won the first race of the campaign in Italy, coming out on top in a four-up sprint at Trofeo Laigueglia earlier this week.
For Yates, Tirreno-Adriatico will be his first race on European soil of the season. The recent Tour of Oman winner will have his eyes on the mountains, where he will be surrounded by a strong UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad that consists of:
Juan Ayuso (Spa)
Isaac del Toro (Mex)
Felix Großschartner (AUT)
Rafał Majka (Pol)
Domen Novak (Slo)
Rui Oliveira (Por)
Adam Yates (GB)
Continuing his second season as a professional, Del Toro can take confidence from his weekend performance, which saw the Mexican deliver a pitch-perfect lead-out for Ayuso at the defining moment of the Faun Drôme Classic. Their 1-2 punch was enough to see Ayuso gain a gap which he would defend on his 40km-long solo rout.
Following his breakout stage win at last year’s Tour Down Under, Del Toro placed fourth at Tirreno-Adriatico. In producing such a performance whilst still a neo-pro, the 21-year-old can hold no doubt that he has what it takes to perform at the week-long race in Italy.
With Felix Großschartner, Domen Novak, Rui Oliveira and Rafał Majka – third place in 2020 – in tow, UAE Team Emirates-XRG can be confident of starting Tirreno-Adriatico on the front foot. It has been three years since the team last won the race through Pogačar, champion at Tirreno-Adriatico in both 2021 and 2022.
This time around, the all-important days look set to be stages 3, 4, 5 and 6, the former of which stands at the longest of the race at 239.5km. The latter, meanwhile, is the Queen stage of this year’s edition and will test the riders with 3,497m of climbing to decide the overall winner of the blue leader’s jersey. The final day, of course, will likely produce a sprint finish in San Benedetto del Tronto.
Speaking just days after his Trofeo Laigueglia victory, Ayuso is full of confidence as he and the team shape up for the Race of the Two Seas.
Ayuso: “Since the start of the year I’ve said that Tirreno will be one of my main early season goals, so I am really excited and motivated for it. This year has started really well for the team so far and personally I’m really satisfied to be able to contribute to that with my wins. There’s a winning mentality in the team right now that I think motivates everybody a bit extra. For Tirreno, we have a very strong team and between myself and Adam [Yates], I think we are in with a good shout for GC. It’s a race I like a lot and I always love competing in Italy so I’m looking forward to what will hopefully be a great week of racing.”
Another WorldTour Race for Team Polti VisitMalta: It’s Tirreno-Adriatico’s Week
After the first World Tour classic of the calendar, tomorrow Team Polti VisitMalta will also take on its first top-tier stage race: just like at Strade Bianche, the Italian squad has been invited to Tirreno-Adriatico every year since it moved up to Professional status in 2021. Stefano Zanatta will once again be in the team car, but the lineup will be completely different from the one that tackled the white roads of Siena yesterday. Three key riders of the roster — Davide Piganzoli, Mirco Maestri, Giovanni Lonardi — will ensure competitiveness on all terrains. Supporting them will be two breakaway specialists, Fran Muñoz and Andrea Pietrobon, a pure climber like Davide Bais and a high-quality attacker like Alessandro Tonelli.
The race that has connected two Italian seas from west to east for sixty years now features 7 stages, one for each day of the week: a total of 1,147.5 kilometres with 14,400 meters of elevation gain. After the ITT in Lido di Camaiore and the sprint in Follonica, three long and undulating stages through Umbria, Abruzzo and Marche will prepare the riders mentally and physically for the showdown on Saturday in the Sibillini Mountains: a series of steep ramps leading up to the final 8 km climb at 8% in Frontignano. On Sunday, the traditional finish for pure sprinters in San Benedetto del Tronto.
Tonelli: “O Gran Camiño was my debut with Polti VisitMalta and it went better than I expected. Now I can’t wait to put my experience to the test at Tirreno-Adriatico, which in some ways is even tougher than the Giro d’Italia because the pace is always incredibly high on technically demanding routes.”
Sports Director Zanatta: “We’re approaching this event with great confidence! Piganzoli has come out of O Gran Camiño in great shape, Lonardi is sprinting well and they’ll have the right teammates by their side to showcase our image.”
Polti VisitMalta to Tirreno:
Soudal Quick-Step to Tirreno-Adriatico
Mikel Landa and Paul Magnier will be in action for the Wolfpack at the seventh World Tour event of the season
One of the most important stage races of the year, and for many the last outing before Milano-Sanremo, Tirreno-Adriatico takes place between 10-16 March. Our team took the overall glory once, in addition to this scoring a total of 18 stage wins, and will look to play again an important role there at the 60th edition.
Mattia Cattaneo, Josef Cerny, Mikel Landa – a top-three finisher at Tirreno-Adriatico in back-to-back years – Paul Magnier, Tour of Oman runner-up Valentin Paret-Peintre, Casper Pedersen and Pepijn Reinderink are the seven Soudal Quick-Step riders who will be present in Lido di Camaiore, from where the race will get underway with a short individual time trial.
One day later, in Follonica, but also in San Benedetto del Tronto – where the event traditionally comes to a conclusion on Sunday – the sprinters are expected to be in the spotlight, although the fight for the prestigious blue jersey and Neptun’s trident should unfold on the hilly roads to Pergola and on the steep gradients of Frontignano, the climb coming at the end of the penultimate stage.
“Tirreno-Adriatico is a race where we have had a lot of success in the last twenty years, and we would like to be again in the mix for a stage victory. Paul comes here after a couple of impressive results that he has racked up since the start of the season and we will support him in the sprints, while Mikel and Valentin will be our riders for the harder stages. Concerning the general classification, we’ll just take it one day at a time and see how things go and where we are after each stage”, said Soudal Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.
Mikel Landa to Tirreno-Adriatico:
Soudal Quick-Step to Paris-Nice
Tim Merlier, Yves Lampaert, Max Schachmann and Ilan Van Wilder will all be in action for the Wolfpack.
Held annually since 1933, Paris-Nice is one of the most prestigious races of the calendar, one where many riders hope to shine. Known as the “Race to the Sun” despite the fact that in recent years rain has been a constant presence, Paris-Nice is also one of the events where Soudal Quick-Step has tasted success on multiple occasions, winning a total of 19 stages and eight classifications.
Le Perray-en-Yvelines, a small town sitting just 50 kilometres from the capital, is where the peloton will gather on March 9 for the start of the 82nd edition, one that on paper should have a bit of everything for everyone. Three stages for the sprinters – one surprisingly coming just before the weekend – two opportunities for the puncheurs and baroudeurs, and an undulating team time trial in Nevers will set up the fight for the general classification, which should be an explosive one.
Auron, a 7.3km climb averaging 7.2%, promises to reshuffle the overall standings on the penultimate day, just before the short but action-packed final stage around lovely Nice, which will comprise four climbs on whose slopes anything can happen: Col de la Porte, Côte de Peille, Col d’Èze and Col des Quatre Chemines.
The most successful sprinter since the start of the season, with four victories to his name, Tim Merlier will be back at the start of the competition where he picked up a stage win two years ago. The French race will be an important goal also for Maximilian Schachmann – a two-time winner of the GC – who just a few weeks ago finished a solid fifth at the Volta ao Algarve and Ilan Van Wilder. Rounding out Soudal Quick-Step’s roster for Paris-Nice are Ayco Bastiaens, former Belgian Champion Yves Lampaert, Dries Van Gestel, and Bert Van Lerberghe.
“It will be a very demanding race. The wind could play an important role in the first couple of days, while the second part of the week will be incredibly challenging. We go there with a balanced team: Tim will be our guy for the sprints, while Max and Ilan will go for a good general classification. We also hope for a strong outing in the team time trial, a discipline which we like a lot”, said sports director Tom Steels.
09.03–16.03 Paris-Nice (FRA) 2.UWT
Riders:
Ayco Bastiaens (BEL)
Yves Lampaert (BEL)
Tim Merlier (BEL)
Maximilian Schachmann (GER)
Dries Van Gestel (BEL)
Bert Van Lerberghe (BEL)
Ilan Van Wilder (BEL).
Sports Director: Dries Devenyns (BEL), Iljo Keisse (BEL) & Tom Steels (BEL).
Tim Merlier to Paris-Nice:
Team Visma | Lease a Bike Extends Partnership with Bygma, Introducing a Unique Helmet for Jonas Vingegaard
Team Visma | Lease a Bike is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with Bygma, the Danish-owned building materials supplier. As part of this renewed collaboration, Jonas Vingegaard will wear a new, specially designed helmet in all races throughout the season, debuting at Paris-Nice on Sunday 9 March.
This partnership marks a special milestone for Team Visma | Lease a Bike. After Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard will become the second rider of the team to wear a personally customised helmet, emphasising his distinctive status in professional cycling. The minimalist and modern design of the helmet symbolises the natural connection between Jonas Vingegaard and Bygma. “It is a great honour to have Bygma as a personal and team partner,” says Jonas Vingegaard. “Their support means a lot to me, and I’m excited about this unique collaboration. The helmet represents more than just a design—it’s a symbol of our shared values and heritage.”
This renewed collaboration with Bygma introduces a fresh and innovative approach to partnerships in professional cycling. Jasper Saeijs, Chief Business Officer of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, adds: “We are always looking for new and creative partnership opportunities. We are incredibly proud that Bygma dares to take this step towards a customised helmet with us. It is a testament to Jonas’ roots and unique position in cycling. We are excited to see this unique partnership come to life on the road.”
Michael Madsen, CEO of Bygma, is proud to strengthen Bygma’s partnership with Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Jonas Vingegaard: “We are happy and proud to extend the collaboration with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The focus on quality, credibility, and especially striving to be the best is shared by both parties. Jonas also embodies many of the values we cherish at Bygma—hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence. His achievements inspire many, and we are excited to support him and Team Visma | Lease a Bike on their journey.”
Paris-Nice 2025: Matteo Jorgenson: “I want to win Paris-Nice”
A year ago, Matteo Jorgenson had “never” thought he’d win Paris-Nice. Yet the American knows the roads that make up the decision on the “Race to the Sun” like the back of his hand. He came to France as a teenager and has been living in the Baie des Anges for several years now. He loves Paris-Nice, his “favourite race”. His emerging talent had already enabled him to appear twice in the top 10 of the event… And his move to Team Visma-Lease a Bike led him towards major conquests throughout the 2024 season, marked above all by his stunning victory in Nice, at home. A year later, Jorgenson returns, flanked by Jonas Vingegaard and confident of his strength.
How does it feel to be back in competition?
“I’m glad, like every year, to make it through the opening week-end with all my skin on my body! And I also have a good feeling. I was really strong both days [Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne] so I think we have things to improve on for the coming classics as a team but from a personal standpoint I’m looking forward to Paris-Nice. I feel very confident.”
It will be your only stage race in a calendar filled with cobbled classics. How did you build your spring campaign?
“Mainly, I’m trying to do the same as last year. I always follow the old saying: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Last year went really well and I also really enjoyed myself. Mentally, I could handle the load of these races so I decided to just keep the spring exactly the same.”
How much of a different racing environment do you expect to find a week from now, in Paris-Nice?
“To be honest, it’s pretty similar to the classics, at least for the first couple of days, which is nice. That’s why I think doing the opening week-end is so helpful going into Paris-Nice. And then, slowly through the race, the tension kind of fades and it’s a more of a true fitness test toward the end. That’s really what I’m looking forward to, the last, I would say five days of Paris-Nice.”
“Excited to pin on number one for the first time.”
Looking back at 2024, how special was that “home victory”, turning the race upside down on the last day?
“It was a really special moment… It was the highpoint of a great year for me and it was next to my home. I knew this course from my heart and I could tell any single corner. I’m really just excited to get back there and pin on number one for the first time in my career.”
So what do you hope for in Paris-Nice 2025?
“I hope to win! I want to win Paris-Nice. That’s my objective. I only have super good memories from Paris-Nice. I love it, it’s my favourite race on the calendar. It’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest, one-week stage races. That’s at least how I view it, it’s the one I like the most.”
And this time Jonas Vingegaard will be by your side. What kind of balance do you see between the two of you?“We get along really well Jonas and I. I just think we have a very similar mindset and we’re good friends. So I think we’re going to race really well together.”
Last year, it was an open battle all the way to Nice… What kind of dynamics do you expect in 2025?
“It’s always the same with Paris-Nice. So many scenarios can happen until the last day in Nice…”
Matteo Jorgenson
Born in Walnut Creek (California) on 1st July 1999
Teams: Movistar Team (2020-2023), Team Visma-Lease a Bike (since 2024)
Record:
Winner of Paris-Nice 2024
2nd of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2024
8th of the Tour de France 2024
Winner of the Tour of Oman 2023
Winner of Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024.
Zwift Academy Winners Awarded Life-Changing Professional Cycling Contracts for 2025
After a challenging final round, Emily Dixon and Noah Ramsay have earned contracts with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation and Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team for the 2025 season.
Returning for its ninth year, the Zwift Academy talent identification and training program – in partnership with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto and Alpecin-Deceuninck – has awarded professional contracts to two athletes who demonstrated talent above their competitors.
Australia’s Emily Dixon will join CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation and Canada’s Noah Ramsay has earned a spot on the Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team.
The two accomplished riders are the latest names on an illustrious list of Zwift Academy alumni which includes Giro d’Italia Women’s stage winner Neve Bradbury, Luca Vergallito who was promoted from the Development team after just one year and has recent strong results in the Volta ao Algarve as well as two-time Vuelta a España stage victor Jay Vine.
Emily and Noah set themselves apart from more than 100,000 Zwifters who participated in the 2024 Zwift Academy competition. They were among the eight finalists invited to the respective team camps which hosted the finals — the four women joined CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto in the Algarve, Portugal and the four men linked up with Alpecin-Deceuninck in Denia, Spain.
During the concluding round, each athlete participated in different challenges and races, both on the road and on Zwift, met with coaches and staff from both squads, as well as joining group rides with their potential future team-mates. The final challenge was to complete the same test they undertook four days earlier, with significant fatigue in their legs.
Women’s winner Emily Dixon:
Emily distinguished herself by combining strong and efficient power numbers, first-class riding technique, and experience beyond her age. Tackling every challenge with a calm and collected spirit, Emily’s focus was proving her talent and not letting her competitors’ performances affect her which impressed the judges. The 18 year old was motivated to prove her talent and determined to mark herself out as the best.
Noah meanwhile, impressed the Zwift Academy coaches and team staff with his stand-out bike handling skills, impressive power data, and the room left for him to improve with their input. The 22 year old approached the finals with determination and tactical thinking, sizing up his fellow competitors to set himself up well to secure the life-changing professional contract.
Women’s winner, Emily Dixon said: “It’s been such an amazing week, I’ve loved every minute of it and am so grateful for everyone at Zwift and the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto team — I’ve learnt so much and they have all been so kind and welcoming. I’m utterly speechless and did not expect to win the 2025 Zwift Academy at all. I’m really looking forward to getting started with the team.”
Men’s winner, Noah Ramsay said: “The Zwift Academy process was great; it was handled so smoothly and allowed me to perform at my best alongside the Alpecin-Deceuninck riders and the other finalists. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet as I didn’t think I stood out as the best among the other riders. There will be a different type of stress this year as I step into the Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team but I’m excited for the challenge it will bring.”
Adam Szabó, Head of Sports at CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation said: “Emily is an excellent all-round cyclist with impressive power and speed, as demonstrated on the racing circuit and during other varied challenges. As a rider, she has the foundations that we will be able to build on in the long term. She is the type of rider we were looking for to fit into our team.”
Kristof de Kegel, Performance Manager at Alpecin-Deceuninck said: “Noah excelled throughout the ZA finals and physically was the type of rider we were looking for. He clearly demonstrated how he will be able to fit in with the Alpecin-Deceuninck Development team during the sprint challenge where he held his own and outperformed the rest of the finalists.”
GCN captured the Zwift Academy finals unfold in a four-episode series which can be watched here.
To learn more about the finalists and to see how you can stay up to date with the latest Zwift Academy news, read more here.
Men’s winner Noah Ramsay:
Oldest Spanish One-Day Race Disappears from the Calendar
The Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika will not take place this year. The organisers of the oldest one-day race in Spain don’t have the necessary budget to make the event go ahead. The Classic de Ordizia was scheduled for Friday 25 July.
The organiser of the one-day race, the Agrupación Deportiva Chapel-Gorri, stated: “The decision was taken because it is not possible to raise the necessary budget to organise such an international event. We would like to thank all institutions, sponsors, other partners and employees for their years of support.” It is unclear whether the race will return to the calendar in the future.
The Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika (1.1) has a very rich history. The first edition of the race dates back to 1922. Since then, 101 editions have been organised: only in 1936 and 1937 the race could not take place due to the Spanish Civil War.
The honours list of the Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika includes many big names. Domingo Perurena, Marino Lejarreta, Frank Vandenbroucke, Laurent Jalabert, Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodríguez, Simon Yates, Marc Hirschi and Jan Christen was the last winner. The record holder is the Spaniard Ricardo Montero, with five victories.
Hirschi won the Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika in 2023:
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