As we get ready for the last Monument of the year, Il Lombardia, we catch up with the Coppa Bernocchi and the weather hit Tre Valli Varesine with video, results, reports and rider’s thoughts.
Il Lombardia 2024: The entry list and all the info – TOP STORY.
Rider news: Vuelta crash leaves deep scars on Wout van Aert’s leg, Remco Evenepoel didn’t look great in the Coppa Bernocchi, Gianni Moscon to leave Soudal Quick-Step and Gorka Izagirre ends professional career.
Team news: Tadej Pogačar leads squad for Il Lombardia, Primoz Roglic ends 2024 season – No Lombardia, dsm-firmenich-PostNL Team for Il Lombardia, Soudal Quick-Step to Il Lombardia, Baloise Trek Lions have new sponsor in 2025, Pablo Castrillo: Young Spanish talent to continue shining with Movistar, Marc Soler renews as Pablo Torres steps-up with UAE Team Emirates, UAE Team Emirates sign Rune Herregodts, Andrea Raccagni to turn pro with Soudal Quick-Step, climbing trio extend with dsm-firmenich-PostNL, exemplary teammate Boy van Poppel hangs up his bike, promising Paternoster commits to more with Liv AlUla Jayco, Kasper Asgreen joins EF Education-EasyPost, Pier-André Côté returns to the ProTeam ranks with IPT, Decathlon-AG2R presents team DS Luke Rowe, Gleb Syritsa renews contract with Astana Qazaqstan and upcoming Italian talent Monica Trinca Colonel to step up to WorldTour in 2025 with Liv AlUla Jayco.
Espresso or a cappuccino?
TOP STORY: Il Lombardia 2024: The Entry List and All the Info
World champion Tadej Pogacar on the hunt for a fourth consecutive victory to equal Fausto Coppi’s record. Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel lead the list of main rivals. Full live global coverage is planned. RTL 102.5 will be the event’s official radio. A Fanzone will be set up on the Ghisallo. The “Vinci con Il Lombardia” contest is open until October 12th.
Downloads:
Entry list
Preliminary Operations
Official Roadbook
Maps.
Il Lombardia presented by Crédit Agricole, the last Monument Classic of the year, is ready to celebrate its 118th edition on October 12. The “Race of the Falling Leaves” has been an unmissable appointment on the international cycling scene for over a century, and the 2024 edition will be no different, featuring a renewed course, high expectations for the main contenders, and the unique allure that only this race can offer.
Tadej Pogacar, winner of the last three editions of Il Lombardia
The Contenders
The lakefront once again becomes the finish line of Il Lombardia, two years after the second of Tadej Pogacar’s three consecutive victories. The Slovene, crowned world champion eight days ago in Zurich, is aiming for a fourth win, which would allow him to equal Fausto Coppi, the only rider in history to have won Il Lombardia four times in a row from 1946 to 1949. Pogacar’s main challengers are Remco Evenepoel, who scored nine wins this season, including two Olympic gold medals and the world time trial title.
Many valuable outsiders are expected to start on October 12, from Enric Mas, second in 2022, to Andrea Bagioli, who achieved the same result twelve months ago. The runner-up position was also Julian Alaphilippe’s best result in 2017, while Team Visma | Lease a Bike will be aiming for a strong performance with Matteo Jorgenson. Other notable names include two former winners: Bauke Mollema (2019) and Jakob Fuglsang (2020), as well as Richard Carapaz, Simon Yates, Antonio Tiberi, Giulio Ciccone, and Romain Bardet. Thomas Pidcock, Amstel Gold Race winner and Olympic gold medalist in Mountain Biking at Paris 2024, will make his debut in the race.
The Route of Il Lombardia Presented by Crédit Agricole
The race sets off from Bergamo, heading for the Val Seriana. After a first short flat stretch, the route takes in a first set of consecutive climbs across the pre-Alps around the city, linked with no pause for breath, covering more than 50% of the overall elevation gain of the race. Past the Forcellino di Bianzano (Valle Rossa), the Ganda climb, the Colle di Berbenno and Valpiana, a short span on flat roads leads to Lake Como. The route passes by Lecco and Onno, and then turns, taking in the ‘traditional’ ascent to Asso (the ‘Onno’ climb) followed by the Ghisallo ascent, along the less demanding side. After descending towards Bellagio and following the lakeside all the way to Nesso, the peloton will negotiate the toughest ascent of Il Lombardia, from Nesso to the Colma di Sormano. The road, narrowed at points, rises for 13 km in hairpins at a maximum 11% gradient. After a fast-running descent into Maglio over a switchback road, the route continues with mild downhill gradients all the way to Como, before the final effort. Past the urban area, the route takes in the San Fermo della Battaglia ascent (397m) and then drops into Como again, heading for the finish line.
Final kilometres
The last 10 km begin in urban Como and run along wide avenues, up to the railway underpass, where the final San Fermo della Battaglia ascent begins. The climb has a gradient of nearly 7% (max. 10%) and runs on narrowed roadway, ascending in hairpins all the way up to the summit (around 5 km from the finish). The descent ends 1,000 m before the finish. There is one last, wide left-hand bend 600 m before the finish.
Ghisallo Fanzone
On the occasion of Il Lombardia presented by Crédit Agricole, fans will have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable day at one of the most iconic locations in the sport, where tradition meets passion. On Saturday, October 12, a Fanzone will be set up on the legendary Madonna del Ghisallo climb. This area, featuring a London-style double-decker bus, will serve as a meeting point for all fans wishing to follow the race. Two giant screens will be set up on either side of the bus, allowing fans to share the excitement of the race, admire their idols, and enjoy a unique experience. The Fanzone will be active from 11:30 AM, offering food and beverage areas, and will come with music to entertain fans throughout the day. Setting the Fanzone on the Madonna del Ghisallo is also a tribute to the history of this location, considered by many to be the “sanctuary” of cycling, with its museum and famous church dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists. Thousands of fans gather here each year to experience the magic of the race, breathing in the sacrifice and glory of the champions tackling this historic climb.
Vinci con Il Lombardia – The Contest
One of the new features of this edition of the Race of the Falling Leaves is the “Vinci con Il Lombardia” contest. The prizes include passes to attend the race in person from a unique vantage point and fantastic prizes raffled off by KASK and KOO: 2 KASK Mojito helmets and 2 pairs of KOO Demos sunglasses.
Participating in the contest is very simple: just register on the dedicated page. Entries are open by clicking on this link until midnight on October 12.
RTL 102.5 Official Radio of the Event
RTL 102.5, the event’s Official Radio, will cover the race with live reports during its programs and newscast. The event will also be featured on social media, offering real-time updates and special content, bringing the excitement of Il Lombardia directly into listeners’ homes.
Coppa Bernocchi 2024
Stan Van Tricht won the 2024 Coppa Bernocchi on Monday. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider was part of the early break, but was dropped by his fellow escapee Bart Lemmen. The Belgian managed to stay with the chasers and then in the sprint, Van Tricht was faster than Alex Baudin (Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) and Roger Adrià (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) for his first professional victory.
From Legnano, the race hit the 16.5 kilometre race circuit after about 35 kilometres. There were seven laps with two climbs: the San Pancrazio (540 meters at 8.2%) and the Piccolo Stelvio (1.6km at 6.2%). After the last passage, the riders had to climb the Ceppine (480 meters at 9.%). This was the last point where a difference could be made. It was then downhill to Legnano.
Before the start, everyone was looking at Remco Evenepoel, Marc Hirschi, Primoz Roglic and Michael Matthews. There was an early break of five riders: Bart Lemmen (Visma | Lease a Bike started the move together with Stan Van Tricht (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) and Alessandro Pinarello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè). The lead of the Lemmen group was just over 5 minutes at one point and this was their maximum. In the peloton, Soudal Quick-Step for top favourite Remco Evenepoel, controlled the race. The Belgian team nibbled away at the lead for Evenepoel, who decided on an early attack with 80 kilometres to go. Three riders were able to join him: teammate Mauri Vansevenant and UAE Team Emirates riders Hirschi and Pavel Sivakov. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Roglic’s team, had missed the move and had to chase the four counter-attackers and kept the differences limited.
Evenepoel’s attack proved to be short-lived and with 50 kilometres to go they were caught. Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R), Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), Roger Adrià (Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe) and Pavel Sivakov (again) went on the offensive. These four caught Perez, who had been dropped by the leading group, and they chased down Lemmen, Van Tricht and Pinarello, who started the last 40 kilometres with a lead of 1 minute on the five chasers and the peloton was at 1:30. The riders had two more climbs in the final, with the Piccolo Stelvio (1.6km at 6.2%) at more than 30 kilometres from the finish. On the climb, Lemmen attacked and first dropped Pinarello and then Van Tricht. The 28-year-old Dutchman then had a solo of 30 kilometres to the finish. Lemmen managed to extend his lead over Pinarello and Van Tricht further. The danger came mainly from behind, but the Powless and Sivakov group were stuck at 50 seconds. The peloton were too far down.
Lemmen did everything he could to hold off the chasers. Powless, Adrià, Baudin and Sivakov had now caught Van Tricht and Pinarello and they worked well together. The difference got smaller and smaller. Entering the final 20 kilometres, the difference was 30 seconds. Lemmen held out for a long time, but a tired Lemmen saw his lead shrinking. The six pursuers had the leader in their sights. With 3 kilometres to go, his lead had shrunk to less than 10 seconds. This was not enough to hold off the chasing group. Lemmen was eventually caught just before the start of the last kilometre and so there would be a sprint finish. Powless tried to surprise the others, but Van Tricht still had a sprint left in his legs. The Belgian kept Baudin and Adrià behind him and was able to take his first win with the pros. Powless was fourth, ahead of Lemmen.
Race winner, Stan Van Tricht (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I have also been riding with good legs in recent weeks. I have had a difficult season. However, I was able to ride the perfect race today, by joining the early breakaway. In the final, it was important to race smart and then hopefully sprint for the win. I decided to race from the front in the opening phase, as several strong teams opted to attack. Once I was part of a strong leading group, I realised that we could go far. I knew that I had the fastest legs, but you always have to look out for riders coming from the back. I decided to focus on Roger Adrià’s wheel and then saw Neilson Powless attack. That’s when I knew: I have to react immediately.”
Coppa Bernocchi Result:
1. Stan Van Tricht (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 3:50:10
2. Alex Baudin (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale
3. Roger Adria Oliveras (Spa) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
4. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-EasyPost
5. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
6. Pavel Sivakov (Fra) UAE Team Emirates at 0:03
7. Alessandro Pinarello (Ita) VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè at 0:05
8. Dorian Godon (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale at 1:27
9. Francesco Busatto (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty
10. Marijn van den Berg (Ned) EF Education-EasyPost.
Bernocchi’24:
Tre Valli Varesine 2024
With 109 kilometres to go, the riders decided they had had enough in the Tre Valli Varesine and stopped the race. Due to the extreme rain, the peloton thought it was irresponsible to continue racing. The riders then made their way to the team buses.
Extreme rainfall was already predicted in the run-up to Tre Valli Varesine. The authorities on Monday gave code red for the Italian region of Lombardy. Tre Valli Varesine is in Varese and this is one of the twelve provinces in Lombardy. There could be 150 to 200 millimetres on race day in a period of twelve hours.
The women’s edition started in the morning in Busto Arsizio, although it had to be shorten by one lap. Race report below. The men’s Tre Valli Varesine was also shortened. The riders had to do two laps less than planned. Instead of more than 200 kilometres, it would now be about 170 kilometres long, but after 60 kilometres, the peloton decided to stop and after consultation with the race organisers, the race was cancelled.
Six riders were in the lead at that time, with Enric Mas (Movistar) Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich-PostNL), Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost), Lorenzo Germani (Groupama-FDJ), Tobias Foss (INEOS Grenadiers) and Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla).
“The peloton decided to strike, the descent was no longer safe. Everything came up, the sewer covers even came off,” said Wesley van Speybroeck, DS of Lotto Dstny, to Het Laatste Nieuws. “I understand that as an organisation, after working for this for almost a year, you are still trying everything to keep the race going. But this was really not feasible. The safety and also the health of the riders were already in too much danger. We have to understand that.”
World champion Tadej Pogačar was in agreement with the decision: “At the neutralised start, there were already seven flat tires and a few broken wheels. We still tried to race, but on a descent I rode in second position. That was behind my teammate Alessandro Covi, but I couldn’t even see where we were going”, the world champion told Cycling Pro Net.
“Everyone wanted to stop. It was just waiting for crashes. The only question was: in which lap? The worst crashes occur when you no longer have control over your front wheel. I know many friends in the peloton who suffered a concussion this year. That’s something we need to be more careful with in the peloton”, the world champion stated.
Pogacar not only thinks of his fellow riders, but also sympathised with the organisers. “We understand that organisers want to see a race, but in the end the riders made the right decision. We regret that the race did not go ahead, but it is just like that. Fortunately, we all remained calm and reasonable. I saw how hard it was for the boss of the organisation. There were tears in his eyes. This race means a lot to them. But if you can’t race, you can’t race. They understood that immediately. I’m really grateful to them for that.”
Tre Valli Varesine Result:
Cancelled.
Tre Valli Varesine’24:
Woman’s Tre Valli Varesine 2024
Cedrine Kerbaol won the women’s Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday. The race had to be shortened due to the terrible weather conditions- The French rider crossed the finish line solo in Varese. Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) came second, Liane Lippert (Movistar) third.
Despite the bad weather forecasts, the Tre Valli Varesine for women went ahead, although the route was shortened. it was not an easy race, because the circuit in Varese had no flat. With the Salita dei Ronchi (1.9km to 5.3%) and Montello (1.9km to 5.3%), there were also two other climbs, which had to be covered six and a half times. The finish was just after the summit of the Salita dei Ronchi.
Maví García, Dominika Włodarczyk, Pauliena Rooijakkers and last year’s winner. Liane Lippert attacked early. They built up a lead of 30 seconds on the peloton, where dsm-firmenich-PostNL led the chase. The gap was closed, after which a new lead group of seven racers escaped. Francesca Barale (dsm-firmenich-PostNL), Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ), Mareille Meijering (Movistar), Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health), Joscelin Lowden (Uno-X Mobility), Flora Perkins (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Monica Trinca Colonel (Bepink-Bongioanni) had a lead of more than 1 minute. With 55 kilometres to go, it was announced the race had been shortened by one lap, 40 kilometres shorter.
The peloton then pulled them back. There were more attacks from Lippert and Juliette Labous (dsm-firmenich PostNL), but it was Julie Bego (Cofidis) who took the lead just under 15 kilometres from the finish. Lippert and Labous managed to cross. The race seemed to be over, but in the pouring rain some riders were able to come back to them. Cedrine Kerbaol (CERATIZIT-WNT) and Persico kept going on the wet descent. The two had nearly 20 seconds lead at the start of the last time up Montello. On the climb, Kerbaol rode away from Persico who was caught by Lippert halfway up the climb, as she had jumped away from the chasing group. The duo couldn’t catch Kerbaol. The Frenchwoman crossed the line after a brave solo ride. In the sprint for second place, Persico beat Lippert.
Race winner, Cedrine Kerbaol (Fra) Ceratizit-WNT): “It wasn’t easy today. We had a lot of rain and cold all day, and it was a very eventful race. I felt good, though, and I knew I had to stay alert to get into the breakaway at the right time. When I was with Silvia Persico, I knew we could build a good margin. Honestly, I was a bit afraid of Persico. I expected her to attack, so I made my move first. Once I managed to drop her, I pushed hard all the way to the finish.”
2nd, Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ): “I tried to hang on, but she was just too strong. In the end, I’m happy with second, but it was a very tough day.”
3rd, Liane Lippert (Movistar): “I gave it everything to try to catch them, but with the conditions and how strong Cédrine was today, it just wasn’t possible. It was a tough race, but I’m pleased with my effort.”
Tre Valli Varesine Women’s Result:
1. Cedrine Kerbaol (Fra) Ceratizit-WNT in 2:54:58
2. Silvia Persico (Ita) UAE Team ADQ at 0:13
3. Liane Lippert (Ger) Movistar
4. Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini (Ita) UAE Team ADQ at 0:41
5. Julie Bego (Fra) Cofidis
6. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich-PostNL
7. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita) BePink-Bongioanni
8. Olha Kulynych (Ukr) Fenix-Deceuninck
9. Erica Magnaldi (Ita) UAE Team ADQ
10 Ruth Edwards-Winder (USA) Human Powered Health at 1:07
Tre Valli Varesine’24:
Vuelta Crash Leaves Deep Scars on Wout van Aert’s Leg
Wout van Aert’s season ended after a very bad crash in the Vuelta a España. It is not yet clear whether he will ride any cyclo-cross races this winter, although he recently hinted he would and his recovery is going well. As can be seen on Strava, the 30-year-old Belgian has been riding out on the road, but the damage to his right knee is particularly noticeable.
Van Aert is still recovering after his crash on the 16th stage of the Vuelta, when he had the chance of taking the points and KOM classifications. He didn’t suffer any fractures, but the wound in his knee was so deep that he had to leave la Vuelta and end his 2024 road season. Last Friday, Van Aert completed his first outdoor ride since his accident, 32.6 kilometres.
On Sunday he rode outside again, this time with ex-pro and regular training partner, Jan Bakelants, double the distance in just under two hours. On Instagram, Van Aert gave an update on his knee. At the physiotherapist he shows that his knee can be fully bent again, but there are big scars on the knee.
Van Aert scarred for life:
Remco Evenepoel Didn’t Look Great in the Coppa Bernocchi
Remco Evenepoel said before the start of the Coppa Bernocchi: “I feel that the batteries are slowly starting to run out” and this became apparent during the race. The leader of Soudal Quick-Step did go on the attack, but did not play a significant role in the final. His team DS, Klaas Lodewyck, also noticed.
“There is not much to say about this race. We approached a number of teams to ride behind the early breakaway, but no one really felt like it. So we got to work ourselves. Bwaa, targeted… He is far from top. We can see that too”, the former rider does not look for excuses in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws.
“The sober conclusion is that Pavel Sivakov eventually did make it to the leading group. If Remco is really at his best, he will also pull through and make the difference”, says Lodewyck. “But you can clearly see that he is at his limit. Not when he is just cycling, at a steady pace. But when he is fully committed. The key now is to recover well and see what can happen in the coming days.”
Talking of the Tre Valli Varesine the day before: “They are indeed forecasting a huge amount of rain. Weather in which you can hardly race. But anyway, we will see what is decided. We have to see. And first talk to Remco. Ask how he is actually feeling and adjust that to what is likely to happen on Tuesday. If it is really bad, we can still take our precautions. But until further notice, we will stick to the original plan,” concludes Lodewyck.
Remco Evenepoel did start the Tre Valli Varesine:
Moscon to Leave Soudal Quick-Step
Remco Evenepoel will have to do without Gianni Moscon next year. The Italian will race for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in 2025, wrote Ciro Scognamiglio, a journalist with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Moscon’s future seemed to be settled with his current team Soudal Quick-Step, but according to Scognamiglio, the transfer to Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe has already been completed. “It’s just waiting for the announcement,” he said.
The 30-year-old Moscon moved from Astana Qazaqstan to Soudal Quick-Step at the end of last year. In recent years, the Italian has not really lived up to his early promise. This season, with Patrick Lefevere, he has revived his career. Moscon didn’t achieve many big results with Soudal Quick-Step, but grew into an important member of the team in the service of Remco Evenepoel. He played an important role for the Belgian, who eventually finished third in the final overall in the Tour de France. Lefevere was happy and planned to extend the Italian’s contract.
“Gianni will stay for probably two years longer. He wanted to stop racing last year because he was so disappointed in his previous team Astana Qazaqstan. His manager then told me that if he couldn’t come to our team, he would stop. Moscon was a very good rider in the Tour. He raced at the minimum wage, but as a reward he now gets a two-year contract”, Lefevere said in early August.
Now Moscon has other plans and is on his way to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. There were rumours that Evenepoel was also linked to the German team, but the Belgian has said he would not be changing team.
Moscon to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe:
Gorka Izagirre Ends Professional Career
Gorka Izagirre will end his pro cycling career this year. The experienced Spaniard will be in action in the Tour of Guangxi this month, but will end his career after the Chinese WorldTour race.
Gorka Izagirre, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, has had a long and successful cycling career. He started in 2008 with the NGC Medical-OTC Industria Porte team. At the end of 2009 he moved to Euskaltel-Euskadi and his career really took off. While with the Basque team, Izagirre started to show his class. After four seasons with Euskaltel-Euskadi, he went to Movistar from 2014 to 2017, Bahrain Merida in 2018, Astana from 2019 to 2021, Movistar again for 2022 to 2023) and then Cofidis in 2024. Gorka rode most of his career with his two-year-younger brother Ion, who has no plans to retire as a professional cyclist yet.
Gorka mainly rode for others during his career, but he also managed to achieve a few good victories. He won a stage in the Giro d’Italia in 2017 and soloed to the Spanish road title a year later. His palmarès also includes the Gran Trittico Lombardo, a final victory in the Tour de La Provence, the Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika (three times) and the Klasika Primavera.
Gorka Izagirre to retire:
Tadej Pogačar Leads Squad for Il Lombardia
World Champion returns to defend title
UAE Team Emirates head into the last Monument of the year with Il Lombardia in Italy on Saturday 12th October, with Tadej Pogačar going in search of another title at ‘The race of the fallen leaves’. The team have all eyes on them as reigning champions of the past three editions in 2021,2022, and 2023.
Pogačar will count on a strong team around him as he goes in search of a third title in Como.
Pogačar: “The first race in the rainbow colours was something special. Giro Dell’Emilia was always a race that got away from me but I was delighted to be able to take the win there finally last weekend. The shape is still very good and I want to give it one last push now for Lombardía. It’s been the perfect season for us this year. All the team we worked really hard and things really clicked for us. I’ll definitely look back on this year as a really special time. But it’s not over yet and we want to finish it off well and with a strong result in my last race of the season in Lombardia.”
Sports Manager Matxin Fernandez (Spa) along with the Sports Director pairing of Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) and Marco Marzano (Ita) will lead the squad.
Il Lombardia [1.UWT] – 12-Oct-2024:
Jan Christen (Swi)
Finn Fisher Black (NZ)
Marc Hirschi (Swi)
Rafal Majka (Pol)
Tadej Pogačar (Slo)
Pavel Sivakov (Fra)
Adam Yates (GB).
Primoz Roglic Ends 2024 Season – No Lombardia
Primož Roglič has decided to end his season and will not be at the start of the 2024 Il Lombardia on Saturday, where he was considered one of the top favourites. The almost 35-year-old Slovenian is going to recharge the batteries for the new season, his team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe announced.
“A long season is coming to an end”, the team wrote. “Primož and the performance staff have decided to end a great year. He will start his off-season immediately. Join us in wishing him a good recovery and a wonderful off-season, you deserve it Primož!” It is not yet clear who will replace him in Lombardy. The provisional start list includes Roger Adrìa, Jai Hindley, Bob Jungels, Florian Lipowitz, Daniel Felipe Martínez and Aleksandr Vlasov.
Roglič ending his season is not a surprise. After winning the Vuelta a España, which made him co-record holder, his World time trial and road championships were not great. Last week he started the Giro dell’Emilia and the Coppa Bernocchi, but didn’t finish either race.
No Lombardia for Primož Roglič:
dsm-firmenich-PostNL Team for Il Lombardia – OCT 12
Pim Ligthart – Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach: “The last big dance of the season and the final Monument of the year; Il Lombardia. We arrive at the start highly motivated having seen at the Worlds this year, on a similarly demanding parcours, that we are in a good position at the moment as a team. The Colma di Sormano will be a key point in this year’s edition. If we pass this point successfully with a few of our riders at the head of the race, then everything will be possible.”
Line-up:
Romain Bardet (FRA)
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Chris Hamilton (AUS)
Gijs Leemreize (NED)
Martijn Tusveld (NED)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA).
Bardet to Lombardia:
Soudal Quick-Step to Il Lombardia
Two-time Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel headlines our seven-man squad for Saturday’s appointment
Il Lombardia isn’t just the last Monument of the season, it’s also our team’s final race on European soil. Traveling from Bergamo to Como, the 252km route comprises eight climbs: Forcellino di Banzano, Passo di Ganda, Colle di Berbenno, Valpiana, Sella di Osgio, Madonna del Ghisallo, Cima di Sormano and San Fermo della Battaglia. Sormano will be climbed from a different side this time and a major selection could happen on its slopes, while San Fermo is set to be crested with just five kilometres to go, from its top only a fast descent remaining until the finish.
At the previous participations here, Soudal Quick-Step racked up a total of five podiums – including Paolo Bettini’s back-to-back victories – and our squad will look to get again a good result at the Italian Monument, which this year runs its 118th edition – the second-longest of the last decade.
Our team for Il Lombardia will consist of Mattia Cattaneo, Remco Evenepoel, last year’s Piccolo Lombardia winner William Junior Lecerf, Fausto Masnada – runner-up here in 2021 – Pieter Serry, Ilan Van Wilder and Mauri Vansevenant.
“It goes without saying that on Saturday we’ll take on one of the toughest races of the season. The eight climbs on the course will gradually whittle down the peloton, and the presence of Sormano – the longest ascent of the day – inside the last 60 kilometres is sure to light up the race. We aren’t starting as the main favourites, but we are determined to do a good race, show the Wolfpack spirit and score a solid result as we bring down the curtain over our European season”, said Soudal Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.
12.10 Il Lombardia (ITA) 1.UWT Riders:
Mattia Cattaneo (ITA)
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
William Junior Lecerf (BEL)
Fausto Masnada (ITA)
Pieter Serry (BEL)
Ilan Van Wilder (BEL)
Mauri Vansevenant (BEL).
Sports Director: Davide Bramati (ITA) and Klaas Lodewyck (BEL).
Evenepoel to lead Soudal Quick-Step:
Baloise Trek Lions Have New Sponsor in 2025
Baloise Trek Lions will be known as Baloise Glowi Lions from 1 January 2025. This was announced at the cyclo-cross team presentation. Bicycle brand Trek will remain as a bike sponsor.
In the last months of the 2024 cyclocross season, the team will continue to be known as Baloise Trek Lions, but that will change in the new year. Glowi, a Limburg company that is active in HR and service vouchers, among other things, will be a new named sponsor.
Glowi is known for ‘Het Poetsbureau’ and employment agency ‘Glowi Jobs’, and has been working for some time to expand its activities with marketing and communication. A collaboration with one of the most successful cyclo-cross teams of the moment appears to be the next step.
Baloise Trek Lions hopes to achieve as many successes as possible in the coming months with Thibau Nys, Pim Ronhaar, Lars van der Haar and Lucinda Brand, Shirin van Anrooij and Fleur Moors. Team of manager, Sven Nys, has lost Joris Nieuwenhuis, the Dutch champion will be the leader of the new Ridley Racing Team.
As previously announced, bicycle brand Trek will no longer be the main sponsor on the jerseys of the cyclo-cross team from 2025, but will remain involved with the team as a bike sponsor. In 2020, Trek succeeded Telenet as one of the main sponsors of the team. It helped Sven Nys out of a tight spot at the time, but never really had the ambition to act as the main sponsor for a longer period. The other name sponsor, Baloise, is still under contract until 2026.
New name for Sven Nys’ team in 2025:
Pablo Castrillo: Young Spanish Talent to Continue Shining with Movistar
Dual stage winner + breakthrough at La Vuelta this year, Aragón native jumps from Equipo Kern Pharma to WorldTour with 2027 contract
The Movistar Team will continue to gather many of Spain’s brightest talents as it announces today the signing of Pablo Castrillo (Jaca, Huesca, ESP; 2001). Raised in the AD Galibier, whose pro outfit Kern Pharma has seen him rise to stardom over the last three years, he has signed a 2027 contract with the Telefónica-backed squad.
Brother of Jaime, a member for two years (2018-19) of the team managed by Eusebio Unzué, Pablo is not only the biggest sensation of the 2024 La Vuelta, where he brilliantly won two mountain stages -Manzaneda (st. 12) and Cuitu Negru (st. 15)-.
Castrillo is also one of Spain’s most consistent riders throughout the current season, strong in races as diverse as O Gran Camiño -3rd at the Coruña ITT; last man standing against Vingegaard in the Ourense hills-, Slovenia (5th), Burgos (7th), the Nationals (8th at the ITT; 7th in the road race), San Sebastián (top-20) and Croatia (7th). His high level and values helped him join, just ten days ago, the Spanish national team for the very first time to compete at the Zurich Worlds’ road race.
Pablo Castrillo: “The last few weeks have been a huge leap forward for me as a person and an impulse to my sporting career, ‘crowned’, so to speak, with this WorldTour contract with a squad like the Movistar Team. They are the reference in Spanish cycling, and it’s always motivating to race for this team. I’m now entering off-season mode and trying to fathom all that’s happened in La Vuelta and the whole 2024 season, which I think was really consistent from my side. Those two wins; also, being able to end the race at the home of my new team, with those impressive Telefónica headquarters — it’s been really intense, and I won’t easily forget it.”
“The people close to me who have been part of the team and have passed on their experience have instilled much confidence in me towards this signing. I always train with Jorge (Arcas), and he’s explained to me how the team works, how they would take care of me and the things that they were improving and doing well. Also, my brother Jaime talked to me about how well he was treated. I enter the team really willing to get going. It’s a huge step forward and I want to do my best and be a great asset for the squad to continue growing and hopefully do the same myself. I’m raring to get the 2025 season start and wear that jersey.”
Pablo Castrillo to Movistar:
Marc Soler Renews as Pablo Torres Steps-Up with UAE Team Emirates
Soler extends until 2027, Torres until 2030
UAE Team Emirates have renewed terms with Marc Soler who put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him at the Emirati outfit.
Soler, who has just finished off a successful Vuelta a España, will continue to wear the colours of the UAE for at least another three years, penning a deal until the end of 2027. The versatile climber has been in the team since 2022 and has been part of multiple team successes both as a domestique and when seeking his own results.
Soler: “I feel very happy to be able to continue with UAE Team Emirates and thankful for the trust they have shown in me. In this team I find a good balance between personal ambitions and helping my teammates depending on the race, and it’s a mix I am enjoying a lot. The team is experiencing a really good period at the moment and it feels like a family environment at each race. I want to stay at the highest level for years to come and help it to win many races along the way.”
Joining the Spanish armada at UAE will be another young Spanish talent as Pablo Torres makes the step into the professional ranks for 2025. The talented 18 year old from Madrid moves up to the World Tour squad having spent the 2024 season racing with the UAE Gen Z development team. The youngster achieved great success in his first year as an under-23, most notably taking 2nd place overall at the Giro D’Italia Next Gen and winning the queen stage and finishing 2nd overall at the Tour de l’Avenir.
Torres: “For me it’s a dream to become part of the UAE Team Emirates World Tour team. I am very excited and eager to continue growing surrounded by the same people, in the best team in the world and alongside the best professionals. The treatment I have received this year has been spectacular both from the staff and from riders and I am delighted to be able to be part of the team until 2030. I have worked hard to be able to make this big step, but this has only just begun and there is still a lot of work to do to be able to give the best of myself to the team. I’m very thankful and grateful for the support and trust they have placed in me from day one.”
Mauro Gianetti (Team Principal & CEO) : “We remain a team dedicated to developing the talents of the future and we believe that Pablo Torres is a rider with the qualities to make the step-up to the World Tour. He is a young rider and the focus will be on his development both as a rider and as a person, which is very important. Soler is a rider with a lot of experience and has been a key figure in the past couple of years. We feel that Marc can continue to show us his high level.”
Three more years for Marc Soler with UAE:
UAE Team Emirates Sign Rune Herregodts
Belgian joins Emirati squad on two-year deal
UAE Team Emirates are finalising their 2025 roster with Rune Herregodts the latest signing incorporated into the Emirati squad for next season.
Herregodts will bolster the team’s ambitions in the Northern classics and add horsepower through his proven track record as a strong time trialist . The 26 year old, who has combined his racing career with studying a medical degree, finished third in the Belgian National TT championships this year while also winning the ZLM Tour in the Netherlands after an impressive victory against the clock on stage 1. He signs with the Emirati team until the end of 2026.
Herregodts: “I’m very pleased and excited to be part of UAE Team Emirates for next season. It’s one of the best teams in the world and to be there in that group of top riders with the best staff and equipment is something I’m really happy about and looking forward to. I am ready to give my maximum to grow in the team over the coming years.”
Mauro Gianetti (Team Principal & CEO): “We’re very pleased to welcome Rune into the team for next season. He is a powerful rider who is now coming into his best years and we are proud to have him with us for the years to come.”
Rune Herregodts to join UAE Team Emirates:
Andrea Raccagni to Turn Pro with Soudal Quick-Step
The 20-year-old Italian has signed a contract that will see him ride for the team until the end of 2027
U23 ITT National Champion Andrea Raccagni is set to become the sixth Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team rider to move to the World Tour squad in the last two seasons, following in the footsteps of former teammates Gil Gelders, William Junior Lecerf, Pepijn Reinderink, Warre Vangheluwe and Jordi Warlop.
Raccagni has had two solid years with our feeder team, his win at the Nationals in June being the cherry on the top during this time. In addition to that, Andrea proved himself in a number of races, such as Textielprijs Vichte, the U23 Gent-Wevelgem, Brussel-Opwijk and Le Tour des 100 Communes, all of which he finished in the top three. Equally impressive was his outing at the GiroNextGen, where he caught everyone’s attention with the remarkable lead-out skills he possesses, his role being instrumental in Paul Magnier’s pair of stage wins there.
“I’m really happy and proud that this dream I had since I was a kid will come true and I will turn pro with Soudal Quick-Step. I had two good years with the Devo team, learned a lot and I feel that now I’m ready to make the step to the World Tour in just a couple of months. It’s an incredible squad and I kind of feel at home here”, a delighted Andrea explained. “My strongest point is the time trial, but I also have some speed on the flat and on small uphill finishes, so I’m looking forward to discovering what kind of rider I can be. My hope is to become a good Classics rider and to help the team get good results whenever possible.”
“Andrea has what it takes to build himself a nice career in the World Tour ranks. He has the work ethic, the ambition and the mentality to become better and play a role in the squad’s success. He is a real team player, as evidenced by his display at the U23 Giro and the Tour of Slovakia, to name just a few of the races where he has impressed us. We welcome him in the team and can’t wait to see him in action next season”, Soudal Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere said of the promising Italian.
Andrea Raccagni to turn pro with Soudal Quick-Step:
Climbing Trio Extend with Team dsm-firmenich PostNL Men and Women Programs
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL are pleased to announce more extensions across both their Men and Women programs today, as Matt Dinham, Eleonora Ciabocco and Becky Storrie all continue their journey with the team. Dinham and Storrie will wear the team’s colours through 2027, while Ciabocco has committed to the two-stripes until 2028.
Eleonora Ciabocco
A fresh face to the team in 2023, Ciabocco joined Team dsm-firmenich PostNL’s Women’s program after a very promising junior career that included back-to-back Italian road race championship wins, podiums at the European championships and several other places of honour throughout the year. Ciabocco’s opening season with the team saw her make the often-daunting step-up from juniors into elite racing, but the young Italian took it head-on and used it as an opportunity to learn and grow from those around her. Taking what she learned in that opening season, 2024 has seen Ciabocco make further steps as a rider, impressing with a seventh place at Brabantse Pijl in April. Supporting the team’s GC finishers to strong results at the Vuelta a España and Giro d’Italia, Ciabocco got the opportunity to test her legs in the Tour de l’Avenir where she climbed superbly to end in eight place overall; finishing every stage in the top ten.
Ciabocco said: “I wanted to continue with Team dsm-firmenich PostNL because I think there is a really good atmosphere, and I appreciate the freedom they give me to grow in the best way possible. I have so many beautiful memories with the team, one which was the Trofeo Binda in Cittiglio. It was the first race with the team in my home country, and that was a truly special day for me, my family and friends. On the bike I think that I am quite good in positioning my teammates in the peloton and I can help support on the climbs, while off the bike I like to think I can bring some happiness to my teammates as I am a joyful and quite chatty person. Over the next years I still want to learn as much as possible from my teammates and everyone around me. As I continue to grow and develop, I hope to be able to help the team achieve more results – whether that be me crossing the line first or my teammates.”
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna added: “Eleonora is a very talented young rider and she has managed the step from juniors into elite racing very well so far. She has a fantastic approach to racing and the sport of cycling in general, and she is clearly someone who is very motivated and has that internal drive to keep making progress. We’ve seen her showcase her talents on the climbs so far, but of course as she is still young we want to continue to help her develop overall as a rider in the next years before we hone in one area. We’re looking forward to the coming seasons.”
Matt Dinham
A talented rider, Dinham has tasted success in cross-country mountain bike events, but he has since proven to be equally adept on the road too. Strong results at the likes of the Tour de l’Avenir, Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc and U23 World Championships ended up with him joining Team dsm-firmenich PostNL in 2023. That opening campaign saw the astute Dinham settle into the team well, proving himself to be very adept on the hills before going on to make his debut at the Tour de France. Coming out of La Grande Boucle with great legs, Dinham produced a sensational performance to take seventh in the road race at the elite World Championships, before top tens overall at the Arctic Race of Norway and CRO Race. Unfortunately, his 2024 season has been completely hampered by injury but with his long-term future secured, Dinham and Team dsm-firmenich PostNL have the time required to return to racing in a good way and without any rush, so they can hopefully continue their upwards trajectory together in the future.
Dinham expressed: “I’m thrilled to continue my journey with Team dsm-firmenich PostNL through 2027. The environment at the team is one I really enjoy working in and the support and opportunities I’ve received so far have been incredible. My personal highlight so far has been racing the Tour de France with the team last year, but I believe we still have a lot more to achieve together. It’s been a very tough year for me dealing with my injury, but I appreciate the team’s ongoing support and the longer contract has given me the security to make sure I come back in the best way possible. I’m working hard towards our goals in 2025 and can’t wait to see what’s possible together.”
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna continued: “Matt really impressed us since he joined the team, both in terms of his ability on the bike but also his attitude off it too; he’s someone who is always willing to learn from those around him, whether that be from our staff or the other riders. In 2023 he showed that he is a very promising rider on the climbs, and he also has some very good positioning skills in the bunch, which seem to come naturally to him. Of course, he’s had a tough season this year with injury but we’re working hard together so that he can come back to the peloton in a good way, and from there we hope to continue to make steps together.”
Becky Storrie
A former triathlete, Storrie made the switch full time to cycling in 2019 on her way to recovery from a diagnosis of chronic fatigue. Taking part in her first proper road race that year she has since risen through the British domestic scene and combined her riding on the road with E-sports, before joining Team dsm-firmenich PostNL for the 2023 season. Making the transition from Continental level, Storrie has continued to improve as a rider with the team in the last two years; playing an important role in several successes, such as the team’s first ever Grand Tour podium with their Women’s program at the Giro d’Italia. 2024 has seen Storrie have her fair share of bad luck with injuries but she has shown great character and commitment, bouncing back to ride her first Tour de France Femmes where she helped the team to two famous victories on Dutch soil. However, the peloton wouldn’t be able to see her talents on the climbs as she would have to abandon the race early due to a crash. Nonetheless, the determined Storrie is looking forward to coming back and proving herself in the future.
Storrie said: “At the end of 2022, the team took a chance on me and offered me an opportunity at a time I needed it the most. Without it, it is likely that I would not be in the sport today. For that, I will always be grateful. You need a lot of luck in cycling and a good team around you. This one pushes me outside of my comfort zone consistently, in all of the best ways. I believe I need that to become the best version of myself, both on and off the bike. To spend three more years together is a real privilege and a commitment I take very seriously. My goal is to climb with the best and ultimately develop into the GC rider I know I’m capable of becoming.”
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna continued: “Becky has a fantastic attitude, and she has really trusted us with how we work as a team, and she believes in our approach. Coming to the sport later she misses the years of bunch racing experience that a lot of the peloton has, but she is always willing to learn and by working together we’ve helped her progress in that area. We believe that if she continues to further develop, then her natural abilities on the bike will begin to shine through further and Becky will become an even more valuable member of our team.”
Becky Storrie to stay with dsm-firmenich-PostNL:
Exemplary Teammate Boy van Poppel Hangs up his Bike
A model teammate, lead-out rider, and highly experienced road captain: Dutchman Boy van Poppel will end his professional cycling career at the end of the 2024 season, after fourteen years in the peloton, including five with the Intermarché-Wanty team. This decision follows his crash in March during the Nokere Koerse, where he suffered multiple fractures.
Son of Jean-Paul, winner of the green jersey and nine stages of the Tour de France, Boy was destined for a career in sprinting. At 20, he won his first and only professional victory at the 2008 Tour of Missouri ahead of a certain Mark Cavendish and his teammate Michael Van Staeyen, whom he was supposed to launch.
It is in this role of lead-out rider that Boy has excelled throughout his career, first in the service of Robert Förster at UnitedHealthcare (2011-2012), then of his own brother Danny van Poppel at Vacansoleil (2013) and then Trek (2014-2018).
After five seasons in the American team and a stint with the Dutch team Roompot (2019), he rejoined his brother at Intermarché-Wanty, with whom he raced the Tour de France for the second time, finishing ninth in Fougères in 2021.
A true point of reference in the team, in the sprint trains and the core of the Classics, he became the mentor of Gerben Thijssen, whom he propelled to his first professional successes in 2022, an experience also benefiting the young riders Biniam Girmay, Hugo Page, Arne Marit, and Madis Mihkels.
In 2023, at the age of 35, he finished third in the sprint in Zaragoza during the Vuelta a España. This was the pinnacle for Boy, making him the third member of the van Poppel family to step onto the podium of a Grand Tour stage, following in the footsteps of his father and brother.
A happy father of two girls, Mèxx and Ivy, Boy van Poppel has participated in nine Grand Tours and is part of the exclusive club of riders who have finished the Giro, the Tour, and the Vuelta, in addition to fourteen Monuments, including six Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.
Boy van Poppel: “After fourteen years as a professional cyclist, the time has come for me to turn the page. In March, I broke my vertebrae during Nokere Koerse, and even though I gave it my all to come back, my body signalled that it was time to stop. It was a difficult period mentally, but now I feel better and ready to move on. I started cycling at the age of 10, inspired by my hero: my father. From the beginning, I shared this adventure with my brother, who himself became a top-level cyclist. I am proud of him and everything we have accomplished together. Looking back, I am happy with the path I have taken and, above all, with the fact that I always gave my all. I can leave without any regrets. To the riders who have accompanied me, I hope I have passed on something they can use to continue to grow and succeed. It was an honour to be part of their journey, and I know they will continue to assert themselves, even without me by their side. I would like to thank Intermarché-Wanty in particular for bringing out the best in me in recent years. I truly felt like part of a family there. To everyone who has supported me: family, friends, fans. Thank you. Your support has carried me through the most difficult times. This is not the end, but the first page of a new chapter in my life. I can’t wait to spend more time at home and discover what the future holds. On to the next adventure!”
Paul Jorna (team doctor): “In his fall during the Nokere Koerse on March 13, 2024, Boy van Poppel fractured the vertebrae in the middle of his spine. Such an injury often has significant, long-lasting, and even permanent consequences for cyclists, such as chronic pain. On a bicycle, the back is essential for transferring power to the pedals. Additionally, the vertebrae constantly take a beating on poor road surfaces. Despite his great determination, the pain made it almost impossible for Boy van Poppel to complete his training sessions in recent months. He was forced to end his cycling career.”
Boy van Poppel retires:
Promising Paternoster Commits to More with Liv AlUla Jayco
After a stand out and consistent road season, 25-year-old Letizia Paternoster has committed to two more years with Liv AlUla Jayco.
The Italian is hoping to build on her strong 2024 performances, which saw her take a top ten at the iconic Tour of Flanders, a podium finish in Dwars door Vlaanderen amongst other impressive top-five placings in the biggest UCI women’s WorldTour races.
With two agonisingly close calls with second place finishes on the opening stages of both RideLondon and the Tour of Britain women, the latter of which came down to a photo finish against world champion Lotte Kopecky, Paternoster and the team are confident that a much deserved WorldTour victory is just around the corner for the talented sprinter.
Paternoster: “In this team there are really special people, and they trusted me from the first moment. I feel like I can enjoy what I am doing, and I really like how the team works. We can feel like real professionals like the men, because we have the same things, this really important for us, it is amazing. The team is really well organised; we have a lot of respect, and I feel really comfortable inside of this team.”
“This season gave me a lot of power for the next years. This year was about experiences and my numbers are improving each day, each month, each year, so I think I can still continue to improve a lot. I would really like to be one of the best riders in the world in the next years and I know the team trusts me. This winter will be really important to build and be ready to race. I still have a lot to do and to learn but I gained a lot of experience this year with Liv AlUla Jayco. I am super excited, I feel lucky and grateful that I can be with the team, this amazing family and I cannot wait.”
The new two-year contract will see Paternoster through to her fourth year with the team and after balancing Olympics track commitments along with her road ambitions this year, in 2025 the Italian will return full focus to the road where she is targeting the top step.
Brent Copeland – General Manager: “We’re very happy to have Letizia stay with us. She has really developed over the last years and we can see that with her consistency throughout 2024. She is a huge asset to the team on and off the bike, and brings a lot of team spirit to the group. We’re looking forward to seeing what she will achieve in 2025 and 2026.”
Paternoster
Nationality: Italian
Age: 25
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2023
New contract: 2025 & 2026.
Key results:
1st – Tour de Gatineau (2024)
1st – Ceretizit Festival Elsy Jacobs GC & stage win (2018)
1st – Tour Down Under – Stage 1 (2019)
2nd – Tour of Britain Women – stage 1 (2024)
2nd – RideLondon – stage 1 (2024)
3rd – Gent Wevelgem (2019)
3rd – Dwars door Vlaanderen (2024)
4th – GC RideLondon Classics (2024)
5th – GC Tour of Britain Women (2024).
Letizia Paternoster has two more years with Liv AlUla Jayco:
Kasper Asgreen Joins EF Education-EasyPost – Dane Adds Horsepower to Team´s Classics Squad
Kasper Asgreen will race in EF pink, starting in 2025.
The Danish classics star wants to add to his impressive list of victories, which already includes the Ronde van Vlaanderen, E3 SaxoBank Classic, and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, as well as a stage at the Tour de France and four Danish time-trial titles.
Kasper loves the way that our team competes and can’t wait to lead his new teammates onto the cobbles at his favourite races. “The main reason for me to come to this team is the way that the guys race,” Kasper says. “You can see that there’s always a plan to try to win. Even if the race is not perfectly suited to them, the guys won’t just sit in the bunch, waiting for the other teams to take charge. That really attracted me. On this team, we’re going to do everything that we can to make races develop the way we want them to develop. That is really, really cool. For me, it’s the main thing: I like the team’s approach to racing.”
EF Pro Cycling founder and CEO Jonathan Vaughters thinks that Kasper is going to fit right in with our squad. “Kasper is a smart racer who can make big attacks stick at the ends of the toughest classics,” Vaughters says. “He can read a race very well. When the contenders are on their last legs, he’ll pick his moment to go. Time and time again, it’s the right one. He packs a great sprint too, as he showed when he won the Ronde van Vlaanderen.”
Races like Flanders and Roubaix are the ones that Kasper looks forward to most. When the peloton explodes, he comes into his own. “When everybody’s attacking and teams are struggling to keep control, that is when opportunities arise for me,” Kasper says. “That is when racing is the most exciting for me and where I see my chances. Those are the races I enjoy the most. The spring classics have a special place in my heart for sure. The main goal for the year is to lead the team to victories in the spring in Belgium. We’re going to have a really, really strong team with several riders that can mix it up in the finales. That is a recipe that I believe in and one that has worked well for me.”
Kasper learned how to race when he was a kid in Denmark, where he started out riding for the local club in Kolding, the small university city where he now lives with his wife and which he will always call home. Before he took up cycling, he rode horses. From the age of four, he competed in dressage. He still draws on his childhood equestrian experience now as a pro bike racer.
“When you need to take care of an animal, you can’t just leave it in the stable for two or three days at a time because you don’t feel like going training,” Kasper says. “You are responsible for a living creature, so you need to go and exercise it every day at least. Maybe you don’t want to do a full training session or a hard training session, but the horse still needs to be exercised. I think that gave me a lot of discipline very early on. When I started cycling, a lot of my friends in the bike club just went training with the group on Tuesday and Thursday. I would also go on the bike on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and do the races, because I was used to having to do my sport every day. That discipline of going out every day, which I had done since I was five or six or seven years old made my transition into cycling much easier.”
Bike racing was still tough for him at first. Kasper didn’t win a race for his first three years. He loved the sport nonetheless. “One summer, I was watching the Tour de France on television, and I said to my parents, maybe we should give road cycling a try,” Kasper says. “I had stopped riding horses and tried lots of different sports, but none really caught on. My parents wanted my brothers and me to be active outside of school. So we called the local bike shop, which had a bike club. I still go to that bike shop, where I got my first road bike. From the beginning, I was like, this is something for me. A lot of the guys I raced against had already been riding for several years, and I made a lot of stupid decisions tactically in those first years, but everybody does when they start out racing. I had some catching up to do, but I made progress every year and that was enough for me.”
Kasper’s love of the sport is still what drives him. Being a pro comes with pressures and hard times, but Kasper still knows that it is a privilege to be a bike racer. Having fun is his superpower. “It is a hard sport, but it’s harder if you don’t enjoy it,” Kasper says. “We all started cycling, because we enjoy it. That’s something I really, really try to remember; you don’t have to do this; you get to do this; you could do anything else if you want. I am lucky enough to live in a country where education is open to anyone. So, if I want to do something else, I have every opportunity in the world, but I get to do this right now. It is a sport and it is a lot of fun.”
Next year is going to be really fun with you in the team, Kasper. Welcome to EF Education-EasyPost!
Kasper Asgreen joins EF Education-EasyPost:
Pier-André Côté Returns to the ProTeam Ranks with IPT
Pier-André Côté will step up from the IPT Academy team to IPT’s ProTeam in 2025 on a two-year contract as the sixth Canadian rider on the team next year.
“As soon as I joined the IPT Academy team for this season, I immediately felt at home,” explains Côté. “It has been quite incredible really. The whole set-up is so professional, and I told myself that I simply could not miss this opportunity. I had to make sure it would happen and I’m super excited to be joining the IPT ProTeam next year!”
After securing fifth place on the General Classification at CRO Race at the weekend, Coté proved yet again that he deserves a place in the ProTeam says IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström.
“Pier-André has been an exceptional teammate all season and has stepped up to the ProTeam from the Academy on many occasions,” adds Carlström. “His result at CRO Race was just another example of Pier-André stepping up and making the most of an opportunity given to him. There will be many more opportunities to come in the next two years and I have no doubt Pier-André will excel in our ProTeam.”
Prior to CRO Race, the 27-year-old Canadian already had multiple chances to show his abilities with the IPT ProTeam this season producing several strong performances, including his 10th place overall at the Baloise Belgium Tour and his fifth place in Druivenkoers – Overijse.
“The racing this year has been great,” says Coté. “I have done a good amount with the pros and it’s so motivating to be working towards a victory or a team performance with such great athletes. To be surrounded with top level and all-around great guys is empowering and it has allowed me to get the best out of myself.”
At the Canadian championships this year, Côté started out winning the time trial with a nearly-two-minute margin before going on to help teammate Michael Woods win the road race, while taking second place himself. Now, he’s looking forward to developing as a rider and finding place within the team.
“I have been surprising myself in all sorts of terrain lately, so I’m hoping I can keep going down this road and just become a better allrounder,” adds Côté. “I’m hoping I can bring my versatility into the classics and find success there. As far as a main goal for the next years is concerned, if I had to narrow it down to just the one, I would like to keep heading towards becoming the best bike racer I can possibly be. I’m confident this team has everything I could ever hope for to reach this goal. In a more specific manner, I would love to have an impact on a top performance in a big Classic and start my first Grand Tour”.
IPT team owner, Sylvan Adams, is delighted to see Côté join the team’s pro ranks. “It gives me great satisfaction to have promoted Pier-André to IPT, after a productive year in our Continental development team, IPT Academy. All the more-so since PAC’s original team, Human Powered Health, discontinued their men’s program late in 2023, potentially leaving him without a ride in 2024. Pier-André is yet another worthy and valuable rider given a second chance at IPT, a legacy and reputation that gives me great pride. Welcome to the show, Pier-André, looking forward to exciting things from you in 2025!”
Decathlon-AG2R Presents Team DS Luke Rowe
Luke Rowe is currently still racing with INEOS Grenadiers, but next season he will become a directeur sportif with Decathlon-AG2R. The French team confirmed the news in a press release. The Decathlon AG2R project appeals to Rowe partly because the team wants to be more international, he said.
“I have taken some time to reflect and see what my next chapter would be,” said the 34-year-old Rowe, who is in his thirteenth season as a professional. He rode his entire career for INEOS Grenadiers and predecessor Team Sky, but has now opted for a French team. “The Decathlon AG2R project appeals to me, especially because a big step has been taken in terms of performance, but especially in terms of a long-term vision.”
“I am eager to share my experience at the highest level and to support the riders, especially in the classics. The other side of this new project is that the team has the ambition to become more international. Of course, there are some incredible French talents, but with this new approach, the team can also be attractive to English speakers and international riders who want to join the team.”
Dominique Serieys, CEO of Decathlon-AG2R, also emphasises that Rowe has a long history in the highest echelons of cycling. “He has a lot of experience in the classics, such as Paris-Roubaix, the Flemish races and the Ardennes, where he has played a leading role throughout his career. This will help us to strengthen the team in preparation for these major races, which are key objectives in the coming seasons. Luke will be the centre of the Classics group, which will do various training camps and make other specific preparations to achieve our objectives.”
Luke Rowe to be DS with Decathlon-AG2R in 2025:
Gleb Syritsa Renews Contract with Astana Qazaqstan
Gleb Syritsa will continue riding for the WorldTour team Astana Qazaqstan Team. The new contract extends his commitment for one more year, covering the 2025 season.
The 24-year-old rider joined Astana Qazaqstan Team in the 2023 season after a successful stint as a trainee from August to October 2022, during which he achieved a stage victory at Le Tour de Langkawi and podium finishes at the Arctic Race of Norway and the Tour of Slovakia.
Some of Syritsa’s key results during the 2023-2024 seasons include three more stage wins at Le Tour de Langkawi, podium places at stages of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey and the ZLM Tour, a 5th place finish at the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana, and 7th at the Gooikse Pijl.
“I’m really happy to extend my contract with the team. It’s important for me to stay in an environment where I not only feel comfortable but also continue progressing every year. The first two seasons in the WorldTour weren’t easy due to a lack of experience, but now I feel like things are moving in the right direction. Although I’m still missing victories in Europe, my results are starting to show, both in one-day races and stage races. After sprinting at the races like the UAE Tour and Renewi Tour, I’ve gained confidence that I can compete with the top sprinters. I’m grateful to the team’s management for their trust, and I’ll do my best to live up to it, not only in the new season but also in the final part of this year at the Tour of Guangxi,” said Gleb Syritsa.
“Gleb has spent his first two years with our team at a solid level. He’s been able to help the team in various races and achieve some individual results. His progress is evident, and we are excited to see how things develop further. Sprinting is a new focus for us, but we’ve already seen significant success, including Mark Cavendish’s historic 35th stage win at the Tour de France. Gleb has integrated well into the team’s sprinting group and is gaining valuable experience in major classic races, so we expect more great results soon,” said Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team.
Another year for Gleb Syritsa with Astana Qazaqstan:
Upcoming Italian Talent Monica Trinca Colonel to Step Up to WorldTour in 2025 with Liv AlUla Jayco
Liv AlUla Jayco will add another rider to its 2025 roster with the signing of Italian talent Monica Trinca Colonel. The 25-year-old has demonstrated her great potential with consistent results in the highest level of races throughout 2024, despite her late entry into the world of cycling.
The Italian rider has only been racing for one season internationally and has stormed to the top at a rapid rate with stellar performances against top seasoned professionals. Trinca Colonel turned heads in two major Grand Tours this year, La Vuelta Femenina and the iconic Giro d’Italia, as she was seen fighting in the front groups and consistently picking up top-20 placings which is no easy feat for even the most experienced riders.
By welcoming the Italian into the WorldTeam environment, the performance group are hoping that the high level of support, professionalism and experience within the GreenEDGE Cycling set up will allow Trinca Colonel to make the step up to the next level and turn those top-20 placings into top 10s and reach her true potential that she has shown glimpses of so far.
Monica Trinca Colonel: “I’m excited to join Liv AlUla Jayco because I think it is the perfect place for my growth. I feel a lot of trust from the team, and I can’t wait to keep dreaming with them.
I have only been part of the peloton since last January, so it is difficult to know yet what type of rider I am. For sure I love long climbs and, maybe due to my past in MTB when I was I child, I feel very good in technical downhills. It seems that I have a good recovery that makes me feel good also during stage races.
I like technical races such as Strade Bianche, which has been my favourite one-day race. I dream of one day racing the Tour de France Femmes. Next year I hope to improve my race tactics to obtain the best results, and I would like to be more competitive in time trials. I’m sure I can achieve both goals with the help of great teammates and members of the staff.”
Brent Copeland – General Manager: “We are always looking out for new potential, riders with some raw talent and we believe we have found this with Monica. She has shown everyone she has something special this season, racing at the highest level, despite it only being her first full road season. Our women’s squad for 2025 has a good balance and we are confident Monica will fit in well and continue to improve at a rapid rate. We are intrigued to see what she will achieve with professional guidance.”
Monica Trinca Colonel
Nationality: Italian
Age: 25
Joins GreenEDGE Cycling: 2025 & 2026
Key results:
1st Coppa Citta di San Daniele Rosa (2024)
4th Trofeo Ponente in Rosa 4th GC (2024)
5th Kreiz Breizh Elite (2024)
11th Giro d’Italia stage (2024)
13th 2x Giro d’Italia stage (2024).
Monica Trinca Colonel to Liv AlUla Jayco:
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