As a lot of the cyclocross World champions held their rainbow jerseys for an additional 12 months, now we have all the joy from the World cyclocross championships in Liévin. Plus the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race, Alula Tour and the French season opener, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille La Marseillaise, all with video, race studies, outcomes and what the riders need to say.
TOP STORY:
- UCI bans use of the carbon monoxide methodology
Rider information:
- Will Remco Evenepoel be coaching open air subsequent week?
- ***UPDATE*** Remco Evenepoel made his first coaching trip on Saturday
- Álvaro José Hodeg finds a brand new workforce after a protracted search
- Zdeněk Štybar desires to convey the Czech Republic to the highest of cyclocross
Group information:
- Soudal Fast-Step to Étoile de Bessèges
- Wahoo ELEMNT ACE reviewed and located permissible to be used in UCI-sanctioned races
Race information:
- UCI denies rumours about transferring World championships from Rwanda to Switzerland
- UCI publishes 2025-2026 cyclocross World Cup calendar
- Critérium du Dauphiné 2025 guarantees to maintain and scores to settle
The final cyclocross espresso of the season.
TOP STORY: UCI Bans Use of Carbon Monoxide Methodology
The UCI goes to impose a ban on using units that athletes can use to inhale carbon monoxide. Final summer season it turned identified that a number of WorldTeams, together with Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Emirates, use these strategies. The UCI desires groups to cease utilizing them, and the tactic will likely be formally banned from 10 February 2025.
The UCI administration committee made the choice this weekend at a gathering in France, on the cyclocross World championships. The choice to ban the inhalation of carbon monoxide is being made to guard the well being of the cyclists. The UCI and MPCC (the motion for credible biking), beforehand referred to as for a ban, and a number of other riders and workforce managers additionally spoke out about it.
The UCI is conscious that carbon monoxide is utilized in sports activities medication to measure blood values, amongst different issues. “Particularly to analyze the consequences of endurance coaching and altitude publicity on oxygen capability. Repeated inhalation can result in acute and power well being issues, similar to complications, lethargy, nausea, dizziness and confusion. Such signs can worsen at any time and grow to be coronary heart rhythm issues, seizures, paralysis and lack of consciousness,” the UCI mentioned in a press launch. “The brand new regulation prohibits the possession, outdoors a medical facility, of commercially obtainable carbon monoxide rebreather programs linked to oxygen and CO cylinders,” the UCI wrote. The rule will apply to riders, groups, our bodies beneath the UCI and anybody working for a workforce or rider.
Inhaling carbon monoxide is not going to be banned totally. It’s permitted beneath medical supervision and if there are medical causes to make use of carbon monoxide. There’s nonetheless the situation that just one inhalation is permitted to measure values. A second inhalation is just permitted two weeks after the primary measurement, in line with the UCI. Riders from WorldTeams, ProTeams and Girls’s WorldTeams will need to have all inhalations recorded in a medical file.
The ban is separate from WADA and its personal anti-doping laws, however the UCI has requested the World Anti-Doping Company to take a place.
Erik Dekker not utilizing a carbon monoxide inhaler:
World Cyclocross Championships – Liévin Males 2025
Mathieu van der Poel is the elite males’s cyclocross World champion for the seventh time. In Liévin, France, Van der Poel made his transfer within the first lap after which soloed to victory with none issues. Wout van Aert, who had a foul begin, completed second at 45 seconds. Thibau Nys was third. Van der Poel has now equalled the report of the late Erik De Vlaeminck, who was World cyclocross champion seven occasions.
It was a shock when Wout van Aert introduced on the final minute that he would trip the cyclocross World championships in Liévin. The cyclocross followers may then hope for an thrilling rainbow battle. If anybody may put up a struggle with Mathieu van der Poel for his seventh World title, it was Van Aert. Van der Poel was nonetheless high favorite after his unbeaten cross season.
Van der Poel began quick and instantly took the lead. The Dutchman was handed by Toon Aerts, however as soon as they left the street, the defending champion took the lead once more. Behind; Van Aert didn’t have begin. The Belgian was on the fourth row and didn’t moved up within the early a part of the race. Thibau Nys, the European and Belgian champion, additionally had issues. This gave Van der Poel the possibility to place the stress on. After simply 3 minutes, he rode away from Michael Vanthourenhout, Felipe Orts and Laurens Sweeck, who had a niche on the others. Joris Nieuwenhuis managed to cross to them. After one lap, Sweeck had taken a small lead on the others, however they had been already 20 seconds behind Van der Poel. Van Aert was in sixteenth place, at about 45 seconds.
Within the second of eight laps, Van der Poel was flying and he prolonged his lead over the group of chasers. Orts had been dropped, however a number of different riders had been coming again. Nieuwenhuis had 5 Belgians with him: Vanthourenhout, Sweeck, Emiel Verstrynge, Thibau Nys and Wout van Aert, who had caught them on the finish of the lap. He will need to have had an issue within the opening lap as his shorts had been torn. On the finish of the third lap, Van Aert took the lead and took a niche on the street part. Nieuwenhuis was capable of shut the hole, however when Van Aert missed out the pits, he had a niche once more. Nieuwenhuis rode away from Nys and he acquired again to Van Aert. Van der Poel, who had a puncture within the third lap, nonetheless had 45 seconds. By the midway level, the Dutchman had added a number of extra seconds.
Within the fifth lap, Nieuwenhuis needed to let Van Aert go once more, they usually each misplaced time on Van der Poel. After six laps, the distinction between Van Aert and Van der Poel had elevated to over 1 minute. By this level it was apparent that Van der Poel would win the World championship once more and within the ultimate laps the champion didn’t have any issues and he soloed to his seventh World title and equaled the report of Erik De Vlaeminck. Second place was going to be Van Aert’s, as he had lead over Nieuwenhuis and Nys, who fought for bronze. The battle was settled on the penultimate lap, the place Nys rode away from Nieuwenhuis. Within the ultimate lap, the Belgian held his place to take the third step subsequent to Van der Poel and Van Aert on the rostrum. Nieuwenhuis took fourth place and Emiel Verstrynge accomplished the highest 5.
World champion, Mathieu van der Poel (Ned): “However now I’m giving myself every week’s vacation. Yesterday I noticed within the U23s, the place Tibor del Grosso gained, that it could be finest to be on the entrance and simply do your personal factor, particularly on this course, as a result of it was very difficult. I needed to shortly achieve a result in discourage the pursuers. Within the first meters I used to be quick, however Toon Aerts was nonetheless capable of cross me. I knew the place I needed to be on the entrance. I instantly created a pleasant hole, which gave me quite a lot of certainty for the remainder of the race. I used to be afraid of a flat tyre. I had a flat tyre after passing the primary pits, so I needed to trip round with a flat entrance tire for a very long time. That price quite a lot of power. After that I additionally requested for the next tyre stress to make sure. The report had been standing for a very long time (Erik De Vlaeminck – 7 occasions World champion). Previously I hoped to equal that in the future, however I couldn’t have imagined then that I’d succeed in the future. That’s very particular. I’m going to take pleasure in this one first. Afterwards I’ll begin my preparation for Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Good.”
2nd, Wout van Aert (Bel): “I used to be boxed in on the primary half. Within the first nook, somebody nearly fell or perhaps I fell fully, on the within. That’s why I used to be fully stationary on the fences and I used to be already far again. I arrived right here on the podium they usually mentioned: ‘Your pants are torn.’ That’s once I realised it. By the way in which, I additionally misplaced my Garmin on the way in which. It was a typical World championship for me, with a loopy begin. There’s actual warfare occurring within the again. I knew I needed to be fortunate to get into the race instantly. It wasn’t, in order that was a disgrace. In fact, I’d have most popular a special situation, the place I may have entered the battle and been within the race instantly, nevertheless it’s my very own fault that I don’t have a greater beginning place. I consciously selected to not trip many races this season. In any other case I’d have been nearer to the entrance. The opposite guys in entrance of me did trip these races. It’s a good system, the place everybody is aware of prematurely the way it works. Then you recognize it’s a must to be fortunate. The primary races I rode this winter, I used to be fortunate and I acquired out, however not at this time. Then there’s one factor you are able to do: keep calm and begin your race whenever you’re out. It’s at all times a kick to trip a race like that. It’s the race of the 12 months in cyclocross, with so many spectators. It was nice to be a part of it once more.”
third, Thibau Nys (Bel): “It was nice to finish the cyclocross season. The final two weeks didn’t go easily. It was tough to show the swap in the suitable path within the final 5 days. I felt that I used to be bodily previous my peak. I used to be preventing all kinds of issues, sickness and such. It by no means actually broke by means of, nevertheless it was not ultimate. You wish to achieve confidence within the final two weeks. A World championship like that is the suitable motivation to seek out one thing someplace to nonetheless trip cyclocross. Within the first lap I already felt that I may transfer up fairly properly. After that I instantly discovered the suitable tempo. After that I struggled a bit for 2 or three laps with selecting the flawed pit space. However I did really feel that my tempo was excessive sufficient to nonetheless come third. I additionally had some unhealthy luck with my bike as soon as, which meant that I needed to are available once I usually wouldn’t have needed to. It did certainly take some time earlier than I acquired into the suitable circulate in that space, however I don’t suppose I misplaced it due to that. If I had dealt with these adjustments in a different way, I wouldn’t have been capable of beat Wout both.”
4th, Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned): “I’ve to be pleased with this. That was for Mathieu van der Poel. He equaled the report variety of World titles, that’s very spectacular. Sure, and for Wout van Aert, Thibau Nys and everybody. I rode race, I’m pleased with that. Nys simply rode rather well uphill. I got here shut, however in the long run it was too late. If I needed to drop him, I actually need to trip an entire lap quicker, as a result of he’s merely higher on the explosive and technical components. I labored actually onerous for this the previous few months. From the second I had a tough time, I checked out how I may come again. I acquired slightly higher every single day, and that in the end led to this fourth place. I needed to be on the rostrum, but when there are three higher I simply have to simply accept that. After this season I’ve to be pleased with that. I’m primarily taking a look at subsequent 12 months now”
World Cyclocross Championships – Liévin Males Outcome:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) in 1:02:44
2. Wout van Aert (Bel) at 0:45
3. Thibau Nys (Bel) at 1:06
4. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) at 1:15
5. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) at 1:53
6. Toon Aerts (Bel) at 1:56
7. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) at 2:00
8. Joran Wyseure (Bel) at 2:03
9. Lars van der Haar (Ned) at 2:09
10. Laurens Sweeck Bel) at 2:28.
Cross Worlds’25:
World Cyclocross Championships – Liévin Girls 2025
Fem van Empel is the World cyclocross champion for the third time in a row. In Liéven, France, she was the most effective after an thrilling battle with Lucinda Model. Puck Pieterse was third for an entire Dutch podium.
The ladies’s World cyclocross championship promised to be an exciting race in Liévin. Within the run-up to the World championship, there was no rider dominating the racing and the present champion, Fem van Empel, was making errors in latest races. Lucinda Model, Puck Pieterse and Kata Blanka Vas had been among the many favourites for the rainbow jersey.
From the beginning there have been quite a lot of Nederland’s orange jerseys on the entrance, however the most effective begin got here kind a French girl: Amandine Fouquenet, who was the primary to go off street. Pieterse, Van Empel and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had been shut behind; Vas and Model had been slightly additional again. The course in Liévin was huge sufficient to maneuver up throughout the race. Pieterse was the primary to assault, she handed Fouquenet and pulled away. Van Empel adopted, took over and put the stress on. The defending champion and the Dutch champion escaped. Van Empel then took a number of metres on Pieterse, however earlier than the tip of the opening lap the 2 had been again collectively. Model was 9 seconds behind, Vas adopted at an additional 5 seconds. Subsequent was Alvarado, who was already nearly half a minute down. Within the second lap Model acquired her engine going. She crossed to Pieterse, who had needed to go away a small hole to Van Empel. The three saved one another in sight and got here collectively after quarter-hour. Model missed the a pit cease and went on the assault, however Van Empel shortly pulled her again. Pieterse having a tough time, however after a number of sturdy sections the Dutch champion was again within the lead. Now Van Empel, who had hassle together with her pedals, was in hassle.
On the third lap, every thing modified. Pieterse misplaced her impetus and noticed each Model and Van Empel catch her after which drop her once more. Firstly of the fourth lap she was already 10 seconds behind and would lose extra time. Firstly of the fifth lap Van Empel attacked, however Model returned. Then Model attacked when Van Empel went into the pits. This time the defending champion had extra hassle closing the hole, however on the asphalt part she sprinted. With one lap to go Model’s lead was solely 4 seconds. The ultimate lap would resolve the World championships. It took quite a lot of effort, however midway by means of the lap Van Empel managed to catch Van Empel. She then tried to leap Model, however the Baloise Glowi Lions rider fought off her first transfer. She saved the lead, however Van Empel tried once more and managed to get previous. She instantly created a niche, however Model didn’t quit and handed Van Empel once more. The battle was on as Van Empel got here alongside her once more. Model misplaced some pace on a brief slope, which allowed Van Empel to get away. She began the ultimate metres with a lead and held it to the end. Van Empel was topped ladies’s World cyclocross champion for the third 12 months in a row. Model needed to accept second . minute after Van Empel, Pieterse completed third. Inge van der Heijden was fourth and Vas accomplished the highest 5. The retiring Sanne Cant completed ninth.
World champion, Fem van Empel (Ned): “Wow, it was a troublesome battle. It was additionally mentally robust after final weekend. That is very emotional. I don’t realise it but, I needed to dig deep for it. I anticipated it to be robust, and it was. Lucinda was an incredible opponent at this time. I actually respect her. She rode a robust season, and I’m blissful for her that she’s on the rostrum. Additionally for Puck who completed third. They did very properly. The course saved altering in the previous couple of days. That made it tough. The climate had additionally modified after the reconnaissance. Then it’s at all times difficult within the race, however after a number of laps you recognize the circuit after which I discovered locations the place I used to be just a bit bit higher.”
2nd, Lucinda Model (Ned): “I’m simply actually grumpy in the mean time. It was a very nice race and we had been actually evenly matched. Everybody is aware of that Fem would usually have been stronger than me on the final stretch. I don’t know what to consider somebody using into the fences. To be sincere, I believed it was an odd transfer on the European Championships too. That was in all probability simply a part of it, however I actually didn’t suppose this was acceptable. I simply suppose it’s a disgrace that it’s vital. I believe I used to be higher on that technical sloping part. I shortly determined to stroll in order that I may go round it. She sees me coming and thinks: I’ll simply steer all the way in which to the skin. I’m fortunate that I don’t crash right into a pole. We at all times trip on the restrict and she or he’s mainly quicker than me. After a troublesome race, something is feasible, however usually she would have crushed me there too. I’ve additionally at all times mentioned that this doesn’t make or break my season. Nevertheless it may have made it much more lovely. I actually labored in direction of it. I don’t suppose I did something flawed. Everybody round me helped me lots, so I can simply be very happy with that”
third, Puck Pieterse (Ned): “I used to be capable of sustain for a very long time and actually put my playing cards on the desk. I didn’t have the legs to comply with, sadly. At one level I seen that I lacked energy on lengthy stretches with thick mud. However I noticed that they solely actually pulled away within the final two laps. Till then it’s a must to preserve your religion. Till one and a half laps earlier than the tip I nonetheless thought I had an opportunity of successful the title if it got here to a standstill, however within the final lap I knew it wasn’t going to occur anymore. Then it’s all about using for the rostrum. I attempted to maintain using technically properly, solely within the ultimate lap I actually made a mistake, however then my focus is gone they usually had already completed. In any other case I rode an incredible race. With the legs I had I acquired probably the most out of it. You at all times go for the very best and then you definately go for gold, as a result of every thing is feasible. I have already got two lovely World championship jerseys (2024 MTB and U23 Street World Championships), so to be on the cyclocross podium for the third time in a row and now on a World championships podium once more, in such a short while, that may be very particular. I will be very happy with that.”
World Cyclocross Championships – Liévin Girls Outcome:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) in 54:29
2. Lucinda Model (Ned) at 0:18
3. Puck Pieterse (Ned) at 1:09
4. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) at 1:31
5. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) at 1:56
6. Sara Casasola (Ita) at 2:11
7. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) at 2:36
8. Hélène Clauzel (Fra) at 2:51
9. Sanne Cant (Bel) at 2:53
10. Valentina Cavallar (Aust) at 2:58.
Cross Worlds’25:
UCI Cyclocross World Championships – Liévin 2025 Outcomes:
Blended Elite Group Relay
1. Nice Britain in 50:03
2. Italy at 0:02
3. France at 0:05.
Junior Girls
1. Lise Revol (Fra) in 45:25
2. Barbora Bukovská (CZ) at 0:11
3. Rafaelle Provider (Can) at 1:43.
Males Underneath 23:
1. Tibor Del Grosso (Ned) in 56:26
2. Kay De Bruyckere (Bel) at 0:56
3. Jente Michels (Bel) at 1:05
Junior Males:
1. Mattia Agostinacchio (Ita) in 45:47
2. Soren Bruyere Joumard (Fra) at 0:12
3. Filippo Grigolini (Ita) at 0:30.
Girls Underneath 23:
1. Zoe Backstedt (GB) in 45:42
2. Marie Schreiber (Lux) at 0:39
3. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) at 1:20.
Tibor Del Grosso saved his U23 rainbow jersey:
Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race – Males 2025
Mauro Schmid gained the ninth version of the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race. The Swiss champion of the Jayco AlUla workforce attacked 9 kilometres from the end after which soloed to victory. In Geelong, Schmid completed 3 seconds forward of New Zealanders Aaron Gate (XDS Astana) and Laurence Pithie (Purple Bull-BORA-hansgrohe).
On Sunday the professional males raced the ninth version of the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race. On this one-day WorldTour race, there was a robust discipline, together with defending champion Laurence Pithie, alongside facet Albert Withen Philipsen, Corbin Robust, Tobias Lund Andresen, Danny van Poppel, Bryan Coquard, Mauro Schmid, Finn Fisher-Black and Javier Romo.
The race was set on the same old circuit in and round Geelong, though the race organisers had made some adjustments. This 12 months the race went clockwise, like within the first years of the race. The native circuit in Geelong had not been modified, that needed to be ridden 4 occasions, with Challambra Crescent (1.2km at 7.8%) every lap. Early within the race, 21 year-old Andrea Raccagni Noviero, bounce away from the peloton after 20 kilometres and rode solo with a lead of round 8 minutes. It was a courageous try by the Soudal Fast-Step neo-pro, however he had no likelihood. He was caught after a solo of greater than 80 kilometres.
Subsequent it was Noviero’s teammate, Pieter Serry who went away with Oliver Bleddyn (Australian Nat workforce), however that was short-lived. After Serry and Bleddyn had been caught, the assaults got here in fast succession. Chris Harper (Jayco AlUla), Max Walker (EF Schooling-EasyPost), Rudy Porter (Australia) and Connor Swift (INEOS Grenadiers) tried their luck. This escape group didn’t keep collectively for lengthy, as a result of Harper determined to drop the others, hoping to complete in Geelong solo. The Australian began the final 20 kilometres with a lead of 30 seconds, however he nonetheless had the final passage over Challambra Crescent to go.
The climb was an excessive amount of for Harper, who was caught on the Challamba Crescent by an elite group of round 10 males, together with Javier Romo, Laurence Pithie (final 12 months’s winner), Oscar Onley and Esteban Chaves. Mauro Schmid was additionally there. The Jayco AlUla Swiss champion noticed his likelihood had come on the descent of the final climb and escaped. Within the chasing group, nobody was ready to do the work and Schmid was capable of prolong his lead. The chase finally acquired going, nevertheless it was too late and Schmid rode solo to the end. The 25-year-old took his seventh victory of his skilled profession in Geelong. The dash for second place was gained by Aaron Gate, forward of Pithie.
Race winner, Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla): “That is my first one-day WorldTour race victory, so it is vitally particular for me, and it is a vital race for the workforce, so I’m tremendous blissful. Chris Harper did an incredible trip, and he was a giant a part of this win as a result of I may simply sit again after which once we caught him on the climb, I knew that now was the second to go. I noticed everyone was on the restrict and I nonetheless had fairly good legs on that ultimate climb. I did an analogous assault on this race earlier than and acquired caught with 300 metres to go, so I knew that I needed to simply go tremendous deep and that helped me at this time. The entire workforce was tremendous motivated for this one, already within the Surf Coast Traditional we had been using rather well however didn’t get the end result, so to win at this time may be very particular for us.”
2nd, Aron Gate (XDS Astana): “The entire workforce put in an enormous effort at this time to set me up for the very best place within the finale. Our plan was to be within the lead group and struggle for the dash. My teammates stayed with me the entire time, serving to me place properly earlier than the circuit after which main into the climb, so every thing went as deliberate. It was extraordinarily sizzling at this time, which made the race even more durable – many riders struggled in these circumstances. On the ultimate climb, just a few of us had been left within the entrance group when Mauro Schmid attacked. We couldn’t shut the hole instantly, and after that, it become a tactical battle. In fact, it could have been nice to struggle for the win, however in the long run, we sprinted for second place, and I believe it’s a stable end result and an incredible step ahead for the workforce. After our January coaching camp and this block of racing in Australia, I really feel like I’ve constructed some good kind. Now, I’ll deal with the New Zealand Nationwide Championships subsequent week after which the UAE Tour, which will likely be my subsequent race with the workforce. I do know at this time is the ultimate day of racing in Mallorca, so I wish to want our workforce success there.”
Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race – Males Outcome:
1. Mauro Schmid (Sui) Jayco AlUla in 4:26:07
2. Aaron Gate (NZ) XDS Astana at 0:03
3. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Purple Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
4. Javier Romo Oliver (Spa) Movistar
5. Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Lidl-Trek
6. Corbin Robust (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech
7. Magnus Sheffield (USA) INEOS Grenadiers
8. Remy Rochas (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
9. Oscar Onley (GB) Group Picnic PostNL
10. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) Purple Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 0:08.
Cadel Evans’25:
Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race – Girls 2025
Ally Wollaston took her second victory of the season in Australia. The New Zealand rider gained the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race in Geelong on Saturday, after having gained the Surf Coast Traditional a number of days earlier. Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Group ADQ) completed second and Noemi Rüegg (EF Schooling-Oatly) was third.
Within the Australian one-day race, the climb of Challambra Crescent (1.1km at 8.8%) at 29 and eight kilometres from the end was the deciding issue. On the primary passage of the climb, the favourites held again, however shortly afterwards it was Maike van der Duin who attacked. The Dutch rider caught up with an early breakaway, however they didn’t get to the end in Geelong.
The ultimate climb of Challambra Crescent was too essential and the favourites attacked. Silke Smulders, Chloé Dygert, Elise Chabbey and Niamh Fisher-Black had been within the motion, however they may not cease a gaggle of twelve riders from sprinting for the win. The end in Geelong was excellent for the Wollaston, who held off Swinkels and Tour Down Underneath winner Noemi Ruëgg in a protracted dash.
Race winner, Ally Wollaston (FDJ-SUEZ): “I noticed Chloe Dygert getting again into the lead and I simply thought I needed to be there. So I simply held on, pulled by means of and managed to get to the end line for the second time. From that second on I knew I used to be in a extremely good place. I simply needed to deal with myself. That’s what I did all day, I used to be in economic system mode making an attempt to remain out of hassle. I’m actually proud to have gained at this time (Saturday), the ladies supported me rather well all through the race, we had been actually sturdy. Because of all my teammates and the organisers.”
Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race – Lady Outcome:
1. Ally Wollaston (NZ) FDJ-SUEZ in 3:59:43
2. Karlijn Swinkels (Ned) UAE Group ADQ
3. Noemi Rüegg (Sui) EF Schooling-Oatly
4. Chloe Dygert (USA) Canyon//SRAM Racing zondacrypto
5. Silke Smulders (Ned) Liv AlUla Jayco
6. Ruth Edwards-Winder (USA) Human Powered Well being
7. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ) Lidl-Trek
8. Dilyxine Miermont (Fra) Ceratizit
9. Barbara Malcotti (Ita) Human Powered Well being
10. Mie Ottestad (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 0:02
Cadel Evans’25:
AlUla Tour 2025
Tim Merlier gained the Third Stage of the AlUla Tour, to go along with his victory within the first stage. The Soudal Fast-Step rider was too quick for Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla) in a bunch dash. Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Emirates XRG) was third. Nils Eekhoff had a foul crash simply earlier than the dash.
After the shortened and chaotic second stage gained by Tom Pidcock, the quick males had a stage within the AlUla Tour. The third stage between the archaeological websites of Hegra to Tayma, had nothing to upset the sprinters. The final kilometres to the end even had been barely downhill.
Seven riders escaped early within the stage. Jens Reynders (Wagner Bazin WB), who was additionally within the early breakaway on Wednesday was joined by Hugo Aznar (Equipo Kern Pharma), Javier Ibañez (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Yuma Koishi and Masaki Yamamoto (JCL Group UKYO), Andreas Miltiadis and Kane Richards (Roojai Insurance coverage). The peloton allow them to go and their lead improve to three minutes. The sprinter’s groups saved the seven in sight, in order that they by no means actually had an opportunity. With 50 kilometres to go, the lead was only one minute. The peloton was beneath management, however there was quite a lot of stress. Because of the wind, there was an opportunity of echelons.
The break had the peloton on their heels and needed to push a bit more durable. Reynders, Aznar, Ibañez, Koshi and Richards dropped Yamamoto and Miltiadis. The bunch was led by Soudal Fast-Step and Jayco AlUla. The 5 had been caught greater than 30 kilometres from the end after which it was all palms on deck within the peloton. The peloton break up into a number of components, however most sprinters and GC chief Tom Pidcock had been alert. Many of the dropped riders had been capable of return. Eddie Dunbar, 4th general, would lose time. On the entrance, Picnic PostNL made one other try to kind an echelon, however with out success, so there could be a dash with a barely thinned out peloton. Tom Pidcock was not within the group, as a result of he had a puncture within the ultimate. It occurred throughout the final 3 kilometres, so he acquired the identical time as the remainder of the group.
There was a foul crash within the final kilometre. One of many two riders who crashed was Nils Eekhoff: the Dutchman from Picnic PostNL hit a lamppost and an ambulance was shortly on the scene. The 27-year-old Eekhoff was taken to hospital. Soudal Fast-Step was on the entrance when turning onto the ultimate straight. Bert Van Lerberghe led-out the dash for Tim Merlier, who completed the job off. Dylan Groenewegen was on the wheel of the Belgian, however couldn’t come spherical. The Dutch champion sprinted with a flat tire, he mentioned later. The remainder of the sprinters had been at lengths. Juan Sebastián Molano crossed the road in third place.
Stage winner, Tim Merlier (Soudal Fast-Step): “I can’t say I used to be confused within the echelons, as a result of I had workforce round me they usually put in one other excellent effort to maintain me protected. I felt good at this time, the ultimate kilometres had been a bit hectic, however we remained calm regardless of some confusion there and Bert did an excellent job as soon as once more. As I exited the final nook I simply went full gasoline till the end, and now I’m delighted that I may have a good time one other win on this a part of the world, the place I take pleasure in racing”
2nd, Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla): “I used to be on the restrict. On the roundabout I may already really feel my entrance wheel slipping a bit. The tire was flat. However that’s additionally a part of biking. It’s a bit shit, however other than that we did rather well. I simply had some unhealthy luck with the entrance tire. It’s what it’s. We’ve got yet another likelihood. The motivation stays excessive. We nonetheless have the classification (Alan Hatherly third) and one stage for the sprinters. We’re getting nearer. Hopefully we gained’t have any unhealthy luck subsequent time, we’ll preserve going for it.”
third, Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates XRG): “It was a tough and quick day with quite a lot of wind which brought about large splits. Myself and Ivo (Oliveira) had been attentive and managed to remain within the first group and struggle for the dash. It was a technical end with quite a lot of pace bumps and tough floor which made it fairly hectic. A wheel was misplaced in entrance of me on the final bend which made it very onerous to shut the hole to the 2 guys. At this stage of sprinting every thing must go completely. The shape is nice and we’ll have one other go on the ultimate stage.”
AlUla Tour Stage 3 Outcome:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Fast-Step in 4:16:23
2. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Jayco AlUla
3. Sebastian Molano (Col) UAE Emirates XRG
4. Matteo Moschetti (Ita) Q36.5 Professional Biking Group
5. Pierre Barbier (Fra) Wagner Bazin WB
6. Marc Brustenga (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
7. Yevgeniy Fedorov (Kaz) XDS Astana
8. Florian Dauphin (Fra) TotalEnergies
9. Alberto Bruttomesso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
10. Sebastian Kolze Changizi (Den) Tudor.
AlUla Tour General After Stage 3:
1. Tom Pidcock Q36.5 Professional Biking Group in 10:44:49
2. Rainer Kepplinger (Aust) Bahrain Victorious at 0:08
3. Alan Hatherly (SA) Jayco AlUla at 0:13
4. Fredrik Dversnes Uno-X Mobility at 0:34
5. Yannis Voisard Tudor at 0:37
6. Ådne Holter Uno-X Mobility at 0:44
7. Frank Van Den Broek Group Picnic PostNL at 0:48
8. Calum Johnston Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 0:50
9. Max van der Meulen Bahrain Victorious
10. Johannes Kulset Uno-X Mobility.
AlUla’25 stage 3:
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) took his second stage win within the 2025 AlUla Tour. The 25-year-old completed solo on the finish of Stage 4 in Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid, after he attacked on a steep ramp with simply over 9 kilometres to go and dropped everybody. He held the chasers off and elevated his general lead.
The battle for the ultimate victory was on the menu on Friday. Identical to in earlier editions, a stage was to Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid, which meant the sting was within the tail. Underneath 9 kilometres from the end is the summit of a really steep climb (2.9 kilometres at 12%, most 22%), adopted by a flat finale. Final 12 months, Junior William Lecerf was the strongest, however Simon Yates in the end gained the day and the ultimate.
After the primary intermediate dash of the day, 12 kilometres into the race, Alessandro Romele, Alexandre Vinokouro (XDS Astana) and once more Jens Reynders (Wanger-Bazin-WB) fashioned a number one group of three. After greater than 85 kilometres, the trio was joined by 5 others, however there have been no large names amongst them. Nevertheless, the eight by no means acquired a giant lead. Within the peloton, it was primarily Q36.5 Professional Biking, Jayco AlUla and Bahrain Victorious who set the tempo. Slowly however certainly, increasingly more riders needed to drop out from the break. On the primary slopes of the one climb of the day, the rest of the main group was caught. With 10 kilometres to go, chief Tom Pidcock determined to go to the entrance and trip at his personal tempo. The peloton quickly began to stretch. Rainer Kepplinger (Bahrain Victorious, 2nd general), Alan Hatherly (Jayco AlUla, third) and Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla) supplied some resistance.
Pidcock rode them off his wheel on the steepest a part of the slope after 9 kilometres. The GC chief quickly had 30 seconds, however there was nonetheless a troublesome job forward: on the plateau there was a headwind for the final 7 kilometres. In the long run, Pidcock had 12 seconds on the chase group with Kepplinger, Hatherly and the younger Norwegian Johannes Kulset (Uno-X Mobility). First-year skilled, Max van der Meulen (Bahrain Victorious) completed tenth. Frank van den Broek (Picnic PostNL) was additionally in that group, as was Adrià Pericas (UAE Emirates-XRG). Casper van Uden gained the dash from the group behind, who completed 50 seconds behind Pidcock.
Stage winner and general chief, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5): “I had already checked out Saturday’s stage this morning, however I shouldn’t have finished that. It’s going to be very windy and worrying, so this struggle is unquestionably not over but. I’ve educated lots for these efforts. That basically helps me lots. I’ve already ridden new finest 5 and 10 minute values up to now interval, so I’m in actually good condition. I simply rode at my very own tempo on the climb. Assault is the most effective defence, I believe. Nonetheless, it was a good distance, as a result of I didn’t suppose there could be a headwind on the high. I’m very blissful that my lead has elevated and that I used to be capable of win once more on Friday”
third on the stage and 2nd general, Rainer Kepplinger (Bahrain Victorious): “It was a quick and difficult climb. When Pidcock attacked, it was unattainable to comply with, however I discovered myself in a robust group with two Jayco AlUla riders and an Uno-X rider. We labored properly collectively, and in the long run, I’m pleased with third place on this stage.”
AlUla Tour Stage 4 Outcome:
1. Tom Pidcock (GB) Q36.5 Professional Biking Group in 3:09:46
2. Alan Hatherly (SA) Jayco AlUla at 0:12
3. Rainer Kepplinger (Aust) Bahrain Victorious
4. Johannes Kulset (Nor) Uno-X Mobility
5. Eddie Dunbar (Irl) Jayco AlUla at 0.16
6. Thomas Pesenti (Ita) Soudal Fast-Step at 0.24
7. Xabier Mikel Azparren Iruzun (Spa) Q36.5 Professional Biking Group
8. Alessandro Fancellu (Ita) JCL Group Ukyo
9. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies
10. Max van der Meulen (Ned) Bahrain Victorious.
AlUla Tour General After Stage 4:
1. Tom Pidcock (GB) Q36.5 Professional Biking Group in 13:54:22
2. Rainer Kepplinger (Aust) Bahrain Victorious at 0:29
3. Alan Hatherly (SA) Jayco AlUla at 0:32
4. Fredrik Dversnes (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 1:11
5. Johannes Kulset (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 1:13
6. Yannis Voisard (Sui) Tudor at 1:14
7. Ådne Holter (Nor) Uno-X Mobility + 1:21
8. Frank Van Den Broek (Ned) Group Picnic PostNL + 1:25
9. Max van der Meulen (Ned) Bahrain Victorious + 1:27
10. Alessandro Fancellu (Ita) JCL Group Ukyo + 1:38.
AlUla’25 stage 4:
Tom Pidcock gained the AlUla Tour general. The Q36.5 Professional Biking rider held his lead on Saturday within the ultimate Stage 5, which was break up by echelons. On the AlUla Camel Cup Observe, it was his Q36.5 teammate Matteo Moschetti who gained the stage. The Italian beat Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla) within the dash and Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates XRG) was third.
With a lead of 29 seconds on his closest rival Rainer Kepplinger, Pidcock began the ultimate stage of the AlUla Tour on Saturday. It was a stage with out a lot climbing, however Pidcock was fearful. In an interview on Friday, Pidcock mentioned he was petrified of echelons.
Pidcock’s fears turned out to be justified, as a result of echelons had been arrange early within the 170 kilometre stage by Bahrain Victorious and Uno-X. At that second, there was a number one group with Mikkel Bjerg and Aivaras Mikutis off the entrance, however they had been shortly caught by a 29 man echelon. Pidcock and Kepplinger had been on the entrance, Alan Hatherly, third general, had missed the transfer. Resulting from a flat tire, Kepplinger finally ended up within the second echelon, however fortuitously for the Austrian, the race got here collectively 92 kilometres from the end, after which calm returned to the race and there was a break with Ceriel Desal, Nicolo Garibbo, Diego Uriarte and Mathias Breghnøj. The 4 solely had a 1 minute lead over the peloton and so a dash on the menu.
There have been echelons once more 30 kilometres from the end. All of the sprinters and Pidcock had been there, whereas Kepplinger and Hatherly, 2nd and third general, had been stunned and needed to worry for his or her podium place within the AlUla Tour. On the entrance, the boys of Uno-X Mobility noticed their likelihood. They gave it their all for Fredrik Dversnes and Johannes Kulset, fourth and fifth on GC. Within the ultimate kilometres, it was a recreation of seconds. In the long run, the boys from Uno-X Mobility got here out on high. Dversnes would transfer as much as second behind Pidcock, Kulset third. The 2 Norwegians additionally owed this to the truth that the tempo had significantly elevated within the ultimate kilometres. This was primarily as a consequence of Jayco AlUla, who led the dash for Dylan Groenewegen. Nevertheless, the Dutchman acquired boxed in, after which Juan Sebastián Molano began the dash. The UAE Emirates-XRG Colombian on his method to victory, however Matteo Moschetti got here previous him like a rocket. The Italian of Q36.5 took the victory. Groenewegen was second, Molano third.
Stage winner, Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5): “It’s onerous to imagine. What every week. Our aim was to maintain Tom secure. In the long run he repaid us for all we did for him this week. I’ve to thank him and the complete workforce. When UAE launched the dash, I used to be tremendous near the limitations, however I handed by means of with good pace and handed Molano within the final meters. What a dash. Final 12 months I went by means of a really onerous time, and I can not imagine at this time.”
Remaining general race winner, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5): “I’m a bit emotional right here as a result of it’s nearly a fairytale. To see how a lot it means to those guys is unimaginable, to complete it off like that’s unbelievable. The way in which we rode as a workforce at this time! I didn’t know these guys earlier than December or met some even solely in January. What we already do collectively and the way we trip collectively is simply unimaginable. This general win is a giant step in my profession, if I’m sincere. The quantity of focus it takes to defend a lead at this stage. It’s not World Tour and it’s solely 5 days however I realise how onerous it’s. It’s a large step. I can’t actually describe how I really feel now. It’s like Purple Bull provides you wings however so does Q36.5.”
third on the stage, Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates XRG): “Credit score to the workforce and particularly to Ivo (Oliveira) at this time. It was a tough day on the market with the wind and the group that got here to the road was very small. I used to be positioned completely for the dash however simply acquired swamped a bit on the road. No regrets, I gave it every thing. I’m taking the nice form and the positives from the week into the following races the place I hope to get my identify on the board for a win.”
AlUla Tour Stage 5 Outcome:
1. Matteo Moschetti (Ita) Q36.5 Professional Biking Group in 3:32:00
2. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Jayco AlUla
3. Sebastian Molano (Col) UAE Emirates XRG
4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Uno-X Mobility
5. Yevgeniy Fedorov (Kaz) XDS Astana Group
6. Florian Dauphin (Fra) TotalEnergies
7. Arvid de Kleijn (Ned) Tudor
8. Alberto Bruttomesso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
9. Sasha Weemaes (Bel) Wagner Bazin WB
10. Marc Brustenga (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma.
AlUla Tour Remaining General Outcome:
1. Tom Pidcock (GB) Q36.5 Professional Biking Group in 17:26:25
2. Fredrik Dversnes (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 1:09
3. Johannes Kulset (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 1:12
4. Ådne Holter (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 1:22
5. Frank Van Den Broek (Ned) Group Picnic PostNL at 1:26
6. Alessandro Fancellu (Ita) JCL Group Ukyo at 1:39
7. Diego Uriarte Belzunegi (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma at 1:51
8. Jordan Jegat (Fra) TotalEnergies at 1:58
9. Mathias Bregnhoj (Den) Terengganu Biking Group
10. Stefan De Bod (SA) Terengganu Biking Group.
AlUla’25 stage 5:
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille La Marseillaise 2025
Cofidis’ Valentin Ferron gained the GP La Marseillaise on Sunday. The Frenchman was the quickest of the peloton, which solely caught the break within the final 400 metres. Belgian Vincent Van Hemelen of Flanders-Baloise was a really shut second and Spaniard Francisco Galván of Equipo Kern Pharma was third.
The French season opening race was 165 kilometres lengthy over a hilly course, beginning and ending within the port metropolis of Marseille. The Route des Crêtes (4.1km at 7.6%) and the Col de la Gineste (2km at 6%) had been the hardest climbs. From the final climb, there was 8 kilometres to the end. The ‘break of the day’ included Rayan Boulahoite (TotalEnergies), Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto), Michiel Lambrecht (Wagner Bazin WB), Morné Van Niekerk (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) and Kenny Molly (Van Rysel Roubaix). With 26 kilometres to go, the main group was caught and the finale was began by Axel Laurance of INEOS Grenadiers.
The Frenchman was joined by his teammate Joshua Tarling, Kévin Vauquelin of Arkéa-B&B Accommodations, Paul Seixas of Decathlon AG2R and Timo Kielich of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Resulting from an assault by Laurance and Vauquelin, Tarling was dropped. Kielich and Seixas managed to rejoin with 8 kilometres to go. Slightly later, the identical two tried once more, however the chasers caught them. Kielich then tried once more solo, however this try additionally failed. It now regarded like we’d have a dash from the 4 riders for the win, however the peloton was getting nearer. Within the final 400 meters the leaders had been caught, and Ferron was the quickest of the peloton. Van Hemelen needed to accept second place after the photograph end break up the primary two over the road. Francisco Galván was third.
Race winner, Valentin Ferron (Cofidis): “I launched my dash a bit early, however I used to be fortunate that the Flanders rider acquired in entrance of me shortly, so I took his slipstream after which used the power I had left within the final 50 metres to cross him. The entire workforce was omnipresent, it’s an incredible collective victory.”
fifth, Paul Seixas (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale): “It was my first race, and I’m pleased with what I did. The way in which we raced was totally different from the Juniors and that was new to me. We had a extremely good race with the workforce. On the backside of the Route des Crêtes we had been properly positioned, and as my sensations had been good, I acquired away from the pack with a small group. We’d have wanted an additional 15-second result in win, however I used to be nonetheless capable of compete within the dash and end fifth.”
sixth, Gotzon Martín (Euskaltel-Euskadi): “The stability is constructive. I needed to be the workforce’s asset due to the route and the uphill end. My teammates and particularly Paul (Hennequin) did an excellent job on the descent earlier than the decisive climb to get forward. Then, it was about paying attention on the entrance and watching out for a big group. Going into the ultimate dash, I felt like I had good legs and with 300 metres to go I closed the hole with the primary two, nevertheless it felt a bit lengthy and within the final 50 metres three rivals handed me and I went from being third to sixth. Nonetheless, I’m very blissful and I hope to proceed like this.”
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille La Marseillaise Outcomes:
1. Valentin Ferron (Fra) Cofidis in 3:57:53
2. Vincent Van Hemelen (Bel) Group Flanders-Baloise
3. Francisco Galván Fernandez (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
4. Eduard Prades Reverte (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
5. Paul Seixas (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
6. Gotzon Martin Sanz (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
7. Nicolas Prodhomme (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
8. Axel Laurance (Fra) INEOS Grenadiers
9. Pau Miquel Delgado (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
10. Alex Molenaar (Ned) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
GP Marseille’25:
Will Remco Evenepoel be Coaching Open air Subsequent Week
The street season is in full swing and cyclocross is about to complete on the World Championships. In the meantime, Remco Evenepoel, is confined to his home after his crash in December. This might all change this week, his Soudal Fast-Step workforce informed WielerFlits.
On the workforce presentation in early January, the double Olympic champion gave an evidence. He couldn’t be there himself due to an essential hospital appointment, however he acquired excellent news, as a result of on Thursday 8 January he had his first session with the physiotherapist. It’s now greater than a month after his accident, when he collided with the opening door of a Bpost van throughout considered one of his first coaching periods of the winter. Evenepoel suffered a number of fractures and critical accidents.
“My rehabilitation can lastly begin now,” he mentioned in January. “We’re taking it day-to-day. We wish to be sure that every thing is 100% recovered. I’ve to strengthen my muscle tissue. A nerve on the skin of my shoulder has been hit. That makes the skin really feel a bit lifeless. The ache is bearable, besides once I rise up. Then it looks like twenty vehicles have run over it. There’s additionally no muscle response but. We’ve got to regulate that. However an important factor is that I can begin now,” he mentioned earlier than he went to the physiotherapist.
Throughout the interview, Evenepoel said that he’s aiming for a return to the Brabantse Pijl, after which to trip the Amstel Gold Race, the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. If he wants extra racing, the Tour de Romandie will comply with after which a duplicate of his preparation for the 2024 Tour de France. Two days later, there was an replace in an interview with Sporza: “Usually, I’d have educated on the rollers this weekend, however I’m aiming for Monday. The outer muscle tissue, I’m not a physiotherapist, are a bit inactive. We’ve got to work very onerous to stimulate these muscle tissue and allow them to stay. So it is going to take a bit longer than hoped. We don’t but know whether or not this may impact the spring classics.”
On Monday, January thirteenth, Evenepoel rode his bike for the primary time, however on the house coach. “My shoulder will not be but prepared to soak up the shocks from the street. The medical doctors hope that I can prepare outdoors for the primary time on February 3 or 4,” he mentioned. That hope has now been postponed to February 6. Evenepoel may have a brand new scan within the hospital the day earlier than. If the outcomes of the check are constructive, he will likely be allowed to cycle outdoors for the primary time.
Remco again on the bike quickly?
***UPDATE***
Remco Evenepoel made his first coaching trip on Saturday
Remco Evenepoel will not be placing on a race quantity but, however the Belgian has taken his first bike trip since his coaching crash. The 25-year-old of Soudal Fast-Step has been confined to his home since his crash with the door of a submit workplace van in early December, however he educated open air for the primary time on Saturday.
The 2-time Olympic champion had already mentioned that he hoped to have the ability to cycle open air once more in early February. This proved to be an accurate, as a result of the Belgian rode simply over two hours on his bike on Saturday, slightly below 65 kilometres, with 413 metres of climbing. “Again outdoors”, Evenepoel wrote on Strava. “I get there very slowly, however certainly.”
Remco again on the bike:
Álvaro José Hodeg Finds a New Group
Álvaro José Hodeg has discovered a workforce in the long run. The 28-year-old Colombian who rode for UAE Group Emirates for the previous three seasons is taking a giant step again. The sprinter has signed with the Continental Group Medellín-EPM.
Hodeg is returning to Colombia after seven seasons within the WorldTour. The fast-finisher hopes to revive his profession at a decrease stage. Hodeg developed right into a high sprinter in his first skilled years, however a really critical damage and subsequent rehabilitation. proved to be a turning level in his profession.
The Colombian began his skilled profession in 2018 with Fast-Step and achieved a lot of dash victories for the Belgian workforce. In his first skilled 12 months, he gained levels within the Tour of Catalonia, Tour of Poland and the Deutschland Tour and was the most effective within the Handzame Traditional. Hodeg continued to win for Fast-Step within the following seasons. He raced to stage victories within the BinckBank Tour and the Tour de l’Ain and gained the Grand Prix Marcel Kint. A breakthrough as a high sprinter appeared imminent, however Hodeg had a critical accident in Colombia on the finish of 2021, simply earlier than his switch to UAE Group Emirates.
Hodeg was hit by a automobile whereas coaching and brought to hospital. He underwent a number of operations on his ankle and wrist and as a consequence of a number of problems, skilled a really tough time. His profession as a bike owner was in peril. Hodeg lastly made his comeback within the peloton in April 2023 after a rehabilitation interval of 1 and a half years, however was by no means the identical once more. The sprinter has achieved a number of high ten finishes up to now two seasons, however has remained removed from his former self. UAE Group Emirates then determined to not renew his contract, however Group Medellín-EPM is now throwing him a lifeline.
Álvaro José Hodeg to race for Group Medellin:
Zdeněk Štybar Desires to Carry the Czech Republic to the Prime of Cyclocross
Zdeněk Štybar will not be sitting round after his profession. The Czech cross and street, who was pressured to cease in 2024 as a consequence of an damage to his femoral artery, will prepare new Czech cyclists and has a transparent aim: “bringing the Czech Republic again to the highest of cyclocross.”
“I can now place my farewell properly,” Štybar informed WielerFlits in Hoogerheide, the place he turned World champion in 2024. He did have a tough time coming to phrases with the truth that he couldn’t discover a new workforce after Jayco AlUla didn’t prolong his contract on the finish of his unfortunate 2023 season.
“My farewell in Tábor on the World championships in 2024 was extremely lovely and that basically helped me. Since then I’ve been busy as an envoy and I’m beginning a full-time job to coach younger riders within the Czech Republic. I’ve additionally had affords to turn into a workforce DS with a number of WorldTeams, however I don’t like that.”
It’s not but absolutely identified what Štybar’s new challenge will appear like. “It’s definitely not ready all the way down to the final element, however the aim is after all to make it as large as doable. The coaching has began quietly, let’s say.” Lately, the Czech Republic has steadily declined as a cyclocross nation. The Toi Toi Cup now not exists and among the many males we solely sometimes see a Czech rider within the high ten. Michael Boros is the most effective Czech within the UCI rankings at fourteenth place, however isn’t seen a lot on TV. This lots totally different from when Stybar was on the high of cyclocross, with World titles in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
“Nonetheless, I see sufficient expertise. On the Czech championship, there have been many younger riders of their early twenties simply behind Michael Boros within the outcomes, so I’m not fearful in regards to the succession. With the suitable steering, we’ll proceed to construct up even additional,” he concluded and that’s what Štybar desires to see.
Štybar desires to bringing the Czech Republic again to the highest of cyclocross:
Soudal Fast-Step to Étoile de Bessèges
Paul Magnier will make his debut in a French stage race subsequent week
02-Feb-2025: For the primary time for the reason that inception of our workforce, Soudal Fast-Step will likely be current in the beginning of the Étoile de Bessèges, the French race created in 1971 and held within the Gard division of the Languedoc-Roussillon area.
Mattia Cattaneo, Josef Cerny, Gil Gelders, former Belgian Champion Yves Lampaert, Paul Magnier – who final 12 months scored 5 wins as a neo-pro – U23 World Championships silver medalist Martin Svrcek and newcomer Dries Van Gestel will make up the squad for Étoile de Bessèges, our first outing of the season on European soil, which will get underway with a quick stage for the sprinters.
The following two days are hilly and include the promise of bringing some adjustments within the normal classification earlier than the uphill end of Mont Bouquet, averaging an excruciating 9.1% over simply 4.6 kilometres. The fifty fifth version of the French race will finish with the demanding 10.7km particular person time trial of stage 5, concluding on the slopes of Alès, which may result in essential gaps between the contenders regardless of the brief distance they’ll need to deal with.
“We hope to see Paul within the combine within the first days of the race, he has a pleasant likelihood of going for end result. For the overall classification, the final two levels will likely be essential and we’ll see what we will do there with Mattia. It’s our first European race of the season, now we have a stable workforce for it and we go there with enormous motivation and with the will of giving our greatest”, mentioned Soudal Fast-Step sports activities director Klaas Lodewyck.
05.02–09.02 Etoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard (FRA) 2.1
Riders:
Mattia Cattaneo (ITA)
Josef Cerny (CZE)
Gil Gelders (BEL)
Yves Lampaert (BEL)
Paul Magnier (FRA)
Martin Svrcek (SVK)
Dries Van Gestel (BEL).
Sports activities Administrators: Dries Devenyns (BEL) and Klaas Lodewyck (BEL).
Yves Lampaert to Bessèges:
Wahoo ELEMNT ACE Reviewed and Discovered Permissible for Use in UCI-sanctioned Races
The all-new ELEMNT ACE is Wahoo’s largest and strongest bike laptop. At this time, Wahoo can affirm that ELEMNT ACE has been reviewed and located to adjust to present UCI Rules, permitting its use in UCI-sanctioned occasions, topic to ongoing compliance with security requirements.
Wahoo-supported groups at present have ELEMNT ACE for testing and help their coaching and knowledge evaluation. On account of the UCI’s steering, Wahoo-supported skilled biking groups will now be capable to use the product in races in 2025 (see desk on web page 3 for element).
With ELEMNT ACE, Wahoo has launched a class first with an Built-in Wind Sensor which includes a revolutionary stress sensor by way of a front-facing opening, enabling cyclists to measure the consequences of air resistance in real-time with Wahoo Wind DynamicsTM (WWD) . This offers riders real-time perception into their AirBoost (when groundspeed is aided by tailwinds or drafting) & AirDrag (when groundspeed is hindered by headwinds).
In-ride knowledge will assist riders information drafting positioning and quantify the feeling of wind felt by riders. As well as, Wahoo Wind DynamicsTM (WWD) will create the most important out of doors biking real-world wind circumstances dataset on the earth, which can additional improve the flexibility to analyse athletic efficiency in relation to wind.
Lots of the world’s finest males’s and ladies’s professional groups will trip Wahoo computer systems in 2025 together with UAE Group Emirates – XRG, LIDL – TREK, Group Picnic PostNL, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Group and EF Professional Biking in addition to greater than 25 different UCI-registered groups.
Jeroen Swart – Head of Efficiency, UAE Group Emirates, mentioned: “The brand new ELEMNT ACE is a good addition to the present Wahoo ecosystem of units. The bigger format, the colourful contact display screen and the for much longer battery life are all nice options that make this gadget a pleasure to make use of every single day. Nevertheless, the ACE will not be solely an enormous step up when it comes to the gadget software program and {hardware} however the further metric of wind pace units it other than different units within the recreation. Our riders are in a position to make use of actual time knowledge to optimise their place on the bike or their place within the bunch to avoid wasting power, offering them with helpful insights that they will translate into efficiency good points. We look ahead to future updates the place I’m positive this metric will evolve to supply much more insights”
Peter Schep, Head of Efficiency, EF Professional Biking, mentioned:, “The brand new ELEMNT ACE brings wind pace knowledge in real-time which we predict might be a recreation changer in drafting dynamics. It’s such an enormous consider how a race performs out, so we’re very excited to be working carefully with Wahoo on how one can get probably the most out of the ACE’s wind sensor for coaching and acceptable races.”
Extra data on the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE at: www.wahoofitness.com.
It’s OK to make use of your Wahoo ELEMNT ACE:
UCI Denies Rumours about Transferring World Championships from Rwanda to Switzerland
The UCI has no plans to maneuver the 2025 World street championships from Rwanda to Switzerland. The biking governing physique introduced in a press launch. The UCI does say that it’s carefully monitoring the political scenario within the African nation.
In latest days, there have been a number of rumours that the UCI was in search of an alternate location for the World Championships as a result of escalation of the warfare in Jap Congo by Congolese rebels, who’re supported by Rwanda.
Based on the UCI, the rumours are unfaithful. “We wish to make it clear that we at present don’t have any plans to maneuver the World Championships from Rwanda to Switzerland or some other nation. The battle is happening within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda is at present fully secure for enterprise and tourism,” the biking union mentioned.
Worlds 2025 nonetheless in Rwanda:
UCI Publishes 2025-2026 Cyclocross World Cup Calendar
The 2024-2025 cyclocross season reached its climax on the weekend with the World championships in Liévin, however the 2025-2026 season calendar has already been introduced. The UCI revealed the 2025-2026 World Cup calendar on Saturday. There’s nonetheless one spot to be stuffed and there are some adjustments to final winter.
The World Cup will once more have twelve cyclocross occasions subsequent season. It can begin in Tábor, the place a World Cup has been held sixteen occasions earlier than. The final time was in 2022. Two years later, in 2024, the cyclocross World championships had been held within the Czech metropolis. The second cyclocross occasion within the 2025-2026 World Cup is in Flamanville and was a part of the collection in 2022 and 2023. It could be the one French World Cup cyclocross this season, as a result of Besançon, the place Mathieu van der Poel, will not be on the record, to this point.
The World Cup then strikes to Cabras on Sardinia. Final season, the occasion needed to be cancelled as a result of climate circumstances, however they’ll get one other likelihood later this 12 months. The primary in Belgium is on 14th December after which the primary double weekend is on the twentieth and twenty first, however the place the race will likely be on the Sunday it not but identified. The likelihood is that will probably be near Saturday’s race in Antwerp. A return to Dublin appears unlikely.
There are quite a lot of cyclocross races over the Christmas and New 12 months interval in Belgium: Gavere, Dendermonde and Zonhoven are on the programme, one after the opposite. The final three races of the collection are the identical as this season: Benidorm, Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide. There’ll solely be one World Cup cyclocross within the Netherlands. Hulst, which hosted a World Cup cross final season, will likely be internet hosting the cyclocross World championships in 2026.
November
23-11-2025 (Sunday): Tábor (CZ)
30-11-2025 (Sunday): Flamanville (Fra).
December
07-12-2025 (Sunday): Cabras, Sardinia (Ita)
14-12-2025 (Sunday): Namur (Bel)
20-12-2025 (Saturday): Antwerp (Bel)
21-12-2025 (Sunday): TBA
26-12-2025 (Friday): Gavere (Bel)
28-12-2025 (Sunday): Dendermonde (Bel).
January
04-01-2026 (Sunday): Zonhoven (Bel)
18-01-2026 (Sunday): Benidorm (Spa)
24-01-2026 (Saturday): Maasmechelen (Bel)
25-01-2026 (Sunday): Hoogerheide (Ned).
Subsequent winter’s UCI World Cup cross races:
Critérium du Dauphiné 2025 Guarantees to Hold and Scores to Settle
Key factors:
- The route of the 77th version of the Critérium du Dauphiné was revealed at this time on the seat of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Council in Lyon, within the presence of the President of the Council, Fabrice Pannekoucke, and Christian Prudhomme.
- In a repeat of final season, the race will get going within the Allier division, however this time spherical, the inaugural stage will take the sphere from Domérat to Montluçon on 8 June. Romain Bardet will push the pedals in Auvergne in his final race as a professional earlier than he hangs up his bicycle on the finish of the Dauphiné.
- The French runner-up to Chris Froome within the 2016 Critérium du Dauphiné and Tour de France will likely be removed from alone, with the complete podium of the 2024 Tour de France — Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel— anticipated to participate. Their performances will likely be put beneath the microscope within the Saint-Péray time trial (stage 4), the battles on the Combloux (stage 6) and Valmeinier 1800 (stage 7) ski resorts and the climactic showdown on the Mont-Cenis Plateau.
The mountain air is invigorating at any time of the 12 months, however when summer season approaches, it carries a scent that attracts in followers of biking races. Granted, mountain maniacs lock horns extra fiercely than ever in July, however their clashes in June are filled with surprises and breakout stars. On the Critérium du Dauphiné, folks break down each element of the performances of the massive favourites, which might typically predict the longer term. The 2025 version will rise in crescendo over eight levels. Stage 1 to Montluçon and stage 2 to Issoire are more likely to go to a sprinter who can overcome the rolling terrain of the Allier and Puy-de-Dôme departments. In stage 3, shortly after the flag drops in Romain Bardet’s house city of Brioude, breakaway specialists will get a chance to land a one-two punch on the Côte de la Cornille and Côte de la Barbate, which come within the first 20 kilometres. In the event that they handle to maintain the pack at bay for 202.8 kilometres, a vicious ramp within the run-up to the end in Charantonnay will likely be all that stands between the escapees and victory. The state of play will change within the Wednesday time trial. Stretching for 17.7 kilometres within the Ardèche division, stage 4 to Saint-Péray encompasses a climb bang in the course of the course that has the potential to overheat the most important engines within the peloton.
Sprinters will get their final shot at victory in stage 5 to Mâcon earlier than spending the remainder of the race pacing themselves within the gruppetto. Large-framed riders will likely be out of their league as soon as the street bends in direction of the sky for the ultimate three days, beginning with stage 6 to Combloux, which may arrange a rematch between the highest males of the 2023 Tour. The course is a world other than the time trial during which Jonas Vingegaard steamrolled the opposition. Tadej Pogačar may use the Côte de Domancy, which leads straight to the ultimate ascent on Côte de la Cry earlier than plunging to the resort, as a launch pad to revenge. Extra alternatives will come up on the hectic stage 7 to Valmeinier 1800, stretching for 132.1 kilometres and packing an altitude achieve of 4,700 metres. Coming after three hors catégorie mountain passes, the duel on the resort in Savoy will propel a frontrunner to success. The person within the yellow jersey with a blue band will nonetheless need to defend all of it the way in which to Plateau du Mont-Cenis (stage 8), conquering a 9.6-kilometre ascent at a mean gradient of 6.9% and practically 75 kilometres of nearly continuous up-and-down racing from the Col de Beaune.
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