Another full EUROTRASH Monday: Video, results, reports and rider thoughts from the European Cyclo-Cross Championships in Pontevedra, Spain and the Koppenbergcross in Belgium.
RCS denies rumours of problems staging the Giro Grande Partenza in Albania – TOP STORY.
Rider news: Rohan Dennis trial postponed again, Remco Evenepoel could double his salary and take Lodewyck with him to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Patrick Lefevere not happy with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe over the attempted transfer of Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglič: “Tadej Pogačar is simply unbeatable”, Ben O’Connor knows his big goal for 2025, Chris Froome wants to return to the Tour in 2025, Kasia Niewiadoma enthusiastic about the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route, Victor Lafay free of knee problems and David Dekker wants to show his ‘full potential’ with Euskaltel-Euskadi.
Team news: Luca Guercilena returns to full-time work as Lidl-Trek team manager, Lucas Hamilton to join INEOS-Grenadiers, Albert Torres and Davide Cimolai re-sign with Movistar and Australian Bailey McDonald joins Team Novo Nordisk.
Plus: Adrie and Mathieu van der Poel ride together and Watch “The Dairy-Free Tour” video.
TOP STORY: RCS Denies Rumours of Problems Staging the Grande Partenza in Albania
RCS, the organisers of the Giro d’Italia, announced early on Thursday that the route presentation planned for November 12 had been postponed. According to Cicloweb, it is uncertain whether the Grande Partenza can go ahead in Albania due to political developments. RCS general manager Paolo Bellino has stated that there is ‘no change in the plans’.
The reasons that the Giro organisers might have to look for a new host for the Italian Grand Tour is due to recent political developments. The relationship between Italy and Albania has become more complicated due to ‘the political dynamics of the past few weeks’, Cicloweb wrote.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni wants to have asylum seekers accommodated in Albania. The first migrants had already been transferred to a reception centre in Albania, but the court in Rome ruled that they are entitled to an asylum application in Italy. According to Cicloweb, the ‘political agreements’ were linked to the start of the Giro d’Italia. The Giro start in Albania could now be in jeopardy, but there is a possible replacement. Sicily is said to want the Grande Partenza. This news has not yet been confirmed, but Cicloweb mentions Palermo, Agrigento, Ragusa and Messina as possible start and finish towns for the three stages. The first stage would ‘most likely’ start in Trinacria, then after three stages, the race could continue as originally planned, in the Puglia region, in the south of Italy.
Paolo Bellino, general manager of RCS, has responded to the rumour. “There is no change in the plans, nor a problem with Albania,” he told Tuttobiciweb. “The press conference in Rome has only been postponed due to a technical problem on our side. I can’t say more, because we will soon come up with a press release.”
No pink in Albania?
European Cyclo-Cross Championships – Pontevedra Men 2024
Thibau Nys won the 2024 European cyclocross championships in Pontevedra, Spain. The 21-year-old Belgian beat Spain’s Felipe Orts, after he had ridden away from the group of favourites a few laps from the finish. The bronze medal went to Eli Iserbyt, who held off Niels Vandeputte and Lars van der Haar, who were fourth and fifth.
There were many possible winners of the European cross title on Sunday. On the fast course in Pontevedra, Michael Vanthourenhout was there to defended his title, but the Belgian and Dutch teams were very strong. There were few places on the circuit in Galicia to split the race. Before the start, the top favourites were Thibau Nys and man-in-form Lars van der Haar.
Rémi Lelandais had the fastest start, with Niels Vandeputte, Felipe Orts and Mees Hendrikx also close by. Belgian champion Eli Iserbyt was also at the front and went solo during the second lap, because a rider made a mistake behind him. Lars van der Haar closed the gap with a large group on his wheel. In the second lap of nine, Pim Ronhaar accelerated, causing some splits, but the Dutchman was not able to get away. Van der Haar was the next to set the pace, but that also had little effect. Home rider, Orts, attacked on the fifth lap when Van der Haar eased off the pressure. Iserbyt moved up, but Van der Haar wasn’t going to let that happen. A leading group with Van der Haar, Iserbyt, Orts, Vanthourenhout, Nys, Gerben Kuypers and Niels Vandeputte had broken away, but behind them the gaps were still small. At the front Nys and Orts rode away, but that was countered by Iserbyt. Behind it looked like the chase wouldn’t get together due to all the Belgians at the front. This forcing Van der Haar to increase the pace again, but it was not easy to close that gap.
The gap was only 6 seconds, but Van der Haar couldn’t keep chasing. The difference grew to 10 seconds, but with 4 laps to go, the three leaders were not secure yet. An acceleration by Van der Haar brought him back to the leading group, and he took Vandeputte and the rest with him. With three laps to go, Nys and Orts jumped away again from Iserbyt, Van der Haar and Vandeputte. The chase group went quiet and at the start/finish, Nys and Orts looked to have gone. Hard work by Van der Haar didn’t get him any closer. The gap kept fluctuating around 10 seconds. At the front, it was the Spaniard who kept pushing with Nys to maintain the lead in the final lap. At the beams, Nys took the lead, because Orts has got off his bike to run. Orts then had to give it everything he had to get back on the wheel, but he stood no chance in the sprint and Thibau Nys won the European title for the first time in his career. Orts was a happy second and Iserbyt took the bronze medal ahead of Vandeputte and Van der Haar.
2024/5 European cyclocross champion, Thibau Nys (Belgium): “Having Felipe with me was perfect. We both went all out, which was good for me. This was a very difficult race. It was so fast and very difficult to create a gap. I started with the feeling to make it happen. I had to adapt to every scenario. I didn’t expect to have so much control. I knew exactly what to do and when I took the lead, I had full control of the race. I knew he was going to go for the podium, so I had the right guy with me. This was 100% perfect. Felipe is super strong and I knew he was really going to be ready for this EC. That was really a goal for him. Having him with me was perfect, which was also good for me. This really means a lot to me. It’s amazing to be riding in a different jersey from next week. I’m speechless.”
2nd, Felipe Orts (Spain): “There were times when I thought about the gold medal, but in the end Thibau was stronger. It was a great race, I felt very good. I came here to give it my all and I did. In the last lap I was very tired and to be honest I was very afraid of making a mistake. At the beams he rode away from me by a few seconds. That was inevitable, so I think the result is more than satisfactory. I was quite on the limit, but I also had to take a lot of risks to keep that small lead of 5 to 10 seconds. Sometimes I almost hit all the fences. And yes, I had that constant uncertainty that I could lose the race at any moment. That’s why I’m very happy to win the silver medal. Now I want to enjoy it a bit, but also rest a bit, because the start of the season has been intense. I’ll think about the World champs and the Christmas period, that’s the next period in which I have to be in good shape.”
3rd, Eli Iserbyt (Belgium): “Can I be satisfied with a third place? Not really, I think, but that will wear off. I am satisfied for Thibau first and foremost. Third place was the highest I could achieve. As a Belgian team, we have the jersey and also a bronze medal. That’s not bad, right? At the end, no one was fresh after this lightning-fast cross, which was ridden in very warm conditions. Just look at Lars van der Haar. It was up to him to close the gap with Orts and Nys. We didn’t have to go after Thibau. But he also failed to close that gap. It was certainly not up to me to do the work for Lars. I think the two best riders coloured the cross. It was a beautiful race and a beautiful title fight. It was not easy to overtake on the single track sections and also because the pace was always very high. I achieved another podium place and that’s not bad, although I always start to win.”
5th, Lars van der Haar (Netherlands): “I just gave it my all and still hoped for a medal. At the end you know it’s going to be difficult when you’ve had to ride in front for so long. Then you know you don’t have a serious last lap anymore. I noticed in the beginning that I was good, but not very good. When I was back and Eli Iserbyt dived into the pits and those guys jumped over the beams, that was actually the kiss of death. Then you know you have to ride again with Iserbyt on your wheel. At one point I gambled that Iserbyt also wanted to be on the podium, but it was actually only for a short time that he rode in front, so then you know it’s going to be difficult. It went so fast, I don’t remember much of the lap. It was tough. It’s really great for Nys. I just really wanted to win it myself. I didn’t hold back because he was my teammate, I really rode to win today. But we lacked the men and legs to ride against that block (the Belgian team). Well done! (2nd, Felipe Orts) I kind of expected it on this course, because when he’s on the wheels you can’t easily ride him off.”
European Cyclo-Cross Championships – Pontevedra Men Result:
1. Thibau Nys (Bel) in 57:46
2. Felipe Orts Lloret (Spa) at 0:03
3. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) at 0:09
4. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) at 0:15
5. Lars van der Haar (Ned) at 0:24
6. David Menut (Fra) at 0:32
7. Gerben Kuypers (Bel) at 0:34
8. Michael Boros (CZ)
9. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) at 0:50
10. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) at 1:01.
Euro cross champs’24:
European Cyclo-Cross Championships – Pontevedra Women 2024
Fem van Empel won the European women’s cyclocross championship for the third time in a row. In Pontevedra, the World champion was the first across the finish line after a full Dutch battle for the podium in the final laps. She beat Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in the sprint for the title, Lucinda Brand was third.
Fem van Empel defended her European women’s cyclocross championships on a fast and not very technical course in the sunny northern Spanish city of Pontevedra, but it wasn’t easy. The course was fast and there were few places where a rider could get away.
There was only 20 riders on the start line and it was Hélène Clauzel who had the best start, ahead of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. Lucinda Brand had to chase. Van Empel took the lead with a small attack, which put the group under pressure. The gaps were still small. It was Alvarado who forced the first splits on the second of seven laps, but she didn’t push on. The leading group was single line, which made it mainly a tactical race, in which Sara Casasola, Alicia Franck and Laura Verdonschot held their ground well in a mostly Dutch leading group. In the fourth lap, Van Empel and Alvarado rode away, because Inge van der Heijden let a gap go. The only rider who was able to escape the chase group was Brand, halfway through the race. She joined Van Empel and Alvarado, but due to a mistake she lost contact. The chasers were at 15 seconds.
Brand did everything she could to rejoin and succeeded in the fifth lap. The pace then slowed a little, which allowed Verdonschot, Franck, Casasola and Amandine Fouquenet to get the leading group back in sight on the penultimate lap and then caught them. Casasola managed to follow a few Dutch attacks and so there were four leaders at the start of the last lap. Alvarado took the lead, but Brand and Van Empel were on her wheel. There was then a fierce battle to be the first into the narrow bends, it was Alvarado who succeeded. Van Empel had to try hard to pass Brand and follow Alvarado’s move. There would be a two-rider sprint for the Euro title. Alvarado took the lead, but had Van Empel on her wheel. In the last 100 metres, the world champion came past her for her third European championship win in a row. The podium went to the Dutch, with Alvarado taking silver and Brand bronze. Casasola and Fouquenet filled the top-5.
2024/5 European cyclocross champion, Fem van Empel (Netherlands): “I am very happy with this, because it was a very tough race. This was the best battle of the season so far. I knew I could not make the difference on the straights. Right at the end, I had a duel with Lucinda Brand. That was a close call and then I wanted to get to Alvarado’s wheel as quickly as possible. In the sprint, I felt that I was getting closer, but I just couldn’t get past her. Then I knew I had to speed up, because the finish was getting close. I am very happy to add a new jersey. I can tick off the hat trick. For now I have some rest and training planned. I think I will be back in two weeks. After that come the World Cups and then we will see month by month how I am going to tackle it”.
2nd, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Netherlands): “To be completely honest, I never looked back. It was full throttle until the finish. I actually thought Lucinda was behind me and I was sure that I would possibly win the sprint, but it was Fem. And that was a more difficult story. I knew that whether it would be a quiet race or a full throttle race, that a sprint against Fem would be very difficult. Because she just has a very fast sprint. And for me it was also a bit of a struggle towards the end. It went really well, I am very happy with my race.”
3rd, Lucinda Brand (Netherlands): “It went as expected. That you can cycle really hard on this circuit, but you’re still together… It wasn’t because of the little mistakes. Of course it would have been better not to make them, but sometimes it did create something. That something was broken open, because they saw that there was a gap. Making a difference was possible here if you were much, much better than the others. But it was especially very difficult. In the beginning I was in control, but I didn’t know if it was going to go my way, because you’re fighting against two very explosive ladies. Then it’s very difficult to win the battle for a corner, but you never know. I was in a good position. I feel good, I’m riding well and things are going easily. I felt completely recovered after the Koppenbergcross, so I think that says enough. The coming weeks look like standard cross weekends with a double program for me. Then it will be busy again, that’s fun! At home on the couch is also nothing.”
European Cyclo-Cross Championships – Pontevedra Women Result:
1. Fem Van Empel (Ned) in 50:41
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned)
3. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:07
4. Sara Casasola (Ita) at 0:10
5. Amandine Fouquenet (Fra) at 0:17
6. Alicia Franck (Bel)
7. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) at 0:18
8. Hélène Clauzel (Fra) at 0:26
9. Aniek van Alphen (Ned) at 0:27
10. Lucia Gonzalez Blanco (Spa) at 50.
Euro cross champs’24:
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Koppenbergcross Men 2024
Lars van der Haar won the Koppenbergcross on Friday. The Dutch rider won the first round of the X2O Trophy after a strong attack on the fifth lap. Eli Iserbyt and Toon Aerts finished second and third. There was an incident when a spectator threw beer over Belgian champion Iserbyt during the race.
Despite the European Championship in Spain on Sunday, the Koppenbergcross still had a strong start list: Thibau Nys, Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout, Pim Ronhaar, Lars van der Haar and Toon Aerts would fight for the victory in Oudenaarde.
The best start on Friday went to Thijs Aerts. Toon’s brother was then passed by the young Yorben Lauryssen. Iserbyt and Vanthourenohut were on the wheel of their teammate, while Nys and Aerts had to chase in the first lap. The two managed to close the gap on the climb of the Bult van Melden. Vanthourenhout and Iserbyt kept up a good pace, which meant that Nys and Aerts had to work hard. At the end of the second lap, Van der Haar, who had to come from a bit further back, also joined the leading group after a good passage of the Koppenberg. It was on this lap that Iserbyt had to deal with the beer incident. The Belgian champion had a full glass of beer over him by a spectator.
After 30 minutes, there were still five leaders. At the start of the penultimate lap, Van der Haar attacked and Iserbyt had to chase. Nys played the team game and sat to Iserbyt’s wheel. Van der Haar quickly created a good gap. Iserbyt couldn’t get any closer. Van der Haar started the last 20 minutes with a very nice lead and no one could get near Van der Haar. Nys was dropped by Iserbyt, the winner of the Overijse cross got into trouble and had to settle for fourth place. Van der Haar had enough time to celebrate at the finish, as he had a lead of 35 seconds over Iserbyt. Aerts was third, the first podium of his cross season.
Race winner, Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions): “During the warm-up I already felt that I had good legs. I actually wanted to wait a little longer with my attack, but I got a golden opportunity. Everyone went into the pits, but not me. I also just felt good, especially on the technical part. My chain was skipping in the final lap. So that was still very exciting. But I’m glad it worked out. I wanted to do everything I could to be good here and at the European Championships. Am I the top favourite now? It’s a completely different course in Spain. It will be more of a gravel criterium there. It will be a lottery.”
2nd, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “I was feeling a bit down. It was right in my face (the thrown beer). It was unexpected, I couldn’t find my focus for a while. It’s good that the police were able to take the man away immediately. It didn’t have a big impact on my race, but I still had to recover for a while. I’m a bit disappointed with this result. Lars was definitely the strongest, his attack was impressive. I just couldn’t get on the wheel and then I got stuck a bit. I feel that my condition is good, but I keep bumping into someone who is a bit better. There’s always someone a bit fresher in the sprint. Maybe I should focus on that in training.”
3rd, Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens-FSP): “I had some doubts after my off-day in Overijse. My season will probably also be a matter of trial and error. But now I have finally finished on the podium again. I am taking it step by step, this is another milestone in my comeback. First I had to make sure that I could start again, then I had to prepare well and I had to start well. That worked out. But this is not the pinnacle yet, I aim for something higher. Sooner or later I will be back on top. A lot is possible on that course (Euro champs). It is not ideal for me, but I don’t think it is ideal for anyone. There are opportunities for everyone. With the Belgian team we have several contenders in any case. Let’s go to Spain as a good team and come home as a satisfied team.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Koppenbergcross Men Result:
1. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions in 1:00:33
2. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 0:35
3. Toon Aerts (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 0:58
4. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:31
5. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 1:34
6. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:49
7. Lander Loockx (Bel) TDT-Unibet at 2:08
8. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 2:21
9. Victor Van De Putte (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 2:39
10. Jens Adams (Bel) Lotto-X-Oats Athletes For Hope at 2:59.
Koppenbergcross’24:
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Koppenbergcross Women 2024
The Koppenbergcross was won by World cross champion, Fem van Empel on Friday afternoon. After three cyclocross races without a win, Van Empel managed to take the victory on the Bult van Melden. Lucinda Brand and Sara Casasola finished second and third at 31 seconds and at 1 minute and 35 seconds.
With the European championship in Pontevedra, Spain on Sunday, most of the top riders still started the Koppenbergcross on Friday. The start list of the first round of the X20 Badkamers Trofee had Van Empel, Brand and also Sara Casasola. Only Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who has already won three times this season, was missing.
From the start, Van Empel, Brand and Casasola were at the front of the race, with Kata Blanka Vas and Annemarie Worst also in contention. The rest of the field were at a distance. Brand showed in the first lap how much she wanted to win the Koppenbergcross for the first time. The Dutch champion had Van Empel and Casasola with her, but Casasola was soon dropped. Brand was also distanced soon after. Van Empel continued her effort on the descent after the climb of the Koppenberg and was clearly on a very good day. The World champion built up her lead and at the halfway point of the Koppenbergcross it was clear she would win. Brand finished second and the Italian champion, Casasola took third.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “You know that after the acceleration it is far from over and then it is important to pace yourself well. I had to find my rhythm for a while and then kept a tight pace towards the finish. I am extremely happy with this. This is my favourite cross on the calendar. It feels great that I can make it happen here for the third year in a row. I worked very hard for it. This victory makes me very proud and gives me confidence for Sunday. That will certainly not be easy. I have already seen that it is a fast course and it will be difficult to drop riders there. But I’m looking forward to it.”
2nd, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions): “I am standing here with mixed feelings. I do not feel that I was able to get the most out of it physically. I could not find my rhythm today. Physically I should not have let go, but I had trouble with the course. It was really a search. In hindsight I should have changed earlier. But anyway, that is how it is now. Now it is important to recover well and make the trip to Spain.”
3rd, Sara Casasola (Crelan-Corendon): “I am very happy with my podium place. This was a very tough race, my legs really hurt. I tried to find my own pace. But I am very happy with this, my start of the season is fine. It is above my expectations, but I hope to be able to maintain this.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee – Koppenbergcross Women Result:
1. Fem Van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike in 39:51
2. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:31
3. Sara Casasola (Ita) Crelan-Corendon at 1:35
4. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx-Protime at 2:00
5. Annemarie Worst (Ned) Cyclocross Reds at 2:05
6. Denise Betsema (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 3:55
7. Xaydee Van Sinaey (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 4:57
8. Kiona Crabbé (Bel) Lotto-X-Oats Athletes For Hope at 5:06
9. Anna Kay (GB) Proximus-Cyclis CT at 5:11
10. Jamie de Beer (Ned) Heizomat Radteam Herrmann at 5:33.
Koppenbergcross’24:
Rohan Dennis Trial Postponed Again
Rohan Dennis appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday 30 October. The former cyclist is accused of causing the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins by dangerous driving. However, the lawyer for the 34-year-old Australian requested the judge to postpone the case again. Dennis is due to appear in court again on 10 December 2024.
On 13 March, Dennis was due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time. Prosecutors then asked the court for more time so that they could carefully make a detailed reconstruction of the incident. The request was granted by extending Dennis’ bail by seven months, calculated from the date of the incident in December 2023. As a result, he was due to appear in court again on 6 August. Then in August, he requested a twelve-week postponement so that he could prepare his plea. The court agreed and the next hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, October 30. However, a postponement was requested again at this hearing, this time for six weeks, so that negotiations with the prosecutors could continue. The next hearing is now scheduled for December 10. If Dennis is found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, careless/inaccurate driving and endangering human life, the Australian could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
32-year-old Melissa Hoskins was hit by a ‘Ute’ (pick-up truck) on Saturday, December 30, 2023, a few metres from the family home. She was then taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital in critical condition, where she later died. Dennis is said to have been behind the wheel of the vehicle. The Australian was arrested that same day for causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released on bail and was able to attend his wife’s funeral with his children.
Another delay in the Rohan Dennis case:
Remco Evenepoel Could Double his Salary and Take Lodewyck with Him to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
Remco Evenepoel has said he will stay with Soudal Quick-Step in 2025, but there have been a lot of stories about the interest of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in signing the Belgian super star. Now former Sporza commentator Michel Wuyts has shared some details with Het Laatste Nieuws about the offer that the German team made to Evenepoel.
Wuyts spoke about the 2025 Tour de France and Evenepoel’s chances. “The bottom line is that Evenepoel does not need a complete climbing team to finish third or second in Paris next year.”
“I wonder: would a transfer to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe have brought Evenepoel closer to the final yellow? The Germans call the reinforcements Tratnik, Lazkano and Moscon, who is appreciated by Evenepoel. Speed thieves, controllers. No climbers. And what do you do with Roglič? The answer is therefore inclined to be no,” Wuyts thinks.
According to Wuyts, Evenepoel currently earns 5 million euros with Soudal Quick-Step and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe would like to persuade him with a significant salary increase. “Mind you, the contract was indeed ready for Evenepoel. 10 million per year plus three acolytes (staff) including team manager Klaas Lodewyck, a high-ranking and valued member of the Quick-Step camp.”
“Lefevere set up obstacles for the transfer of the sidekicks and glued Evenepoel for the duration of his contract,” says Wuyts. “Not only with sweet words and the recruitment of performance manager Frederik Broché. With the decisive input of COO Jurgen Foré, he partly closed the financial gap. Evenepoel now earns 5 million euros. Considering Lefevere’s strategy, that includes bonuses.”
Evenepoel could have had more money:
Patrick Lefevere Not Happy with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Over the Attempted Transfer of Remco Evenepoel
Patrick Lefevere is not happy with the way Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe works. In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, the Soudal Quick-Step team manager explained how Ralph Denk, boss of the German team, did everything he could to sign Remco Evenepoel. “Denk, I don’t like him.”
Evenepoel had said that he would stay with Soudal Quick-Step. The Olympic champion put an end to the rumours about a possible transfer. On that occasion, Evenepoel was linked to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, the team of Primoz Roglič.
Lefevere didn’t like the rumours. “Do you know my friend Ralph Denk? He has already done the same thing twice: he offers a contract with very high bonuses, which is not done for riders under contract. He had already done that four years ago and now again. Last week I heard that he also visited Tom Pidcock. Denk, I don’t like him.”
Lefevere is certainly not friends with Denk. However, he also looks at himself. Lefevere says that they still have to build a team around Evenepoel. “Absolutely. You only have seven teammates. This year Casper Pedersen breaks his collarbone in the third stage of the Tour. Louis Vervaeke falls ill after the first week. Then it is already tight. So: we know that we can surround Remco even better, but that takes time. We are working on it. We are building. I keep repeating it: we have always assumed that Remco would ride the Tour for the first time in 2025. And as I often say: l’équipe est toujours à l’hauteur du leader (the team is as good as its leader).”
Lefevere not happy with how Ralph Denk tried to take Evenepoel:
Primoz Roglič: “Tadej Pogačar is Simply Unbeatable”
Primoz Roglič doesn’t think that Tadej Pogačar can be beaten. The Slovenian says that his countryman is simply better than all his competitors. Roglič doesn’t see anything change (for him) in the future. “The fact is that I am no longer 20”, Roglič said in an interview with various media.
Roglič spoke to the press on the eve of the Japanese Saitama Criterium, organised by ASO. The most recent Tour de France and Pogačar’s impressive performance were discussed. Roglič was impressed. “At the moment he is simply unbeatable. It is certainly very difficult to compete with him. I want to win, but the reality is clear. Tadej raced at a different level this year. You also do not know what it will be like next year. He may even be better. However, I will try to be the best version of myself.” The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider also talked about how racing has changed. “It is a challenge to keep up with the younger generation. Their way of racing is different, I have to adapt to that, but I like that,” Roglič added.
The four time Vuelta a España winner also spoke about next year’s Tour. “I am very happy with my palmarès. There is not a single race I still have to win. It will not change my career. It would be nice to be able to win the Tour, but without that final victory on my palmarès it is also okay, right?”
Roglič thinks Pogačar is unbeatable:
Ben O’Connor Knows his Big Goal for 2025
Ben O’Connor had a very good Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España last season. In Italy he finished fourth overall and second in Spain. In 2025, the 28-year-old Australian, who is moving from Decathlon AG2R to Jayco AlUla, will focus on the Tour de France next year, according to Jayco AlUla team manager Matt White.
“He will build up to the Tour de France, and that race will be his big goal during the summer,” said White. “There will probably be a fairly traditional build-up from February and during the rest of the spring. Then he will have some rest, before he builds up to the Tour. We may see him take on the Vuelta after that.”
O’Connor has ridden the Tour de France three times before. In 2021, he made his debut with a fourth place in the general classification, in 2022 he abandoned halfway through after a crash and in 2023 he finished 17th overall. In 2024 he rode the Giro and Vuelta.
The Tour de France will be O’Connor’s main ambition next year, but he will also ride a few Classics. With a second place at the World championships in Zurich, he has proven that he can race one-day races. “His coach thought he should focus more on one-day races, because he invested so little in them. So he will be registered for a few one-day races next year. For example, Liège-Bastogne-Liège. That is a race that suits his qualities. Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy look good for him.”
Jayco AlUla also wants to take a sprinter to the Tour. Dylan Groenewegen won a Tour stage for the Australian team in July, but Caleb Ewan is also still under contract, although there were rumours that he might leave. Jayco AlUla also wants to ride for GC in the Giro d’Italia. White: “At the moment we think Chris Harper might be able to go for a GC there. It’s a race that suits his characteristics, but we’re not going there to win. We’re going there for a good result in the GC, whether that’s a top eight or something like that.”
O’Connor to focus on the Tour in 2025:
Chris Froome Wants to Return to the Tour in 2025
Chris Froome now knows that a Grand Tour win is behind him. “Realistically, I can no longer compete for victories,” the British rider told WielerFlits during the Gree-Tour of Guangxi. But the four-time winner of the Tour de France still dreams of success. He wants to return to the Tour in 2025 and does not rule out that he can go for a stage win there.
The last time Froome participated in the Tour de France was in 2022. “I didn’t make the selection the last two times,” Froome admitted after the Saitama Criterium in Japan in a press release from organiser ASO. “But it’s not far-fetched to think that if I give everything, I can still earn a place in the team. And that I can play my part – I can, maybe, chase a stage or work for my teammate Derek Gee, for example.”
The contract that Froome signed with Israel-Premier Tech in 2020 is almost in its final year. The now 39-year-old rider won the Tour de France in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, but a crash in the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné caused a serious gap in his career. No matter how hard he tried after the crash, he never became the rider he was. There were still a few flashes, though, in the 2022 Tour he was third in the stage to Alpe d’Huez won by Tom Pidcock.
Froome wants to ride the Tour in 2025:
Kasia Niewiadoma Enthusiastic About the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Route
Kasia Niewiadoma is happy with the route of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes that was presented on Tuesday. The winner of the last edition spoke of a versatile route, but she thinks that it should have a team time trial.
“It is nice to see the diversity of the Tour de France Femmes 2025 course”, Niewiadoma said after the presentation. “There are many opportunities for many different riders. I think the first stage suits our team well, with the short final climb. We are looking forward to going for the first yellow jersey of the Tour with one of the riders from the team.” The first stage finishes on the Côte de Cadoudal (1.8km at 6.2%).
Niewiadoma had expected the French Grand Tour to have long and tough stages every day. “But instead there is a mix”, said the Canyon//SRAM rider. “I am a bit disappointed that there is no team time trial, because I had expected it somewhat and was looking forward to it. But we will suffer enough on the Col de la Madeleine. The fact that we are presented with somewhat shorter stages in the beginning will perhaps provide some balance. I like the route as a whole. The route and the fact that I now know what I need to work on makes me excited. The goal is to take the yellow jersey home again,” the Polish rider said. “My big goal is to win the Tour de France Femmes twice in a row and I am in the best position to make that happen in 2025. The general classification can change everywhere, but the last three stages will be decisive.”
Kasia Niewiadoma looking forward to the Tour de France Femmes:
Victor Lafay Free of Knee Problems
Victor Lafay was one of the revelations of the 2023 Tour de France. After a very successful Tour, Victor Lafay looked to be a rising star, but a persistent knee injury held him back. The Frenchman now feels reborn after a difficult period and has big ambitions for next season.
Victor Lafay moved to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at the end of last year, after his top ride in the Tour de France while with Cofidis. The French rider then suffered from knee problems in the run-up to the new season and was out of action for months. The explosive rider was finally able to race again in July, in the Tour de l’Ain. This turned out to be a turning point for Lafay and his knee problems were behind him. He was able to finish the season in the Tour of Guangxi, the last WorldTour race of the season, and was racing for the overall victory. “It’s really great to end your season in good shape,” he told DirectVelo.
“The key now is to keep training well in the winter months. I hope I stay healthy and then the rest will follow automatically. I no longer have any problems with my knee. In the Vuelta a España I managed to conquer 60,000 vertical meters without pain. In other words, it should be fine for next year.” Speaking of next year: Lafay makes no secret of his ambitions for 2025. “I have a very big wish for next year. There are many races in which I want to shine and where I have not yet had the chance to do so. But I really dream of wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. I hope to experience this again one day. I know it’s a tough task, given the fierce competition.”
The first week of the 2025 Tour de France is tailor-made for a puncheur, with a number of hilly stages. “There’s the finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer on day two and there are also finishes in Rouen, Vire and Mûr-de-Bretagne. It’s a great first week, really tailored to the explosive riders. There will be plenty of opportunities. I’m going to focus on that. If I can win a stage, and even better, wear the yellow jersey… That would be incredible.”
Victor Lafay wants yellow:
David Dekker Wants to Show his ‘Full Potential’ at Euskaltel-Euskadi
David Dekker will be racing with the Euskaltel-Euskadi team in 2025. The Dutch sprinter has signed for one season and Danny van der Tuuk is contracted to the team until the end of 2026.
David Dekker turned professional with Jumbo-Visma in 2021, after Metec-TKH and SEG Racing Academy. He almost won his first race, but Mathieu van der Poel was faster in the opening stage of the UAE Tour, where Dekker won the points classification. However, the son of former professional Erik Dekker never managed to break through for the Dutch team and moved to Arkéa-B&B Hotels after two seasons. His time with the French team was, mostly, not a success either. The search for a new team was difficult. In the end he had three options, Dekker was interested in the WorldTeam Alpecin-Deceuninck, but a transfer to the Belgian team was not an option, but there was an offer from Euskaltel-Euskadi.
“I am very happy to be able to sign a contract with Euskaltel-Euskadi. I have known the team since the first day I started cycling, when I was younger,” Dekker said in a press release. “Above all, I am very happy with the confidence of the team. I hope that I can show my full potential. I want to perform at a high level throughout the season. My main goal for 2025: winning a race. I have rarely been able to show my qualities in recent years. This team gives me the opportunity to show more of myself in the races that suit me. I see myself as a sprinter and Classics rider. I like the somewhat tough races, but I can also rely on my sprint. I would like to combine those qualities.”
David Dekker Euskaltel-Euskadi:
Luca Guercilena Returns to Full-Time Work as Lidl-Trek Team Manager
Good news from the Lidl-Trek team. Luca Guercilena has won his battle with lymph node cancer. The 51-year-old Italian now feels well enough to return to full-time work as team manager, he said in a review of the 2024 season.
Guercilena had to mostly stop his work as Lidl-Trek team manager in August 2021. The Italian was struggling with a form of lymph node cancer. After a three-year battle, he has good news. “Luckily I’m still here. Of course my health situation has had a lot of impact. But it has always been my goal to return as team manager. The first goal I had was to return to racing, to see the riders racing in the new Lidl-Trek outfit. That finally happened this year in Milan-San Remo. After that, my goal was to return full-time, which has now also been achieved.”
Guercilena has big plans for the future. “Now is the time to take the step, to really grow into a top team. We want to win even more races. We can look back on a good season, although the Tour de France was ruined by a crash and the abandonment of our leader Mads Pedersen. Furthermore, we were competitive throughout the season, from the spring classics to the Giro d’Italia and also in the autumn. All in all, we can speak of a good season, except for the month of July. The women’s team also had a very good season, with eight riders under the age of 25. And then there is also the promising branch (U23), the most successful team. We have invested a lot in the youth and that is immediately paying off.”
Luca Guercilena back to work:
Hamilton to Kick On with the INEOS Grenadiers
The INEOS Grenadiers are pleased to announce that Australian climber Lucas Hamilton will join the team for the 2025 season.
The 28-year-old has ridden at World Tour level for seven seasons which includes victory at Coppi e Bartali, stage wins at Tirreno-Adriatico and Czech Cycling Tour as well as a fourth place finish overall at Paris-Nice in 2021.
Lucas Hamilton said: “I’m incredibly excited to join the INEOS Grenadiers. For many years I have watched the team’s success from the outside, and I’ve always held a deep respect for their achievements.
“Being a part of such a prestigious organisation is a great opportunity for me and I look forward to contributing to the team’s ongoing success. I can’t wait to get started and work alongside my new teammates!”
Scott Drawer, Performance Director, said: “Lucas has shown what he can do in the past and we believe in his talent and potential as a bike rider. He will fit in well with fellow riders and we are confident he will respond to the support we put around him with our new coaching and performance set up.”
“A big part of what we’re working towards is not only strengthening our rider roster but also entrenching a new approach within the team. Lucas’ experience across a wide variety of races means that he slots into an important area for us where he will also be able to support our impressive crop of young and emerging talent.”
The team is also now pleased to confirm the appointment of Dr. Billy Fitton in the role of Head of Engineering and Technology. He will lead the team’s equipment testing and rider-technology integration through modelling and simulation approaches. Fitton’s most recently been involved in a senior capacity at British Cycling, where he covered several roles, and which culminated in the recently completed Paris Olympics and World Track Championships in Ballerup.
Additionally, Paddy Harrison also joins the team for the 2025 season in the role of Performance Co-ordinator and Coach.
Albert Torres and Davide Cimolai re-sign through 2025
Movistar Team is set to continue counting on the skills of Spaniard Albert Torres and Italian Davide Cimolai for another season.
In 2024, Torres completed his fifth season with the team, while Cimolai wrapped up his first under Eusebio Unzué’s leadership.
Albert Torres (from Ciutadella, Spain; 1990) joined Movistar Team in 2020, and his ability to adapt each year to the team’s needs has earned him a long career with the Navarre-based squad. This season, he covered a total of 7,413 km over 48 race days, including the Giro d’Italia.
Albert Torres: “I’m really happy to be renewing for another year with Movistar Team. They gave me the chance to join them back in 2020, and they still have full confidence in my abilities. I’m really grateful to keep going with them into 2025. Staying on for another season means the team is happy with me. I’ll keep playing my part to support my teammates, a role that makes me proud and lets me share in the team’s successes”.
Davide Cimolai (Pordenone, Italia; 1989) made his debut this season with the Telefónica squad, and his performance earned him a contract extension through 2025. The seasoned Italian rider has been leading the team’s sprinters and wraps up the current season with 12,059 km raced over 77 days of competition.
Davide Cimolai: “Since I joined this team last year, I’ve felt like family. It’s been an amazing year, full of emotions, and I’ve always said I want to finish my career with Movistar Team. I’m really happy to have renewed for another year. I’ve always felt supported by my teammates here. Thanks to Eusebio and the whole Movistar Team for the trust they’ve placed in me. My family will always be grateful to you.”
Albert Torres resigns:
Talented Australian Bailey McDonald Joins Team Novo Nordisk
Team Novo Nordisk continue to plan for the future with the addition of 21-year-old Australian Bailey McDonald for the upcoming season and beyond as the Camperdown puncheur looks to hit the ground running in 2025.
“Bailey has been racing bikes since a young age and athletics forms a strong part of his family background,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “He has come through the ranks of junior to national elite level racing in Australia and we’re extremely excited to have another talented young rider joining Team Novo Nordisk.”
“Although Bailey has a solid foundation of racing experience, he’s still young and understands that the step up to racing at the highest international level will be a big one and we will do everything we can to help his development and transition to the senior pro ranks.”
Recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in January 2024, McDonald had already taken the first steps down the road to his dream of success as a professional cyclist, racing for the esteemed Australian UCI continental Team BridgeLane before coming to the attention of TNN at the teams annual Talent ID camp in July.
“Turning professional with Team Novo Nordisk is truly a dream come true,” said McDonald. “For as long as I can remember it has been my dream to ride my bike professionally and to finally have the chance to live that dream is nothing short of surreal. I can’t thank everyone involved in the process enough for making it happen. Thanks to the entire organisation, my family, friends, coach and supporters.”
“Joining the pro ranks in 2025 excites me deeply. I don’t underestimate the fact that it will take a period of adjustment to the level of racing however I believe I can have immediate impact in helping the team achieve success. For me, a successful debut season would be one in which I come in and play my role for the team, learning the craft of racing at the pro level and assist and achieve as many results as possible for Team Novo Nordisk in 2025.”
McDonald grew up in an extremely active family and started cycling at an early age, racing a local club level before progressing to the Australian national road series and achieving a standout third place in the world’s second oldest one day event, Melbourne to Warrnambool.
The result gave McDonald the belief that he could make it as a pro and earned him a contract with Australia’s premier continental outfit, Team BridgeLane for 2024. More racing followed including in Europe and after making the TNN Talent ID camp a key goal, the 21-year-old Victorian duly impressed and joins the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team for the next two seasons.
Bailey McDonald joins Team Novo Nordisk:
Adrie and Mathieu van der Poel Ride Together
Adrie and Mathieu van der Poel went cycling together in Spain. Mathieu has been in Spain for a while and Adrie is on holiday. Father and son decided to go for a ride together.
“Daddy cool”, Van der Poel junior posted on his Instagram. Van der Poel senior is still riding a lot, as can be seen in his Strava. Earlier this year, he rode the Milan-San Remo route. At the age of 64, he again covered the roads that he raced on eleven times in his career. On that day Van der Poel senior rode 312 kilometres.
Daddy cool:
Watch “The Dairy-Free Tour”
When the EF-Oatly-Cannondale team set out to ride the 2024 Tour de France Femmes dairy-free, our worry was never that the riders’ nutrition and performance would be affected. We knew it wouldn’t be. Our worry was that the Oatly film crew would get in the way and everyone would develop a deep-rooted resentment towards the newest team sponsor. The jury is still out on that one.
About the series: In 2024, professional cycling team EF-Oatly-Cannondale agreed to ride the Tour de France Femmes dairy-free. Oatly was there in support as it continues its endless campaign to prove that dairy isn’t essential to a performance diet.
Episode 1:
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