Our cycling news roundup — and what Mike’s hoping Santa will bring cycling fans this year. Plus plenty of ‘cross racing, including two second-place finishes for Wout, and team news for Soudal Quick-Step, Jayco-AlUla and INEOS. Happy Holidays!
TOP STORY:
- eTrashMike’s Holiday Wish List
RACE NEWS
- Van der Poel, van Aert Go 1-2 at Hofstade
- Brand Continues Unstoppable Run with Hofstade Victory
- Del Grosso Edges van Aert, Fouquenet Triumphs at Heusden-Zolder
RIDER AND TEAM NEWS
- It’s Official: Onley to INEOS
- Green Edge Cycling Heads into 2026 with Grand Ambitions
- Soudal Quick-Step Helps Cyclists Raise Over €7000 for De Warmste Week
eTrashMike’s Holiday Wish List
This ain’t a Tech n’ Spec-style wish list, as much as I’d love a new Dogma; this is broader, aspirational stuff: What I wish for on behalf of the cycling and cycling-fan community.
Please note: I don’t purport to write this on behalf of my fellow PEZers, let alone for all of my fellow fanatics. But I bet at least a few of you share these wishes.
Here, then, is what I’m wishing for this holiday season:
Competitive racing. Note: I’m not wishing misfortune to befall Tadej Pogačar, though I don’t know how something like parity might otherwise be injected into the pro peloton. But as much as I’m awe of what Tadej Pogačar has brought the cycling world, I’d like to see wins distributed a bit more widely — and more surprises like the one above, when Skjelmose pipped Tadej and Remco.
And — sorry Remco — I’m hoping for parity in road racing, not time trials.
Downhill finishes. If Milan-San Remo finished at the top of the Poggio, it wouldn’t be nearly the gripping fan experience that it is. A post-summit finish opens a race (or a stage) up to a wider range of racing strengths; more of them would elicit more parity (see above) — especially in the Grand Tours, which have largely become series of attritional stages.
Thanks to a downhill finish, Ganna was able to rally and contend for the MSR win.
Shorter stages. Note: not shorter races; the Spring Classics and the World Championships are compelling partly because they’re upwards of 200K. But in a Grand Tour, which already stuffs thousands of kilometers into a rider’s legs, a shorter stage usually makes for hotter racing; teams have to be on their games, and surprises are more likely to last to the finish. Here’s to more <100K stages in future Grand Tours.
More winners like Magdeleine Vallieres. The Canadian World Championships winner rode boldly, but then was funny and demure on the medal stand, offering to share the top step with her rivals. Audacious racing and authentic celebrating? I’m here for it.
A(nother) big win for Wout. Wout van Aert is a phenomenally talented and successful cyclist, yet his career seems somehow characterized by disappointment — and by riding in the shadow of Mathieu van der Poel, and in service of teammates like Jonas Vingegaard. His Stage 21 win in Paris was electric; now I’d like to see him win on an even more prestigious stage, like Paris-Roubaix (unlikely as that may be).
More of this please!
No e-bikes under the tree (for kids). This last one’s a departure, so you’ll pardon the editorializing: Pro-e-bike arguments typically cite accessibility for older riders, or others who face challenges in pedaling a traditional bike — or opportunity for delivery people and others who need an inexpensive way to get around for their jobs. To which I say: Yes. But healthy, able kids? Not only do they face greater danger on faster e-bikes, but they also miss out on the life lessons imparted by pushing up a hill, or into the wind. A recent New York Time article described how e-bikes have transformed roadways — and lives — in Marin County, birthplace of traditional mountain biking, and home to world-class racers who grew up pedaling solely with their own power, including Kate Courtney. Parents: resist! There’s more lifelong joy to be gained by breaking an occasional sweat.
What’s on your bike racing-world wish list? Share yours by sending them our way at Content@PezCyclingNews.com.
RACE NEWS
Van der Poel, van Aert Go 1-2 at Hofstade
After a Saturday performance shadowed by doubt and disappointment, road star Wout van Aert rode to a resilient and impressive second-place finish in Monday’s race at storied Hofstade — but never really threatened rival Mathieu van der Poel, who powered to yet another daunting victory.
Once again the World Champion rode flawlessly, with only Thibau Nys able to follow for the first couple of laps. Once the young Belgian lost van der Poel’s wheel, however, he began to struggle, twice tumbling in the sand — a reverse race from van Aert’s, who early on appeared tentative and spilled on a muddy corner, but then seemed to find form and rhythm, passing Nys in a sandy section and at one point slightly narrowing van der Poel’s margin.
Van der Poel, however, never actually appeared vulnerable. After shaking Nys on the third lap, he rode powerfully in the challenging sand sections and smoothly throughout the course. Van der Poel finished 48 seconds ahead of van Aert; Niels Vandeputte claimed third place after a tight sprint with Nys on the final lap.
Van der Poel cited both his technique and physical condition as nearly perfect, noting his emotional connection to Hofstade, which returned to top-level cyclocross after a 17-year absence. An estimated crowd of 17,000 spectators witnessed the spectacle, creating an electric atmosphere at the Sport Vlaanderen venue.
Cyclocross action continues Tuesday in Heusden-Zolder, though van der Poel will skip that round before his next showdown with van Aert on December 29 in Loenhout.
Brand Continues Unstoppable Run with Hofstade Victory
We’re starting to get used to watching a solo Lucinda Brand.
Lucinda Brand extended her remarkable winning streak to nine consecutive victories on Monday, dominating the women’s race at the X2O Badkamers Trofee in Hofstade. The Dutch rider for Baloise Glowi Lions controlled the sandy lakeside course from the opening lap, never allowing her challengers within striking distance.
Brand seized control immediately on the technical circuit, which returned to elite cyclocross after a 17-year absence. By the end of lap three, she had established an 18-second advantage over her closest pursuers. The gap continued to grow as Brand navigated the demanding sand sections with superior technique and power.
Behind the runaway leader, a battle for the podium developed between Brand’s teammate Shirin van Anrooij and Manon Bakker of Crelan-Corendon. Van Anrooij, making her return to form after missing last season due to surgery, eventually secured second place, finishing 22 seconds behind Brand. Bakker completed the all-Dutch podium in third, 25 seconds back.
The victory marked Brand’s 13th win of the 2025-26 cyclocross season and her fourth consecutive triumph in the X2O Trofee series. After racing three days in succession following weekend World Cup victories in Antwerp and Koksijde, Brand showed no signs of fatigue as she thrilled the enthusiastic crowd of approximately 17,000 spectators who packed the Hofstade venue.
Del Grosso Edges van Aert, Fouquenet Triumphs at Heusden-Zolder
The fifth round of the Telenet Superprestige cyclocross series delivered thrilling action at Circuit Zolder on December 23, with unexpected victories in both elite races.
In the men’s competition, 22-year-old Dutch promise Tibor Del Grosso claimed his first major elite victory by edging Wout van Aert in a dramatic sprint finish. After van Aert split the race on lap five, the pair built a commanding lead over the chasing pack. The tactical battle intensified on the final lap, with van Aert attempting multiple attacks that Del Grosso consistently countered.
While every cycling fan would have bet on Van Aert in a sprint, the Belgian led into the headwind on the finishing straight but then seemed to hesitate, allowing Del Grosso to unleash surprising superior acceleration at the perfect moment. The margin of bike-throw victory was mere centimeters, leaving van Aert disappointed after missing his first win of the season. Michael Vanthourenhout secured third place ahead of series leader Niels Vandeputte.
The women’s race produced an equally surprising result as French champion Amandine Fouquenet, currently without a team for next season, soloed to her first major international victory. Fouquenet broke clear from a competitive group that included Blanka Vas, Inge van der Heijden, and Aniek van Alphen. Despite a late chase from pursuers, Fouquenet maintained her advantage to cross the line alone. Vas, making her return after a training break, sprinted to second place.
The fast, technical Heusden-Zolder course rewarded power and precision on this dry December day, setting the stage for continued holiday racing action.
RIDER AND TEAM NEWS
It’s Official: Onley to INEOS
Talented young Scottish rider Oscar Onley, has signed with the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team from the beginning of the 2026 season, after agreeing to a transfer with his current team, Picnic PostNL.
The Scottish rider from Kelso has stamped his mark on the peloton since turning pro at just 19, with a string of impressive results against quality opponents. Oscar’s standout 4th place at the 2025 Tour de France, aged just 22, made him the youngest finisher in the top ten, and underscored his ability to compete at the top of the sport.
Said Onley: “I grew up watching Geraint, Dave and the team dominate the sport and put cycling on the map in the UK, so I am really proud to be joining the Grenadiers on a long-term deal, which will also mean racing for a British team when the Tour de France departs from Scotland in 2027.
“I want to thank Team Picnic PostNL for all their support, I’m really proud of what we have achieved together. I’ll miss my friends in the team and hold the memories made with them close, and I know I’ll face tough competition from the next generation of talent they develop in the years to come.”
Geraint Thomas, Director of Racing, said: “Oscar’s performance in 2025 has been incredible really. I rode my first Tour when I was 21, so to see what he achieved at this year’s Tour at just 22 was super impressive. The way he rides and understands a race is mature beyond his years – he’s a proper racer. I can’t wait to work with him – at his age there’s still loads of headroom.”
Green Edge Cycling Heads into 2026 with Grand Ambitions
With 67 riders, from 17 different countries, spread over four teams, GreenEDGE Cycling heads into its 15th season with big goals.
With a mixture of familiar, experienced faces and some new signings, Team Jayco AlUla is aiming to start afresh in the new year. Newly appointed Sporting Manager Gene Bates, alongside the squad’s sport directors, will lead a 29-rider roster that balances both youth and experience.
Michael Matthews, Ben O’Connor, Luke Plapp, Mauro Schmid, and Paul Double are among the team’s winners in 2025 that will continue to target success on the biggest stage. Among the nine new riders set to race in GreenEDGE Cycling colours next season are Hamish McKenzie, who is joining from Hagens Berman Jayco development team, Alessandro Covi, Pascal Ackermann, and Finlay Pickering.
Meanwhile, headed by Sporting Director Wim Stroetinga, women’s team Liv AlUla Jayco is looking to build upon a season of progress that saw some breakout performances as well as a first-ever Tour de France Femmes stage victory. The likes of Silke Smulders, Ruby Roseman-Gannon, and Monica Trinca Colonel will remain key riders for the Australian team.
Much of the squad will remain the same as it was in 2025, with four new additions making up the 15-rider roster. Matilde Vitillo, Mackenzie Coupland, and Noä Jansen have all graduated up from the development squad, while promising young Canadian Nadia Gontova has also joined.
GreenEDGE Cycling’s development teams, Hagens Berman Jayco and Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team, will continue to provide a proving ground for young talents in 2026. Having seen Jansen, Vitillo, Coupland, and McKenzie all step into the WorldTour, there are several new faces aiming to grow as riders in a high-level environment.
Napoleon and Soudal Quick-Step have raised €7,385.84 for De Warmste Week, following a charity cycling challenge that brought together fans, riders, and the wider cycling community.
As part of the initiative, Napoleon challenged members of the Soudal Quick-Step Strava club to log as many kilometres as possible between November 24 and 30. For every kilometre ridden by the top 100 riders in the club during that week, Napoleon pledged to donate to De Warmste Week. The final check was handed over on November 23 in Genk, with Soudal Quick-Step rider Dries Van Gestel joining Philippe Joos, General Manager of Napoleon, at De Warmste Week to mark the moment.
De Warmste Week is Belgium’s annual solidarity campaign, organised by VRT, which raises funds and awareness for charities supporting people in vulnerable situations. Each year, individuals, communities, and organisations across the country take part in actions designed to help those who need it most. By linking the campaign to cycling, Napoleon Score and Soudal Quick-Step aimed to turn everyday rides into a collective effort for good — and the response from fans exceeded expectations.
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