Remco Evenepoel’s move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe is official, as the World and Olympic champion looks to relaunch his Grand Tour ambitions. UAE Team Emirates continues its dominant season with another 1-2 finish, and top teams are confirmed for the Tour of Britain and the Arctic Tour of Norway. In team and rider news, several key signings were announced, Cynisca is urgently seeking sponsorship to survive, and Enric Mas will miss the rest of the season due to illness. Plus even more post-Tour, post-Tour Femmes news — and commentary from PEZ’ eTrash Mike
TOP STORY:
- Remco Breaks his Soudal Quick-Step Contract to Move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
Race News:
- 2025 Arctic Race of Norway Starts Today
- Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso Place 1-2 at the Smaller Basque Race
- World’s Top Teams Head to Lloyds Tour of Britain this September
- Women’s Tour Down Under Stages Announced
- MyWhoosh Announces Full Public Qualifiers Schedule
Rider and Team News:
- Soudal Quick-Step Signings
- Nick Zukowsky extends with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
- Bahrain Victorious Signs Attila Valter to Three-Year Deal
- U.S. Based Women’s Team Cynisca Searching for Sponsor
- Enric Mas Out for the Rest of the Season
Evenepoel Heading to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
Confirming this year’s worst-kept secret in cycling, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has announced that Olympic and World Champion Remco Evenepoel will ride for the German team next season.
RACE NEWS
2025 Arctic Race of Norway Starts Today
Hometown team Uno-X Mobility team promises to bring out the big boys to defend Magnus Cort’s title in this year’s Arctic Race of Norway, fielding Andreas Leknessund, who will attempt to win the Midnight Sun jersey again (after 2022) in his hometown of Tromso.
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) fresh from his victory at the European Mountain Bike Championships last week, will compete fiercely. Others vying for the ARN title include Dylan Teuns (Cofidis), Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla), Clément Champoussin (XDS Astana Team) and Kevin Vermaerke (Team Picnic PostNL)
The two local teams – Team Coop – Repsol, and Lillehammer CK Continental Team – and the National Norwegian Team will be looking to shine a spotlight on Norway’s young talent. More than a third of the peloton will be chasing the coveted white jersey for best young rider, led by Vermaerke.
- Learn more about the 2025 Arctic Race of Norway at www.arctic-race-of-norway.com.
Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso Place 1-2 at the Weekend’s Smaller Basque Race
After falling short at the Cláscia San Sebastián, Isaac del Toro launched a solo attack with 16 km to go at Sunday’s Circuito de Getxo and went on to win the lesser of the weekend’s rces in Basque country. The Mexican made his move on the final ascent of the Alto de Pike, and held his advantage over the chasers until the finish in Getxo, moving UAE Team Emirates-XRG up to 69 victories for the season.
Behind Del Toro, the Mexican’s teammate Juan Ayuso surfed wheels before sprinting to second place across the line, landing the Emirati squad a memorable 1-2 finish. Del Toro’s victory follows up from Jan Christen’s runner-up spot at Saturday’s Clásica San Sebastián.
Del Toro said after the race, “After a really hard day yesterday in San Sebastián, we find again the good legs like the last weeks. Yesterday was super good, and today also with the team, the guys are trying to fight super well. It is something I am super proud to be part of.
“Thanks to the guys, me and Juan are able to fight [for the win] again, and try to do again first and second. It was a super nice day for us, we suffered with the heat and also with the level of the race, but we enjoyed today and we suffered until the end.”
2025 Circuito de Getxo results:
1. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:59:10
2. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +10″
3. Alex Aranburu (Cofidis) s.t
- UCI WorldTeams: Bahrain Victorious (Bahrain); Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale (France); Groupama FDJ (France); INEOS Grenadiers (Great Britain); Lidl-Trek (USA); Soudal Quick-Step (Belgium); Team Picnic PostNL (Netherlands); Team Visma | Lease a Bike (Netherlands); UAE Team Emirates – XRG (UAE)
- UCI ProTeams: Equipo Kern Pharma (Spain); Israel – Premier Tech (Israel); Lotto (Belgium); Q36.5 Pro Cycling (Switzerland); Team Flanders – Baloise (Belgium); Tudor Pro Cycling (Switzerland); Unibet Tietema Rockets (France); Uno-X Mobility (Norway)
- UCI Continental Teams: Anicolor / Tien 21 (Portugal)
- National Teams: Great Britain Cycling Team (Great Britain)
Already looking forward to next year’s racing? Look no further, because fifteen World Tour women’s teams are set to take part in the Santos Tour Down Under. With the race’s largest peloton ever and several of its biggest stars headed to Australia, the racing promises to be fierce.
Boasting the longest parcours in the race’s history, fans can expect 395 kilometres of close-fought competition across the event, from the buzz of Corkscrew Road to beachside sprints, new start locations and grueling climbs through the Adelaide Hills.
The eastern Adelaide suburb of Magill is set to host its first start on the second day of women’s racing. Riders will line up near the Tower Hotel on Magill Road before heading for the Adelaide Hills, chasing crucial points – and potentially an overall lead – on a stage that offers plenty of twists and turns. Their first task? Heading straight to the top of Norton Summit.
It’s one of the toughest climbs in town: all relentless incline and dramatic switchbacks. Hyundai Stage 3 from Norwood to Campbelltown will see the 2.4-kilometre Corkscrew Road climb at Montacute makes a comeback in the women’s race, setting out a challenge that could determine overall glory. One pass is a slog. Two? Buckle up. This will be the first dual assault on Corkscrew Road in Santos Tour Down Under history. Be roadside as a new era unfolds.
Fans can find more information about the women’s Tour Down Under at https://tourdownunder.com.au.
MyWhoosh Announces Full Public Qualifiers Schedule
EVENT | FORMAT | DATE | GENDER | TIME UTC | TIME CET | TIME GST | TIME CDT | TIME AEST |
Open Qualifier 1 | 1 stage / Points Based | 6 Aug 25 |Wednesday | Women | 9:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 4:00 | 19:00 |
Men | 11:00 | 13:00 | 15:00 | 6:00 | 21:00 | |||
Open Qualifier 2 | 8 Aug 25 |Friday | Women | 17:00 | 19:00 | 21:00 | 12:00 | 3:00 | |
Men | 19:00 | 21:00 | 23:00 | 14:00 | 5:00 | |||
Open Qualifier 3 | 22 Aug 25 |Friday | Women | 9:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 4:00 | 19:00 | |
Men | 11:00 | 13:00 | 15:00 | 6:00 | 21:00 | |||
Open Qualifier 4 | 27 Aug 25 |Wednesday | Women | 17:00 | 19:00 | 21:00 | 12:00 | 3:00 | |
Men | 19:00 | 21:00 | 23:00 | 14:00 | 5:00 |
Each public qualifier consists of a single-stage, 32.4km race held across multiple time zones and dates to accommodate global participation. The format includes two sprint and two climb segments (KOM/QOM), with points awarded to the first riders to cross each segment line – this also marks a shift from the time-based scoring system used in the previous edition.
Participants may compete in one or all four qualifiers. Top riders from each gender category will then advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.
More information on the format and race stages for qualifiers and semi-finals can be found in the Technical Guide here.
RIDER & TEAM NEWS
Soudal Quick-Step Signings
“The Wolfpack” has signed three key riders for the upcoming season.
Ayco Bastiaens will continue to sport the Soudal Quick-Step colors until 2027. Bastiaens joined the team ahead of the 2024 season, and has since competed in more than 30 races, always visible at the front of the peloton for hours and hours on the flat, chasing down the breakaways and playing an important role in many of victories .
Meanwhile, Edward Planckaert has also agreed to a contact the Belgian team. “I started riding my bike when I was just eight years old, dreaming of one day joining a team like Soudal Quick-Step, and I’m incredibly happy this dream will finally become reality next year. I have always admired the Wolfpack’s fighting spirit and how they always race with their heart. As a proud Flandrien, I am ready to give everything and help my leaders and the squad get as many victories as possible”, said Planckaert, whose favourite races are Paris-Roubaix and La Vuelta.
Finally, Louis Vervaeke is already enjoying a fine season in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey, and has updated his contract with the team. In February, at the Tour of Oman, Vervaeke capped off a sensational ride in the breakaway by taking the first pro victory of his career, which came with the beautiful bonus of a day in the leader’s jersey. He then continued to put his experience into the squad’s services – in both one-day events and stage races – before the crash in the Dauphiné that forced him to bring to an end the first part of the year.
eTrash Mike sez: Considering the news above about Remco’s transfer to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, it looks like the Wolfpack is returning to its one-day and classics focus. They’ll put all their eggs in the Tim Merlier basket, though we should see American Luke Lamperti vying for more wins — but if you’re Mikel Landa right now, what are you thinking?
Nick Zukowsky extends with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
Nick Zukowsky has extended his contract with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The Canadian, who went from freestyle skiing and mountain biking to road racing, has been one of the pillars of the team since joining in 2023.
Says Zukowsky, “This year has been a big step up for the team with Tom [Pidcock] coming over. For me the job changed to – on paper – an ‘easy job’ and that is protect Tom so he has the best shot at winning races. Sometimes it’s about positioning early on, or maybe later in the race, or chasing breakaways. It’s very diverse and I really enjoy this new role but it’s been a steep learning curve.”
Despite taking a different path to the sport and arriving later than other members of the peloton, Nick has already achieved top results by winning the Canadian national championships in 2023.
General manager Doug Ryder is also pleased to keep the affable Canadian on the team. Zukowsky is a rider who brings consistency, professionalism and a fantastic team spirit to the team.
“Nick is always ready to support both his teammates and the staff. This year, he really stepped up around Tom Pidcock, showing leadership and forming a strong connection. He tackled a much tougher race program than the previous year and was doing exceptionally well until an unfortunate crash and broken collarbone cut short his first Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia after just four stages.
“He’s been with us since the very beginning of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in 2023, and we’re excited to see him back in our colours through 2026 and hopefully in the Canadian champion’s jersey again soon.”
Bahrain Victorious Signs Attila Valter to Three-Year Deal
Team Bahrain Victorious has announced the signing of Hungarian climber Attila Valter on a three-year contract, beginning in the 2026 season. The team expects Valter to play a key role in the team’s stage race and Grand Tour campaigns.
Known for his ability to perform in the high mountains, Valter expressed his happiness about joining TBV: “The team’s goals are perfectly matching with my personal ones. This gives me a lot of confidence and I’m excited to start this journey together with them!”
Valter’s career highlights include wearing the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d’Italia (2021) and delivering several top-ten finishes in WorldTour stage races. With strong all-round capabilities and tactical intelligence, Valter adds depth and leadership to the Bahrain Victorious roster.
U.S. Based Women’s Team Cynisca Searching for Sponsor
The only majority-American women’s team racing in Europe hopes to find a sponsor to guarantee its future.
Cynisca GM Robin Farina told PEZ, “We’re racing against the best, proving every day that U.S. cyclists belong on cycling’s biggest stages. But being first means fighting harder for every opportunity. With just two weeks until our August 15th deadline, we need $1M to keep this dream alive, not just for our riders, but for every American girl who sees the Tour de France Femmes and thinks ‘that could be me.’ The path to Paris 2026 and LA 2028 runs through your support today.”
According to Cynisca, securing funding as soon as possible will enable the team to:
- Retain and recruit top athletes.
- Maintain a world-class support structure in Europe and the U.S.
- Continue to elevate American riders to compete in the Tour de France and prepare for the 2028 LA Olympics.
PEZ profiled Cynisca’s ambitions when it launched in 2022. The team asks that anyone with information about a potential sponsor contact them here.
Enric Mas Out for Rest of Season
Following the latest medical consultations and examinations carried out after his withdrawal from the recent Tour de France, the Enric Mas has been diagnosed with thrombophlebitis in his left leg, possibly of post-traumatic origin.
This diagnosis requires specific treatment involving rest and the avoidance of intense physical activity, which makes it impossible for him to compete for the remainder of the season. Movistar Team’s medical and technical teams will continue to closely monitor his progress, with the goal of ensuring a full recovery.
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