A full Monday EUROTRASH with all the news from Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where Tadej Pogačar dominated the finale in the men’s race and Kimberly Le Court surprisingly won the women’s event. We also catch-up with the Tour of the Alps and the Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo. All the video action, results, reports and the rider quotes.
TOP STORY:
- Eddy Merckx: “Pogačar or Evenepoel? Pogačar looks most like me”
Rider news:
- Tadej Pogacar not the fastest on the Mur de Huy
- Jonas Vingegaard starts his Tour preparation
- Pascal Eenkhoorn impressed by Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar having fun
- Mattias Skjelmose not badly injured in Flèche Wallonne crash
- Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali: UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s rising Emirati superstar
- Alejandro Valverde to race on Canyon bikes
Team news:
- Soudal Quick-Step and AG Insurance – Soudal launch #SHINEFORSAFETY initiative
- Team 7‑Eleven is back for one epic day at Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike welcomes SKIL as new official partner
- EF Pro Cycling partners with Knog to illuminate the ’25 season
Race news:
- Very young top 10 in Flèche Wallonne – Pogacar was the oldest
- The new Maglia Rosa of the Giro d’Italia unveiled, with IUMAN by its side
Monday EUROTRASH coffee time.
TOP STORY: Eddy Merckx: “Pogačar or Evenepoel? Pogačar Looks Most Like Me”
Eddy Merckx is recovering from his second hip operation to correct the first surgery following a cycling accident. Merckx has spoken about his health and about current cycling, mostly Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel. “Pogacar is riding at a lonely height”, he told HLN before Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
“I suffered hard for three months and twelve days, but now I am much better again”, Merckx said about his physical condition. “I also started cycling again. Last month I was not allowed to do anything at all. The last two weeks I had to lie down completely because of that blood flow. Cycling is still my life… I still like to cycle in my own way. I won’t say that I am nervous, but I am still on tenterhooks to start cycling again in good weather.”
Merckx will be watching his television on Sunday, for Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The absolute top favourite for La Doyenne is Pogačar, Merckx thinks. “The way he rode away from the rest on the Mur de Huy… Unbelievable. It was as if the others were standing still. Really impressive. He is certainly the best rider, the most complete too. He still has some opposition in the classics, but not in stage races. Only from Vingegaard and Evenepoel, perhaps. He is riding at a lonely height.”
Merckx, who is now 79 years old, is nevertheless also impressed by Evenepoel. “I didn’t expect him to be so good already. I was already surprised in the Brabantse Pijl, but even more so in the Amstel, because that is a race of 250 kilometres. He has already done fantastically.”
Merckx was asked who of the two had the best chance of winning on Sunday. “Pogačar, anyway. He is a bit more complete. Yes, he looks most like me. But generations are hard to compare. The race is very different now than it used to be, in terms of equipment, preparation… There is also too big a difference between Evenepoel and Pogačar on the one hand and the rest of the competition on the other.”
‘Pogačar. Yes, he looks most like me’:
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates XRG) has added Liège-Bastogne-Liège to his palmarès for the third time. A duel was expected between the World champion and Remco Evenepoel, but the Slovenian rode away in the style we have become accustomed to, as Evenepoel was on an ‘off day’. The Slovenian attacked on La Redoute and soloed to victory. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) were second and third.
The route was packed with familiar climbs such as the Côte de Stockeu (1km at 12.5%), Côte de la Haute-Levée (2.2km at 7.5%), Col du Rosier (4.4km at 5.9%) and the Côte de Desnié (1.6km at 8.1%). The finale had the Côte de la Redoute (1.6km at 9.4%), Côte des Forges (1.3km at 7.8%) and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons (1.3km at 11%).
The first attacks were not given any space, but after 20 kilometres the ‘break of the day’ was formed. Mathis Le Berre (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Hannes Wilksch (Tudor), Stan Van Tricht (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious), Sakarias Koller Løland (Uno-X-Mobility/7-Eleven), Kamiel Bonneu (Intermarché-Wanty), Eduardo Sepúlveda (Lotto), Rayan Boulahoite & Valentin Retailleau (TotalEnergies), Ceriel Desal, Johan Meens & Henri-François Renard-Haquin (Wagner Bazin-WB) were the early leaders on the road. The peloton allowed the lead to increase to 6 minutes, but UAE Emirates XRG and Soudal Quick-Step, for top favourites Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel, didn’t let it get any bigger. On the Col de Haussire, the second climb of the day, there was a counter-attack from the peloton. Former Liège winner, Bob Jungels saw his moment and was joined by his teammate, Tobias Foss, over the summit.
The two INEOS riders hoped to cross to the leaders, but that was gap of almost 5 minutes. Foss and Jungels chased for a long time, but behind them the pace had increased in the run-up to the important climbs of the Côte de Wanne, Côte de Stockeu and the Côte de la Haute-Levée. The peloton, which had been thinned out by Pogacar’s men, caught the two on the descent of the Côte de Wanne. UAE Emirates-XRG didn’t slow down, and increased the pace even further, in the hope of tiring out the others early in the race. On the short but very steep Côte de Stockeu, riders were being dropped with still 80 kilometres to go. The same was happening in the lead group. Haig, Le Berre, Løland, Sepúlveda and Boulahoite were the only riders left at the front. The pace stayed high, but the favourites were keeping their powder dry for later. The Côte de la Haute-Levée and Col du Rosier were climbed together and this was the end of the day for the five remaining break riders on the last climb. Lidl-Trek then took control of the race. The strong team were working for Mattias Skjelmose and Giulio Ciccone, to keep them close to the front before the Côte de Desnié.
On the Côte de Desnié, UAE Emirates XRG continued their hard work and some action was expected. The hoped-for fireworks didn’t materialise and so we would have to wait for the iconic climb of the Côte de la Redoute. The peloton wanted to be ready for the climb and there was a battle for the best positions on the run-up. Not all the top men were well positioned when turning onto La Redoute. World champion, Pogacar, was in a good place, but Evenepoel had been pushed back in the peloton during the hectic fight. He had to make a big effort in the first few metres to get back near the front. Pogačar took advantage of the situation and made his first move. The Slovenian took a big gap and started the descent of La Redoute with a nice lead. Evenepoel had to pass one rider after the other, but he looked to be fighting a losing battle. The chase would have to come from the men still at the front: Tom Pidcock and Ben Healy, but they lost more and more ground. Was this a repeat solo winning performance from the top favourite?
Pogačar managed to extend his lead even further between La Redoute and the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, the final climb. Pidcock, Healy, Ciccone and (surprisingly) Alaphilippe just kept losing time on the flying Slovenian. Evenepoel was not having a good day, he didn’t give up, but he wasn’t in a position to worry Pogačar… or even the chasers. The World champion rode up the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons through the thousands of fans lining the road and he kept pushing on the flat kilometres to the Quai des Ardennes in Liège. After another impressive solo of more than 30 kilometres, Pogačar had as much time as he liked to celebrate his third victory in Liège. At only 26 year of age, he took his third victory in Liège and his ninth Monument. This puts him level with Costante Girardengo, Fausto Coppi and Sean Kelly. After Pogačar finished, there was still the battle for the podium. Ciccone and Healy had ridden away on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons and held off a large group of pursuers in the finale and would sprint for second and third places. Ciccone was the fastest and finish second, ahead of Healy. Simone Velasco (XDS Astana) took fourth, ahead of Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) in fifth place.
# You can see more photos in the full ‘PEZ Race Report’ HERE. #
Race winner, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG): “It feels great to finish the first part of the season like this. I’m just happy that the whole season so far went perfect. It wasn’t the plan to attack on La Redoute, but it was such a hard pace before that I saw a number of teams didn’t have a lot of teammates anymore. I said ‘OK, I’ll test my legs a little bit and see if I can get a gap on the top’ and then I’ll decide if I continue or not. Then I just committed because I had good legs – also on the second climb after La Redoute. I could go to the finish, so I’m super happy. At first, Soudal were controlling the bunch and racing on the front all day. At one point they all disappeared from the front. I was thinking maybe they were saving their legs for La Redoute because you can save a lot in the bunch. But then on La Redoute I looked around and Evenepoel wasn’t close on my wheel, but that was also good motivation to go at that point. I’m looking forward to a bit of a break now and then building up to the next part of the season.”
2nd, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek): “I feel really tired, but at the same time very happy – and, when you are happy, you feel the fatigue way less. I don’t want to say that finishing 2nd behind Tadej Pogačar is like a victory, but it definitely is a good feeling. It was something new for me to race Liège off the back completing the Tour of the Alps, as they are very different races. The Tour of the Alps is less stressful and features longer climbs, so the first three hours of racing today felt a bit confusing for me. When Tadej Pogacar attacked, I just focused on myself and setting my own tempo. I knew I didn’t have the legs to follow him, so I just made the best use of my energy. Liège is one of my favourite races. It means a lot to finish on the podium, just a few months after doing the same at Il Lombardia. It makes me very happy, especially as it comes just 10 days before the Giro.”
3rd, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost): “This is what I have worked all winter for. I really had my eyes set on this race. The podium was the goal. Had I been able to win, it would have been great… but I’m super happy to finish off some great teamwork. Nobody can match Tadej’s acceleration, as he proved in the Mur de Huy. It’s his killing move. Our plan was to pace ourselves up La Redoute, but then some other favorites attacked and we just raced full gas from then on. I was a different rider two years ago, when I came 4th in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I’m now smarter than I was then, as I got more race experience. I’m definitely progressing every year.”
5th, Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek): “I didn’t expect this. But it is a race where anything is possible if you get over the Redoute in a larger group. I was then able to benefit from the men who kept the race going behind Tadej Pogačar. After that, it was a matter of surviving and then riding a good sprint. I was suffering from serious cramps on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. I gave my teammates the freedom to race in the final, because I was afraid of cramps in the sprint. However, I found a gap in the sprint itself and started from far away. It’s a lot to take in at the moment. It was really a race full of emotions. I felt great on La Redoute, but I couldn’t really recover from that effort afterwards. I was really close to cramps. I went to the car for pickle juice. The cramps wasn’t completely gone after that, but I was still good enough to sprint to fifth place. I have to say: now that I’ve ridden the race, this race suits me a bit better than I expected. The course of the race here is often to the advantage of my type of rider. The Amstel is still a bit more exhausting. If you can handle the climbs well in the final, you can ride a big result. I expected more from the Flèche Wallonne, but there wasn’t more in it then and so I have to accept that. I do think I can build on this for the future. I also had a very good day today. I want to return to the hilly classics, with the goal of winning one of the three races one day.”
59th, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step): “You should not expect everything from me. I am not a robot. The fatigue is coming out now. No, I am not sick. I said beforehand: it will be day by day. I have to wait and see how it goes every time. These are long and tough races. I have to accept a good day, but also a bad day. The thing now is to keep working. On the Redoute the best was already gone. I did not feel good there. My poor positioning? If you are good, you automatically race and ride to the front”
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Emirates XRG
2. Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 1:03
3. Ben Healy (Irl) EF Education-EasyPost
4. Simone Velasco (Ita) XDS Astana at 1:10
5. Thibau Nys (Bel) Lidl-Trek
6. Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Lidl-Trek
7. Daniel Felipe Martinez (Col) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
8. Axel Laurance (Fra) INEOS Grenadiers
9. Tom Pidcock (GB) Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
10. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-EasyPost.
Liège’25
Liège-Bastogne-Liège – Women 2025
Kimberly Le Court has made history. She is the first Mauritian rider to take the victory in the women’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, or any Monument. The 29-year-old AG Insurance-Soudal leader beat Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) in the sprint after a thrilling final.
On Sunday we had the last Classic of this spring – Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The women’s race was looking for a successor to the now retired Grace Brown. With former winners Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen, Flèche Wallonne winner Puck Pieterse, Elisa Longo Borghini, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Lotte Kopecky and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. A top class start-list. The women’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège raced through the Ardennes over a distance of 152.8 kilometres. There were ten climbs on the route including the Côte de Stockeu (1km at 12.5%), Côte de la Haute-Levée (2.2km at 7.5%), Col du Rosier (4.4km at 5.9%), the Côte de la Redoute (1.6km at 9.4%), Côte des Forges (1.3km at 7.8%) and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons (1.3 km at 11%).
The battle for the early break, broke out soon after the start. Eight riders eventually managed to get away from the peloton and build up a good lead. Solbjørk Minke Anderson, Fariba Hashimi, Danielle de Francesco, Victorie Guilman, Tiril Jørgensen, Constance Valentin, Sylvie Swinkels and Laura Molenaar had a maximum 5 minutes on the bunch. This escape didn’t last long, as they were caught 60 kilometres from the finish. The next attack was not long in coming: it was Maeva Squiban who made her move before the Côte de la Redoute. The young French rider of the UAE Team started the 2 kilometre climb with a lead of more than 30 seconds. On La Redoute, there were no attacks, but the peloton was splitting. For many riders it was too fast at this stage of the race. The main victim was Elisa Longo Borghini. The Italian champion, one of the top favourites, was on a bad day and didn’t see the front of the race again. Vollering, Pieterse, Ferrand-Prévot, Van der Breggen, Kopecky and Niewiadoma were still there at the front.
When most of the riders were trying to catch their breath, Pauliena Rooijakkers attacked. Third placed in last year’s Tour de France Femmes was joined first by Antonia Niedermaier and then by Cédrine Kerboal and the recovering Anna van der Breggen. These four had a 20 second lead on the chase group, where it was up to FDJ-SUEZ and Movistar to do the chase work. The four leaders started the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons with a small lead. Van der Breggen put the pressure on and only Kerboal was able to join her. They were eventually pulled in by the three strongest climbers in the race: Vollering, Pieterse and Kopecky. The Belgian was in trouble on the climb, but managed to survive. On the flatter kilometres to the Roche-aux-Faucons, they started to look at each other, and it was Kerboal who took advantage of the situation. The EF Education-Oatly rider jumped away and took a lead of 15 seconds. Pieterse didn’t want to loose out and attacked again on the last sections of the climb. This proved to be too much for Kopecky. The Belgian cracked and looked like she had lost her chance of victory. Pieterse, Kopecky and Kimberly Le Court had Kerboal within reach. With 9 kilometres to go, there was a regrouping.
There were now four contenders for the victory: Vollering, Pieterse, Kerboal and Le Court. The group with Kopecky, who had her teammate Van der Breggen, were at 30 seconds with 5 five kilometres to go and seemed to be out of the race. Vollering and Pieterse wanted to work together, but Kerboal and Le Court held back, maybe saving something for a late attack. That attack didn’t come and so there would be a sprint finish. Le Court was the fastest finisher in the group and in the last few hundred metres she pulled in Vollering and passed her for the victory. Pieterse was on her wheel to finish in second place, Vollering was third. Kerboal missed out on the podium in fourth place. The sprint for fifth was won by Kopecky from the chase group.
# You can see more photos in the full ‘PEZ Race Report’ HERE. #
Race winner, Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal): “I’m speechless. I suffered a bit today with my breathing. I couldn’t breathe, I was dropped back several times, but I never gave up. My sports director in the headset and all my teammates gave me so much motivation every time I came back. Julie van de Velde’s effort to get me back in the peloton, and really everyone else, played a big role. It’s proof that you should never give up. At the end, I saw that I had the legs in La Roche-aux-Faucons and I really settled into my rhythm. I just kept my rhythm, I had confidence in myself, I told myself not to push too hard at the beginning and to save a little for the end, and I came back strong at the end. I closed the gap on Demi (Vollering), Puck (Pieterse), and Lotte (Kopecky). My legs were starting to cramp a bit in the last 5 kilometres. But my DS Jolien [D’Hoore] told me to start the sprint on Demi’s wheel if we arrived in a group with her, and that’s what I did. I cramped too when I started sprinting but I never gave up. I can’t believe it. It’s crazy.”
2nd, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “It was a nice race and I’m happy to finish off the Spring season like this. I was still there in the final as one of the strongest. I’m just super happy it went as well. It’s (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes) climbs of up to four minutes and I think that’s just something that suits me. I already knew from the mountain bike, it’s something that suits me. It’s super cool that we have some races on the road that have exactly those kind of climbs. In 2024 I did my first half Spring campaign, I stopped after the Tour of Flanders and then I came back for the Tour de France and it was just super cool and a bit out of the blue to win that stage here. I was so happy to be back here today and it gave goosebumps to be riding to the finish here again. It’s been a good Spring, it started good and it ended good, and I’m happy I could end it like this with three podiums in a week! Next I have rest week and then I’ll start my mountain bike campaign.”
3rd, Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ): “Today the hormones were against me, I’m a woman, they suffer from a monthly problem. I fought all day, really sluggish. My body temperature was very high all day and it was also very warm. This was the highest I could do, every inch of my body didn’t want to go today. Actually I’m quite happy with third place. You try to get the most out of it. Sometimes you still get through it, but today I really didn’t have the strength in my legs.”
5th, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime): “This is not what we came here for. I rode a pretty good race, but on the last stretches of the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons I had to let them go. That’s where I lost the race. I didn’t feel bad. I just had to go to the Roche-aux-Faucons with confidence. The first part also went well. When that rider from EF (Cédrine Kerboal) took off, Demi and Puck (Vollering and Pieterse) didn’t want to take over. And then I had to let go. It’s just a very difficult climb. I may have had trouble hanging on for the first part, but there were only four riders left. That’s no shame. Of course I was still hoping for that. It’s just a shame that we were already able to catch them on the Roche-aux-Faucons. If they could get over the climb, that would have been ideal of course. Wow. When I look at how my winter went, I should just be very happy with my victory in the Tour of Flanders. I started to feel better week after week. I have to pull myself up from that. I now have to let everything sink in for a week, and then start my preparation for the Tour with full enthusiasm.”
Liège-Bastogne-Liège – Women Result:
1. Kimberley Le Court de Billot (Maur) AG Insurance-Soudal in 4:15:42
2. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck
3. Demi Vollering (Ned) FDJ-SUEZ
4. Cedrine Kerbaol (Fra) EF Education-Oatly
5. Lotte Kopecky (Bel) SD Worx-Protime at 0:24
6. Marlen Reusser (Sui) Movistar
7. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ) Lidl-Trek
8. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita) Liv AlUla Jayco
9. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Pol) Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto
10. Yara Kastelijn (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck.
Liège’25
Tour of the Alps 2025
A brilliant Stage 4 of racing unfolded on the roads of East Tirol (Osttirol), with a solo raid of 80km by the INEOS Grenadiers’ Dutchman Thymen Arensman, earning him both the stage victory and the Melinda Green Jersey with one stage to go. Behind him, Canada’s Derek Gee crossed the line in second, followed by Australia’s Michael Storer, who mounted a valiant solo chase. Just 11 seconds now separate Arensman and Storer ahead of the showdown in Lienz.
The peloton rolled out from Sillian with the notable absence of Britain’s Hugh Carthy. Just 7 km into the race and over the Austria-Italy border, six riders broke clear: Jasch (RedBull-BORA-Hansgrohe), Engelhardt (Jayco-AlUla), Heiduk (INEOS Grenadiers), Bouchard (Decathlon-Ag2r), Pietrobon (Polti-VisitMalta), and Zangerle (Team Vorarlberg). The break quickly gained almost four minutes, but Lidl-Trek and Bahrain Victorious ramped up the pace on the Passo di Sant’Antonio, closing the gap. Bouchard, suffering from the cold, dropped out shortly after the descent.
The race ignited on the Kreuzbergpass/Passo di Monte Croce Comelico with Arensman, Dunbar, and Prodhomme launching an attack. They reached the breakaway but were soon joined by Caruso, Poole, Hindley, Gee, and Storer. On the descent, Arensman went solo, increasing his lead across the flat terrain of the Pustertal/Val Pusteria. Behind him, the chase splintered, with Bouwman, Prodhomme, and Gee at 1:20, Herzog, Poole, and Zangerle in pursuit, and the Green Jersey group trailing by more than two minutes.
On the climb to Anras, Gee dropped Bouwman and shaved a few seconds off Arensman’s lead. Meanwhile, Storer, over three minutes behind, attacked with Gall and Ciccone before continuing solo in an effort to salvage the jersey. Arensman, Gee, and Storer maintained their pace up the Tessenbach climb. Other GC hopefuls couldn’t respond. At the base of the Kartitscher Sattel, Arensman led by 23 seconds over Gee, 1:58 on Storer, and over 3:20 on the rest. The final climb confirmed the day’s hierarchy: Arensman soloed to victory, while Gee, tiring, managed to fend off Storer’s late charge. Gall, Ciccone, and Caruso gave it one last effort to secure fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. In the GC, Arensman leads Storer by 11 seconds, with Gee at 2:15, followed by Ciccone (+3:17), Gall (+3:21), Caruso (+3:41), Bardet and Poole (+4:14), Hindley (+4:17), and Cepeda (+4:23). France’s young sensation Seixas, a standout revelation earlier in the week, plummeted out of contention with a delay of over 10 minutes.
Cycling at its purest and most spectacular. Thursday saw the Tour of the Alps deliver one of its most thrilling and brutal displays, painting a vivid picture of grit and glory on the roads of its stage 4, between Sillian and Obertilliach in Osttirol. The route was peppered with climbs, challenging and well-distributed, but it was the raw effort and direct confrontation among the GC contenders that defined the day—racing without hesitation or tactics. In the end, it was the boldest and strongest who triumphed: Thymen Arensman of INEOS Grenadiers. His audacious move began with 80km to go, in cold conditions and with rain hitting in the final kilometres. It was a standout performance that brought the Netherlands its first-ever stage win in the history of the Tour of the Alps (and its predecessor, Giro del Trentino), as well as Arensman’s first victory in INEOS Grenadiers colours. Arensman also claimed the Melinda Green Jersey as leader of the General Classification, snatching it from a defiant Michael Storer, who gave it everything but refused to back down. The Australian’s response was just as impressive: realising the GC lead was slipping away, the Tudor Pro Cycling rider attacked on the Anras climb with 35km remaining, dropping the rest of the contenders. His third place on the stage and a 1:23 gap to Arensman weren’t enough to retain the lead, but he remains firmly in contention for the final overall victory in Lienz, a city etched in the memory of the 2022 edition when both riders stood on the final podium, Storer in second and Arensman in third, behind Romain Bardet.
Canada’s Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) slotted into second on the stage at 1,446 metres in Obertilliach, and climbed to third overall, now 2:15 down on Arensman. Behind the leading trio, Gall, Ciccone, and Caruso finished the stage 3:44 down, with Poole losing 4:29 and young Seixas over 10 minutes. Significant gaps that reflect one of the most dramatic, unpredictable and emotional days of racing in this early part of 2025.
Stage winner and overall leader, Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers): “The start was super cold, and I was also really cold but I know I go quite well in the cold weather. Straight after the descent, everyone was really cold and Lidl-Trek lit it up and then it was only a small group left. It was quite tactical and I just figured ‘why not, just send it’. I went and I for a moment I thought ‘it’s actually quite far on my own’, but I felt pretty good. I knew everybody was tired from the cold weather. I kept pacing myself and fuelling well. It’s unbelievable. I remember the stage from 2022, together with Romain Bardet and actually also Michael Storer from the GC group and we rode away. Romain took the GC and I took the young rider classification, and now the green jersey. Let’s try to hold it tomorrow. It’s going to be hard but I think everybody will feel the legs after today.”
2nd on the stage and 3rd overall, Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech): “I’m really happy with how my legs are responding as the race progresses. It’s taken me a few days to get into the rhythm, but I’m feeling better with each stage. The weather was terrible all day, and the race exploded at the start with groups everywhere. Fortunately, I managed to get out on the road and try my luck. Tomorrow is going to be very difficult, but if my legs keep up like this, I think I could be fine. It’s going to be really tricky.”
4th on the stage and 5th overall, Felix Gall (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale): “Riding on my home roads was good, but to be honest, I couldn’t make the most of it because the weather was cruel. It was so cold… I think all the riders were fighting the cold. It was very chaotic, and it was difficult to have visibility in the race today. The team did a good job protecting me throughout the stage. I tried to get close and managed to catch the break a bit. Then I tried to break away from the pack twice, but in the end, they caught me. I don’t think there was much to do today; we didn’t make any major mistakes. I’d say it was a very difficult day. I did my best. I hope there’s some sun tomorrow for the final day of racing.”
5th on the stage and 4th overall, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek): “The stage was very tough from the initial flat section, and the weather made it even more difficult. We maintained a very high pace from the start. During the first climb of the day and on the descent, we all suffered from the cold to the point where we were almost frozen. It was almost more of a survival challenge than a cycling race, and honestly, I have to admit that I suffered a lot too. As I’ve said in recent days, I hope we’ll go all out from the first kilometre tomorrow, and after a day like today, it will be even harder for everyone to keep up with the best.”
8th on the stage, Davide Piganzoli (Polti VisitMalta): “A really difficult stage because of the rain and the cold right from the first climb. It was important to keep my body warm to hold on. In the final part, the fight was one on one to defend the position and even if I suffered some moments, I was able to recover. I’m happy to get into the top-10 of a very complicated day and I’m close to the lead of the young riders.”
Tour of the Alps Stage 4 Result:
1. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers in 4:17:04
2. Derek Gee (Can) Israel-Premier Tech at 1:18
3. Michael Storer (Aus) Tudor at 1:23
4. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 3:44
5. Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Lidl-Trek
6. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
7. Max Poole (GB) Team Picnic PostNL at 4:29
8. Davide Piganzoli (Ita) Polti VisitMalta at 4:35
9. Romain Bardet (Fra) Team Picnic PostNL
10. Jefferson Alexander Cepeda (Ecu) EF Education-EasyPost.
Tour of the Alps Overall After Stage 4:
1. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers in 16:47:43
2. Michael Storer (Aus) Tudor at 11
3. Derek Gee (Can) Israel-Premier Tech at 2:15
4. Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Lidl-Trek in 3:17
5. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 3:21
6. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious at 3:41
7. Romain Bardet (Fra) Team Picnic PostNL at 4:14
8. Max Poole (GB) Team Picnic PostNL
9. Jai Hindley (Aus) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 4:17
10. Jefferson Alexander Cepeda (Ecu) EF Education-EasyPost at 4:23.
Alps’25 stage 4:
It was a day for Prodhomme and a one-two for Decathlon–AG2R with Seixas second across the line in Lienz’s Hauptplatz on Stage 5, the Australian soared up the Bannberg to claim the Melinda Green Jersey and the 48th Tour of the Alps. Arensman, the dominant force in Obertilliach, was forced out of the overall lead. Canadian Derek Gee rounded out the podium.
Just like the previous days, the final stage of the Tour of the Alps started at full throttle, with relentless attacks from the gun. At kilometre 20, a break of 14 riders got away: Kämna (Lidl–Trek), Mihojlevic (Bahrain–Victorious), Van Huffel (Picnic–PostNL), Herzog and Zwienhoff (Red Bull–BORA), Bouwman (Jayco–AlUla), Prodhomme and Seixas (Decathlon–AG2R), Eriksson (Tudor Pro Cycling), Rojas and Tarozzi (VF Group–Bardiani), Mattia Bais (Polti–VisitMalta), and Geismayr (Team Vorarlberg).
The peloton let the move go, with the gap peaking at 4:19 over the short 112.2 km stage. The leaders kept their margin over the first key climbs – the initial ascent of Bannberg and then Oberassling – and approached the second Bannberg pass with a 4:10 advantage. Behind, Tudor Pro Cycling set a fierce tempo, with Stork leading the charge and Storer glued to his wheel. Only Arensman could follow, but he began to falter on the steepest ramps. Storer made his decisive move and crested the Bannberg 30 seconds ahead of Arensman, soon joined by teammate Eriksson. The duo extended the lead on the rolling terrain before the final climb of Stronach.
Up front, Prodhomme and Seixas showcased their climbing prowess, while Storer powered up the brutal gradients of Stronach to finish 1:44 ahead of Arensman. In Lienz’s Hauptplatz, Prodhomme edged Seixas, with Herzog in third. Bouwman finished fourth and Bais, the top Italian, fifth. Behind them, the GC contenders, Poole, Ciccone, Hindley, Caruso, Riccitello, Gee, and Gall came in together, 4:03 behind Prodhomme and 2:02 behind Storer.
Seixas still had reason to celebrate, taking the Würth Red Jersey as Points Classification winner. The Blue Jersey for the Gruppo Cassa Centrale KOM Classification went to Finlay Pickering (Bahrain–Victorious), while Koen Bouwman earned the Bazr Black Jersey for most combative rider. The 48th Tour of the Alps closes with a crowning moment for Michael Storer – but also with a wealth of memorable stories: Ciccone’s brilliance in San Lorenzo Dorsino, Prodhomme’s breakthrough, Seixas’s rise, Arensman’s grit, and an all-star cast lighting up every kilometre across the Tirol–Südtirol/Alto Adige–Trentino Euregio. A race of surprises, heroics, and breathtaking scenery. Cycling, at its very best.
The strongest rider won – as it always happens on the roads of Trentino, Südtirol/Alto Adige, and Tirol. The toughest and most courageous, and the one who best interpreted another spectacular and compelling edition of the Tour of the Alps. On Friday, Lienz’s Hauptplatz crowned 28-year-old Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), an Australian with Italy in his heart. A decade on from Cadel Evans in 2014 and Richie Porte in 2015, Australia has found a new leading figure for stage races. Storer proved imperious on every kind of climb, from long drags to leg-breaking ramps like Bannberg and Stronach. Once again, the iconic ascents of Osttirol were decisive. Storer dropped Thursday’s star Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) on the steep gradients and claimed what had narrowly eluded him in Lienz back in 2022 – the Melinda Green Jersey. France shone again in the grand finale of the Tour of the Alps, with another powerful showing from Decathlon–AG2R. Nicolas Prodhomme and Paul Seixas broke away in tandem and arrived together in Hauptplatz, echoing last year’s success by Aurélien Paret-Peintre in Levico Terme. In a chivalrous gesture that spoke volumes of his class and promise, the rising star Seixas gifted the stage win – his teammate’s first as a pro – to the more experienced Prodhomme. Behind them, Germany’s Emil Herzog (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe) rounded out the podium.
In the general classification, Storer finished 1:33 ahead of Arensman, with Derek Gee (Israel–Premier Tech) taking third at 4:07. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl–Trek) was the top Italian, finishing fourth after winning the opening stage and wearing the first green jersey in San Lorenzo Dorsino. Local favourite Felix Gall (Decathlon–AG2R) placed fifth at 5:13, followed by veteran Damiano Caruso (Bahrain–Victorious) at 5:33.. Max Poole (Picnic–PostNL) won the FORST White Jersey for best young rider, finishing seventh at 6:06 and repeating his 2023 achievement. The final top ten was completed by Jay Hindley (Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe), Matthew Riccitello (Israel–Premier Tech), and Romain Bardet (Picnic–PostNL), in his farewell Tour of the Alps ahead of his retirement after the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Stage winner, Nicolas Prodhomme (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale): “It’s been a really special and emotional week for us. We came in aiming for a stage win and to support Felix Gall and Paul Seixas in the GC. Michael Storer was clearly the strongest over the five days, so today we went all in with Paul for the stage. I honestly didn’t expect to get my first pro win this week. To take it alongside Paul made it even more memorable. I’ll be happy to support him towards his victories in the future – he’s an incredible talent. A first win like this can be a real mental breakthrough. I’m going into the Giro d’Italia with an extra gear now.”
Final overall winner and 8th on the stage, Michael Storer (Tudor): “I knew I was coming into the Tour of the Alps in great shape, but I still managed to improve over the week. Compared to previous editions, the level was even higher – we were racing incredibly fast, which explains the bigger time gaps. On the second ascent of the Bannberg, my teammates launched me, and then Lucas Eriksson supported me perfectly through the final section. Next up is the Giro d’Italia. Some people are already talking about a top-five finish, which is nice to hear. A win like this definitely boosts my confidence. But nothing will change in our preparation – my coach and I have a very precise plan, and I believe I can show up in top form ready to fight. I love the Tour of the Alps. No other race has such a strong regional identity. It’s no surprise that so many riders are always happy to see it on their calendar. Personally, I’m thrilled to have won it – and I already can’t wait to be back.”
5th on the stage, Mattia Bais (Polti VisitMalta): “I was able to stay in the breakaway group, and then when they went away I was always at the front. I finish the Tour of the Alps in great shape, which has been improving during the race. The winners of the Decathlon were the best and I’m happy to have been able to finish 5th.”
6th overall, Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious): “We have to be satisfied with the week. We lost our leader to sickness, but the reaction of the team was more than positive. We’ve managed to bring home the KoM jersey and also I managed to show good form, which confirms that we’re doing the right things in the build up to the Giro. I’m confident that personally I’ll be in top condition for the Giro, ready to perform my main role, which will be to look after Antonio. And if the occasion presents itself, it was be good to go for a stage too – that would be a perfect May from my point of view.”
KOM, Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious): “First up, it’s nice to come back and finish the race, because last year I only managed part of the first stage, so I’ve put a few demons to bed! And to get the jersey as well, it’s just super – at least now I have something to show for being a pro bike rider, so I’m happy! It’s always hard going in the breakaway, but each day is another day on the bike, and I enjoy riding my bike!”
Tour of the Alps Stage 5 Result:
1. Nicolas Prodhomme (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale in 2:58:54
2. Paul Seixas (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
3. Emil Herzog (Ger) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 0:29
4. Koen Bouwman (Ned) Jayco AlUla at 1:08
5. Mattia Bais (Ita) Polti VisitMalta
6. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Israel-Premier Tech
7. Manuele Tarozzi (Ita) VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizane
8. Michael Storer (Aus) Tudor at 1:20
9. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers at 3:04
10. Max Poole (GB) Team Picnic PostNL at 3:23.
Tour of the Alps Final Overall Result:
1. Michael Storer (Aus) Tudor in 19:48:08
2. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:33
3. Derek Gee (Can) Israel-Premier Tech at 4:07
4. Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 5:09
5. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 5:13
6. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious at 5:33
7. Max Poole (GB) Team Picnic PostNL at 6:06
8. Jai Hindley (Aus) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 6:09
9. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 6:33
10. Romain Bardet (Fra) Team Picnic PostNL at 6:46.
Alps’25 stage 5:
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo 2025
The First Stage of the Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo was won by Steff Cras. The 29-year-old Belgian of the TotalEnergies team beat Marc Soler (UAE Emirates XRG) in a two-man sprint after a difficult finale. This was his first professional victory and he took the overall lead.
The opening stage had a fair amount of climbing. In the final in particular, there were two steep climbs over the Alto del Fitu (7km at 8%) and the Alto de la Torneria (6.1km at 5.7%).
Cras and Soler were the strongest climbers of the day and broke away together before the finish in Llanes. The Belgian beat the home rider in the sprint. Soler’s teammate, Alessandro Covi, finished third. The Italian was the fastest from the chase group. That group also included Alex Molenaar, the Dutchman in the Spanish Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team, was fifth just behind Guatemalan, Sergio Geovani Chumil of Burgos Burpellet BH.
Stage winner and overall leader, Steff Cras (TotalEnergies): “It was a tough stage. The team responded well. I won the first stage. I want to see how my legs perform tomorrow, but I’m not giving up on fighting for the overall.”
2nd on the stage and overall, Marc Soler (UAE Emirates XRG): “The team did a good job to control the early break for a lot of the stage and on the hard climb of the Fitu, Cras attacked and we formed a group of eight riders. There was a bit of a lull before the final climb and myself and Cras jumped away and built up a good gap which we kept to the line. He was quicker than me in the sprint but we arrived at the same time and have a decent gap on the others in the GC so it’s a promising start to the week.”
5th on the stage and overall, Alex Molenaar (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA): “We had a great race, and we were all very strong at the front. I was able to stay with the best in the Soler break, but it was a shame they caught us before the final climb. There’s still a race to go; we have a good team, and we’re going to keep fighting.”
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Stage 1 Result:
1. Steff Cras (Bel) TotalEnergies in 4:01:53
2. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG
3. Alessandro Covi (Ita) UAE Emirates XRG at 1:01
4. Sergio Geovani Chumil Gonzalez (Guat) Burgos Burpellet BH
5. Alex Molenaar (Ned) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
6. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies
7. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
8. Pau Marti Soriano (Spa) Israel Premier Tech Academy
9. Ivan Cobo Cayon (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
10. Antonio Pedrero Lopez (Spa) Movistar.
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Overall After Stage 1:
1. Steff Cras (Bel) TotalEnergies in 4:01:53
2. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG at 0:04
3. Alessandro Covi (Ita) UAE Emirates XRG at 1:07
4. Sergio Geovani Chumil Gonzalez (Guat) Burgos Burpellet BH at 1:11
5. Alex Molenaar (Ned) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
6. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies
7. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
8. Pau Marti Soriano (Spa) Israel Premier Tech Academy
9. Ivan Cobo Cayon (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
10. Antonio Pedrero Lopez (Spa) Movistar.
Asturias’25 stage 1:
Iván García Cortina won the Second Stage of the Vuelta Asturias. The Movistar rider won the stage from the early break. Marc Soler is the new overall leader. Steff Cras, who started the stage as leader, had to abandon.
The second stage of the Vuelta Asturias went from Benia de Onís to Pola de Lena. Steff Cras started the stage as leader after his impressive victory in the opening stage. On day two, the Belgian had to work hard right away, because the final of the stage had many tough climbs.
There was a strong early break with Iván García Cortina (Movistar) and Julius Johansen (UAE Emirates XRG). The Spaniard and the Dane were the strongest of the leading group and dropped the others in the final. The duo’s lead over the peloton was quite large and it looked like the two would fight for the victory. In the peloton, disaster struck for leader Cras before the real finale. The TotalEnergies rider crashed on one of the descents, after which he had to abandon. A huge blow for the 29-year-old Cras, who has already had a lot of bad luck in his career.
At the front of the race, García Cortina decided with 10 kilometres to go that it was time to attack. That had a lot to do with a counter-attack from Soler from the peloton. Soler was getting closer to the leading two, where García Cortina, since Johansen is Soler’s teammate, had to do all the work at the front. According to García Cortina, attacking was the best tactic. The Spaniard tried, but could not get Johansen off his wheels. The two then went to the finish line together in the pouring rain in Pola de Lena. García Cortina was able to deal with his fellow escapee and take the win. The Movistar rider took his fourth professional victory, almost three years after his last victory. Johansen was second, ahead of teammate Soler. He came in 41 seconds behind, but became the new overall leader.
Stage winner, Iván García Cortina (Movistar): “I know these climbs well; they’re the roads I always trained on. We had a big advantage over the peloton, and being able to finish like this is fantastic.”
3rd on the stage and overall leader, Marc Soler (UAE Emirates XRG): “A break of six went from the beginning with Johansen in there for us. A few teams started chasing hard and on the descent of the first climb and it started raining hard which complicated the race. There were several splits in the bunch and on the Cat.1 climb I went away solo. Julius was in the front covering Cortina and I was behind. He managed a good second place and I was third and took the leaders jersey . Steff Crass crashed on one of the wet descents which was a pity as it’s not the way you want to inherit a race lead. I wish him a speedy recovery. The goal now will be to keep the lead and try with Morgado and Covi tomorrow for the stage.”
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Stage 2 Result:
1. Ivan Garcia Cortina (Spa) Movistar in 3:48:33
2. Julius Johansen (Den) UAE Emirates XRG at 0:01
3. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG at 0:41
4. Hugo De La Calle Arango (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH at 1:21
5. Samuel Fernandez Garcia (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 1:23
6. Tomás António Morgado (Por) UAE Emirates XRG at 2:42
7. Adria Pericas Capdevila (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG
8. Txomin Juaristi Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
9. Fernando Diego Pescador Castro (Col) Movistar at 3:23
10. Alexis Guerin (Fra) Anicolor/Tien 21.
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Overall After Stage 2:
1. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG in 7:50:57
2. Hugo De La Calle Arango (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH at 1:51
3. Samuel Fernandez Garcia (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 1:53
4. Adria Pericas Capdevila (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG at 3:12
5. Txomin Juaristi Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
6. Alexis Guerin (Fra) Anicolor/Tien 21 at 3:53
7. Fernando Diego Pescador (Col) Castro Movistar
8. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 4:00
9. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies
10. Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH.
Asturias’25 stage 2:
Alessandro Covi won Stage 3 of the Vuelta Asturias on Saturday. The UAE Emirates XRG rider was the best in a bunch sprint in Vegadeo. Jordi López (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Iván García Cortina (Movistar) were second and third. Marc Soler, Covi’s UAE Emirates XRG teammate, held onto the overall lead.
After two very tough days in the Vuelta Asturias, stage three was slightly less difficult. There was still quite a bit of climbing in the 165.5 kilometres between Castropol and Vegadeo, with two categorised climbs. The top of the last climb was more than 50 kilometres from the finish, so the strong sprinters had a chance.
In the tougher first part of the stage, there was a lot of riders wanted to get into the early break. In the end, a group of seven riders managed to get away. The leading group still had a 2 minutes lead, 20 kilometres from the finish and it was looking good for the leaders. However, the peloton lifted the speed and the escapees were caught. There was going to be a bunch sprint finish in Vegadeo. Iván García Cortina, who won the second stage on Friday, started the sprint very early. The Spaniard was the first through the last bend, but was outpaced by Jordi López and Alessandro Covi on the final straight. Covi had a strong final sprint in his legs and the Italian took the stage win after two second places in the first two stages. It’s looking very good for the UAE Emirates XRG team, because Marc Soler will start the final fourth stage on Sunday as the leader.
Stage winner, Alessandro Covi (UAE Emirates XRG): “Morgado went in the breakaway, which was the plan so he could go for a result. That left the other teams to chase from the peloton. They got together and closed the gap to the six riders. Once they were caught, Soler did a huge effort to launch me in the sprint . He did 600 metres full gas and placed me perfectly on the wheel of Cortina who was the fast rider of the group. I was able to come around him in the end and take the win. I risked it a little putting my hands up on the line but I managed to hang on and I’m delighted.”
Carlos García Pierna (Burgos Burpellet BH): “They finally caught us inside the final kilometre. We went off very fast, and it was difficult to break away until almost the first climb. I was on track because none of us were in the general classification. However, a rider came in who was three or four minutes behind, and that was what bothered the peloton and didn’t allow us to fight for the stage. I had good legs, but I couldn’t get too far ahead to protect the team’s interests. We hope to have more opportunities in this or other races.”
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Stage 3 Result:
1. Alessandro Covi (Ita) UAE Emirates XRG in 4:04:57
2. Jordi Lopez Caravaca (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
3. Ivan Garcia Cortina (Spa) Movistar
4. Jason Tesson (Fra) TotalEnergies
5. Mats Wenzel (Lux) Equipo Kern Pharma
6. Iker Bonillo Martin (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
7. Antonio Angulo Sampedro (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH
8. Sergio Trueba Cagigas (Spa) Illes Balears Arabay Cycling
9. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
10. Alex Molenaar (Ned) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Overall After Stage 3:
1. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG in 11:55:54
2. Hugo De La Calle Arango (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH at 1:51
3. Samuel Fernandez Garcia (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 1:53
4. Txomin Juaristi Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 3:12
5. Adria Pericas Capdevila (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG
6. Alexis Guerin (Fra) Anicolor/Tien 21 at 3:53
7. Fernando Diego Pescador Castro (Col) Movistar
8. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 4:00
9. Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH
10. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies.
Asturias’25 stage 3:
Marc Soler won the 67th edition of the Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo on Sunday. The UAE Emirates XRG rider started the final stage as the overall leader, but he soloed to victory in Oviedo on Stage 4. Mattéo Vercher (TotalEnergies) was second on the stage and Alexis Guerin (Anicolor/Tien 21) was third. On the overall, Txomin Juaristi Arrieta (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was second and Guerin was third.
The battle for the final victory in the Vuelta Asturias looked to be over after three stages, but it was important for Marc Soler not to relax. In the final stage, the riders had to tackle a few tough climbs on the road to Oviedo. In the final, there was a lot of climbing, with the Alto del Violeo (3.6km at 8.4%) and the steep El Cristo climb (900 meters at 10.3%) as the final obstacle.
It was important for leader Soler to race from the front. The UAE rider got into a large leading group of 20 riders and because Soler kept attacking, the leading group exploded. The best climbers remained and then pushed on to the foot of the Alto del Violeo, where Soler once again attacked. This time he dropped his fellow escapees, to solo to Oviedo. Txomin Juaristi struggled on behind, to finish 4th on the stage and 2nd overall.
Soler crossed the finish line with a good lead and held the overall. For the 31-year-old climber, these are his first victories since his Vuelta win last year in the Lagos de Covadonga. It is the first time since 2018 that Soler has won a multi-day race. Behind Soler; Frenchman Mattéo Vercher, winner of the Tour du Doubs, crossed the line in second place. With Alexis Guerin, another Frenchman finished in the top three of the stage results.
Stage winner and final overall winner, Marc Soler (UAE Emirates XRG): “A large break went from the start and we were trying to get Pericas into the move to try and get him onto the podium. This didn’t work out so I attacked hard on the final climb and managed to go solo to the line and confirm the GC win and the stage. I’m really happy with the win and I must say a big thanks to my teammates.”
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Stage 4 Result:
1. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG in 3:14:39
2. Mattéo Vercher (Fra) TotalEnergies at 0:03
3. Alexis Guerin (Fra) Anicolor/Tien 21 at 0:16
4. Txomin Juaristi (Spa) Arrieta Euskaltel-Euskadi
5. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 1:16
6. Fernando Diego Pescador Castro (Col) Movistar
7. Unai Iribar Jauregi (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
8. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies
9. Alan Jousseaume (Fra) TotalEnergies
10. Jose Felix Parra Cuerda (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma.
Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo Final Overall Result:
1. Marc Soler (Spa) UAE Emirates XRG in 15:10:23
2. Txomin Juaristi Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 3:37
3. Alexis Guerin (Fra) Anicolor/Tien 21 at 4:15
4. Hugo De La Calle Arango (Fra) Burgos Burpellet BH at 4:27
5. Samuel Fernandez Garcia (Fra) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 4:51
6. Fernando Diego Pescador Castro (Col) Movistar at 5:16
7. Fernando Barcelo Aragon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 5:20
8. Joris Delbove (Fra) TotalEnergies at 5:24
9. Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego (Spa) Burgos Burpellet BH at 5:26
10. Jan Castellon Ribalta (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 5:29
Asturias’25 stage 4:
Tadej Pogačar Not the Fastest on the Mur de Huy
Tadej Pogačar blasted away for all the other riders on the Mur de Huy in Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne. The Slovenian was by far the strongest on the steep final climb and crossed the the finish line 10 seconds ahead of second placed Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), but his time of 2:55 isn’t the fastest.
Pogačar didn’t come close to the top time of Alejandro Valverde and Julian Alaphilippe. The Spaniard put up a very good time on the Huy in 2014 to take his second victory in the Flèche Wallonne. Valverde set a time of 2 minutes and 41 seconds. Valverde won the Flèche Wallonne five times and his record time stood for seven years until Julian Alaphilippe matched it in 2021. The Frenchman, who won on the Mur three times, also recorded a time of 2:41 four years ago.
Pogačar was fourteen seconds slower than Valverde and Alaphilippe on the Mur de Huy last Wednesday, but the weather was bad this year, unlike when Valverde and Alaphilippe set their records.
Jonas Vingegaard Starts his Tour Preparation
Jonas Vingegaard has had a difficult time recently, but he is now completely fit again and has started his preparation for the 2025 Tour de France. The Danish rider will not add any extra races to his schedule before the French tour, his originally calendar is unchanged.
The Visma | Lease a Bike leader missed the Tour of Catalonia due to a concussion. Vingegaard was supposed to take a vacation and work towards the Tour de France from May, but the Dutch WorldTeam thought of letting Vingegaard ride an extra race prior to his preparation. Grischa Niermann told WielerFlits.
Visma | Lease a Bike and Vingegaard will now stick to the original plan. The preparation for the Tour started last week with wind tunnel tests in Aalborg, Denmark. Vingegaard will soon go to the Sierra Nevada to train at altitude with the team. The Critérium du Dauphiné is next on his schedule. After this race, there will be an altitude training camp in Tignes as a final preparation for the Tour de France.
“This week I was working in the wind tunnel in Aalborg. We made preparations for the Tour de France here and looked in particular at my position on the bike. It is important to focus on that and to leave nothing to chance,” the two-time Tour winner wrote on his team’s website. “The focus is now completely on the Tour de France. The preparations for this race have really started.”
Vingegaard is no longer suffering from the after-effects of his concussion in Paris-Nice. “I no longer have any problems or other physical discomfort. It was a great shame that I was unable to finish Paris-Nice and then also unable to start in the Tour of Catalonia. But now I am training again without any problems and I will soon be leaving for an altitude training camp.”
“I’m really looking forward to racing again. I haven’t raced much this past year, so I’m really looking forward to starting racing again. This applies to both the Critérium du Dauphiné and of course the Tour de France. But first I’m going to do an altitude training camp to get in shape. Then I’m going to try to win these races.”
Vingegaard back to training:
Pascal Eenkhoorn Impressed by Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar Having Fun
Pascal Eenkhoorn joined Soudal-Quick-Step this year and witnessed Remco Evenepoel’s comeback from up close last week. With a win in the Brabantse Pijl, a strong performance in the Amstel Gold Race (third) and a top-10 in Flèche Wallonne (ninth), Evenepoel didn’t miss his resumption of competition and the fun in racing is evident. Eenkhoorn also sees this in Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, the two multiple winners this spring. He told WielerFlits in a Alpecin Barbershop video.
The 28-year-old Dutchman was not with Evenepoel in Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday. However, Eenkhoorn is on the long list to help his Belgian leader in the Tour de France next summer. That is in stark contrast to his last year with Lotto Dstny, in which Eenkhoorn did not always have it easy. That is different now. “When you are having a lot of fun, everything goes easier and you cycle faster. If you look at guys like Van der Poel and Pogačar, who also have a lot of fun. They do not cycle slower because of that.”
Via the BMC training team, Eenkhoorn became a professional with the then LottoNL-Jumbo in 2018. There he was confronted with the facts in his first months, when he had taken sleeping pills without permission. That was not the only lesson he learned there. “After a tough race, you first take a recovery shake, then shower straight away. And only then look at your phone. At Jumbo, we always had a changing room at the back of the bus. It was customary to shower straight away, change clothes and then do the rest. Nowadays, I sometimes get annoyed by young riders who spend fifteen minutes on their phones before they take action.”
According to Eenkhoorn, you still have plenty of time for that on the way to the hotel. Especially during long journeys, he likes it when a bus can leave relatively quickly, so that you get to your hotel room faster and can recover better. However, he also wants to give a wise lesson to ambitious cyclists. “Keep the fun, especially if you are a young rider. If you are good enough and have enough talent, the rest will follow automatically.”
Pascal Eenkhoorn happy at his work:
Mattias Skjelmose Not Badly Injured in Flèche Wallonne Crash
Mattias Skjelmose crashed hard in the run-up to the penultimate climb of the Mur de Huy and had to abandon Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne, but all things considered, he escaped unscathed.
The Dane, winner of the Amstel Gold Race last Sunday, slid hard on a treacherous bend, together with his teammate Julien Bernard, 40 kilometres from the finish and was in a lot of pain afterwards. Skjelmose did get back on his bike after his crash, but was already looking at a big gap to the peloton. With the penultimate passage of the Mur de Huy approaching, the chances of the Dane were as good as gone. Skjelmose climbed off on the Mur de Huy.
The 24-year-old rider had clearly injured his elbow, forearms and right leg, but the explosive climber can breathe a sigh of relief: Lidl-Trek has since announced that Skjelmose didn’t sustain any serious injuries from his crash. He is not completely unscathed: Skjelmose suffers from abrasions and bruises on his right shoulder and elbow. “But I thought it was much worse when I was lying there,” he told Danish media. “I feared my elbow was broken.”
Mattias Skjelmose not too badly injured:
Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali: UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Rising Emirati Superstar
Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali continues his climb up the professional ranks as he lines up for the 67th edition of the Vuelta Asturias – his second European race start with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The 22-year-old Emirati talent, discovered through the ADNOC Accelerator Program, will once again wear the team colours on the demanding mountains of Spain.
A first of its kind talent identification program aimed at unearthing the next Emirati cycling superstar, the ADNOC accelerator program offered three young Emirati cyclists a place in a year-long development pathway with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Backed by ADNOC’s commitment to nurture homegrown talent, the initiative offered unprecedented access to elite-level training, nutrition, and professional team environments, reinforcing both ADNOC and UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s commitment to unlocking the potential of the next generation of Emirati nationals.
Since joining the UAE Team Emirates-XRG Gen-Z team, Al-Ali’s progression has been rapid. A three-time UAE National Time Trial Champion and reigning Asian Continental Road Champion, he is already making his mark in the world of professional cycling. His most notable performance came on familiar roads at the 2025 Tour of Sharjah, where he claimed three top 20 finishes across the five stages to finish on the podium in the overall Youth Classification – cementing his place as one of the UAE’s brightest rising stars.
Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali: “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to start another European race with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG World Tour Team. Since joining the Gen-Z team after participating in the ADNOC Accelerator program, I feel that I have learnt a lot, and my cycling has gone from strength to strength. The Vuelta Asturias will be a tough test, but I’m ready to give it my all to help my teammates and bring home another strong result for the team.”
This year’s Vuelta Asturias kicks off and concludes in Oviedo, with four relentless days of climbing through the mountains of the Asturias region. UAE Team Emirates-XRG arrive with a strong unit, spearheaded by home favourite Marc Soler. Alessandro Covi returns to the lineup following his strong display at the Giro d’Abruzzo, bringing home yet another win for the team, while Antionio Morgado re-joins the stage-racing squad after an impressive classics campaign.
For Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali, it’s another big step in his journey at the highest-level of cycling. His all-round skillset will be crucial in supporting the team across the four stages, as UAE Team Emirates-XRG look to set the stage to defend their Vuelta Asturias title. With the whole of the nation behind him, Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali is ready to rise to the occasion once again.
Abdulla Jasim Al-Ali:
Alejandro Valverde to Race on Canyon Bikes
Alejandro Valverde ended his road career in 2022, but has been riding gravel races and won several UCI Gravel World Series. He will continue to compete in these races on Canyon bikes in the coming years, as he now has a long-term partnership with the German bike brand.
The former World champion has been racing on Canyon bikes since 2014. That year, the brand became a sponsor of Movistar, Valverde was part of the team at the time. Since then, Valverde has won a lot of races on the Canyon Aeroad and Ultimate, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, stages in Grand Tours and the World Road Championship in 2018.
After the Spaniard retired at the end of 2022, he also won several gravel races, including the UCI Gravel World Series in Castellon this spring. He will continue to race on Canyon bikes due to a ‘long-term partnership’, according to a press release. Valverde says he is happy with this renewed partnership. “After working with Canyon for more than ten years, I have seen with my own eyes how they give everything to develop bikes that allow them to win races at the highest level. Canyon completely matches the way I understand this sport, both as an athlete and now in my new role as a coach. I am convinced that together we can continue our legacy.”
Valverde to stay on a Canyon:
Soudal Quick-Step and AG Insurance – Soudal Launch #SHINEFORSAFETY Initiative
The campaign sees our teams wear high visibility Castelli kit during Liège-Bastogne-Liège recon and team presentation
Soudal Quick-Step and AG Insurance – Soudal have today announced the launch of their #SHINEFORSAFETY initiative aimed at creating awareness around road safety for cyclists. To mark the start of the campaign, the riders of both teams will have worn a unique high visibility Electric Lime Castelli Aero Race 8 and Thermal LS jersey during this morning’s recon of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège route. They will also wear this during Saturday’s team presentation, on the eve of the race.
With one of the most passionate and dedicated followings in cycling, The Wolfpack takes its position of influence very seriously and wants to take some responsibility for the safety of all cyclists. Our riders train on roads that they have to share with drivers and pedestrians, and our aim is to encourage cyclists to be as visible as possible, for the safety of all road users. The jersey is the first step in a series of safety-related initiatives that will culminate in the integration into race kits to be used in 2026 of high visibility elements related to enhancing road safety.
We are supported by our many partners and sponsors in this project, who recognise cycling safety as symbiotic with their own working practices. Soudal, AG Insurance and Quick-Step all have their own in-house safety initiatives, which reflect our stance, and of course Safety Jogger are renowned experts in protective workwear that helps workers across a wide range of industries. The campaign is also supported by our sponsors Renson, Ekopak, Specialized and Janom, and aligns with Napoleon’s Always Keep Control message, which highlights the importance of responsible behaviour and creating together a safer environment. And our riders always train with their Garmin Varia
RCT715 rearview radar with camera and tail light, as well as the new Varia Vue front-facing headlight camera—both of which record crisp, clear video and include lights that help bring awareness to our riders day and night.
Speaking of the #SHINEFORSAFETY initiative, our CEO Jurgen Foré said: “I have publicly spoken recently about safety for our riders, but that is not just in races. Our riders train on open roads, and we have to understand how we can help them and other road users to be as safe as possible. We believe that this jersey not only highlights our rider’s presence but also highlights the issue of safety as a theme. Our hope is that it also reaches the many fans who watch our team and are inspired to ride a bike, to stay safe when enjoying cycling.”
Kim Le Court of AG Insurance – Soudal also said: “I absolutely love the bold design of the new kit, it’s impossible to miss. Visibility on the road is everything, and if the #SHINEFORSAFETY initiative makes drivers notice us even a second sooner, then it’s doing its job. As cyclists, we risk our lives every single day just by being out there. Whether it’s for a living, for fun, or simply a ride to the supermarket. I’ve had more than a few close calls myself, and that’s why I’ll always vouch for anything that promotes safety on the road.”
And finally, double Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel added: “I really like the #SHINEFORSAFETY jersey and what it stands for. I don’t have to tell anybody about my own accidents, and we all need to learn to share the roads that we train on better. I think not just the jersey but the whole premise of the campaign is a great idea, and we are grateful to everyone that supports it.”
Team 7‑Eleven is Back for One Epic Day at Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège
Cycling fans, get ready for a blast from the past: Team 7-Eleven is returning to the pro peloton during Liège-Bastogne-Liège, forty years after its Monument debut.
Uno‑X Mobility and 7‑Eleven have shared the roads of Norway and Denmark, operating 107 Uno‑X 7‑Eleven service stations that combine fast charging, fuel, and fresh convenience under one roof. This Sunday, April 27th 2025, that partnership rides onto cycling’s biggest spring stage, blending history and the present, power and playfulness, into an unforgettable tribute.
At Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Uno-X Mobility Cycling won’t be racing in its usual red and yellow. Instead, the team will wear green, white, and red, the colours of the iconic Team 7‑Eleven, which redefined international cycling in the 1980s.
Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège, often called La Doyenne (“The Old Lady”), is the sport’s oldest Classic, a 259 km Monument that crowns the Ardennes week and has shaped cycling legacies since 1892. For one day only, we’re reviving Team 7‑Eleven, not just as a tribute to cycling tradition, but as a celebration of the strong partnership between Uno‑X and 7‑Eleven, both proudly part of the Reitan family. Reitan Convenience is part of Reitan Retail, which manages 7-Eleven’s franchise operations in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Thor Hushovd, General Manager, Uno‑X Mobility Cycling: “Team 7‑Eleven was a legendary team. My own cycling journey started watching Dag Otto, also from Grimstad, win Norway’s first Tour de France stage in that jersey. Seeing our riders wear it now is truly something special.”
Just like the trail‑blazing 7‑Eleven team of the ’80s, Uno‑X is a group of underdogs who dare to race with spark and style. It’s not only about watts; it’s about creating moments fans remember. And for Norway, Team 7‑Eleven carries a special legacy, it was in those colours that Dag Otto Lauritzen took Norway’s first ever Tour de France stage win in 1987, inspiring a generation.
Mariette Kristenson, CEO Reitan Convenience: “Team 7-Eleven’s presence in professional cycling reflects a bold, forward-looking collaboration. At Reitan Convenience, we are proud to partner with Uno-X Mobility and exploit our shared passion for future mobility and customer experiences – on the road and in our stores. This initiative highlights our commitment to creating inspiring, meaningful experiences that go beyond expectations.”
Ridley & The Merckx Connection
The stunt also marks a tribute to the 80th birthday of Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx, whose name is deeply tied to both the race and the original 7‑Eleven team of the 1980s. Merckx won Liège‑Bastogne‑Liège a record five times, and his Merckx-branded bikes were key to putting the original 7‑Eleven squad on the map in Europe.
For Liège 2025, Uno‑X will ride a special edition of the Ridley Noah Fast, provided by Belgian manufacturer Belgian Cycling Factory, which today owns Ridley and Eddy Merckx Bikes. The frames carry both modern race performance and a symbolic nod to Merckx, merging cycling heritage with cutting-edge engineering.
Frank Symons, Marketing Director, Belgian Cycling Factory: “This is more than a limited edition bike or jersey, it’s a heartfelt tribute to Eddy Merckx for his 80th birthday and to the legacy he’s built over eight incredible decades. By bringing the iconic 7-Eleven team back to life at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, together with Uno-X Mobility and our amazing partners, we’re reviving a piece of cycling history in a way that’s never been done before.”
Everything is Considered, Everything is Connected
Every detail has been considered to bring the 7‑Eleven tribute to life. CeramicSpeed adds a high-performance touch with its OSPW system, the Fusion jerseys blend heritage with speed, Sweet Protection supplies custom helmets, and GripGrab completes the look with matching gloves. Even the Škoda team cars are wrapped in 7‑Eleven graphics, turning the Ardennes back to the 80s.
For one Sunday in April, the clock rewinds and the peloton welcomes back an icon. Team 7‑Eleven rides again, see you in Liège!
Own a Piece of History
Now, fans can be part of it too. For 10 days only, Fusion will offer an exclusive version of the 7-Eleven-inspired Uno-X jersey via their website, a rare opportunity to own a modern classic.
https://fusionworld.com/.
Even more extraordinary: following the race, the actual Ridley 7-Eleven Noah Fast bikes ridden by the Uno-X men’s and women’s teams, scuffs, race numbers, and even dirt still on them, will be available for purchase. Each bike comes as part of an exclusive collector’s package including a signed race jersey, helmet, and bidon.
https://www.ridley-bikes.com/
This isn’t just memorabilia.
This is cycling history, straight from the peloton.
Team Visma | Lease a Bike Welcomes SKIL as New Official Partner
Team Visma | Lease a Bike unveils first glimpse of its new Tour de France jersey, welcoming the power and garden tool manufacturer back into professional cycling for a minimum of three years. Starting this summer, SKIL will be featured on both sleeves of the team’s Tour de France jersey.
Founded in the United States, SKIL is known worldwide among both DIYers and professionals. With this partnership, SKIL returns to the world of cycling – a domain where the brand has historically played a prominent role. SKIL was the title sponsor of a French team in the mid-1980s and later supported a Dutch team from 2006 to 2012. SKIL has also been actively involved for some time as a partner of Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s affiliated junior team, JEGG SKIL DJR, contributing to the development of young talents.
The collaboration goes beyond visibility during the Tour de France. Cycling is deeply rooted in SKIL’s DNA and the company’s return to professional cycling is driven by a shared commitment to performance, development and innovation—values that Team Visma | Lease a Bike and SKIL both share.
Commercial director of SKIL, Edwin Aartman, says: “This partnership feels like coming home. Cycling has always been part of SKIL’s identity, and the match with Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s forward-thinking vision is perfect. Whether you’re renovating a home or racing through the Alps, it’s all about passion, precision, and pushing limits. With this step, we’re proud to support both top athletes and the next generation of talent, while connecting with makers across Europe.”
Jasper Saeijs, Chief Business Officer at Team Visma | Lease a Bike, is immensely proud of the new partnership: “It’s fantastic to welcome SKIL back into professional cycling. The brand has a rich history in the sport, and we are proud that they are now taking this next step with our team. We share the same ambition to keep innovating, build sustainable performance, and develop talent. That gives us great confidence in a long and successful partnership.”
EF Pro Cycling Partners with Knog to Illuminate the ’25 Season
Partnership aims to promote visibility for cyclists worldwide
EF Pro Cycling is excited to announce a new partnership with Knog, the Technically Unconventional lighting brand known for pushing design boundaries.
Knog’s partnership with EF Pro Cycling aims to promote visibility and safety for cyclists worldwide. This partnership merges Knog’s innovative design ethos with EF Pro Cycling’s world-class expertise on and off the bike.
“At Knog, we’re drawn to the intersection of innovation and performance,” said Hugo Davidson, Knog’s CEO. “Partnering with EF Pro Cycling is such an exciting opportunity for us; we’re looking forward to supporting a team that embodies our rebellious spirit and unconventional ethos.”
Lachlan Morton, EF Pro Cycling cyclist, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “I’m really excited to be working with Knog this year. I began testing some of their lights during my around Australia ride last year and was really impressed with the performance and simplicity of the designs. Small and user friendly, while packing in an impressive amount of lumens and battery life. The range of products means I’m covered from night riding missions where me seeing the trail is crucial, to day to day riding where me being seen is critical for safety. Using products designed in Australia is an extra bonus, too.”
This partnership not only enhances the safety of EF Pro Cycling’s riders but also bridges the gap between technical innovation and cycling culture, solidifying Knog’s place at the forefront of contemporary cycling design.
Very Young Top 10 in Flèche Wallonne – Pogacar was the Oldest
In the top 10 of last week’s Flèche Wallonne, there were no rider was older than the 26 year-old winner Tadej Pogačar, it was the youngest top 10 of the spring. But former rider Greg Van Avermaet has his thought on this.
The average age of the top 10 in the Ardennes Classic was 22.4 years. In the Tour of Flanders it was 29.7, but in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad it was 23.4, Paris-Roubaix 24.4 and Amstel Gold Race 24.6. Van Avermaet spoke to HLN. “It is a general fact that young people break through much faster than before. Riders are increasingly ready to win races and achieve great results. In the past, a rider was at his best at the age of thirty, now that peak is around 26 or 27 years. Everything has shifted a bit.”
“Last year I went on a training camp with some juniors. Then you immediately see how professionally these guys are already working on their profession. When I used to ride with the juniors, I knew nothing, so to speak. That professionalism comes in much earlier, which means they make leaps faster and are therefore ready to achieve results with the pros sooner.”
The ‘old man’ Tadej Pogačar on the Huy:
The new Maglia Rosa of the Giro d’Italia unveiled, with IUMAN by its side
IUMAN, the new name of the Intimissimi Uomo brand and a leader in the men’s underwear sector, proudly returns to the Giro d’Italia, announcing its sponsorship of the Maglia Rosa. The brand, part of the Oniverse Group, after a long-standing sponsorship of the Maglia Bianca, now strengthens and renews its connection with the Giro — an event that promotes Italy, unity, and sport — for an unforgettable month of racing.
The launch event took place at the IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo store in the heart of Verona, with the attendance of Matteo Veronesi, Board Member at Oniverse; Alessandro Soave, IUMAN General Manager; Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events; and Damiano Cunego, Verona native and 2004 Giro d’Italia winner, alongside representatives of institutions, sponsors, and media.
Matteo Veronesi, Board Member at Oniverse: “The Maglia Rosa is an icon of Italian sport. We are proud to strengthen the launch of IUMAN through such a prestigious sponsorship. We have recently unveiled the new name of Intimissimi Uomo: IUMAN. While remaining true to its core values of quality and comfort, the brand is evolving to rewrite the future of men’s underwear. The Maglia Rosa marks the first bold step in this ambitious journey, and we are confident it will bring us great satisfaction and strong emotions”.
Urbano Cairo, President of RCS MediaGroup: “The Giro d’Italia is much more than a cycling race: it is a cultural and popular event, capable of bringing people together and showcasing the best of our country in all its forms. With IUMAN as the sponsor of the Maglia Rosa, we further strengthen our connection to the world of Italian excellence. We’re talking about a young and distinctive brand, with an international outlook and a strong drive for innovation—qualities that perfectly align with the values of the Giro. This is a partnership that looks to the future, under the banner of Made in Italy, racing swiftly along roads across the world”.
Alessandro Soave, IUMAN General Manager: “We believe that the visibility associated with the Maglia Rosa will be a valuable asset for promoting IUMAN, not only on a national scale. The association between the two brands—united by shared values and successful stories—will provide a further boost toward achieving our respective positioning and business goals”.
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events: “We are pleased to welcome the return of Intimissimi Uomo—now rebranded as IUMAN—as a key player in the Giro d’Italia, following its long and meaningful journey alongside the Maglia Bianca. Stepping up to sponsor the Maglia Rosa is a natural and prestigious evolution of a partnership rooted in shared values: Italian identity, quality, style, and determination. For the IUMAN brand, this will be a major opportunity for global visibility, thanks to the worldwide broadcast coverage”.
Damiano Cunego: “The Maglia Rosa is something that gets inside you. It’s the jersey every rider dreams of — the one that can change your career and the way you experience cycling. Being here in Verona, my hometown, to celebrate the launch of the 2025 edition is truly emotional. Every time I see it, I feel the same emotions as when I wore it: it represents the outcome of a long and gruelling journey, built on strength — both physical and mental — needed day after day to overcome great rivals”.
Watch the Maglia Rosa video presentation here:
The New Maglia Rosa
Designed and produced by Castelli, the 2025 Maglia Rosa will feature a globe-textured graphic that communicates the concept of internationalism in a contemporary and modern way. The Giro d’Italia was officially recognised in 2024 as an “Ambassador of Made in Italy” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. To celebrate this prestigious recognition, the Maglia Rosa (as well as the other three leader jerseys) was designed to reflect the Giro’s global development and reach.
Alessio Cremonese, CEO of Castelli: “With over a century of innovation and collaboration with the world’s top athletes, we’ve taken our fastest jersey to the next level. The Aero Race 8S Jersey is the result of advanced research and represents the pinnacle of aerodynamic design applied to racewear, using engineered materials to maximise performance. Every detail has been designed to convert every watt into speed. At the same time, we’ve taken great care to ensure comfort, delivering a perfect fit and support in every condition. Every seam, every fabric, every design choice has one goal: to help riders go faster. It’s the perfect blend of science, innovation, and a passion for cycling”.
The Maglia Rosa, awarded to the general classification leader by time, was introduced at the 1931 Giro d’Italia. The first rider to wear it was Learco Guerra, winner of the first stage from Milan to Mantua (May 10, 1931).
In 89 editions, 265 riders have worn the Maglia Rosa for at least one stage in Giro history.
The rider who has worn the Maglia Rosa the most is Eddy Merckx: 78 stages, followed by Francesco Moser (57) and Gino Bartali (50).
Eddy Merckx also holds the record for the most consecutive stages in the Maglia Rosa: 36.
Only two riders have worn the jersey from the first to the final stage: Eddy Merckx in 1973 and Gianni Bugno in 1990.
Italy leads the ranking with 1,009 Maglie Rosa worn, followed by Belgium with 164 and Spain with 140.
Since its inception, riders from 28 different countries have worn the Maglia Rosa.
Damiano Cunego, winner of the Giro d’Italia 2004, and Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events, with the Trofeo Senza Fine. Matteo Veronesi, Board Member at Oniverse, and Eleonora Incardona with the Maglia Rosa:
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