All the reports, results and as much video as was available form the Belgian and Dutch national cyclocross championships and the Australian time trial and road national championships.
TOP STORY:
- ProTeams want an extra team in the Grand Tours
Rider news:
- Remco Evenepoel misses the Soudal Quick-Step team presentation
- Tim Merlier and Bert Van Lerberghe agree to three-year contract extension
- Remco Evenepoel speaks of his future via a live link at the Soudal Quick-Step presentation/media day
- Tim Merlier starts the season in AlUla Tour
- Bauke Mollema looking forward to the 2025 Worlds
- Ethan Hayter ready for a new chapter in his career
- Benoit Cosnefroy has to postpone the start of his season
- Three more years for French champion Paul Lapeira with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
Team news:
- Jayco AlUla removes Caleb Ewan from the team website
- 2025 season commences as UAE team announced for Tour Down Under
- The Soudal Quick-Step team presented in Calpe
- Solution Tech is the new main sponsor of the Toscana Factory Team
- KASK and INEOS Grenadiers extend partnership
Race news:
- Brabantse Pijl will not start in Leuven
- The Tour of Norway will have a women’s race
A muddy EUROTRASH coffee!
TOP STORY: ProTeams Want an Extra Team in the Grand Tours
Several ProTeams are pushing the UCI to change the regulations for team in the Grand Tours. Due to the importance of the ‘Big Three’: The Giro, Tour and Vuelta, for the team sponsors, they want 23 teams to be at the starts of the Grand Tours, according to Spanish sports-paper Marca.
All eighteen WorldTeams have to be at the start of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España. The two best ProTeams of the previous season, which for 2025 is Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech, are also invited, but don’t have to accept. The race organisers then hand out ‘wildcards’ to two more teams. Several ProTeams believe that this should be increased to three ‘wildcards’. This year the Giro will send out three ‘wildcards’, because Lotto doesn’t want to ride the Italian GT, but the amount of team is still the same.
If 23 teams did start, the organisers would have an extra place to give to a deserving team, or in the case of the Tour, a home French team. There are now more ProTeams that could enliven a three week stage race. Tudor has Marc Hirschi and Julian Alaphilippe, Q36.5 signed Tom Pidcock and Uno-X has Alexander Kristoff and other Scandinavian top riders. The Giro, Tour and Vuelta also like to home teams. TotalEnergies is always in the Tour, the Giro wants to give as many smaller Italian team a place. In recent years the Vuelta has to choose two Spanish ProTeams, to the disappointment of the others.
An increase in the number of teams would cost the organisers more money, there would be more team cars, trucks and busses and the peloton would be bigger. At the moment there is a maximum of 176 riders on a start-list of a Grand Tour, that would increase to 184, with an extra team. At one time there were twenty-two 9 man teams; 198 riders. The UCI decided to reduce the teams from nine to eight riders in 2018. In the 1980s there was 10 man teams and regularly over 200 riders starting. The wildcards for the Giro, Tour and Vuelta for this year have yet to be handed out not yet, they are usually announced in early spring.
A bigger GT peloton in 2025?
Belgian National Cyclocross Championships Men 2025
Thibau Nys won the Belgian men’s cyclocross championship. The 22-year-old Nys made a big attack in the penultimate lap and then rode solo to his first Belgian elite title. Laurens Sweeck took second place and Toon Aerts was third. For Nys, it is his second title of the season, after he won the European cross championship in November.
The Belgian Championship in Heusden-Zolder had no top favourite. Laurens Sweeck has got good form at the moment, but there are a few riders who could make a difference. Thibau Nys, Niels Vandeputte, Michael Vanthourenhout and Eli Iserbyt will all want to fight for a Belgian title.
Niels Vandeputte had the best start. Nys didn’t. The European champion was not in the top ten and had to work hard in the first lap. The race was tight in the first lap, so Nys managed to get back at the front of the race. All the top riders were there, with the exception of Iserbyt. He was not far off, but did make a number of small mistakes. Iserbyt was unable to join the leading group of six, through the finish zone. Nys, Vandeputte, Vanthourenhout, Sweeck, Toon Aerts and Emiel Verstrynge were away. They rode well, but held a bit back. This was good for Iserbyt as he joined a group of riders, but this cost him a lot of effort. Nys put in his first move. Nys was impressive on a climb where everyone had to walk, he rode up. He gained a few seconds, but on the long finishing straight he eased off and let the rest rejoin. Iserbyt also came back, as did Joran Wyseure. The eight stayed together for a while, as nobody wanted to show their hand too early.
After 45 minutes, Sweeck attacked, only Aerts could follow. Nys and Vanthourenhout were not far behind, but they didn’t work together on the long finishing straight. Sweeck and Aerts managed to take a few seconds’ lead. Nys saw the danger and closed the gap to the two leaders. This was the start of the finale. It was Nys who opened the action. The Baloise Glowi Lions rider made a big attack, nobody had an answer. Nys started the last lap with a lead. Sweeck was the first chaser, at 10 seconds. The gold and silver medals looked to be spoken for, but there was still a battle for the bronze. Aerts and Vandeputte would fight it out, quite a distance behind Nys. He was solo as he crossed the finish-line in Heusden-Zolder. Nys is the new Belgian champion for the 2024-2025 season as well as the European champion. Sweeck crossed the finish line in second place, Aerts third. Vandeputte and Verstrynge completed the top 5.
Belgian national champion, Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions): “I tested my legs early in the race and felt that it was good. This is an incredible way to win my first Belgian title. This was one of the most beautiful races ever. That I looked insecure before the start? I was very realistic, but also confident. This course increasingly became one that you could win on condition, which was good. But I certainly had doubts before the start, although I was also confident to go for it. That is actually the perfect cocktail. I immediately felt that I had the legs to move up. So I certainly did not panic. After that I also tested my legs, and I realised that I could put the rest on lengths. Then it was a matter of finding the moment to pull through. I started when the rest were at their limit. That was ideal. My season is certainly top now. But on the other hand, if you want to become European and Belgian champion, you want to win more. I want more victories to make those jerseys shine. But of course I am very happy with this.”
Belgian National Cyclocross Championships Men Result:
1. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Glowi Lions in 1:03:05
2. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:09
3. Toon Aerts (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 0:11
4. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:14
5. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:39
6. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:48
7. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 1:15
8. Jens Adams (Bel) Lotto-X-Oats Athletes For Hope at 1:32
9. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 1:41
10. Daan Soete (Bel) Ridley Racing Team at 1:43.
Belgian cross champs’25:
Belgian National Cyclocross Championships Women 2025
Marion Norbert Riberolle is the new Belgian cyclocross champion. The Crelan-Corendon rider had a bad start, but recovered and then struck. She beat Laura Verdonschot and Julie Brouwers. Sanne Cant, who won the previous fifteen Belgian Championships, was not there. Cant will stop at the end of this season and decided not to participate in the Belgian Championship in her farewell year. She didn’t want the Belgian tricolor to not be seen in women’s cyclocross for almost a year. Her teammate Marion Norbert Riberolle was the top favourite for the victory. Laura Verdonschot is also in good shape, but she is struggling with two narrowed femoral arteries.
Norbert Riberolle lost a few places in the first few meters and just after the riders hit the off-road, she slipped. She then had to go straight to the pits. In the meantime, Marthe Truyen was at the front. Laura Verdonschot was on her wheel. The De Causter-Bouwpunt rider took over and increased the pace.
A leading group of three formed. Verdonschot, together with Truyen and Alicia Franck, they created a gap, while Julie Brouwers joined later. Norbert Riberolle was initially in fifteenth place, but then started to catch-up. She picked up her teammate Xaydee Van Sinaey, who was able to do a turn for her. It was mainly on her own strength that Norbert Riberolle closed the gap to within 6 seconds after one lap. Norbert Riberolle was on her way. But even before she had properly connected, Franck and Verdonschot split. The two De Ceuster-Bouwpunt riders rode for half a lap ahead of Truyen, Brouwers and Norbert Riberolle. Norbert Riberolle started to put the pressure on with success, because she immediately created a gap. At the finish line she already had 9 seconds on Brouwers and Verdonschot.
In the third of five laps, Verdonschot got a little closer, but that was short-lived. At the end of the lap, Norbert Riberolle had increased her lead. She now had almost 30 seconds on Brouwers and Verdonschot, who had come together again. The battle for victory had already been fought. In the last two laps the situation didn’t change and Norbert Riberolle took the title. Behind them, it was still exciting for second place. Verdonschot rode away from Brouwers in lap four, but the latter was still close when the bell rang. After that, the difference grew again, especially when Brouwers crashed. Verdonschot rode to second place, while Brouwers completed the podium. While Norbert Riberolle took the Belgian tricolour, the U23 title went to Sterre Vervloet. The 21-year-old Lotto rider crossed the finish line in seventh place and was the first U23 rider.
Belgian national champion, Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon): “Now I know how Sanne has felt in recent years. It’s so nice. The Belgian people are also so nice. I’m super happy. I often have a lot of stress. But today I knew: I’ll stay calm. Maybe I had a problem, but… It was boxing at the start. My front wheel was broken, but I thought: I’ll stay calm. It’s only the start and it’s like this every weekend. So I didn’t have that much stress. In my life, I don’t like waiting, I have little patience. In the technical corner I thought: I’m going, this is the moment. I’ve been waiting all week, it’s been way too long. It’s bizarre for me. When I see Sanne with a different jersey, that’s very strange. But becoming Belgian champion after Sanne is super nice. I’m also super happy for the team. Tonight I’m going to the chip shop. I’m going to order a Bicky Burger with joppie sauce”
Belgian National Cyclocross Championships Women Result:
1. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) Crelan-Corendon in 53:18
2. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 0:45
3. Julie Brouwers (Bel) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX at 1:07
4. Alicia Franck (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 1:29
5. Marthe Truyen (Bel) Fenix-Deceuninck at 1:51
6. Jinse Peeters (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 3:07
7. Sterre Vervloet (Bel) Lotto at 3:13
8. Xaydee Van Sinaey (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:53
9. Kiona Crabbé (Bel) VELOPRO-Alphamotorhomes CT
10. Nette Coppens (Bel) De Ceuster-Acrog at 4:31.
Belgian cross champs’25:
Dutch National Cyclocross Championships Men 2025
The Dutch cyclocross championship was won by Tibor Del Grosso. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider beat Pim Ronhaar and Joris Nieuwenhuis after a thrilling final lap. Del Grosso is both the elite and U23 cyclocross champion.
Tibor Del Grosso, Lars van der Haar and Pim Ronhaar were the top favourites at the start. There was also Joris Nieuwenhuis, who made his comeback after a long absence due to illness.
Young Del Grosso got off to a good start. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider took charge and had Nieuwenhuis on his wheel. Ronhaar and Van der Haar had to make up a few seconds, along with Corné van Kessel. They managed to close, making a leading group of five after the first lap. The five stayed together in the second lap, until the next attack. Van der Haar made his move, but he was quickly caught by Nieuwenhuis. He went up to and past Van der Haar. The pace was very high, only Ronhaar could follow Nieuwenhuis. Van der Haar and Del Grosso started the third lap a few seconds behind. Del Grosso had to do it alone in that chase, because Van der Haar played the team game and stayed on his wheel. Del Grosso didn’t give up. He accelerated again and dropped Van der Haar. Del Grosso crossed to the leading duo of Nieuwenhuis and Ronhaar. They seemed to be the strongest riders in the race, although Van der Haar followed only 10 seconds after five laps.
Nieuwenhuis, Ronhaar and Del Grosso came into the final together. It was Nieuwenhuis who set the pace, but Ronhaar and Del Grosso were right on his wheel. That lasted until the final lap, when Ronhaar took the lead. He put the pressure on and dropped Nieuwenhuis, Del Grosso was stuck at a couple of seconds. The race looked to be over, but Del Grosso returned to Ronhaar due to a good crossing of the beams. The two started the finish together, but it was Del Grosso who jumped. Ronhaar had to admit defeat. Del Grosso pulled off the win to take both the gold in the elite and the U23. Nieuwenhuis crossed the finish line 10 seconds after Del Grosso and Ronhaar for third.
Dutch national champion, Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I was hoping to compete for the win, but I have to say that a lot of guys were riding fast. It was actually on the limit the entire race, but it was difficult to really create a definitive gap. So at a certain point I realised that I had to save myself a bit for the last lap and then go full throttle. I still had the feeling that I could come back. There were still a few corners in the second part, where I felt I could ride faster. But the most difficult thing was to pass him, I think it was only on the last bridge, when I looked back and thought: it is in. There were quite a few corners before that where he could pass me. No I don’t think so (ride the elite Worlds). I like to ride a World Championship to win, and with Mathieu van der Poel at the start, that is almost impossible among the elites. So I’d rather try to become World champion among the U23 than try to hopefully reach the podium among the elites. Although it remains difficult, these types of races may still make me doubt a bit, but I have confidence that there will be more opportunities among the elites in the future.”
Dutch National Cyclocross Championships Men Result:
1. Tibor Del Grosso (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 58:28
2. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 0:07
3. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) Ridley Racing Team at 0:31
4. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 0:48
5. Ryan Kamp (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 2:24
6. Corné van Kessel (Ned) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 3:02
7. Guus van den Eijnden (Ned) Seven Racing at 3:35
8. Keije Solen (Ned) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX at 4:07
9. Mees Hendrikx (Ned) Heizomat RadTeam p/b Hermann at 4:33
10. Danny van Lierop (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Orange Babies Cycling Team at 5:18.
Dutch cross champs’25:
Dutch National Cyclocross Championships Women 2025
Puck Pieterse won the Dutch women’s cyclocross championship. The Fenix-Deceuninck rider rode away in the first lap and then soloed to the Dutch title. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado took second place by a wide margin. Denise Betsema passed Marianne Vos in the final lap for third.
The Dutch women’s championship started on Sunday without World champion Fem van Empel and reigning Dutch champion Lucinda Brand. There was still a good field with Puck Pieterse, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Marianne Vos.
The best start in Oisterwijk went to young Leonie Bentveld, but she was quickly overtaken by Pieterse. The Fenix-Deceuninck leader started her cyclocross in her usual style and immediately pulled through. With success, because Pieterse created a gap of a few seconds. The other favourites were clearly surprised. Vos followed a few seconds behind, Alvarado and others lost more ground. Alvarado managed to reconnect with Vos in the first lap, but Pieterse was already gone. She started her second lap, on a very tough and muddy course, with an impressive lead of 15 seconds. Bentveld and Denise Betsema followed a little less than 30 seconds behind, with Aniek van Alphen and Inge van der Heijden behind them.
Pieterse was clearly the strongest rider in the race and already had a lead of more than 30 seconds after three laps. Something did change in the chase, because Alvarado had dropped Vos. He was now more than a minute behind Pieterse. The podium was decided after three laps. Pieterse didn’t make any mistakes on the tough course in Oisterwijk. The 22-year-old soloed to her second Dutch title in her young career. Alvarado came in second at more than a minute. Behind her there was some tension, because Vos stopped in the final lap. It was Betsema who had planned her race well and managed to keep up with Vos. The experienced rider dropped Vos to take bronze. Vos was fourth, Van Alphen fifth. Bentveld crossed the finish line in sixth place and to keep the U23 title.
Dutch national champion, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “I have to have a jersey in every discipline. It felt good, I was in my rhythm. I could do my own thing and ride my own rhythm. Was it as easy as it seemed? It can’t feel easy on this circuit. This was a lot of stomping and a lot of running. Every now and then I noticed how many seconds ahead I had and I could also see where the rest were. That motivated me. When I ride in that jersey, nobody will know that a few riders weren’t participating. Everyone just sees that jersey and I’m happy to have it around my shoulders.”
Dutch National Cyclocross Championships Women Result:
1. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck in 48:25
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 1:11
3. Denise Betsema (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 1:35
4. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:50
5. Aniek van Alphen (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 2:07
6. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines at 2:09
7. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 2:36
8. Yara Kastelijn (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck
9. Larissa Hartog (Ned) at 5:01
10. Lauren Molengraaf (Ned) FDJ-SUEZ at 5:51.
Dutch cross champs’25:
The Other Cyclocross National Championship Results:
Spanish National Cyclocross Championships 2025
1. Felipe Orts Lloret (Spa) Ridley Racing Team at 1:03:19
2. Jofre Cullell Estape (Spa) at 1:25
3. Mario Junquera San Millan (Spa) Unicaja-Gijon at 2.55.
French National Cyclocross Championships 2025
1. Clement Venturini (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Hotels in 59:44
2. Joshua Dubau (Fra) 0:21
3. Fabien Doubey (Fra) TotalEnergies at 0:39.
Swiss National Cyclocross Championships 2025
1. Kevin Kuhn (Sui) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX in 1:03:47
2. Loris Rouiller (Sui) Heizomat RadTeam p/b Hermann at 0:43
3. Luke Wiedmann (Sui) at 1:23.
British National Cyclocross Championships 2025
1. Cameron Mason (GB) Seven Racing in 1:03:11
2. Ben Chilton (GB) at 3:14
3. Daniel Barnes (GB) Spectra Racing p/b DAS at 3:36.
A full day at the British cyclocross championships:
Australian Men’s Road Race Championship 2025
Perth cycling icon Luke Durbridge (Jayco AlUla), won a fairytale victory in his hometown, taking out the elite men’s road race at the 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships. After spending almost the entire 177-kilometre race in the breakaway, initially with Conor Leahy (CCACHE x BODYWRAP), then solo from 70km to go, the 33-year-old crossed the finish line metres ahead of his teammate, Lucas Plapp. Giving up his own chance to win an unprecedented four titles in a row, Plapp gifted the Western Australian an unforgettable national title after bridging across to him with one lap (13.6km) to go.
The pair entered the finishing straight on Fraser Avenue with over a minute in hand to their nearest rival. That gave Durbridge ample time to drink in the applause of his friends, family and fans who had lined the streets of the Kings Park and Perth CBD circuit on Sunday afternoon. Durbridge was mobbed by supporters as he made his way to the podium on the Kaarta Gar-Up Lookout overlooking the spectacular Perth skyline and Swan River. It was redemption for Durbridge after he missed out on a medal in Thursday’s individual time trial when he missed the final corner.
The victory comes 12 years after Durbridge first won the elite men’s road race national title in Ballarat. It’s his sixth Australian title, including the four he has won in the individual time trial. Durbridge said he hadn’t intended to move so early in the race, admitting his winning move was “a little ambitious”. Liam Walsh, the 23-year-old from CCACHE x BODYWRAP has proved himself as a rising star of Australian cycling domestically and improves on his sixth-place finish from last year.
Australian RR champion, Luke Durbridge (Jayco AlUla): “That was amazing, I just want to say thanks to the whole team. What they did behind me, not just Plappy, everyone behind was just blocking all day which allowed me to just do my ride. I laid it out there pretty early, I was maybe a bit too ambitious, but that’s the way I race. When Plappy came past he said ‘hold the wheel’ and he gave it to me, he’s a gentleman and I really appreciate that, I will never forget that. Thanks to my teammates, the GreenEDGE Cycling boys, this is my family, it’s always been my team, and I’m just really, really proud to wear this jersey.”
Australian Men’s Road Race Championship Result:
1. Luke Durbridge (Aus) Jayco AlUla in 3:52:19
2. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 0:05
3. Liam Walsh (Aus) CCACHE x BODYWRAP at 0:58.
Australian champs’25:
Australian Women’s Road Race Championship 2025
Twenty-year-old youngster Lucinda Stewart (Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team) upset the favourites, winning the Elite Women’s Road Race at the 2025 AusCycling Road National Championships in Perth, Western Australia.
Stewart launched her sprint on Fraser Avenue and comfortably came around fellow breakaway ally Ella Simpson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) to become the Australian elite and under-23 women’s national road race champion. The Melburnian from Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club becomes the first rider since Sarah Gigante in 2019 to win both Australian titles in the same race.
Stewart was part of a five-rider breakaway that sprinted for victory in Kings Park after holding the peloton at arm’s length for much of the 109-kilometre race. The combined elite and under-23 women’s road race was held over eight laps of a picturesque circuit around Kings Park and the Perth CBD. On the second lap, five riders broke away: Stewart, Simpson, Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) and Western Australians Cassia Boglio (Swan Drafting CC) and Sophia Sammons (Praties Cycling Team) went up the road in what looked like a formulaic breakaway of developing and domestic riders. They were briefly joined by Lauren Thomas (McLardy McShane Insurance Advisors-Bomad Cycling), who couldn’t hold the pace. The quintet opened a significant gap to the peloton, reaching a maximum of six minutes with 60km to go, before the favourites behind began to make accelerations.
Big names including Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), Amber Pate (Liv AlUla Jayco), Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek), Anya Louw and Alex Manly (both AG Insurance – Soudal Cycling Team) were active over the next phase, but the stop-and-start attacks only reduced the gap to five minutes with 40km to go, and the race looked to be slipping out of their grasp. Pate and Spratt finally escaped from the peloton with 38km remaining. But, at the bell, when the attackers still had three minutes over Pate and Spratt, it was clear there would be a surprise winner from the early break. The group of five arrived together at the base of the final climb up Malcolm Street, the steep hill that peaks 400 metres before the finish in Kings Park.
Simpson drove the pace up the climb and only Stewart, who had spent most of the race sitting at the back of the break, could follow, opening a small gap to their rivals. Hometown favourite Boglio hung tough to finish with a deserved bronze medal, while Sammons and Alyssa Polites (Meridian Blue Cycling p/b 99 Bikes) completed the U23 podium in that order.
Australian RR champion, Lucinda Stewart (Liv AlUla Jayco Continental team): “I don’t know what to say, I feel so much pride racing in these colours. I look up to these girls, my teammates so much and I respect them and I know how strong they all are. To be the only rider in the breakaway I knew I had to pull it off for Liv AlUla Jayco and that there was no other option other than winning. I am so happy. I knew the team had confidence in me and I just really wanted to pull it off for them. I wanted Amber Pate to come across as I know how strong she is, but it is so special to get this win. I am proud that I could do it. I leave for Europe on Tuesday to go to my team camp and meet all my teammates for the year, so it will be very special to take the jersey with me.”
Australian Women’s Road Race Championship Result:
Lucinda Stewart (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team in 2:46:59
Ella Simpson (Aus) St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93
Cassia Boglio (Aus) Swan Drafting CC.
Australian champs’25:
Australian Men’s Time Trial Championship 2025
Luke Plapp has started his season in the best way possible. The 24-year-old took the 2025 Australian time trial title on Thursday. The Jayco AlUla rider managed to beat Jay Vine in an exciting duel. Brodie Chapman won the women’s race.
A week before the first WorldTour race of the year, the Tour Down Under, Australia’s best time trial riders fought for the national titles against the clock. The national championships were held in Perth, the capital of the Australian state of Western Australia, on a course of 38.4 kilometres on a relatively flat road.
Before the start, Luke Plapp, two-time Australian time trial champion, was the favourite. Jay Vine, also a past champion, and former champions Luke Durbridge and Michael Hepburn. The race was a duel between Plapp and Vine. Plapp held onto his title, but he had to give it everything to beat Vine. The difference at the finish line was only just over 8 seconds for him to hold the Australian time trial title. Kelland O’Brien (Jayco AlUla) was third at almost a minute. For Plapp, this is his third time trial title, and his sixth national title with the pros, he has also been road champion three times.
Australian TT champion, Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla): “I’m super happy with that. It’s my favourite event in the world to be honest, the national time trial championships. I love training over the summer here in Australia for this event and it’s super special to go back-to-back with the team.”
2nd, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG): “It’s great to get things started after a good off-season behind me. Second is a good result, though obviously I would have preferred to be on the top step. But hats-off to Luke who put in a very strong ride and deserved the win. Looking at the positives, I know the shape is there and it bodes well heading into Sunday’s race and importantly also for the Tour Down Under, where I’m excited to be heading back to, together with a very strong UAE Team Emirates XRG crew. It’s going to be an exciting few weeks ahead.”
Australian Men’s Time Trial Championship Result:
1. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco AlUla in 46:33
2. Jay Vine (Aus) UAE Emirates XRG at 0:09
3. Kelland O’Brien (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 0.55.
Australian men’s time trial championship podium:
Remco Evenepoel Misses the Soudal-Quick-Step Team Presentation
Soudal-Quick-Step presented their team and plans for the 2025 season to the press on Thursday afternoon. The riders for the Tour Down Under were also in Calpe, Spain, even though the first WorldTour race in Australia starts next week. There was one very important rider missing: Remco Evenepoel. He had to miss the presentation because of a medical scan.
The double Olympic champion hit a car door, while training in Belgium in early December and was seriously injured. He had fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and right hand. He also had two bruised lungs and a dislocated collarbone. The rehabilitation will take months.
Evenepoel and his wife were recently in the south of Spain for some relaxation and study time for Oumi. After their break, Evenepoel returned to Belgium for a scan in Herentals, which was on Thursday, the same day as the Soudal-Quick-Step team presentation in Calpe.
His team said it is a key moment in his recovery. “At this moment we are fully committed to getting Remco in his best physical condition as soon as possible,” the Belgian team said. It was previously announced that a comeback before April is unlikely. The Giro d’Italia also seems to be out. Evenepoel gave an update on his recovery to the journalists at the presentation via a video link, you can read below.
Evenepoel in hospital:
Remco Evenepoel Speaks of his Future via a Live Link at the Soudal Quick-Step Presentation/Media Day
The double Olympic champion had to have a scan on Thursday morning and received good news and had his first physiotherapy session on Thursday afternoon. Evenepoel spoke via a live link to the journalists at the Soudal Quick-Step presentation in Calpe, Spain.
What was the result of Remco’s scan?
“I had my scan on Thursday morning. With positive news, because the result was good. After that, I was able to start my first session with the physiotherapist in Herentals right away. So my rehabilitation can finally start now. We are taking it day by day. We want to be sure that everything is 100% recovered. I have to strengthen my muscles. A nerve on the outside of my shoulder has been hit. As a result, the outside feels a bit dead. The pain is bearable, except when getting up. Then it feels like twenty trucks have run over it. There is also no muscle reaction yet. We have to keep an eye on that. But the most important thing is that I can start now.”
You hope to return in the Ardennes classics, those are very hard races.
“Yes, the Ardennes classics are difficult to make a return. But I know those races well, so that is a plus and positive. Moreover, I am going to start a little earlier, in the Brabantse Pijl. That makes it a little easier. Also for the motivation, because that is a race close to home. After that, the Amstel Gold Race, the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège follow. Those are specific races to restart, but it is feasible. A one-day race is easier than Paris-Nice or a Giro d’Italia. That is why the Giro is completely off the table. I know that I now have three months. That is enough space to be good in the Brabantse Pijl. Liège is also only two weeks later. It is a risk, but we are confident.”
Is it hard not to be in Spain and with the team at the presentation?
“That was and is very difficult to accept. I am literally lying in bed, my condition (race form) is deteriorating by the day, while everyone else is now improving their form. The gap is growing by the day. I have not done any sports exercises for five weeks now. Not on the bike, not in the gym. And I took a holiday before that. That means that I have not done anything for about ten weeks now. It is difficult to live with that. I have experienced it before. These are low points in my career. The contrast with my successful summer is great. Although I know what needs to happen. I am also more positive by the day. Around New Year I also sought out the sun for a while, knowing that it might be the last relaxation for the coming months. But that did me good.”
You missed the first two training camps. What about the third?
“That is in two weeks and I will not make that either. From now on I can go to the gym every day and train on the rollers. My shoulder is not yet ready to absorb the shocks of the road. That is why there is no point in going to the next camp. Whether I am on rollers there or here: it does not matter. The doctors hope that I will be able to train outside for the first time on February 3 or 4.”
Could this injury also affect the level you can reach in the Tour?
“Let me put it this way: if there is one thing I can be happy about, it is that this injury occurred in December. We also had to make a decision now and that is why I am not riding any spring races. I want to be 200% ready for the Tour de France. Maybe we will add the Tour de Romandie after the four hilly Classics, to have a few more racing days in my legs. After that we want to copy last year’s preparation. I have no doubt that if I follow that path, I will be in very good shape for the Tour. There are still seven months until then. There is time. That is why the Tour is now the main goal. If things don’t go well in the Ardennes Classics, it’s part of the process towards the Tour de France. That’s how I’m looking at it in the coming period.”
Tim Merlier is also going to the Tour, will that clash with your ambitions?
“No. Tim and I went to the United States together for wind tunnel tests last autumn. We talked about it a lot there. Tim is the fastest in the peloton. If you know that the first day is a bunch sprint, he is the European champion and can take yellow in Lille, near his hometown: then you take Merlier along to the Tour. He and Bert Van Lerberghe know that they have to protect me during the day. But after that they can do their thing in the sprints. In the mountain stages it will be the same: they have to drop me off at the foot of a climb and then they have to come in on time. We are mainly looking at UAE Emirates and Visma | Lease a Bike. They will want to control again. We don’t have seven riders for that and that is why we are focusing on two goals: Tim’s sprints and my classification.”
Are you mentally ready for fight back?
“Definitely. My days will be busy. Two-hour sessions with the physio in the morning, half an hour to two hours on the rollers in the afternoon. That’s nice. Mentally, I’m also ready. I don’t care how long I have to be on the rollers. I’m happy that I can do this again. But I’m not going all in right away. Then I won’t recover properly. My shoulder is the most important. That nerve needs to improve. If that goes well, I can scale up. I’m looking forward to that, because I have a lot of catching up to do.”
Would you be happy with third overall and a white jersey in Paris?
“I do want to get closer to the final victory. If that detail is in your contract with the same results, then I’ll sign blindly. I want to be closer. That’s a step in the right direction. I want to improve everything. If you want to win the Tour, every aspect counts. I was third, so I still have to catch up two. I have to develop myself. Not only as a rider, but also as a person. Hopefully I will be ready to win the Tour one day. I was pretty close last year. I got a taste of it. We also know what we have to improve. That is why I am trying to come out of this period stronger. I have to be patient and wait for the right moment. I am only focusing on the Tour. Everything else is unfortunately secondary. That is not in my nature, but that is how it is.”
Remco Evenepoel’s provisional race program:
18.04: De Brabantse Pijl – La Flèche Brabançonne
20.04: Amstel Gold Race
23.04: La Flèche Wallonne
27.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège
08.06: Critérium du Dauphiné
05.07: Tour de France
21.09: UCI World Championship Kigali TT
28.09: UCI World Championship Kigali RR.
Looking forward to training and the Tour:
Tim Merlier and Bert Van Lerberghe Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
The announcement was made during the team’s presentation in Calpe
European Champion Tim Merlier and his trusted lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe have agreed on a new deal with Soudal Quick-Step, which would see them remain with the Wolfpack until the end of 2028.
Tim has joined our squad ahead of 2023, and has since became one of the fastest riders in the world under the guidance of our staff, racking up a total of 27 victories, including the continental title, a hat-trick of Giro d’Italia stages, Nokere Koerse twice and Scheldeprijs, the oldest race in Flanders.
“Ever since my days as a young rider I had this dream of racing for this team one day, and now, to extend my contract after just two seasons means a lot. I have a lot of beautiful memories from the past two years, I have won a lot of races and I want to continue doing so in the next four years. This season will be a special one, as I will compete with the European Champion jersey on my shoulders, and I would love to show it in the Tour de France and get a stage victory there. At the same time, it’s great to remain on the same team as Bert. We have known each other since we were kids, we have a strong bond which can be seen in the races we do together and we hope to have the same successful partnership that we have enjoyed until now.”
Bert, who is part of the team since 2020, is more than Tim’s lead-out man, it’s his best friend, their strong relationship dating back to their pre high school days, when the two of them were just 12 years old. In the past couple of seasons, Van Lerberghe played a vital role not just in Tim’s successes, but also in many of the team’s cobbled Classics wins.
“All the wins that I played a part in are important to me, but the most memorable ones are those of the 2021 Spring Classics campaign and the ones of Tim. We trust each other 100% and this makes things easier for us when we are in a race”, Bert added. “I’m very happy to stay here, I feel great and love the atmosphere in the squad. Soudal Quick-Step is a special team, the best team for me, and I appreciate their confidence, something which only motivates me to continue giving my best.”
Three years more for Merlier and Van Lerberghe:
Tim Merlier Starts the Season in AlUla Tour
The European Champion is confident and motivated ahead of his third year with our team
Just like in 2023 and 2024, Tim Merlier will kick off his campaign in the Middle East, at one of the region’s most important races, the AlUla Tour, which between 28 January-1 February will hold its fifth edition. Last year, the two-time Belgian Champion picked up two impressive wins that helped him seal the points classification there before travelling to the UAE Tour.
The World Tour event, which will now take place between 17-23 February, was another competition on which Soudal Quick-Step’s fast man made a significant impact in 2024, sailing to three stage victories and the green jersey, a feat not seen since the race’s creation. Now, Tim – who has recently agreed to extend his contract with the Wolfpack until the end of 2028 – will be back at the start of the two races clad in the beautiful European Champion jersey, and will be hoping for another solid outing.
“I’m aiming for another strong start to the season and I don’t think that’s a secret. It would be nice to win more stages again in AlUla and UAE. At the same time, it will be special to have this special jersey on my shoulders, but I won’t feel any pressure, as I’ve already won dressed in it since my victory at the European Championships, last September”, said 32-year-old Tim ahead of his third season as a Soudal Quick-Step rider. “From the Middle East I will return home and then focus on my first race there, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. It’s an important classic that on paper should end up in a bunch sprint, so it would be nice if this were to happen, as I’d very much like to be in the fight for victory.”
Merlier to start the season in the AlUla Tour:
Bauke Mollema Looking Forward to the 2025 Worlds
Bauke Mollema will start his penultimate season as a professional cyclist next week in the Tour Down Under. The 38-year-old rider is looking forward to one race in particular in 2025: the World championships in Rwanda. “It would be something to really pull out all the stops there,” he said in an interview with AD.
“A first World championship in Africa, that really makes me happy. Isn’t that great? I’ve never been to Africa. I’m not counting a holiday in the Seychelles. Although that is formally Africa. But I don’t just want to go there to visit a special continent. I really want to make it a goal,” he continued.
Mollema hopes to perform as well in Rwanda as he did at the World championships in Zurich, where he finished in 12th place. “That’s why I want to approach the upcoming season the same way as last year, with maybe two or three altitude training camps in the run-up to the World championships.”
The Dutchman doesn’t yet know what will happen between the Tour Down Under, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the World championships. Mollema himself hopes to be selected for the Giro d’Italia, but also knows that with the competition within the team, that is no easy task. Mollema will have to show it himself in the coming months to qualify.
Is that difficult? “Of course it is sometimes difficult. I am the type of person who thrives on clarity. That I can work towards a big goal. You don’t have to rush me into something at the last minute. But after all these years, I still feel the drive to set goals, the motivation is still there.”
Bauke Mollema wants to go to Africa:
Ethan Hayter Ready for a New Chapter in his Career
Reigning British Champion Ethan Hayter is one of the seven new riders on Soudal Quick-Step’s roster for this season, and the 26-year-old is excited to get things started in a couple of weeks.
“It’s been pretty easy to settle in the team. I didn’t know any of the guys before apart from speaking with some of them in races, but that’s one of the many things I like about this team, that despite not knowing anybody, I immediately got a warm welcome. We have had some smooth training camps in Calpe so far, combining the photoshoots with training sessions, and I am satisfied with how things went.”
One of the most successful British riders in recent years, with a palmarès that includes almost 20 victories on the road but also multiple Olympic and World medals on the track, Ethan will make his debut for the team in the Middle East, at the Muscat Classic, which will be followed by the Tour of Oman, a race where the Wolfpack has scored a total of eight wins at the previous participations, including one overall title.
March will see the Londoner compete in two hilly French races, the Ardèche Classic and Drôme Classic – scheduled on the very first weekend of the month – and Ethan is motivated to grab any opportunity that will arise, as he is keen on having a strong start to the year in the Soudal Quick-Step colours.
“It will be my first time going to Oman, which is nice, because I get a change from what I was used to. Actually, it will be my first time in the Middle East and I’m looking forward to the hilly races there. I am also looking forward to the French weekend, which should be a nice experience. Then, if all goes as planned, I am scheduled to be at the start of Catalunya, followed by Basque Country – two other important races where I could find some opportunities”, Ethan explained. “I don’t know what to expect from this season, but I do know what I want: to enjoy racing again, get some nice wins, and if this happens and I take a victory in the first weeks of the year, we’ll see what I can do next.”
Ethan Hayter ready for a new start:
Benoit Cosnefroy has to Postpone the Start of his Season
Bad news for Benoît Cosnefroy in the run-up to the 2025 season. The 29-year-old Frenchman will soon have to have surgery. The Classics specialist is struggling with a knee injury and has to postpone the start of his season.
“Benoît has been struggling with knee pain for several weeks, which is disrupting his preparation for the season. He will undergo surgery next week, after which he will have to recover for four weeks before he can resume normal training. We will then communicate about his competition programme”, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale wrote on their social media.
Cosnefroy started the season last year in France, with the Étoile de Bèsseges, Classic Var and Tour des Alpes-Maritimes. These races are too early for him this year, so he will be out of action for the coming weeks. Cosnefroy had 49 days of racing in 2024. He won seven races, most of his victories came in France, but he also won the Belgian semi-Classic, Brabantse Pijl.
Knee injury for Cosnefroy:
Three More Years for French champion Paul Lapeira with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
Paul Lapeira will stay with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale for at least another three seasons. The 24-year-old rider and current French champion, has extended his contract until the end of 2027.
“This extension came about naturally,” he said in a team press release. “I have been able to develop myself within the structure of Decathlon AG2R in recent years. Given the great progress I have made, I wanted to stay longer. I am therefore happy to extend my contract for another two years, until the end of 2027. I believe that I am in the right place to continue improving over the next three seasons and to help the team achieve the best possible results. I have confidence in the future of the team, in the vision of the team.”
Last year, Lapeira took his first professional victories. He won the Classic Loire Atlantique and Cholet Agglo Tour in the spring and a stage in the Tour of the Basque Country. Later in the year, Lapeira became French road champion and won La Polynormande. The Frenchman also took fifth place in the Amstel Gold Race and top ten places in the Coppa Agostoni, Faun Drôme Classic and the Trofeo Laigueglia and eleventh in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Lapeira extends with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale:
Jayco AlUla has Removed Caleb Ewan from the Team Website
Has Caleb Ewan ridden his last race as a professional cyclist, or is he moving team before the season starts? The Australian sprinter was not selected by Jayco AlUla for the Tour Down Under and now the Australian team has removed his name and profile from their website.
In December Caleb Ewan was not on the Jayco AlUla team list the Tour Down Under (21-26 January). This was strange since he usually starts his season in his own country. Ewan has been successful in his home race in the past, with nine stage wins. Now Ewan doesn’t appear on Jayco AlUla website. However, the sprinter has an ongoing contract with the WorldTeam until the end of 2025. Is this a sign that Ewan will soon announce the end of his career, or has he found a new team? Which ever it is, it doesn’t look like he will be racing with the Jayco AlUla team in 2025.
Ewan was one of the best sprinters in the peloton, but in recent years his results have been disappointing. In October 2023, Ewan ended his contract with Lotto Dstny, by mutual agreement, after months of arguing with his team boss Stéphane Heulot. He then signed a two-year contract with Jayco AlUla, where had raced until 2018. He had hopes of reviving his career. Last season he was the second sprinter in the team to Dylan Groenewegen, who won a stage in the Tour de France. Ewan did win three UCI races last season, but nothing in the big races. XDS Astana at one time were interested in signing Ewan to replace Mark Cavendish, but an agreement was never found.
Caleb Ewan – Finished or moving on?
2025 Season Commences as Squad Announced for Tour Down Under
Vine leads strong team on home soil
UAE Team Emirates is pleased to announce its seven-rider strong squad for the first WorldTour race of the season, as the UCI WorldTour’s No.1 ranked team heads to Australia for the Santos Tour Down Under (21-26 Jan).
As is tradition, the 25th edition of the Tour Down Under will be raced in and around the city of Adelaide, with the first stage kicking off from Prospect on 21 January. Six stages long in total, the Tour Down Under will likely be decided on the iconic Willunga Hill on stage 5, but opportunities await for both puncheurs and sprinters alike throughout the course of the race.
This race was won by UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Jay Vine in 2023, and the Australian climber is back for more this time around.
Having recovered from a devastating crash at the Itzulia Basque Country last spring, Vine ended the 2024 campaign in fine form, winning both the King of the Mountains Classification at the Vuelta a España and the Mixed Relay TTT with his Australian compatriots at the UCI Road World Championships in Zürich.
Vine: “I’m really looking forward to the race. I had a really good summer of preparation in Australia and excited to get back to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, a place where I have some amazing memories. We have a really strong team for the race and are aiming for some big results.”
Looking to perform strongly on home turf once more, Vine will be joined in Australia by recent Vuelta a España stage winner Marc Soler (Spa), Olympic gold medalist Rui Oliveira (Por), and four riders making their WorldTour debuts for UAE Team Emirates-XRG: Rune Herregodts (Bel), Julius Johansen (Den), Jhonatan Narváez (Ecu), and Pablo Torres (Spa).
The team will be guided by Sports Director Fabio Baldato (Ita) and the seven-rider group will also take to the start of the Villawood Men’s Classic on Saturday 18 January.
The Soudal Quick-Step Team Presented in Calpe
Our team – who sits on 984 UCI wins since its inception – will aim to remain among the best in the world also this year
Ten days before the first World Tour race of the season, Australia’s Tour Down Under, Soudal Quick-Step’s team for 2025 – our 23rd consecutive season in the peloton – was presented to the sponsors and media that assembled in the conference room of the Suitopia Sol y Mar Hotel in Calpe, but also to our many fans around the world, who had the chance to watch the event live on our YouTube channel.
The event got off by inviting former CEO Patrick Lefevere on the stage to talk about the team’s achievements in the previous year, before receiving a stunning custom-made Specialized bike whose beautifully designed frame featured some of the incredible numbers that he left behind after more than 40 years as team leader: 1578 (total wins), 195 (Grand Tour stages), 92 (National Championships) and 39 (Monuments).
New Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jürgen Foré took to the stage to speak about his experience over the past year – his first with the team – during which he acted as COO: “I enjoyed working together with Patrick, it was a good way to familiarise with the team and to discover the world of cycling. I was impressed by his care for the staff. The foundation of the Wolfpack is our experienced and committed staff. Always there to go the extra mile, and open to innovate. Patrick selected them with care, and I am blessed to continue to work with all of these people. We also focused on bringing all the expertise together in a better structured performance follow-up, while focusing on all aspects that matter in modern cycling: class material, aerodynamics, training, nutrition, sleep, mental and medical follow-up of every individual rider. Next to that, we worked hard on improving our return to the sponsors, investing more in social media and an individual plan for each partner of the team.”
“Another thing that we did last year was continuing to invest in our structure, with the growing importance of our women’s and development teams. We are proud to offer an inclusive project to our partners, offering opportunities to 88 male and female riders, and 93 staff members. An international group, with 16 different nationalities. Organised in two different companies, with strong crossovers for those activities that we do jointly”, explained Foré, before going on to talk about the team’s new faces.
This year, a total of seven riders have joined the Wolfpack, and Soudal Quick-Step’s CEO is confident they can bring an important contribution to the squad’s success: “We are pleased with our new riders, who were selected carefully by Patrick and myself. With Andrea we see a young talent of our incredible Devo team joining the World Tour squad. With Valentin and Gianmarco we have invested in young climbing talent. Dries, Pascal and Max come with a lot of experience for both Classics and Grand Tours. And we are sure that a team like ours can bring Ethan to his best level ever. We strongly believe that these new riders will strengthen our current team, which already is a successful one, and that with the fantastic support of our sponsors we can achieve some more beautiful things also this year.”
Soudal Quick-Step’s 30-man roster for the 2025 season: Ayco Bastiaens, Mattia Cattaneo, Josef Cerny, Pascal Eenkhoorn, Remco Evenepoel, Gianmarco Garofoli, Gil Gelders, Ethan Hayter, Antoine Huby, James Knox, Yves Lampaert, Luke Lamperti, Mikel Landa, Junior Lecerf, Paul Magnier, Tim Merlier, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Casper Pedersen, Andrea Raccagni, Pepijn Reinderink, Maximilian Schachmann, Pieter Serry, Martin Svrcek, Dries Van Gestel, Bert Van Lerberghe, Ilan Van Wilder, Warre Vangheluwe, Mauri Vansevenant, Louis Vervaeke, Jordi Warlop.
2025 Soudal Quick-Step Team presentation:
UAE Team Emirates-XRG Looking to Build on Historic 2024 Season
- UAE Team Emirates-XRG poised for more success in 2025
- 2025 season to kick start in Australia for the Tour Down Under
UAE Team Emirates-XRG will enter the 2025 season hungry for more success after a record-breaking 2024. Talisman Tadej Pogačar led the charge for the Emirati squad in 2024, but it was the strength in depth and ability to win on multiple fronts with multiple riders that was the hallmark of the season. A staggering 20 different riders claimed victories, shattering a record that had stood for 24 years.
2024 began in dominant fashion for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Debutant Isaac Del Toro burst onto the scene at the Tour Down Under with a stage win and an overall impressive performance to claim the Young Riders Jersey. Adam Yates claimed victory at the Tour of Oman before rising star Juan Ayuso followed suit with a brilliant display of power and tactics at the Itzulia Basque Country to take home his first professional stage race win. In the buildup to the Tour de France, Adam Yates and Joao Almeida showcased their spectacular form, achieving a remarkable four 1-2 finishes at the Tour de Suisse, with Yates sealing the General Classification.
The second half of the season belonged to Marc Hirschi. The Swiss ace was unstoppable, claiming an exceptional six consecutive race wins, from the Czech Tour to the Memorial Marco Pantani, Hirschi soared to levels rarely seen in the professional peloton.
It’s impossible to talk about the success of UAE Team Emirates-XRG in 2024 without highlighting the brilliance of Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian superstar delivered a season for the ages, dominating classics to Grand Tours and everything in between. His astonishing 81KM solo attack at Strade Bianche was an early warning to rivals, which was followed by another emphatic solo victory at Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
The Giro d’Italia became a showcase of perfection in pink, with Pogačar winning six stages as well as the general classification by an extraordinary 9 minutes and 56 seconds. After a short break, Pogačar returned for the Tour de France, where two modern greats were set to battle it out for supremacy. Pogačar held the Yellow Jersey by 3 minutes and 9 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard after two weeks of racing before fans witnessed relentless dominance from the Slovenian in the final week. Pogačar claimed six stage wins on his way to securing his third Yellow Jersey by an incredible 6 minutes and 17 seconds.
Having completed the first Giro-Tour double since 1998, Pogačar set his signs on one thing, the Triple Crown. At the World Championships, in true Pogačar style, a 100KM solo attack was launched, leaving all rivals in his wake to secure cycling’s rare Triple Crown, the first man to do so in 37 years.
The new season is fast approaching, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG are set to hit the ground running. The team will kick off their campaign at the Tour Down Under, with Jay Vine eager to shine on home soil. From there, the squad heads to the UAE Tour, where UAE Team Emirates-XRG will be aiming to reach the top step once again at the team’s home race. The spring classics will take centre stage from March, offering thrilling and unpredictable racing, before the Giro d’Italia marks the start of the Grand Tour season in May. All eyes will be on July 5th as the biggest sporting event in the world begins, with Pogačar targeting his fourth Tour de France title. The season will then wrap up with La Vuelta and Il Lombardia, two key races rounding out an action packed 2025 for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
With impressive new signings and exciting race schedules, the team is gearing up for another year of gripping competition. Fans can expect plenty of fireworks as the squad aims to cement their position as the best in the world, promising another unforgettable season ahead.
Q36.5 Unveils the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team’s 2025 Kit
Aerodynamics, Comfort and Thermoregulation at the Highest Level
Worn by British champion Tom Pidcock, the new kit of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team stands as the most advanced product line ever to come out of Q36.5’s laboratories, thanks to its unique combination of aerodynamics, comfort, and thermoregulation. Q36.5, the Italian brand leader in technical cycling apparel, is proud to present the new kit for the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for 2025. For 2025, Q36.5 will supply the riders of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team with its most advanced kit ever, characterised by the intelligent combination of aerodynamics, comfort and cutting-edge thermoregulation which it believes to be the new frontier of performance advantages in elite cycling.
Dottore Pro and Gregarius Pro Bib Shorts
For the first time, riders will use both the iconic Dottore Pro Bib Shorts, the summation of ten years of intense exploration of the technologies that represent the future of high-performance cycling bib shorts, and the Gregarius Pro, a bib short totally re-engineered for 2025 with 100% proprietary components to offer riders the most free, unrestricted and “not-even-there” on-bike feeling without any compromise to the ultimate comfort and ergogenic support that is Q36.5’s signature. Riders will be able to choose either the Dottore or Gregarius according to their personal preference, riding style, or specific demands of the day’s parcours.
Gregarius Jersey
The Q36.5 Gregarius Jersey combines four proprietary fabrics with advanced body mapping to provide the greatest versatility to athletes during the intense and unpredictable conditions of professional races. As always with Q36.5, this versatility is primarily achieved through the development of their own fabrics that enhance the athlete’s thermoregulation, combined with features of aerodynamics and muscular support.
2025 also sees the introduction of a new Q36.5 Radar logo. The Radar logo, together with the Research Scientist wording, are exclusive to the team’s kit.
The radar represents the feeling of preparedness that Q36.5 equipment offers professionals in the face of extreme conditions and adventures as well as the radar focus needed to succeed at the highest level. The Research Scientist moniker is an homage to our riders unparalleled role in exploiting the unique characteristics of Q36.5 equipment, pushing it to its very limit day in day out and feeding our R&D team with continuous insights into what the future of high-performance cycling clothing can be. Nobody in the world better understands and contributes to the development of Q36.5 technology than our Research Scientists.
Luigi Bergamo, CEO and Head of Research & Development at Q36.5 states: “After two years of intense feedback and development with our team, the 2025 kit represents our most advanced and complete racing and training clothing system ever, from the choice between different bib shorts for different riding styles and parcours to aerodynamic improvements to skinsuits and all accessories to a radical new pair of racing shoes”.
“The new design looks slick and very fresh. As the saying goes, look good, feel good”, comments Tom Pidcock, athlete for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. “From my first ride out in Q36.5’s Dottore bib shorts I knew I was in very good hands and wouldn’t have to worry about being comfortable in the saddle this year. I am excited about the relationship I can build with the team at Q36.5 and to see what their trust in us brings, we will be their “research scientists” as they put it. I am looking forward to seeing our feedback being used towards product improvement across the range”.
Doug Ryder, General Manager of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, says: “This is our third season working with this innovative Italian brand. A partnership like this works both ways. We get the best clothing there is on the market which enables us to perform at the highest level. Q36.5 gets to work with our riders as the research scientists of the road. The feedback they provide is incredibly valuable for an apparel brand. Together we look forward to an exciting season. I am sure there is not a challenge we can’t overcome together in 2025”.
The kit is already available on the q36-5.com website and in top cycling stores
Solution Tech is the New Main Sponsor of the Toscana Factory Team
A new chapter begins for Serge Parsani’s Team, which welcomes Solution Tech as the new main sponsor of the Tuscan team.
Solution Tech, an Italian company founded in 2002 in Abano Terme, is a leader in the renewable energy sector. Founded by a team of professionals with extensive experience in the industry, the company has quickly earned the trust of thousands of customers, having installed over 15,000 solar energy systems for homes, businesses, schools, and public services in Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, totaling over 260 megawatts of clean energy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Solution Tech as our new main sponsor and grateful for the trust they have placed in our project,” said Serge Parsani, Team Manager of the Team. “This is a highly significant company, one of the leaders in Italy when it comes to photovoltaic systems. This will be their first experience sponsoring a cycling team, and we are determined to reward them with results that can give great visibility to their brand.”
“I decided to support the Toscana Factory Team for one simple reason: passion” explained Mirko Ferro, CEO of Solution Tech. “As a young man, I raced bicycles, and this sport has always remained close to my heart. With this partnership, my goal is to promote cycling, especially youth cycling, in my area and further strengthen our company on a national and international level. We are already leaders in the Veneto region for photovoltaic systems, and with this partnership, we aim to enhance our image in Italy and Tuscany, where we already have numerous customers, taking advantage of the visibility this collaboration will offer us.”
Corratec replaced by Solution Tech:
KASK and INEOS Grenadiers Extend Partnership
New multi-year agreement sees the successful collaboration, which began in 2010, continue
KASK, the renowned Italian helmet manufacturer, and INEOS Grenadiers, the British UCI WorldTour team, have extended their partnership, reaffirming their commitment to developing top-quality cycling helmets which maximise performance and comfort, without compromising on safety.
The collaboration is one of the longest running in the UCI WorldTour, dating back to the team’s inception in 2010. Since then, they have grown to become the most decorated outfits of the modern era, achieving 12 Grand Tour victories to date alongside three Monument successes, two Hour Records, and numerous UCI WorldTour wins.
Since the partnership began, INEOS Grenadiers have been actively involved in the R&D process of KASK’s flagship helmets, leading to the creation of numerous iconic models. The Valegro offers lightness, ventilation and comfort while the Mistral and Bambino Pro Evo push the boundaries of aerodynamics, specifically in time trials. The Elemento set new benchmarks for all-round performance upon its release in 2023, and the introduction of the Nirvana last year elevated KASK’s aero road offering to an entirely new level. All five models will be used by the team during the 2025 season.
KASK General Manager Diego Zambon said: “We’re delighted our partnership with INEOS Grenadiers has been extended. Their input into the design and development of our helmets has been invaluable since we began working together in 2010. Their meticulous attention to detail and uncompromising approach to performance has driven us to constantly improve our helmet range and meet those responsibilities. We’re truly proud to continue the partnership and look forward to achieving much more together in the future.”
INEOS Grenadiers CEO John Allert said: “Our long and successful partnership with KASK has always been built on innovating helmet design for both rider safety and performance. Together we have set new standards in both, over the past 15 seasons. Extending this important relationship continues this philosophy and ensures our riders have the very best helmets at every race, for every terrain and type of weather.”
Brabantse Pijl Will Not Start in Leuven
The Brabantse Pijl will no longer start in Leuven in the coming years. The start of the Flemish race is moving to Beersel, a municipality south of Brussels. The Brabantse Pijl will start in Beersel at least until 2029.
Since 2008, the Brabantse Pijl has started in Leuven, the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant. Seventeen editions of the Brabantse Pijl started in Leuven. But the Brabantse Pijl will start in Beersel from this year. Organiser Flanders Classics announced that they have signed an agreement until 2029.
The most recent Brabantse Pijl was won by the Frenchman Benoît Cosnefroy. He beat Dylan Teuns and Tim Wellens, in the finish in Overijse.
Last year’s winner – Cosnefroy:
The Tour of Norway Will Have a Women’s Race
The Tour of Norway (2.Pro) has been organising a men’s race since 2011, but this year there will be a race for women for the first time. “This is a milestone for the Tour of Norway,” race director Roy Hegreberg proudly announced.
“For the first time, we are organising a women’s race alongside the men’s race, something that has never been done before in Norwegian cycling history,” the Tour of Norway wrote on their website. “The women’s race will take place from 31 May to 1 June, on the same course as the men’s, which is an important step forward for Norwegian cycling and gender equality in the sport.”
Race director Roy Hegreberg is talking about a milestone for his race. “And it is a fantastic opportunity to promote women’s sport. We are excited to see both women and men compete during the 2025 Tour of Norway.” The women’s race will consist of two ‘challenging stages on varied terrain, which will create a great atmosphere.’ The announcement of the route is still pending. The organiser is busy behind the scenes to finalise everything. “We look forward to releasing more information in the coming months.” The new Tour of Norway is not the only Scandinavian women’s race in 2025. The Women’s WorldTour stage race Tour of Scandinavia (formerly the Ladies Tour of Norway) is on the program again this year. Due to financial problems, this race could not take place in 2024.
The women will also race in Norway this year:
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