Plenty of mud and cyclocross over the weekend as Wout van Aert dominated the racing. The longer term is right here – TOP STORY: AI to assist Tadej Pogaćar win the Tour: “Large breakthrough in biking.” All of the video, studies, outcomes and rider quotes from UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Dendermonde, Telenet Superprestige – Hexia Cyclocross in Gullegem and the X²O Badkamers Trofee – Vlaamse Duinencross in Koksijde.
Rider information:
- Chris Hoy requires extra consciousness of prostate most cancers
- Mathieu van der Poel additionally compelled to overlook Dendermonde
- Remco Evenepoel takes a rehabilitation stroll
- Mathieu van der Poel’s early season plans
- Wout van Aert makes a want for 2025
- Wout van Aert’s victory salute in Gullegem
- Primoz Roglič goals for a document in la Vuelta, however Pink Bull has different priorities
- Jhonatan Narváez desires to win in Flanders
- Arnaud De Lie returns to that ‘shitty race’ and rides the Classics
- Victor Campenaerts wired attributable to modifications going to Visma | Lease a Bike
- Lennert Van Eetvelt’s assorted 2025 race calendar
- Laurence Pithie hopes to make progress with Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
- Wout van Aert is searching for an answer to crashes
- Shirin van Anrooij will increase her coaching two months after surgical procedure
- Ben Hermans ends his seek for a brand new staff
Staff information:
- Lotto’s Stéphane Heulot appears forward to the brand new season
- Burgos-BH has a brand new most important sponsor
- Staff Polti VisitMalta unveils new GSport package for the 2025 season
- Wagner-Bazin WB Le maillot 2025!
EUROTRASH espresso time.
TOP STORY: AI to assist Tadej Pogaćar Win the Tour: “Large Breakthrough in Biking”
AI (synthetic intelligence) is getting used an increasing number of and now biking groups apparently do too. UAE Staff Emirates is an enormous fan of a brand new system primarily based on AI. “That is one thing that different groups ought to make investments more cash in within the coming years,” stated Jeroen Swart, efficiency coordinator of the Emirates staff. The staff work with a knowledge bot known as Ana, Swart defined. “The chances of AI are insane. We’re reaching phases which are phenomenal. It’s reworking. In the intervening time we now have the probabilities to ask the system for insights and it offers us distinctive solutions again.”
“The toughest half now’s to determine what to ask. We get the solutions, however we now have to have the ability to ask distinctive questions. ‘Questions that aren’t apparent’,” Swart explains. For instance: “We made a 3D profile of the phases of the Tour. Then we might ask Ana to indicate us how the race would unfold utilizing small miniature cyclists. It might give us insights into how the race would go, particularly centered on Tadej and the info that Ana has about him. The system might present us what his efficiency was like and the place he needed to ship what efficiency. That manner you get a situation. Then you’ve gotten insights that you wouldn’t essentially have picked up elsewhere. And I did all that inside a minute, in each language on this planet.”
Swart is satisfied that the AI system has an enormous added worth. In reality, he would suggest it to different groups. “That is one thing that groups ought to make investments more cash within the coming years. I feel it is a component that everybody ought to attempt to put money into.” Dan Lorang, the efficiency director of Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, agrees with Swart. “We now have an enormous quantity of information in biking. It will be an enormous subsequent step if we might deliver collectively all this knowledge, which is collected and saved somewhere else. That will be an enormous breakthrough in biking. Actually if we might then deliver that knowledge collectively and extract info and predictions from it,” Lorang continued. “If we might perceive how every variable, for instance physique temperature and sleep, influences and modifications one another, that might change our whole strategy.”
AI behind Tadej Pogaćar within the Tour:
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Dendermonde Males 2025
Wout van Aert received the Dendermonde World Cup cross on Sunday. The Visma | Lease a Bike Belgian was thought-about the favorite earlier than the beginning and didn’t disappoint. Van Aert dropped Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon) within the third lap and soloed to his second victory of the winter. Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon) was third.
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert had been meant to battle in Dendermonde, however the World champion couldn’t begin the World Cup race as he was nonetheless suffered with a rib damage from the Azencross in Loenhout. Now everybody was taking a look at Wout van Aert, who in his third cyclocross of the season could be up in opposition to Toon Aerts, Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt and Thibau Nys. Van Aert was the massive favorite, however didn’t have a straightforward begin. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider needed to journey within the bunch within the first lap, though he did handle to maneuver up. Within the second lap he was with the leaders Pim Ronhaar, Toon Aerts and Emiel Verstrynge. These 4 began the third lap with a pleasant lead.
The primary chasers: Kevin Kuhn, Joran Wyseure, Corné van Kessel and Mees Hendrickx, had been 20 seconds down at this level. A bit additional again was Michael Vanthourenhout and Thibau Nys. The chief of the World Cup and the European champion had each punctured, however didn’t surrender. This was all behind Wout van Aert, who managed to extend his lead together with his working and highly effective driving by way of the mud. Closest pursuer Verstrynge initially managed to restrict the distinction to fifteen seconds, however then misplaced floor. After 5 laps, Van Aert’s lead had grown to 50 seconds. The victory appeared to be within the bag as Van Aert wasn’t slowing down.
Van Aert rode nearly flawlessly within the ultimate laps, other than a slip, and had loads of time to take the victory. Verstrynge held on for second place with none issues. The battle for third place was nonetheless fully open with two laps to go. Aerts had the state of affairs beneath management, however misplaced his energy within the final quarter-hour and was handed by Wyseure. The hazard not got here from the drained Aerts, however from Vanthourenhout, who was preventing for a podium place. Wyseure held his personal within the battle for third place. Aerts nonetheless got here fourth, Vanthourenhout was fifth after a poor final lap. The Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines rider nonetheless leads within the World Cup and with three rounds nonetheless to go, he has probability of taking the ultimate general.
Race winner, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike): “I feel I’m on schedule. We added these races to my program to see how far I used to be now. It’s going effectively. I can’t make anything of it. I’m very happy. Physiologically talking, it is a good take a look at, however a course like Dendermonde can also be very far faraway from highway biking. Up to now races in Gullegem and Loenhout, there was a bit extra biking and extra explosiveness. That’s a fair higher incentive, however there’s additionally the enjoyable issue. These are the times that made me need to grow to be a cyclocrosser after I was youthful. It’s unbelievable that so many individuals come out on a day like in the present day. It actually means one thing to me to see what number of supporters I’ve. I need to thank everybody. Tomorrow I’ve one other day of relaxation after which I’ll go to Spain for a coaching camp with the staff. It is going to be good to have the ability to cycle in higher situations”
2nd, Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon): “It’s nice to be on the rostrum per week earlier than the Belgian Championship. I’m very proud. I received off to begin and afterwards I discovered tempo. I used to be capable of comply with Wout for some time, however I felt that it was simply going too quick. It was a really lengthy race, so I needed to discover my very own tempo. That was apparently sufficient to depart the remaining behind me. I like doing it, driving at one tempo for an hour. However I didn’t essentially count on this. In a double weekend, the second day is at all times a little bit of a search. I’ve usually gone deep up to now interval, but it surely’s good to really feel that it’s potential.”
third, Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon): “At first I used to be nonetheless searching for the correct feeling, after two robust races. I had a good time. At first my legs felt heavy, however round midway by way of the race I used to be capable of finding my rhythm. And I additionally had tempo within the working sections. I instantly tried to go up and over Toon and create a spot. I’m actually glad that I used to be capable of obtain third place right here. It was actually the sort of race for which I began racing after I was eight years outdated. I want to have extra like this. You might name it epic. You hardly recognise us anymore. You need to maintain going for an hour. Finally the mud began to get so deep that you just typically make a slip or slide. It’s a actual spectacle. I actually get pleasure from doing it. I’ve discovered the correct feeling and have come out of the Christmas interval effectively. However this race will not be akin to what we are going to expertise subsequent week. I feel it is going to be a quick race in Zolder, the place a bit extra tactical driving might be required. However I’m trying ahead to it. I’ve feeling and we even have staff”
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Dendermonde Males Outcome:
1. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike in 1:02:49
2. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:20
3. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:41
4. Toon Aerts (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 1:52
5. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 2:24
6. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 2:43
7. Kevin Kuhn (Sui) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX at 2:49
8. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Glowi Lions at 3:14
9. Cameron Mason (GB) Seven Racing at 3:15
10. Mees Hendrikx (Ned) Heizomat RadTeam p/b Hermann at 3:35.
Dendermonde’25:
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Dendermonde Girls 2025
Lucinda Model (Baloise Glowi Lions) soloed to victory on Sunday in very muddy situations. Within the Dendermonde World Cup, Model stayed forward of Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and World champion Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike).
Within the girls’s race all the highest riders had been current. World Cup chief Lucinda Model, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Puck Pieterse and World champion Fem van Empel. Zoe Bäckstedt and Kata Blanka Vas had been additionally in with q probability. Because of the latest rain, the course in Dendermonde had become an actual mud bathtub. Leonie Bentveld was the primary into the mud. The younger Dutch rider was shortly handed by Lucinda Model. The chief within the World Cup will not be identified for her quick begin, however in the present day she was flying.
The Dutch champion has completed on the rostrum 31 consecutive instances and gave it her all from the road. Model’s tempo was so excessive that solely Puck Pieterse and Zoe Bäckstedt might comply with. These three riders began the second lap with lead. Behind them, the variations had already elevated significantly. World champion Van Empel was already 20 seconds down, whereas Alvarado was about 30 seconds again. They might all neglect the victory after 10 minutes of racing. After quarter-hour, Pieterse felt her second had come, and this gave the impression to be a decisive second within the race. Model and Bäckstedt had been unable to place Pieterse beneath stress. They had been unable to reply, whereas Pieterse managed to journey away. However the battle for victory was definitely not over but. Model discovered her second wind within the third lap and nibbled away to shut the hole.
At the beginning of the fourth lap, Model and Pieterse had been concerned in an actual battle, however might Van Empel additionally be part of within the battle for victory? The Visma | Lease a Bike rider was driving higher after a poor begin and closed the hole to inside 17 seconds of the leaders. Model rode away from Pieterse metre by metre, though the Fenix-Deceuninck rider was fighting a flat tyre. Pieterse managed to restrict the harm, however noticed her deficit enhance to round 10 seconds after a motorbike change. This proved to be an excessive amount of. The robust Model managed to additional enhance her lead within the final two laps. Pieterse slowed down and was joined by Van Empel. Model had no bother within the finale and soloed to victory. The Dutch champion can look again on an ideal cyclo-cross weekend, after she was the strongest within the Superprestige Gullegem on Saturday. Pieterse completed second in Dendermonde, whereas Van Empel needed to accept third place, partly attributable to a puncture within the ultimate.
Race winer, Lucinda Model (Baloise Glowi Lions): “I really want to take a break. For the primary time I believed: ‘another lap, actually?’ It feels actually good to win right here. I don’t know what all these persons are considering to return out on this dangerous climate, however I’m actually pleased with it. The encouragement actually helps. At first I nonetheless had a spotlight level with Puck, however after that it was good to get a lot encouragement. On the finish of the penultimate lap the hole was greater, so I simply needed to give attention to maintaining velocity on the hardest elements of the course. The possibility that I’ll keep in Spain (for a coaching camp) is huge. It doesn’t slot in in any respect. If I even point out it, they’re already shocked at dwelling. However I’ve already executed a lot that isn’t helpful, by driving a lot. And to be good at a World Championship, I’ve to start out coaching once more in some unspecified time in the future. I feel I’ll make the choice tomorrow morning, first I’ll need to get some sleep. However it is going to be with a heavy coronary heart.”
2nd, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “At first I loved the mud, however after two laps I didn’t actually get pleasure from it anymore. I had a flat tire midway by way of the race. Then Lucinda received a spot. Within the final lap I believed I had a flat tire, however then I used to be already driving in direction of the asphalt. So it was sprinting from the saddle. However Fem van Empel additionally received a flat tire, so it was an equal battle in that respect. There have been just a few holes within the course, so I didn’t journey over them, however then I received a flat tire anyway. There have been plenty of spectators, particularly on the elements the place you needed to run, over the hills. This can be a course the place it’s arduous to dash from nook to nook. It’s all about choosing up a tempo and hoping you’ll be able to stick with it for so long as potential”
third, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “I don’t know what occurred. It was an odd race for me. I nonetheless had the holeshot, however I nonetheless dived fairly far into the sector. My physique didn’t really feel nice. Nevertheless, I didn’t panic and tried to renew my race effectively. I by no means received to the chief (Model). I did be part of Puck (Pieterse). I took over after which I had a flat tire on the again. The second time it was a flat entrance tire. That’s a disgrace”
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Dendermonde Girls Outcome:
1. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions in 55:08
2. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 0:30
3. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 0:41
4. Manon Bakker (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 1:26
5. Zoe Backstedt (GB) Canyon//SRAM at 1:49
6. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 2:26
7. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 2:36
8. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:09
9. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:11
10. Denise Betsema (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 3:13.
Dendermonde’25:
Telenet Superprestige – Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem Males 2025
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) took his first victory since his return to cyclocross. The three-time World cross champion was too robust for Eli Iserbyt within the ultimate lap. His Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines teammate, Michael Vanthourenhout, was third.
Wout van Aert was the massive attract Gullegem on Saturday. Within the Superprestige cyclo-cross, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider was up-against Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt, Toon Aerts, Joran Wyseure, Lars van der Haar, Niels Vandeputte and Laurens Sweeck. Sweeck had the very best begin and took the early lead. Van Aert, who didn’t begin within the first row, additionally had begin and shortly moved as much as second place. Vandeputte needed to chase. The chief of the Superprestige, who defended a lead of 5 factors over Van der Haar, was solely in fifteenth place after one lap.
On the entrance, eight riders escaped within the opening lap. Within the second of eight laps, it was Vanthourenhout who took the lead. Because of a crash by Van der Haar, a number one group of three fashioned. Vanthourenhout had Laurens Sweeck and Emiel Verstrynge with him. Van Aert noticed the hazard and jumped to them. Within the third lap, Van der Haar, Wyseure, Iserbyt and Clément Venturini additionally joined them, slightly later a gaggle together with Felipe Orts and Vandeputte additionally got here again. There was now a number one group of fourteen riders, led by Sweeck and Vanthourenhout. Van Aert was simply behind the 2 on the entrance. It took till the fourth lap earlier than the Visma | Lease a Bike rider took the lead and he instantly put the stress on. Vanthourenhout, Sweeck and Wyseure had been capable of maintain with him, however a spot opened up behind them and the lads from Crelan-Corendon had been in bother. Solely Vanthourenhout stayed with Van Aert, so there have been two chief midway by way of the race. Wyseure and Iserbyt had been the primary chasers at 10 seconds. Van der Haar was now in 14th place, after he had dislocated his shoulder. The Dutchman was capable of put it again in place himself, however misplaced plenty of time.
Vanthourenhout took over on the entrance and even put Van Aert beneath stress for some time, however the Visma | Lease a Bike rider closed the small hole. Iserbyt and Wyseure additionally joined once more. At the beginning of the sixth lap there have been 4 riders within the lead when Iserbyt selected to assault. The Belgian champion broke away, however Van Aert didn’t let him get far and rode again to his wheel. Simply when the opposite two got here again, Van Aert elevated the tempo. At the beginning of the penultimate lap, Van Aert and Iserbyt had 7 seconds on Wyseure and Vanthourenhout. Iserbyt held onto Van Aert’s wheel, however needed to give it 100%. The Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines rider restricted the distinction to a couple metres and when the bell rang he was nonetheless only one second behind. Iserbyt got here again and attacked. Van Aert pulled him again and took over once more. For a short time, as Iserbyt took the lead once more, this too was short-lived. Van Aert handed the Belgian champion as soon as extra and now mad a much bigger hole. Iserbyt made a mistake and the battle was over. Van Aert rode on to his first cross victory because the Benidorm World Cup in January 2024.
Race winner, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike): “This win got here as a shock to me”, Van Aert responded afterwards. “I didn’t count on I used to be going to have the ability to beat these guys on this course. On the technical sections I typically struggled to comply with the others, however I knew the tough course would begin to weigh on everybody. On the final lap, I elevated the tempo as soon as extra, which in the end proved to be sufficient to take victory. I’m very pleased with that. It’s at all times an ideal feeling to win. I got here right here with low expectations, so I’m clearly pleased with how I’m feeling now. I needed to dig deep in the present day, however tomorrow there’s already one other robust race in Dendermonde. I’ll give my greatest there once more. I’m trying ahead to it.”
2nd, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines): “I felt drained beforehand, as a result of I had been very deep yesterday, However I felt excellent on the technical sections. I feel I used to be barely higher than Wout there. However on the straights and within the working I felt that Wout was positively the higher one. At first it took some getting used to. We had been driving collectively in a really giant group. Then it was a matter of discovering some confidence on the lap. That labored out effectively. And by placing that acceleration myself, I gained an increasing number of confidence. So I really feel like I rode a brilliant good race.”“Within the final half lap I made two errors. I then shot subsequent to my pedal once more after which I misplaced the connection. And you recognize with Wout: if you happen to don’t have the connection on these straights, he can speed up simply that little bit tougher. That was the ultimate blow in the present day. If the technical part had been on the finish of the race and the working part in the beginning, I might need been capable of win the race, as a result of I feel I used to be barely higher on the technical sections. However on the working sections and straights, so the second half of the spherical, Wout was positively the higher one. So then it might have been tough for me to win the race. Then I’d have needed to enter that final section with 5 to 10 seconds. And I knew that was not potential. In fact. After Baal I did really feel that my situation is nice. However the Belgian championships is a very completely different race, barely much less technical and with many straights. That’s not actually my peak in the mean time. For me it’s a disgrace in the mean time that it’s barely much less technical.”
third, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines): “I needed to go over my restrict to comply with Wout. I then took over for some time to decelerate the tempo, however then Eli accelerated and I truly needed to let go. I actually needed to discover my very own tempo for a lap. It was a disgrace that I might not combat for the win, however I’m already glad that the illness doesn’t hassle me an excessive amount of in direction of the subsequent races. Sure, however I feel Eli was additionally very robust. I feel it was a pleasant duel on the entrance. On the identical time I had a duel with Joran (Wyseure) and it was good that I used to be capable of determine that to my benefit. After that sickness, nonetheless, I’m pleased with that third place. Hopefully I can now construct up that situation a bit once more, in order that I can achieve just a few extra proportion factors. First attempt to end tomorrow (World Cup Dendermonde) effectively after which do just a few hours this week to search out these proportion factors once more. Hopefully that tremendous compensation will begin a bit from Thursday in direction of the World Cup. The final two weeks it was actually from match to match, so it’s tough to extend that coaching load. Now it’s a little bit of a wait in direction of subsequent week. After the Belgian Championship everybody will go to Spain to arrange for the final half of the season.”
Telenet Superprestige – Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem Males 2025
1. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike in 1:01:25
2. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 0:10
3. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 0:31
4. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:40
5. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Improvement Staff at 1:03
6. Ryan Kamp (Ned) Fenix at 1:07
7. Felipe Orts Lloret (Spa) Ridley Racing Staff
8. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 1:08
9. Cameron Mason (GB) Seven Racing at 1:14
10. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 1:34.
Gullegem’25:
Telenet Superprestige – Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem Girls 2025
Lucinda Model (Baloise Glowi Lions) received the Superprestige in Gullegem. The Dutch champion was in fourth place for a lot of laps, however attacked within the ultimate lap. Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon//SRAM) was second after a battle with Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck). Model handed Alvarado within the Telenet Superprestige standings.
Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse had been lacking from the beginning of the Superprestige Gullegem, however Lucinda Model and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had been there. A duel between the 2 Dutch riders was anticipated, however Zoe Bäckstedt might upset the consequence.
Bäckstedt had begin and was the primary to go off-road, she was adopted by Leonie Bentveld and Alvarado. Model was a bit additional again, however shortly moved as much as the highest 5. Bäckstedt put the stress on and the Dutch champion dropped again a bit. After one lap, she got here by way of along with Marion Norbert Riberolle and Aniek van Alphen, 8 seconds behind the main trio of Bentveld, Alvarado and Bäckstedt. Within the second of 5 laps, Model tried to cross on her personal. She managed to hitch the leaders, however after a nasty transition, she misplaced contact once more. On the second time by way of the end, Model got here by way of 10 seconds behind Riberolle. On the entrance, Alvarado took over from Bäckstedt and instantly pressed arduous on the pedals. This led to some gaps among the many first three, however after three laps they had been again collectively. Model remained caught at about 10 seconds.
Till the fourth lap, then the rider from Baloise Glowi Lions lastly received going. She first picked up the dropped Bentveld after which rode to the main Bäckstedt and Alvarado group. At the beginning of the ultimate lap, something was potential. Bentveld additionally had an opportunity, as she got here by way of simply 3 seconds behind the leaders. Model’s acceleration simply after the bell put Bentveld out of the body. Bäckstedt was additionally in bother. She misplaced floor to Alvarado, who in flip misplaced contact with Model, who constructed up her lead. The Baloise Glowi Lions rider had come by way of from the again to take the win. The battle for second place noticed Bäckstedt go Alvarado on the working part, the Dutch rider wasn’t pleased with the transfer and tried to push her away. As soon as again on the bike, Alvarado tried to overhaul the British rider once more. She succeeded, however within the dash Bäckstedt got here alongside. The Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto rider was second and Alvarado needed to accept third. Alvarado misplaced the lead within the Superprestige to Model, who now has a 1 level lead.
Race winner, Lucinda Model (Baloise Glowi Lions): “I truly felt actually good within the second lap. I had stream on the course, however on the second checkpoint they abruptly stepped on the fuel once more. They had been apparently driving much more calmly earlier than that. However I saved looking for my very own strains and abruptly it circled once more. In such a ultimate lap you don’t need to depart something behind, so you’ll be able to at all times do a bit extra. I stated this morning: ‘If I’ve the prospect to win, I actually hope Zoe is amongst them. She will be able to deal with these kinds of programs very well. Now get better shortly for tomorrow. We now have no less than practiced working effectively right here. That can most likely be the case once more tomorrow.”
2nd, Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon//SRAM): “I knew she would come again in some unspecified time in the future. She has a lot energy, she is tremendous robust. This course is sort of made for her. So yeah, I knew she would come again and I needed to attempt to keep along with her so long as potential. I didn’t handle that for very lengthy, however after that I simply needed to combat for second place. I handed her within the final nook of the working lane. It was a combat to the end. She handed me within the chicane after which it was a dash to the end. Fortunately I took it.”
third, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck): “She handed me and instantly minimize it in direction of me. That made her push in opposition to me along with her bike. I didn’t like that. She might have executed it, however perhaps a bit additional. I attempted to push her again onto her line. That’s what occurred. Did that affect the ultimate consequence? I don’t know. We sprinted to the end. She was by no means additional than ten seconds behind. Sooner or later you recognize what time it’s. I simply couldn’t go any sooner than this in the present day. I knew it was going to be a tricky story. When she comes again, it’s making an attempt to restrict the harm as a lot as potential, or no less than be on her wheel. However it simply wasn’t going to occur. I’d have appreciated to maintain my lead (within the Telenet Superprestige), however it’s what it’s. For those who’re not at your greatest in the present day and another person is, then that’s the way in which it’s. I fought for what I’m value.”
Telenet Superprestige – Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem Girls 2025
1. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions in 44:22
2. Zoe Backstedt (GB) Canyon//SRAM at 0:06
3. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck
4. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 0:39
5. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:30
6. Aniek van Alphen (Ned) Seven Racing at 1:47
7. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 2:42
8. Yara Kastelijn (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 2:54
9. Alicia Franck (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 3:03
10. Puck Langenbarg (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck Improvement Staff at 3:20.
Gullegem’25:
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde Males 2025
Laurens Sweeck was once more the ‘sand specialist’ on Friday. The Crelan-Corendon rider dominated the Vlaamse Duinencross in Koksijde, battling a robust Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and ultimately took the victory within the penultimate lap. Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens-FSP) was third.
There was a large crash initially of the lads’s Vlaamse Duinencross, on the primary bend from twentieth place. Niels Vandeputte was one of many victims and misplaced all probability of lead to Koksijde.
Earlier than the crash, it was Del Grosso who had the very best begin and shortly constructed up a spot with Sweeck on Eli Iserbyt, Pim Ronhaar, Joran Wyseure and Toon Vandebosch. Del Grosso and Sweeck labored effectively collectively within the first laps they usually had been unable to tug away from within the first half hour. Ronhaar was the largest challenger to the main pair. The Dutchman got here inside 10 seconds, however then dropped again, to hitch Wyseure, Aerts and Vandebosch.
Within the second half of the race, Sweeck and Del Grosso attacked one another. First it was Del Grosso, then twice Sweeck, however the two fighters at all times received again collectively once more. It was solely within the penultimate lap that Sweeck lastly received away from Del Grosso, though the U23 World champion continued to combat till the final metre to remain within reach of Sweeck. With a lead of greater than 20 seconds, Sweeck crossed the end line for his second victory in two races. Toon Aerts was third, at almost a minute.
Race winner, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon): “I’m glad that that is now on my checklist of achievements and that I used to be capable of end it. Immediately I had opponent in Tibor Del Grosso. I attempted to maintain him as a companion, however particularly within the first half we had been evenly matched. I used to be in no way reassured. I simply tried to do my very own factor and get by way of the sand sections effectively, solely on the finish did I really feel actually assured. I don’t have the precise recipe for this type, however I’ve began the 12 months effectively. With 5 victories I’m doing very effectively, though it has not at all times been that good this 12 months.”
2nd, Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck Improvement Staff): “Possibly I ought to have taken a bit extra initiative. To beat somebody like Laurens Sweeck, you need to journey completely. I made just a few too many errors, however I definitely tried. A rider like Sweeck merely doesn’t make that many huge errors. They name him the ‘Sandman’, however he’s merely top-of-the-line cyclo-cross riders on this planet. If I had wished to win in the present day, I shouldn’t have been dropped thus far on the finish. It’s nonetheless actually cool to compete for the prizes among the many elite, though I nonetheless have blended emotions about this cyclo-cross.”
Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines): “I’m a bit sick, however it’s not tremendous dangerous. I’ve not had a fever. I’m primarily fighting some fatigue. Final weekend we had the World Cup race in France and the day after we did a cross within the night in Diegem. An vital interval is arising, so I higher relaxation now. After Diegem I did nothing for 2 days, then I picked up the thread once more and skilled once more. So it is going to most likely be okay. That cross is behind everybody’s thoughts. Particularly as a result of Wout van Aert will not be collaborating. Since we all know that, everybody chooses their path to be on the prime on the Belgian Championship. However it’s not my route. Sooner males like Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte and Thibau Nys will do higher, however the Belgian championship stays a particular and unusual cross.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde Males 2025
1. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Crelan-Corendon in 1:02:11
2. Tibor Del Grosso (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck Improvement Staff at 0:26
3. Toon Aerts (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 0:52
4. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 1:06
5. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:25
6. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 1:40
7. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 2:29
8. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Improvement Staff at 2:45
9. Corné van Kessel (Ned) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 2:49
10. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Improvement Staff at 3:01.
Koksijde’25
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde Girls 2025
Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) received in Koksijde on Friday. Pieterse was the strongest by way of the sand, to beat Lucinda Model (Baloise Glowi Lions) and World champion Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike).
Within the arduous cyclocross by way of the sand in Koksijde, it was Van der Heijden who had the very best begin. The 25-year-old Crelan-Corendon rider has been in nice type in latest weeks and confirmed once more that she will be able to compete with the likes of Model, Pieterse and Van Empel.
Pieterse was capable of go along with Van der Heijden within the first lap. Model and Van Empel had been behind attributable to a mistake in one of many sand strips. At the beginning of the second lap, the hole between Van Empel and Model on the leaders had elevated to 21 seconds. Pieterse then put Van der Heijden beneath stress, whereas Model and Van Empel did every little thing they may within the pursuit to cut back the hole. On the finish of the second lap, Van der Heijden was now 10 seconds behind Pieterse, whereas Model and Van Empel had not received any nearer.
Within the following laps, Van der Heijden dropped again to the group of Van Empel and Model, whereas Pieterse consolidated her lead. After 25 minutes of racing, her lead was round 30 seconds and it was clear that Pieterse was on her option to a her first victory of the season. Within the final two laps, there was a battle for second place. A quick penultimate lap by Model made it clear that the Dutch champion was the strongest. Model had taken 10 seconds again on the chief, however Pieterse’s victory was not in peril. On the end she held off Model by almost 20 seconds, this was her twelfth second place this season.
Race winner, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “I knew she (Lucinda Model) was getting nearer and nearer, so I had the identical doomsday situation in my head as in Baal. Once I nonetheless had a lead of greater than fifteen seconds after the second time by way of the dunes, I knew it might be high-quality. I’m actually tremendous glad. I needed to wait a very long time for it and that was typically irritating, however the staff workers noticed, similar to me, that I used to be getting nearer and nearer. That’s the reason it’s nice that I’m now successful such an enormous race as Koksijde. I’m not at all times that good within the sand, however in the present day it went easily. Now it’s as much as me to maintain the momentum.”
2nd, Lucinda Model (Baloise Glowi Lions): “I merely tousled the primary lap. After that it was simply common. I needed to inform myself each time that I needed to keep centered and I had truly shortly resigned myself to a second place. Solely within the final lap did I nonetheless have a little bit of hope, however to win in the present day it needed to be good and it wasn’t.”
third, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “I wasn’t at my greatest. That will get into your head, however if you happen to’re not match it doesn’t matter. I attempted to make the very best of it and maintain preventing. In the long run, a 3rd place isn’t dangerous. I hope I’ll be match once more quickly.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde Girls 2025
1. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck in 46:42
2. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 0:19
3. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 0:39
4. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 0:53
5. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:43
6. Manon Bakker (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 1:46
7. Julie Brouwers (Bel) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX at 2:33
8. Marthe Truyen (Bel) Fenix-Deceuninck at 2:36
9. Denise Betsema (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 3:06
10. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 3:38.
Koksijde’25
Chris Hoy requires Extra Consciousness of Prostate Most cancers
Chris Hoy made an look on tv final Friday night in Britain. The previous monitor bike owner was on the award ceremony of the World Darts Championship, which was received by 17-year-old phenomenon Luke Littler. Hoy, who’s terminally unwell, wished to attract further consideration to prostate most cancers.
Just a few months in the past, Hoy introduced the he has most cancers. It turned out to be prostate most cancers, which has now unfold to his bones. Tumors have been found in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, backbone and ribs. Hoy has been instructed by docs that he has about two to 4 years to dwell. This was a very critical prognosis, however Sir Chris Hoy will not be giving up. He’s nonetheless biking. This 12 months, he’s planning to create extra consciousness about superior most cancers with a motorbike journey. “What I primarily need to do is convey that there’s nonetheless hope. I realise that this isn’t the case for everybody, however have a look at me,” he instructed the BBC.
Hoy is dedicated to elevating consciousness of prostate most cancers, which additionally they do on the World Darts Championship. For each 180 (the utmost rating) or 9-darter (the minimal variety of darts it’s good to throw to win a leg), cash was donated to Prostate Most cancers UK. On the finish of the World Darts Championship, that quantity stood at £1,027,000 (€1,237,781).
That quantity was achieved by 907 180s and two 9-darters. Hoy stated earlier than the ultimate that he desires to proceed to be concerned within the combat in opposition to prostate most cancers. He identified that it’s not solely vital to lift cash, but additionally to lift consciousness. The very profitable former monitor bike owner hopes to assist others within the combat in opposition to this horrible illness.
Scottish hero Chris Hoy preventing most cancers:
Mathieu van der Poel additionally Pressured to Miss Dendermonde
Initially, Mathieu van der Poel deliberate to decide by Saturday, however the name got here sooner than anticipated: the World Champion introduced his withdrawal from the World Cup spherical in Dendermonde.
“There’s no level in ready any longer,” Van der Poel defined. “I did one other take a look at in the present day, and it’s clear that Dendermonde comes too quickly. On heavier off-road terrain, I’m nonetheless experiencing an excessive amount of ache in my rib. I’ve no selection however to stay affected person.”
As deliberate, Mathieu will head to a coaching camp in Spain after Dendermonde. Later this month, he’s set to compete within the World Cup races in Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide earlier than making a bid for his seventh World title in Liévin in early February. So for now, the remainder of his cyclocross program stays unaffected.
Van der Poel nonetheless out with rib damage:
Remco Evenepoel Takes a Rehabilitation Stroll
Remco Evenepoel suffered a number of damaged bones and accidents in his coaching crash in December. Evenepoel appeared on tv with a brace final week, however is now energetic once more on Strava, however not on a motorbike. The 24-year-old Belgian managed a pleasant stroll whereas on vacation in southern Spain together with his spouse Oumi.
He’s engaged on his rehabilitation within the hotter climate, however Evenepoel additionally went for a 15 kilometre stroll. In line with him, there may be a further 1.3 kilometres, attributable to a GPS error. It was clearly not a straightforward stroll, as Evenepoel climbed 341 metres.
Evenepoel collided with the opening door of a mail truck throughout a coaching journey on December 3. He suffered a number of damaged bones and accidents: damaged rib, shoulder blade, hand, bruised lungs, a dislocated collarbone and torn ligaments. The ex-World champion must recuperate for a very long time. He hopes to have the ability to journey the house coach once more in January, and he might be able to journey outdoors once more in February.
This has been a tough interval. “After per week or two, when everybody left for a coaching camp and Oumi was learning, and I used to be simply studying books or watching movies, I began to eat my cash away and I began to have a tough time. I used to be in ache. I received knocked out by the operation. I doubted myself. Will I make it this 12 months? Will it’s okay?” He stated final week in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws.
“Individuals don’t see these issues. They run into me within the retailer. They ask how issues are going, after which I chortle. I’m optimistic, however after I get dwelling, I break down. The steadiness, by way of morale and power, is a little more adverse. That’s the reason we’re spending this end-of-year interval overseas. That’s higher for me now than the stress at dwelling, between these 4 partitions. However I belief that it is going to be high-quality and that I might be there when I’ve to be there.”
A begin from Remco:
Mathieu van der Poel’s Early Season Plans
Mathieu van der Poel hopes to be World cyclocross champion for the seventh time in early February, however the 29-year-old Dutchman can also be seeking to the 2025 highway season. His highway program continues to be to be formally introduced, however Van der Poel appears to have revealed a few of his plans in an interview with Sporza.
Van der Poel accomplished a restricted however intensive spring program final 12 months, with seven one-day races, from Milano-Sanremo to Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In 2025, nonetheless, he’ll go for a distinct strategy. “Not like final 12 months, I most likely received’t proceed to Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It should merely be till Paris-Roubaix,” Van der Poel acknowledged.
The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider is toying with the concept of driving a brand new race. “New races present new impulses. That’s why Paris-Good might be an choice as an alternative of Tirreno-Adriatico, which I’ve ridden just a few instances already.”
In his debut Tour de France in 2021, Van der Poel was significantly profitable, however within the final Excursions, Van der Poel didn’t come near a stage win. He was essential because the final man for teammate and sprinter Jasper Philipsen. “It’s a race that I don’t actually like,” Van der Poel doesn’t mince his phrases. “Other than making an attempt to win phases and carrying the yellow jersey, there’s not a lot to realize for me within the Tour. I’d moderately journey 5 races through which I’m competing to win than twenty phases through which I’m not competing for the win half the time. However with Jasper there, my purpose is at all times to assist him win as many phases as potential. I like that and it additionally takes the stress off me.”
Mathieu van der Poel’s early season race schedule:
25.01: UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Maasmechelen
26.01: UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Hoogerheide
02.02: UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Liévin
22.03: Milano-Sanremo
06.04: Ronde van Vlaanderen
13.04: Paris-Roubaix.
Mathieu van der Poel desires to be cross world champion once more and win a Basic…
Wout van Aert Makes a Want for 2025
Wout van Aert had an eventful 2024. He received a silver medal on the Olympic Video games and three stage wins within the Vuelta a España, however he additionally had some very critical crashes. In an interview with Sporza, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider appeared again on his season. And he appeared forward to 2025.
Van Aert crashed a number of instances in 2024, however his crashes in Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Vuelta a España had been significantly dangerous. The crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen brought on him to overlook the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, then the crash within the Vuelta completed his season. Van Aert suffered a critical knee damage in Spain, which was adopted by a tough rehabilitation.
“I had no want to start out that rehabilitation in any respect,” stated Van Aert. “I didn’t have any power left to start out from scratch once more. That was a tough interval. How did I begin anyway? (laughs) I didn’t have a lot selection.”
On the finish of 2024, Van Aert was capable of race once more. He rode the Loenhout cyclocross earlier than Christmas, he completed fourth and confirmed that he was again. What does he need now for 2025? “That I can simply keep on my bike,” Van Aert answered with a smile. “In order that I can journey the races that I need to take part in. As a result of having to observe all the massive classics and appointments from the sidelines: I’m fed up with that. I dream of with the ability to look again on a victory within the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix in a 12 months’s time. That’s on the prime of my checklist. And I additionally took away from final 12 months that I might be profitable if I can journey a Grand Tour in a free manner.”
Van Aert sees alternatives within the Tour de France. “I used to be pleasantly shocked that there are such a lot of punchers and transition phases within the Tour. I did discover plenty of small hills, even within the first week. It jogs my memory plenty of the primary Tour week of 2022.” Within the 2022 Tour de France, Van Aert received two phases within the first eight days and completed second thrice.
Van Aert was again in Loenhout:
Wout van Aert’s Victory Salute in Gullegem
Wout van Aert crossed the end line because the winner of the Superprestige Gullegem on Saturday. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider made an odd victory salute. He caught 4 fingers within the air after which made a ‘humorous face’. He defined why after the race.
Each gestures had been meant for his son Georges. Son of Van Aert turned 4 on the 4th of January, so the 4 fingers had been for him. Van Aert additionally caught his tongue out. “Each time Georges must be photographed, he makes a ‘humorous face’, as he calls it himself,” Van Aert defined to Het Nieuwsblad. “That’s why I did it in the present day, to congratulate him on his birthday that manner.”
“In fact I had thought of it myself, however I hadn’t stated it to him. I feel he could not have seen it correctly but, so I hope we are able to watch it once more collectively.”
Completely satisfied birthday Georges:
Primoz Roglič Needs the File in la Vuelta, however Pink Bull has Different Priorities
Primoz Roglič might be the document holder of ultimate general wins within the Spanish Grand Tour with a fifth victory, but it surely received’t be in 2025. The Slovenian is driving the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France this 12 months, that call was made by Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, not by Roglič.
“These are the priorities of the sponsors and the staff, so that is the way it labored out,” defined staff supervisor Patxi Vila to Marca why Roglič will not be driving the Vuelta to do a Giro/Tour double. “On his want checklist he desires to be the rider with probably the most general victories within the Vuelta a España, however this 12 months the staff has made the choice for him to do the Giro and Tour.”
The truth that Tadej Pogačar may be initially of the Vuelta a España was no cause to skip the Spanish tour. “We selected what was greatest for us,” stated Vila. “Earlier than Tadej stated he was excited about the double Tour-Vuelta, we had already determined to do the Giro and Tour with Primoz.”
No Vuelta for Roglič in 2025:
Jhonatan Narváez Needs to Win in Flanders
Jhonatan Narváez moved from INEOS Grenadiers to UAE Staff Emirates-XRG this winter. The Ecuadorian desires to win a cobbled basic together with his new staff and is aiming for a podium place within the Tour of Flanders, he stated in an interview with Sporza.
Narváez expects to have ‘more room’ with UAE Staff Emirates-XRG than at INEOS Grenadiers. “I additionally need to obtain extra victories and dream of successful a cobbled basic at UAE. One thing that didn’t work out at INEOS,” stated the 27-year-old. “I truly put together myself yearly with the goal of following Van der Poel and Van Aert within the cobbled classics.”
With UAE, Narváez thinks he has a better probability of beating the 2 prime riders. “For those who can’t beat Van der Poel and Van Aert in a man-to-man combat, it could actually work as a staff. At UAE we now have a robust core for the Flemish races. So we are able to play with completely different pawns,” he stated, in fact within the races the place chief Tadej Pogačar will not be initially. Tim Wellens, Florian Vermeersch, Antonio Morgado, Mikkel Bjerg and Nils Politt are amongst these on this Basic core.
Narváez would most prefer to win the Tour of Flanders. “I received’t say that it’s inconceivable to win the Tour (of Flanders) in the future, however it is going to be very tough. I’d be very happy with a podium end.”
Jhonnatan Manuel Narvaez’s race schedule:
21.01: Santos Tour Down Beneath
01.03: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
02.03: Kuurne – Brussels – Kuurne
22.03: Milano-Sanremo
28.03: E3 Saxo Basic
02.04: Dwars door Vlaanderen – A travers la Flandre
06.04: De Ronde van Vlaanderen
20.04: Amstel Gold Race
23.04: La Flèche Wallonne
27.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège
05.07: Tour de France.
Jhonatan Narváez desires to win on the cobbles:
Arnaud De Lie Returns to That ‘Shitty Race’ and Rides the Classics
Arnaud De Lie has revealed his race program for 2025. The Belgian of the Lotto staff is engaged on an in depth race program within the run-up to his huge objectives, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
De Lie will begin his season this month within the Valencia area with the GP Castellón and GP València, after which he’ll journey the Etoile de Bessèges and the Tour of the Algarve in early February. Not like final 12 months, De Lie will miss an altitude coaching camp in Tenerife for his huge objectives later within the spring.
De Lie will begin the Flemish spring calendar within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, adopted by Le Samyn later that week. Final 12 months De Lie crashed in Le Samyn, after which he shouted on the staff automobile: “What am I doing on this shitty race?”
After Le Samyn, Flemish WorldTour races comply with, with the E3 Saxo Basic, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars Door Vlaanderen and eventually De Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. After that the Belgian will put together for the Tour de France.
Arnaud De Lie’s early season race programme
25.01: Gran Premio Castellón – Ruta de la Cerámica
26.01: Basic Valencian Neighborhood 1969 – Gran Premi València
05.02: Etoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard
19.02: Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
01.03: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite
28.03: E3 Saxo Basic
30.03: Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
02.04: Dwars door Vlaanderen – A travers la Flandre
06.04: De Ronde van Vlaanderen
13.04: Paris-Roubaix.
Arnaud De Misinform journey the Classics:
Victor Campenaerts Burdened Out Because of Modifications Going to Visma | Lease a Bike
Victor Campenaerts might be seen within the yellow package of Visma | Lease a Bike in 2025. The Belgian has raced for the Dutch staff earlier than, however that was a again on 2016/2017. The staff has modified fully since then. The change has brought on some stress for Campenaerts, who describes himself as a neurotic.
Campenaerts raced for LottoNL-Jumbo in 2016 and 2017. After that he moved to Lotto Soudal, NTT after which again Lotto Soudal, which later modified to Lotto Dstny, the place he has been for the previous three seasons. With Lotto he rode on an Orbea, now Campenaerts might be astride a Cervélo, which has its issues. “The change of the body will not be that tough to get used to in itself, however each level of contact between my physique and the bike is new: the saddle, the handlebars and the pedals.”
“That adjustment brought on me, as a neurotic, plenty of stress to start with,” stated Campenaerts. A brand new characteristic concerning the cleats additionally gives some adaptability. “The system they use right here ensures that your ft come even nearer to the axle of the bike, which leads to a big aerodynamic benefit and higher pedalling effectivity. However it was no straightforward job to regulate these cleats appropriately.”
Campenaerts sees different modified, such because the steerage concerning diet. “At Lotto we might additionally name on dieticians to find out what and the way a lot we had been allowed to eat, however as a rider it nonetheless felt like an project to weigh the meals. Utilizing the app reduces the stress of weighing the meals significantly as a result of fewer actions are required. It makes your life simpler and extra skilled, whereas it’s often a selection between simpler or extra skilled,” the Belgian continued. “I’ve to confess that I used to be positively overwhelmed after I began utilizing that app. I discover that I now go to the desk with a distinct mindset.”
All change for Victor Campenaerts in 2025:
Lennert Van Eetvelt’s Assorted 2025 Race Calendar
Lennert Van Eetvelt can have a busy 2025. Final season, he received two WorldTour stage races: the UAE Tour and the Tour of Guangxi. Subsequent 12 months, he might be aiming for stage victories within the Tour de France and an general classification within the Vuelta a España. He can even journey the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Tour of Flanders, though it stays to be seen what ambitions the 23-year-old Belgian can have there. In 2019, he completed sixteenth within the Tour of Flanders for juniors, Van Eetvelt’s expertise in Flemish races is restricted. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in the beginning of March might be his first take a look at for Flanders’ Best, 5 weeks later.
It guarantees to be a busy spring for Van Eetvelt. The younger Belgian begins by defending his win of final 12 months within the UAE Tour. Then follows the Omloop, Strade Bianche, the Tour of Catalonia, the Tour of Flanders, Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Romandie. Van Eetvelt then goes on an altitude coaching camp to arrange for the Tour and the Vuelta. Within the Tour he’ll achieve expertise and goal for stage victories, within the Vuelta ultimate general classification is his goal.
Lennert Van Eetvelt’s race schedule:
17.02: UAE Tour
01.03: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite
08.03: Strade Bianche
24.03: Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
06.04: Ronde van Vlaanderen
23.04: La Flèche Wallonne
27.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège
29.04: Tour de Romandie
05.07: Tour de France
23.08: Vuelta a España.
A blended schedule for Van Eetvelt:
Laurence Pithie Hopes to Make Progress with Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
Laurence Pithie was revelation within the spring of 2024, however the 22-year-old New Zealander appears again critically on his performances. “I used to be at all times there on the decisive moments, however then I ended up in thirtieth place.” The brand new rider of Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, compares his present and former groups, in an interview with Cyclingnews.
Pithie was within the successful break in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne with Wout van Aert, he was the rider who might comply with Mads Pedersen and Mathieu van der Poel the longest in Gent-Wevelgem and he was in yellow in Paris-Good. “The staff was enthusiastic in all these races, whereas I used to be disenchanted as a result of I had not received,” Pithie stated.
Pithie nonetheless enjoys trying again at these highlights. He sees it as an ideal lesson and hopes to return in 2025 and obtain podium finishes. Though the New Zealander is aware of that he nonetheless has to make some steps together with his new staff. “I’ve proven that I’ve the pure energy when issues get robust, however I even have to have the ability to make these repeated efforts deeper within the race.”
The language barrier together with his earlier French staff and the ‘tremendous skilled working surroundings’ at Ralph Denk’s staff made the selection simpler for the New Zealander. “Groupama-FDJ was the one staff that gave me the prospect after I got here to Europe, I might by no means say something dangerous in regards to the staff.” However the language and cultural barrier between Pithie and his earlier staff didn’t at all times make collaboration straightforward. He observed this particularly when discussing ways in the course of the race. “The way in which I wished to race typically conflicted with the staff administration’s thought and it’s arduous to get your level throughout after I stutter French phrases. At Groupama-FDJ, many of the sporting administrators had been older and a bit caught of their habits, you had been pushed apart a bit once you had new concepts.”
At Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, the ambiance between riders and staff administration is a bit friendlier, in keeping with the 22-year-old. “Numerous the staff managers of my new staff have solely simply stopped racing, I might be extra myself right here.”
Laurence Pithie’s race programme:
21.01: Santos Tour Down Beneath
22.03: Milano-Sanremo
06.04: Tour of Flanders
13.04: Paris-Roubaix.
Pithie trying ahead to his future with Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe:
Wout van Aert is On the lookout for a Resolution to Crashes
In an in depth interview with the NRC, Wout van Aert mirrored on the various crashes inside his Visma | Lease a Bike in 2024. In line with the Belgian, his staff is working to make sure that there won’t be so many crashes once more in 2025.
“I feel we had been very unfortunate final season, however we’re engaged on it, sure. I’ve crashed extra usually after the spring and on reflection, that first crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen could have been the trigger. Typically crashing has to do with confidence, and it doesn’t assist if in case you have been knocked to the bottom at seventy kilometres per hour after which need to cycle again into the peloton among the many identical lunatics,” he stated.
“We at the moment are trying as a staff at whether or not we are able to do one thing about that,” Van Aert continues with out saying how Visma | Lease a Bike goes to take care of it. “I’d moderately not go into that. In any other case it is going to grow to be one other a kind of issues.”
Too many Visma crashes:
Shirin van Anrooij Will increase her Coaching Two Months after Surgical procedure
Excellent news from Shirin van Anrooij. The Lidl-Trek rider’s rehabilitation has taken step up and she or he is now allowed to extend her coaching load, she introduced on Instagram.
Within the autumn of 2024, Van Anrooij underwent surgical procedure for a narrowed pelvic artery. With this typical biking damage, not sufficient blood flows to 1 or each legs as a result of the blood vessel is narrowed. After her surgical procedure, Van Anrooij wrote that it might take ‘about six months’ earlier than she would be capable to race once more. At first of December, she was allowed to journey outdoors for the primary time, though it was on a mountain bike.
Van Anrooij is now again on her highway bike and now she has permission to extend her coaching. “It’s lastly January, which signifies that the surgical procedure was two months in the past and I’m allowed to extend the hours on the bike.”
Shirin van Anrooij coaching tougher:
Ben Hermans Ends his Seek for a New Staff
Ben Hermans is hanging up his bike after an expert profession of sixteen seasons. The 38-year-old Belgian wasn’t provided a brand new contract with Cofidis and has not succeeded to find a brand new staff for 2025.
Hermans had seen this coming for some time, as he stated final month in an interview with WielerFlits. “I can settle for ending my profession now. Final 12 months I actually wasn’t executed with it, as a result of I had a nasty crash and couldn’t actually show myself on the finish of the season. Now I’ve been capable of journey my races. If that’s the case, that’s the case. I’m not 33 anymore, then you’ll be able to already put one thing like that into perspective.”
Hermans began his skilled profession in 2009 with Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator. The all-rounder then signed with RadioShack after only one season. Hermans raced with Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden. After 4 seasons with RadioShack, Hermans rode for BMC (2014-2017), Israel Biking Academy/Israel Begin-Up Nation (2018-2023) and Cofidis (2024). Hermans helped leaders such because the brothers Fränk and Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, Tejay van Garderen and Greg Van Avermaet, however has additionally had successes of his personal.
His checklist of achievements contains nineteen skilled victories. Hermans took victories in one-day races: Brabantse Pijl (2015) and the Giro dell’Apennino (2021), he was additionally profitable within the Tour of Oman, Tour of Austria (twice), Arctic Race of Norway and Tour of Utah.
After sixteen skilled seasons, Hermans is getting ready for a change in his life, which can take some getting used too. “I feel so too, particularly the primary few months,” he instructed Het Belang van Limburg. “I have already got some concepts about what I need to do sooner or later, however these plans will not be actually concrete but. I definitely received’t rush into issues.”
Ben Hermans to retire:
Lotto’s Stéphane Heulot Appears to be like Forward to the New Season
With the staff presentation in Temse, Lotto Biking Staff has formally kicked off 2025. CEO Stéphane Heulot shares his outlook for the season:
To the sounds of Daft Punk, beneath purple lighting and showcasing the brand-new staff package, Lotto Biking Staff launched its new season this morning in Temse, Belgium, on the staff’s new Service Course. Throughout the presentation for sponsors, companions and the press, CEO Stéphane Heulot offered a preview of the upcoming season. “As with yearly, the counter is ready to zero,” Heulot stated. “You will need to at all times strategy a biking season with humility. Our group has modified considerably, so we’ll see how issues unfold. However we’re decided to proceed alongside the optimistic path we began on final 12 months.”
That path included highlights reminiscent of a Belgian nationwide championship, general victories within the UAE Tour and the Tour of Guangxi, and a stage win within the Tour de France. “Due to all our nice performances, we’ve been within the UCI World Rating prime 10 for 2 years now. The factors we’ve collected exceeded our expectations. Even with a staff that appears much less robust on paper, we goal to take care of our place. We’ll attempt to obtain this by including extra one-day races to our calendar. For instance, we received’t compete within the Giro d’Italia, Paris-Good, or Tirreno Adriatico, as we hope to collect extra UCI factors in one-day races. Our final purpose stays to return to the World Tour in 2026.”
Stéphane Heulot was happy to welcome everybody to Temse, the brand new beating coronary heart of the staff. “I wouldn’t name this a brand new starting, however it’s definitely a brand new chapter for us. The constructing, our Service Course, is a crucial step for our growth and future development. It’s not only for our workers—it’s already a spot the place our individuals get pleasure from coming collectively—but additionally for our companions. This can function a base for Orbea, we now have photo voltaic panels from MR Photo voltaic on the roof, and far more. In fact, we’re desirous to welcome new companions. It takes time, and these will not be the simplest financial instances, however we stay assured within the worth of our staff. It will be nice to have information by the Tour de France. Within the meantime, we’re lucky to have the continued assist of Lotto and our different sponsors.”
The Lotto staff for 2025:
Burgos-BH Has a New Foremost Sponsor
Burpellet, an organization specialising within the manufacturing of pellets, will grow to be, along with the Burgos area and bicycle model BH, one of many most important sponsors of the Burgos-BH biking staff. The Spanish ProTeam might be referred to as Burgos Burpellet BH in 2025.
The pellet manufacturing firm Burpellet is taking “a step ahead and gaining much more worldwide media consideration” by sponsoring an expert biking staff, in keeping with a press launch. The corporate can even have a distinguished place on the staff’s new shirt, which might be introduced quickly. Burpellet focuses on the manufacturing of wooden pellets. These are pressed wooden pellets, produced from residual flows reminiscent of pruning wooden, sawdust and wooden chips. Wooden pellets are sometimes used as a type of strong gasoline.
The Spanish staff has been strengthen within the switch market with 9 new riders: New Zealander Josh Burnett, Czech Vojtěch Kmínek, Japanese Tomoya Koyama, Eritrean Merhawi Kudus and Spaniards Daniel Cavia, Hugo de la Calle, José Luis Faura, Carlos García Pierna and David Martin. A number of riders have left, Victor Langellotti, Sebastián Mora, Jésus Ezquerra and Óscar Pelegri. Jetse Bol has additionally ended his profession, however stays with Burgos Burpellet BH as a staff DS.
Jetse Bol to be a DS with Burgos Burpellet BH:
Staff Polti VisitMalta unveils new GSport package for the 2025 season
New identify and new package designed by GSport for Staff Polti VisitMalta!
The Italian ProTeam, set to compete in prestigious races on the Italian and worldwide calendar, goals to proceed its upward trajectory in each efficiency and outcomes, at each skilled and youth ranges, with riders reminiscent of Mirco Maestri and Davide Piganzoli main the cost.
The signature color is undoubtedly purple, which can as soon as once more dominate the package this 12 months. Particularly, the 2025 design locations the daring purple of title sponsors Polti and VisitMalta on a clear white background, whereas the sleeves are adorned with Kometa’s inexperienced, nonetheless a most important accomplice of the staff.
Ivan Basso, Staff Principal of Polti VisitMalta: “Unveiling the brand new package is at all times a particular second and feeling as a result of it absolutely represents our identification to followers and stakeholders. We’ve made some changes to mirror our sponsors’ colors and we’re thrilled to see our red-and-white ‘block’ racing united, honouring the staff’s identification and all who characterize and assist us.”
Francesca Polti, CEO of Polti Spa: “A brand new 12 months, a brand new package, and the identical deep emotion. As Polti and Solo Caffè Monorigine, we really feel represented by this package and are honoured to embark on this new chapter alongside VisitMalta and different new sponsors. Collectively, they’ve blended their colors with ours in a harmonious, clear and fascinating design. How might we not fall in love with it instantly?”
Carlo Micallef, CEO of VisitMalta, expressed it: “We’re thrilled in regards to the collaboration with Staff Polti VisitMalta as co-title sponsor for the upcoming season. This partnership represents our shared ardour for excellence, teamwork and pushing boundaries. Biking embodies the spirit of dedication and innovation that defines VisitMalta within the tourism world, and we sit up for supporting the staff in attaining new milestones each on and off the highway. Collectively, we goal to encourage communities and champion the values of resilience and sustainability.”
Wagner-Bazin WB Le maillot 2025!
The Wagner-Bazin WB staff is elevating its colors for the 2025 season. Its jersey contains a variation of inexperienced and touches of yellow, superimposed strains like so many bridges between the 2 merged groups. The 2025 marketing campaign might be vibrant, wealthy in feelings and audacity, trustworthy to the style for efficiency!
This new jersey, introduced by our neo-professional Michiel Lambrecht, is the results of a wonderful collaboration with our accomplice Veloplus. It was designed to be seen within the peloton and to advertise our companions.
New identify and new package:
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