A Happy EUROTRASH New Year to one and all! It’s only the second day of the new year, but we still have all the latest news. Plus video, results, reports and what the riders think from the X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys in Baal and Telenet Superprestige in Diegem.
TOP STORY:
- Vingegaard’s wife knows how to beat Pogačar in the Tour
Rider News:
- Remco Evenepoel is the Belgian of the Year
- Biniam Girmay named African Cyclist of the Year for the fourth time
- Giro/Tour double for Remco Evenepoel in 2025?
- Remco Evenepoel responds to rumours about breakup with Oumi Rayane
- Puck Pieterse had to miss the Superprestige Diegem
- Crelan-Corendon also hit by illness before the Superprestige Diegem
- Patrick Lefevere remains involved with Soudal Quick-Step
- Sebastián Henao makes comeback with his cousin Sergio
- Thijs Aerts to retire from cyclo-cross: “I was able to fulfil my dreams”
Team news:
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike stays true to iconic yellow and black in 2025
- Team dsm-firmenich PostNL bolster Men’s and Women’s programs with exciting Colombian duo
- 12 British cycling heroes recognised in New Year Honours List
- Team thanks partner BINGOAL
Race news:
- 2025 Santos Tour Down Under men’s start list
- 2025 Paris-Nice: 21 teams guaranteed to start
- MyWhoosh revamps Sunday Race Club for a new chapter in virtual racing
Plus:
- The sad passing of famous team manager, Gianni Savio and the oldest Tour stage winner, Émile Idée
Let’s look forward to a great 2025.
TOP STORY: Vingegaard’s Wife Knows How to Beat Pogačar in the Tour
In 2024 Tadej Pogačar won his third Tour de France with a show of domination. Jonas Vingegaard did well to finish second after his crash in the Basque Country. The Dane hopes to be able to compete with the Slovenian again in the 2025 Tour, his wife Trine Marie Hansen sees opportunities for her husband against Pogačar.
Jonas Vingegaard’s program for next season has not yet been announced, but the Dane would like to ride the Tour again and spoke about it in an extensive interview on Danish television. “You don’t know what could have happened this year if I hadn’t had this accident,” Vingegaard referring to his crash in the Tour of the Basque Country. “I want to see what it can be like if I have had the perfect preparation. I absolutely believe that I can improve. And I believe that I can fight for the victory.”
Vingegaard’s wife Trine Marie Hansen also thinks that a Tour victory is possible. She may have seen an almost unbeatable Tadej Pogačar in 2024, but her husband is his equal in some respects, she thinks. “Pogačar is just super explosive and powerful. There is no one who is at the same level in that respect. Not even Jonas. But when it comes to endurance and some other types of stages, Jonas can match him, I think. So it all depends on what kind of race it is.”
The route of the 2025 Tour de France offers opportunities, Hansen thinks. But that does require Vingegaard to have a strong team around him. “The focus is on a strong team around Jonas, so that his teammates can help him wear Pogačar down.” Vingegaard himself also sees opportunities in the long, tough mountain stages. “The Tour turned out not to be as tough as expected this year (2024). That’s why it was harder to make it as difficult as I wanted.”
Trine knows how Jonas can win the Tour:
X²O Badkamers Trofee – GP Sven Nys Baal Men 2025
Eli Iserbyt won the first cross race of 2025. The Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines rider took the GP Sven Nys on Sunday. In the X²O Badkamers Trofee cyclocross in Baal, beat Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Glowi Lions) and Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon). Mathieu van der Poel didn’t start due to rib pain from his crash with a pole in the Loenhout race.
Mathieu van der Poel should have been the big draw in Baal, but on New Year’s day morning it was announced that the world champion would not be participating. In his absence, Thibau Nys was probably the next favourite, he had Toon Aerts, Eli Iserbyt, Pim Ronhaar and Emiel Verstrynge to battle.
The best start went to Daan Soete. Iserbyt, Ronhaar, Aerts and Verstrynge were not far behind, Nys wasn’t so lucky. The European champion had difficulty getting into his pedal, and then crashed trying catch-up. He had a lot of ground to make up, but after a lap he had almost closed the gap to eight riders off the front. Verstrynge was the first to attack. In the second lap he was joined by Ronhaar. The pair gained a few seconds on the chase group, which thinned out to four riders: Iserbyt, Nys, Aerts and Jente Michels. Second time over the line, only Iserbyt and Nys were left, as both Aerts and Michels had crashed. On lap two, Nys had to change shoes, as a result, he dropped back to Michels and Aerts. At the front Verstrynge and Ronhaar kept pushing.
After three of the seven laps, Iserbyt was 5 seconds behind the leading pair. Nys, who had dropped Aerts and Michels, was at 13 seconds. In the next lap, Iserbyt was able to catch the leaders. Nys was joined again by Aerts, who then tried to cross to the front of the race, where Verstrynge was in trouble. Iserbyt and Ronhaar took turns at putting the pressure on. At the start of the sixth lap, the three were still together, despite an attack from Iserbyt. One of them would win the race. Aerts was at 23 seconds, Nys was already 41 seconds down. At the front, Iserbyt kept putting pressure on the others and eventually managed to make a gap. At the start of the last lap, Ronhaar was at 9 seconds, Verstrynge at 16. Iserbyt held his lead and to take his first victory since 24th of November, in the Antwerp World Cup. Pim Ronhaar was second and Emiel Verstrynge third.
Race winner, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines): “In the beginning I still had to get into it. I knew it was a long race. We also discussed in advance to focus on the last half hour. The first two laps I felt pretty good and at the end I could make the difference with a good acceleration of the pace. But I think Pim and Emiel also rode a very good race. I felt a bit more power in my left leg again. That’s nice. You can then go a bit more full on those power parts. The parts on the saddle also went a bit better. I’m very happy. It’s also very nice for the new sponsor Cibel that we can take that first victory with us straight away. I have to work very hard. It’s very difficult to return from an injury during the Christmas period, because there are a lot of cross races. I’m very happy to win. It’s my second time (in Baal). As a child I watched the cyclocross in Baal, it was the reason I wanted to become a cross rider. To win here, it gives me a lot of pleasure.”
2nd, Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Glowi Lions): “I also try to be positive, but after the Lyme virus my base is starting to drop. The past two weeks I have had a lot of problems with my back and sat on the bike for an hour crying because of the pain. Today it was a lot better, although it hurt a lot again at the end. But we have a new sponsor, so I think you have to get the most out of yourself. At one point, with two laps to go, I was on Eli’s wheel for a while. When he started to climb, I had the feeling that I was better. Only he could do that for two more laps, I only one. At the end it slowly started to run out. I also started to have problems with my back, then the strength quickly drains from your legs. But yes, I can be satisfied with second place. I have to be happy, but it is mentally tough. After the summer I had, my form is slowly starting to get worse. But today I did find my good legs again.”
3rd, Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon): “In the beginning we quickly got to the front with the two of us. So then I already noticed that there was a lot in it today. When you are in that position you naturally think that you can win, but with Eli Iserbyt you know that it is not easy. In the penultimate lap I was able to hang on, but I noticed that it was over the limit for me. So then it was just a matter of surviving the last lap to finish ahead of Toon Aerts and be able to stand on the podium. I am looking forward to the Belgian championships, but to be honest I do not know what to expect. Today was a very slow course, while next week it will be much faster”
5th, Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions): “It was a really bad day. The first five, ten metres were great, but then I slip out of my pedal. Then I ended up a bit in the back and the BOA of my shoe broke. That was not easy. And then I also went over the top. Then I knew I could start chasing. Because I almost ran out every time I had to get off my bike. That’s when I lost touch with the front of the race. I thought for a long time that I could still ride there, but somewhere the spring broke. I have already shown a lot of resilience this year, but today it was difficult to keep up the morale after half the race. I think that’s a shame. I think there is also a lack of freshness. It was exhausting. For a long time I had the feeling: I’ll take it easy for a while and ride there later. But at that moment I started to lose it a little bit. Then the barrel slowly but surely started to run dry, both physically and mentally. Because I may not have been a hundred percent fresh, my resilience was not a hundred percent today. It’s a shame, but for me it’s just a race like any other. I just try to be good everywhere and give the best of myself. Of course you always want to put down a good performance here and it’s a shame, but I do feel good. I’m already looking forward to the next race, where I will hopefully be at my best again. I certainly didn’t have a bad day, but due to circumstances I couldn’t get the most out of it. It took me a lot of time and strength to keep myself in the race and that’s exactly what I needed today. It does feel really good to hear my name, but that’s always a bit more pleasant when you’re riding a bit better. I just try to put my best foot forward, but it’s not that I feel more stressed here than before another race. Not at all. Or was I really not extra burned? No, no. I’m in a good flow at the moment and feel really good. Only today it was a bit against me and it was a bit too much. But we’re only human of course.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee – GP Sven Nys Baal Men Result:
1. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines in 57:03
2. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions at 0:25
3. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:34
4. Toon Aerts (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 0:48
5. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Glowi Lions at 1:36
6. Jente Michels (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 1:38
7. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:59
8. Cameron Mason (GB) Seven Racing at 2:07
9. Michael Boros (CZ) Elkov-Kasper at 2:44
10. Anton Ferdinande (Bel) at 3:11.
GP Sven Nys’25
X²O Badkamers Trofee – GP Sven Nys Baal Women 2025
Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike) won the GP Sven Nys on New Year’s Day. The World champion had to chase Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) all day, but caught her in the last metres. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) finished in third place.
The Baal cyclocross had a strong field for the women’s race. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was missing, but Fem van Empel, Lucinda Brand and Puck Pieterse were on the start line.
The three top favourites all had a good start. They were the first three to go off-road, they were followed by Katie Clouse. Pieterse took the initiative and gained a few metres on Van Empel, who then crashed. The World champion took her time to get restarted and lost quite a bit of time. Her slip also caused a big gap to open up between Brand, Pieterse and the first chasers. Pieterse had also created a gap on Brand. After the first of five laps, the difference between the two was 8 seconds. Van Empel, who had moved up to third place, was almost 30 seconds behind. Brand got closer to Pieterse, but then also fell. At the end of the second lap, she had managed to limit her loss to 14 seconds. Van Empel’s gap to Pieterse remained the same. In the third lap there was another crash at the front. After Van Empel and Brand, it was Pieterse this time. The Fenix-Deceuninck rider was covered in mud and Brand managed to return. Van Empel suddenly lost a lot of time and didn’t see Brand attack at the front. The Dutch champion gained a few seconds on Pieterse.
The race remained at the same, because Pieterse didn’t give up. Through the finish for the third time, Pieterse was just 4 seconds behind Brand. In the fourth lap, Pieterse had to change bikes and the gap grew again. Van Empel seemed to find her second wind and caught Pieterse and immediately took the lead. Brand, who had fallen, was not yet out of reach. At the start of the last lap, the gap between Brand and the two pursuers was 13 seconds. In the final lap, Van Empel and Pieterse continued to eat away at the lead. Van Empel rode hard through a muddy section to drop Pieterse and came closer to Lucinda Brand. The lead shrank even further due to Van Empel’s fast climb of the Balenberg. Just before the turn onto the final straight, she was on Brand’s wheel. Brand started the sprint and at first looked like she might take the win, but in the very last metres Van Empel passed her. The World champion took the first victory of 2025, while Brand had to settle for second place. Pieterse crossed the finish line in third.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “This was one of the most beautiful duels I rode. During the first lap, I had a small slip after choosing the wrong track. I tried to stay calm, but at that point the belief in a win was rather small. At one point I trailed by half a minute, but I kept fighting for it. I noticed that I got closer and closer to Brand in the final lap. I was able to close the gap after the beams, which made me fully believe in the victory again. After that it was all out until the finish line. I’m very happy to have won the first race of the new year.”
2nd, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions): “It’s very simple: I think she can just ride a little bit faster uphill. Then you can gradually get a few seconds closer. And when you see in the final that you’re getting closer, you obviously have a good target. I think that everyone on this course will make a slip here or there that you’d rather not make, so that remains the same. Fem is definitely a faster rider than me. It was a headwind at the finish, so you know it’s going to be very difficult. I’m disappointed of course, when you’re so close to winning. It’s a real shame. But yes, it was a good race again”
3rd, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “Ultimately, you get a bit more tired, which makes it a bit more difficult. I made a mistake, which allowed Lucinda to come back. She immediately saw her chance to take over. She did very well. After that, I was ten seconds behind the rest of the time, until the last half lap. That was when I lost my best. And Fem and Lucinda started fighting so hard for the win that it was also difficult to keep up when you are already at a gap. This was the first cross where I felt like a cyclo-cross rider again. I could compete for the win and I think it was one of the most exciting crosses so far. After Gavere I got sick, so I didn’t know how it would go today. But apparently lying in bed all day did my form good.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee – GP Sven Nys Baal Women Result:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike in 46:51
2. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Baloise Glowi Lions
3. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 0:21
4. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:35
5. Manon Bakker (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 4:02
6. Anna Kay (GB) Proximus-Cyclis CT at 5:07
7. Rafaelle Carrier (Can) at 5:13
8. Kiona Crabbé (Bel) Proximus-Cyclis CT at 5:19
9. Imogen Wolff (GB) Visma | Lease a Bike at 5:47
10. Katie Clouse (USA) at 6:12.
GP Sven Nys’25
Telenet Superprestige – Diegem Men 2024
Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) won a thrilling edition of the Superprestige Diegem on Monday evening. The Belgian took victory after a shoulder-to-shoulder battle with Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions). Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) eventually finished second and Nys was a disappointed third.
The evening cross in Diegem was without Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. But this was good news for the full-time cross riders, who are quite evenly matched this winter. Based on the last few weeks, the top men were expected to be Thibau Nys, Laurens Sweeck, Michael Vanthourenhout and Niels Vandeputte, although you can never rule out Lars van der Haar, Eli Iserbyt, Felipe Orts and young talent Tibor Del Grosso.
The best start came form Andrew Strohmeyer. The American champion, who has won eight times at home soil this season, was first off-road, but was quickly outpaced by the top riders. Things didn’t go well for Nys, Van der Haar and Vandeputte, after a poor start, they were forced to chase, although Nys managed to recover very quickly by moving up to fifth place. At the front, Vanthourenhout, Del Grosso, Sweeck and Orts were in charge, but a regrouping was not long in coming. On the second lap, everything came together again and there was still a compact group, with the expected names at the front. The biggest absentee was Eli Iserbyt. The Belgian champion was having a hard time and was hanging on at the back of the group. For Iserbyt, it was a matter of survival at this point, but Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal had Vanthourenhout at the front, who clearly had good legs and put in an early attack. Vanthourenhout rode away, but was quickly pulled back by Del Grosso, who has been strong in recent weeks. The young Dutchman pulled the rest back to Vanthourenhout.
With Vanthourenhout caught, peace returned for a while, although this was only for a short time. At the end of the adverse camber section, Jente Michels fell and took the struggling Iserbyt with him. Shortly afterwards Vanthourenhout had to change shoes in the pits, not for the first time this season. Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout were now at a big gap. Vanthourenhout rode back to the leading group, which consisted of Nys, Vandeputte, Sweeck, Del Grosso, Orts and Ryan Kamp. Iserbyt, Michels and Van der Haar were not out of the race: after 30 minutes of racing, the differences were still small. Thibau Nys was the initiator of a leading group of four, but it was too difficult to build a gap. With two laps to go, there were still ten riders in contention for the victory: Sweeck, Nys, Vanthourenhout, Vandeputte, Iserbyt, Kamp, Van der Haar, Orts, Del Grosso and Michels. It was Sweeck who decided to put his cards on the table in the penultimate lap.
The Crelan-Corendon leader escaped from his opponents and took 5 seconds, but it was Nys and Vandeputte who pulled him back, after which Del Grosso, Iserbyt, Kamp and Van der Haar were able to rejoin. Vanthourenhout had gone. Vandeputte, who had been holding back, put in a big attacked. Sweeck just managed to hold him, the rest couldn’t. On the flanks of the Regimentsberg, Nys managed to cross to Sweeck and Vandeputte with an impressive jump. The European champion then took the lead and gave it 100% to drop the others. Sweeck was not yet finished and stayed on his wheel. There was now a thrilling duel between Sweeck and Nys. Both men managed to force each other to the limit, with multiple braking and jumping. Sweeck had the last word, because he was the first to reach the top of the stairs towards the finish. He then sprinted to victory, ahead of Vandeputte, who had passed a disappointed Nys.
Race winner, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon): “You just had to be in the lead. We both knew that, but we were both dead. It was sprinting from the beams. The audience was really huge on the last lap. That just makes you cycle faster. It’s just a matter of bluffing and continuing to bluff. Pretending that you have something left and hoping that he will fold. I knew that I shouldn’t hesitate from the last bridge. I just had to ride as fast as possible. Then it’s hard to pass anyone. Every victory is important. Yesterday I had a really bad day. I really suffered in the cold. Today was a big difference. I’m happy with this victory.”
2nd, Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I was thinking about winning the entire race. I had the legs to compete, so I am currently feeling disappointed. I made the wrong decisions during the race. I made my attack in the penultimate lap and shot my best arrows there. I should have waited until the last lap. I may be paying my dues now. I can usually time that well, but today it became clear that I still have a lot to learn”“I am still disappointed at the moment, but that feeling will eventually disappear. I am indeed doing well in the Superprestige, but there are still two tough races to come. But this is a good starting position.”
3rd, Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions): “I’m being done to the whole race, but I also let myself be done to by certain situations. Michael (Vanthourenhout) who breaks his shoe, a few crashes… It’s all unintentional, but it cost me a lot of energy. In the last lap I made a mistake just before the adverse camber, which put me in fourth position. I had to sprint there to catch up with those guys. I’m doing well otherwise, but I just couldn’t stay sharp enough. That’s a shame, because I had the legs to win. To lose it like that is very painful. I probably felt physically the strongest, I thought it would be difficult to pass me after the sandpit. I already did my sprint there, but I was at my limit after that. I could gain five or six metres, but the last corners weren’t sharp enough to keep Laurens behind me. The race remained much more closed than expected. I always ended up in a situation where there was no riding or a gap had to be closed. I let myself be lulled to sleep too much. Didn’t ride my own race enough. If I just did that, I could win that race. That’s very disappointing, even though Laurens is the deserved winner. He did everything perfectly”
Telenet Superprestige – Diegem Men Result:
1. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Crelan-Corendon in 57:08
2. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:02
3. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:07
4. Tibor Del Grosso (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:13
5. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 0:15
6. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:18
7. Ryan Kamp (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:29
8. Felipe Orts Lloret (Spa) Ridley Racing Team at 0:37
9. Jente Michels (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 54
10. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 1:23.
Diegem’24:
Telenet Superprestige – Diegem Women 2024
Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) is back to winning again. The Dutch champion missed out on victory in her past seven cyclocross races, but soloed to victory in the evening race in Diegem on Monday. Brand defeated Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) was third.
Not all the top riders were at the start of the elite women’s race in Diegem. World champion Fem van Empel has never raced in Diegem and didn’t again this year. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), who won the last two editions, had to withdraw from the Superprestige cyclo-cross at the last minute due to illness. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Dutch champion Lucinda Brand and Inge van der Heijden, were at the start.
After a nervous and chaotic start, where several riders fell, four riders managed to get away early: Alvarado, Brand, Leonie Bentveld and French champion Hélène Clauzel. Alvarado was clearly keen on revenge after her poor performance in the Besançon World Cup and put the pressure on in the first lap. She made a small gap and started the second lap with the lead, but after a slip and a bike change, everything was back together. After only 10 minutes of racing, only three riders: Alvarado, Brand and Inge van der Heijden, were in a position to win. After Alvarado’s first attack, Brand saw her chance to liven the race. With a few sharp jumps and a good sand passages, she put the others in trouble, but Alvarado was not giving in. Van der Heijden had more trouble following, but managed to hang on, but for how long?. Van der Heijden had to grit her teeth every time Brand or Alvarado pressed hard on the pedals. In the fourth lap, the Crelan-Corendon rider was dropped after an acceleration by Alvarado. The last two laps would be a duel between Alvarado and Brand, who are also first and second in the Superprestige.
Brand often lost out in the past races against the fast and explosive Alvarado, so she decided not to wait for the final lap. The Dutch champion managed to ride away from Alvarado, who was unable to respond. Brand then found a second wind and increased her lead. At the start of the last lap, the difference had increased to 12 seconds. Brand was riding very well and made no more mistakes in the final lap to take her first victory since December 1 in the Dublin World Cup. Alvarado crossed the line in second place to limit the loss in the Superprestige overall, although the difference is now only 1 point for Alvarado. Van der Heijden had to deal with chain problems in the finale, but still finished third.
Race winner, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions): “This feels really good. That’s what you start for in the end. It was really difficult. Ceylin is really good at getting stuck in. She’s always able to save energy in certain passages and make up time. I did feel that I was a bit better. At one point, Ceylin changed bikes and I thought: I have to take the risk now to finish the race on this bike. To try to create a gap, that might be just big enough that she can’t come back. And then she broke. That was a very difficult passage. You can drag yourself through it, but the question is whether that’s faster than walking. They might not have been my best sand passages, but it worked. It’s a classification where you take small steps. It remains exciting.”
2nd, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck): “Second place might have been the highest achievable, who knows. Lucinda saw an opportunity during that change and grabbed it with both hands. That change didn’t work out so well in the end and turned out to be the decision. Was this the best I could do? Yes and no, actually. After my bike change, I already felt that it was going to be difficult, but I almost reached her wheel. Then Lucinda looked around and saw that I wasn’t completely connected yet. She decided to accelerate again. At that moment, I had no answer to her attack. If we keep fighting and there’s only one place between us, it will remain exciting. But that also means that she needs two more points, so we’ll see with two more races to go”
3rd, Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon): “My chain bounced off during the descent. I hoped that the other riders were far enough away and luckily that was the case. I got it back on pretty quickly, although it didn’t feel fast enough to me. I’m glad I still had enough of a lead. There’s no point in worrying about it. I tried to stay as calm as possible, but after the first time my chain fell off again. Luckily it stayed on after that and I was able to ride to third place. It’s very important to finish on the podium. That always feels good. I was close in the previous races. The feeling is very good and so I’m happy.”
Telenet Superprestige – Diegem Women Result:
1. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions in 48:16
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 0:29
3. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 1:04
4. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 2:11
5. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 2:37
6. Aniek van Alphen (Ned) Cyclocross Reds at 2:54
7. Letizia Borghesi (Ita) EF-Oatly-Cannondale at 3:12
8. Anna Kay (GB) Proximus-Cyclis-Alphamotorhomes CT at 3:30
9. Ella Maclean-Howell (GB) Heizomat RadTeam p/b Hermann at 4:06
10. Marthe Truyen (Bel) Fenix-Deceuninck at 4:16.
Diegem’24:
Evenepoel is the Belgian of the Year
Our rider received the prestigious prize for the second time in his career
Already recipient of the Kristallen Fiets and Flandrien of the Year trophies, Remco Evenepoel received another important accolade in the last days of 2024. The 24-year-old, Belgium’s first athlete in more than seven decades to win two Olympic gold medals at the same edition of the event, was rewarded for his excellent season with the Belgian of the Year distinction.
The only male rider to prevail in both the road race and the individual time trial at the Olympics, Evenepoel had an unforgettable season in the Soudal Quick-Step and Belgian National jerseys, taking a total of nine wins, including another gold, at the World ITT Championships. In addition to this, he claimed an impressive third place on the general classification and the white jersey at his Tour de France debut last July.
“I am honoured to be named Belgian of the Year, it’s something that makes me proud. I worked hard the whole year to have these results and I am happy that I have been rewarded for all the sacrifices I’ve made with the wins I got and these trophies that came in the off-season. I have many people to thank for their support – my wife, my family, and my second family, Soudal Quick-Step.”
“At the same time, all these distinctions motivate me to make a complete recovery as fast as possible and work even harder in order to be back at my best next season, when I hope to fight for some more important victories and make my countrymen proud, because as an athlete you do all these things to bring inspiration and emotion to the fans”, said a delighted Remco after being named Belgian of the Year for the second time in his career.
Belgian of the Year – Remco Evenepoel:
Biniam Girmay Named African Cyclist of the Year for the Fourth Time
Biniam Girmay has been named African Cyclist of the Year for the fourth time. The 24-year-old rider of Intermarché-Wanty was one of the stars of 2024 the Tour de France, with three stage wins and winning the points classification.
Biniam Girmay has been the leading light of African cycling for several years and in 2024 he made history again. In the third stage of the Tour de France from Piacenza to Turin, he took his first stage win in the French Grand Tour. He was also the first black African cyclist to win a stage in the Tour. This was the start of three very successful weeks, because Girmay also won the sprint stages to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises and Villeneuve-sur-Lot and stood on the final podium in the green points jersey.
Girmay was not only successful in the Tour de France in 2024, but also won the Surf Coast Classic in Australia and the Circuit Franco-Belge and collected podium places in the Grand Prix de Québec and the BEMER Cyclassics. This is the fourth time that Girmay was also named African cyclist of the year in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Last year Henok Mulubrhan took the prize.
African cyclist of the year again – Biniam Girmay:
Giro/Tour Double for Remco Evenepoel in 2025?
Remco Evenepoel was badly injured in a training accident at the beginning of December, and so the double Olympic champion will have to make adjustments to his spring program, but participation in the Giro d’Italia in May was an option. Evenepoel now thinks differently.
Patrick Lefevere, who is no longer working as team manager of Soudal Quick-Step, told La Dernière Heure at the end of September that Evenepoel was thinking about the Giro/Tour double in 2025. “For 2025 it is realistic. Tadej Pogačar has shown that it is possible to win them back to back. Anyone who knows Remco knows that he gets motivation from that.”
However, Evenepoel had to go back to the drawing board after his training crash. Is the Giro d’Italia still feasible? “We can try, but that will be difficult. I don’t want to rush anything. The preparation for a Grand Tour takes five or six months and I won’t have that time, so I am inclined to say ‘no Giro’”, he said to Het Laatste Nieuws.
“I am trying to focus on the Ardennes classics, but to be honest, there is only one thing on my mind. That is to be at the top in the Tour. The rest is not really important. Give myself time until the beginning of July and then – three weeks at the highest level – do better than last year.”
Maybe no Giro for Evenepoel:
Remco Evenepoel Responds to Rumours about Breakup with Oumi Rayane
Remco Evenepoel has been voted ‘Belgian of the year’ by the readers of HLN. He gave an interview to the Flemish newspaper about his 2024. The double Olympic champion also addressed the rumours about him and his wife Oumi. The two would break up, it was said on social media. But from the conversation, in which Oumi herself also joined in, it appears that this is not the case.
“Gossip and rumours are not news to us, even though it was extreme this time,” said Evenepoel. “That’s how it has always been. We just try to remain there as a team. Oumi and I discuss everything openly and without any secrets, we don’t keep anything from each other. We don’t stoop to that level and even though it sometimes scares us, we mainly laugh about it.”
Oumi, who married Evenepoel in October 2022, has also heard the rumours. “We sometimes hear the craziest things about ourselves. That we are pregnant. Or that we are separated. Or moving to another country. But we know better,” she laughs.
Evenepoel says that it is ‘almost indescribable’ how important Oumi was to him this past year. “When I crashed in April, there was doubt. Would I make it to the Tour? I only had two months, and I can count myself lucky to have a mature, strong woman like Oumi by my side at such a moment. Oumi supports me, she helps me, she puts me first. Her own schoolwork comes second.”
“During one of my first roller training sessions, in the run-up to the Tour, I had to do a test with ice cubes to keep my body temperature under control. For an hour and a half, Oumi literally walked from the kitchen to the rollers, to get portions of ice cream every time. And when I finally won the time trial in the Tour, I knew: I owe that to everything that came before. Also on those ice cubes. Now that I’m injured, I’m trying to do it the other way around. Cook dinner. Or make sure she can start studying right after breakfast.”
When Evenepoel is asked about his best minute of 2024, Oumi also plays a role. He chooses the moment when his wife hung his first Olympic medal, which she had brought especially from Belgium, around his neck after winning his second Olympic title, in the road race.
“Nobody knew better than the two of us what had preceded that double gold,” Evenepoel explains. “The many hours away from each other. The Tour. People always focus on the finish photo, but they forget what came before. They don’t see the bad days, not the moments of rehabilitation. Only partners see those. I go to sleep with Oumi, I get up with her, it’s she who motivates me in the morning to go for it again. And it’s also she who is there for me when things aren’t going well.”
Evenepoel also thinks that he and Oumi had ‘too little’ quality time in 2024. “We only took four days off after the Games, because interviews were planned, but in retrospect I think: I should have done that differently. We should have taken ten days there for the two of us. I’m going to remember that for the future. That it’s okay to think about ourselves and sometimes say no. That’s a responsibility I want to take, in exchange for all the times I leave her alone. I’m going to do that differently from 2025. Better.”
Still together:
Puck Pieterse Had to Miss the Superprestige Diegem
Puck Pieterse didn’t start in the Superprestige Diegem on Monday. The Fenix-Deceuninck rider had to miss the evening cross due to illness. Her team announcement on social media.
“Unfortunately, no Puck Pieterse in the Superprestige Diegem today”, Fenix-Deceuninck wrote. “Puck did not feel 100 percent in Gavere on Thursday. She already had some stomach problems before the start. Despite two days of rest, her condition has deteriorated. On the advice of the medical team, it has been decided to skip Diegem.”
Pieterse was the winner of the Superprestige Diegem of the past two years, she won the evening cross in both 2022 and 2023. The next race on her program is the GP Sven Nys on January 1.
No Pieterse in Diegem:
Crelan-Corendon Also Hit by Illness Before the Superprestige Diegem
Several members of Crelan-Corendon couldn’t start the Superprestige Diegem on Monday evening. Sara Casasola, Marion Norbert Riberolle and Aaron Dockx are all struggling with illness. The team announced this on social media.
“Sara Casasola has still not recovered from her viral infection and is continuing to recover,” Crelan-Corendon wrote. “Marion Norbert Riberolle felt slightly unwell yesterday after the race in Besançon and is struggling with cold symptoms. Aaron Dockx did not feel fit enough in Besançon to compete with the better riders. He became ill after Zonhoven and has not recovered sufficiently.”
Crelan-Corendon started the Superprestige Diegem with four riders. Sanne Cant and Inge van der Heijden competed in the women’s race, while Laurens Sweeck and Joran Wyseure started the men’s race.
No Marion Norbert Riberolle in Diegem:
Lefevere Remains Involved with Soudal Quick-Step
Patrick Lefevere will step down as CEO of Soudal Quick-Step on 31 December 2024. As an honorary board member, Lefevere will remain involved with the team and the new management, but what exactly will that involvement look like? Lefevere explained in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad.
Lefevere founded Quick-Step Davitamon in 2003, which has since grown into Soudal Quick-Step. After more than twenty years, he is handing over the baton to Jurgen Foré, who was already operational director of the team last year. He shared this with the team during a training camp in Calpe. “I had a very warm reaction when I told the riders,” said Lefevere. “They all said that I will continue to come. Maybe, but not in the way that some expect.”
“I’m not going to hang around on the sidelines like a pathetic little guy or wave to everyone at the start. Jurgen does ask my advice, but I’m not going to stay around like a godfather and tell the mechanics or the soigneurs about how things used to be better. Then I would tackle him without the ball, and that’s not my style. Succeeding me is not a gift, and I’m happy to step aside.”
Lefevere is doing this after a 2024 with several highlights for Soudal Quick-Step. Remco Evenepoel in particular provided the team with successes. “I’ve always tried not to build a team around one rider, but you can’t ignore the fact that he’s currently the man of the team that we try to support in every possible way.”
“I don’t think we should be inferior to anyone. I say that in all modesty, I don’t have a thick neck. The Dutch are better marketeers and put it in a nicer package, but we West Flemish, we do it.”
Patrick not gone:
Sebastián Henao Makes Comeback with his Cousin Sergio
Sebastián Henao will be back in the peloton in 2025. The 31-year-old Colombian, who decided to take a break after leaving Astana Qazaqstan in 2022, has signed a contract with Nu Colombia. He will be reunited with his cousin Sergio in the Continental team.
Henao started his professional career in 2014 for, what was then, Team Sky and raced for the British team for eight years. He was a promising climber and finished third in the Tour de Langkawi and rode to top ten places in the Tour of Burgos, Arctic Race of Norway and the Volta ao Algarve. But he never managed to fully break through at the highest level and rode as a domestique. In the winter of 2021, he moved to Astana Qazaqstan, but he didn’t stay with the Kazakh team for long.
The Colombian decided in August 2022, after a few disappointing results, to take an indefinite break. He said this was due to health problems. Since then, nothing much has been heard from Henao, but now he plans to restart his cycling career with the Continental Nu Colombia team. Next season, he will race together with his cousin Sergio, who is now 37 years old and has been competing at a lower level for several seasons. The two were also teammates at Team Sky previously.
The Henao’s will join Andrés Camilo Ardila (ex-UAE Team Emirates and Burgos-BH), Daniel Muñoz (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec), Cristian Camilo Muñoz (UAE Team Emirates), Juan Diego Alba (Movistar) and Rodrigo Contreras (Etixx Quick-Step and Astana) in the Nu Colombia team in 2025.
Sebastián Henao racing again in 2025:
Thijs Aerts to Retire from Cyclo-Cross: “I was Able to Fulfil my Dreams”
Belgian cyclocross specialist Thijs Aerts will end his professional career at the end of this 2024-2025 season. On February 23rd, the former Junior world champion will say goodbye at the Sluitingsprijs in Oostmalle, after seven years as a professional, including two with Charles Liégeois Roastery CX.
Considered one of the best riders of his generation, Aerts brilliantly distinguished himself in the youth categories. In addition to winning the rainbow jersey in the Junior category in Hoogerheide in 2014, he also won two Belgian U23 titles in Lille (2016) and Koksijde (2018).
The 28 year old rider from Rijkevorsel, younger brother of Toon Aerts, offered Charles Liégeois Roastery CX three podiums in the last two years, including a remarkable third place behind Wout Van Aert and Jens Adams in Essen. His professional record includes three international victories in Grandville, Crawley, and Contern.
Also active on the road, Aerts dedicated himself wholeheartedly as a loyal teammate in service of his teammates within the structure of Intermarché-Wanty. He was, for example, part of the winning team around Gerben Thijssen in the 2023 Tour of Limburg, and played an important role in the successes of Gerben Kuypers in the Tours of Namur and Liège. At the end of August, he concluded the very last road race of his career with Wanty-ReUz-Technord in the most beautiful way by triumphing in the last stage of the Tour of Namur on top of the Citadel.
Thijs Aerts: “Since my first steps in the world of cyclocross at the age of eleven, I’ve had the chance to experience everything. Every mud section, every circuit, every victory, and every setback have made me the rider I am today. I was able to realise my childhood dreams thanks to my two teams Charles Liégeois Roastery CX and Baloise Trek Lions. With my brother Toon, we created countless memories. It was also each time a great honour to be able to represent Belgium at the most prestigious events. Now, after careful consideration, I have decided to end my career as a professional cyclist, with pride and gratitude. I can proudly say that I gave everything, every day, to get the best out of myself. Recently, I realised that the results were no longer matching the sacrifices. Last August, I completed the last road race of my career with the structure of Intermarché-Wanty with a beautiful victory in the Tour of Namur. I will approach my last cyclocross races with total commitment to finish on a high note. I will make the most of every cross with my personal staff, whom I have been able to count on for ten years, with my teammates and the staff of Charles Liégeois Roastery CX. Only time will tell what I will do next, but one thing is certain: cycling will undoubtedly continue to play a central role. I would like to pass on my passion and experience of cyclocross to the next generations.”
Thijs Aerts to retire:
Team Visma | Lease a Bike Stays True to Iconic Yellow and Black in 2025
Team Visma | Lease a Bike proudly unveils its 2025 kit, staying true to the iconic yellow and black that defines the team’s identity. By keeping the full design unchanged, the team reinforces their recognisability and continues to build their brand.
Just like last year, Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard and Marianne Vos will proudly wear yellow and black in 2025, alongside some new teammates like Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Simon Yates.
Driven by unity, precision, and a shared purpose, Team Visma | Lease a Bike thrives on collaboration and alignment, embodying The Power of the Beehive. It’s a mentality that makes the team unstoppable. The familiar yellow and black colours remain a clear reflection of Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s identity, symbolising courage, dedication, forward thinking, commitment, and team spirit. We don’t just race to win; we ride beyond victory.
Jasper Saeijs, Manager Marketing and Communications, is proud of the 2025 kit: “By sticking with the same design and our yellow and black colours, we strengthen the identity that we’ve built over the last couple of years. During the season we will launch multiple campaigns that will emphasise our unique culture and identity. We are ready for a new season and to show The Power of the Beehive.”
While the new kit reflects their dedication to continuity, Team Visma | Lease a Bike is also looking forward to deepening their brand and identity through campaigns and communications throughout the year. For instance, Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s adding a new detail to their 2025 kit: the Yellow B. logo will feature on the chest. Drawing on the strength of everything the team has built over the years, fans can expect to see more of what defines them both on and off the bike.
Richard Plugge, Managing Director, notes: “I’m happy we’re continuing with yellow and black, because it represents who we are and what we stand for. The achievements we’ve made in these colours are a testament to our strength as a team. Our success comes from working together towards our shared goal to inspire by winning together.”
Cyclocross Reds becomes Seven Racing
The CX team, previously known as The CycloCross Reds, takes a step forward today with a remarkable rebranding: the team will now be known as Seven Racing. Despite new regulations concerning betting companies, main partner 777.be remains firmly committed to the team. MAAP has joined as the new clothing supplier.
In collaboration with the renowned apparel brand MAAP and title sponsor 777.be, Seven Racing has unveiled an innovative jersey that complies with the new regulations for betting companies while reinforcing the team’s identity. The red jersey, rich in symbolism, embodies the team’s core values. The design combines the following elements:
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• Red: representing the colour of main partner 777.
• The number 7 on the heart: symbolising the team’s passion for cyclocross.
• The number 7 on the arm: representing strength.
• The number 7 on the back: symbolising the team’s backbone, courage, and strength of character.
• A pattern evoking “blurriness” through speed, inspired by the spinning of numbers on a slot machine.
Jennifer Dettori, general director of 777, explains: “At 777, we believe that sport is a powerful force for unity and inspiration. Cyclocross perfectly embodies values such as determination, passion, and self-mastery. With Seven Racing, we are proud to contribute to this evolution, staying true to the core values of the sport while respecting the new regulations.”
“The number 7 lies at the heart of the team’s new identity. Universally recognised as a symbol of luck, harmony, and fulfilment, it perfectly reflects Seven Racing’s ambition: to inspire cyclocross enthusiasts worldwide and to strive for excellence at the highest level.”
“Seven Racing celebrates not just a new identity, but also reaffirms universal values: passion, solidarity, and collective strength,” said team manager Philip Roodhooft. “Our goal is to continue inspiring fans and delivering exceptional performances. We look forward to the future with ambition and enthusiasm, while remaining deeply committed to the development of cyclocross and upholding the fundamental ethics of the sport.”
Additionally, Abus has become Seven Racing’s official helmet partner, further strengthening the team’s commitment to safety and performance.
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL Bolster Men’s and Women’s Programs with Exciting Colombian Duo
A first in the team’s history, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL are delighted to announce that two promising young Colombian riders will don the two-striped kit as of next year; as the team builds on their international roster with a Dutch heart. Juan Martinez is set to ride for the Men’s program through 2027, while Juliana Londoño will wear the team’s colours until at least the end of 2026.
Juliana Londoño
Hailing from Medellín in Colombia, Londoño started competing in cycling only towards the start of 2022 having previously used the sport as part of her training for skating competitions. Immediately performing well, she raced a lot on the Colombian domestic scene in 2022, honing her skills both on the road and track. What would be her final junior year in 2023 saw Londoño come out with a bang, winning the Pan-America time trial championship and finishing second in the road race. A good performance at the Vuelta a Guatemala followed before she tested herself against the best in her age category at the road World Championships. Alongside her road racing, Londoño raised her arms in glory as she took a memorable world title in the Omnium event at the track World Championships which took place in her native Colombia. This season, after winning the Clásica de Rionegro, she made the trip over to Europe where she has ridden with the UCI WCC Team. Gaining valuable experience in a variety of competitions and over different parcours, she “won” the sprint for sixth behind the breakaway at La Périgord Ladies and took third place on stage three of the Princess Anna Vasa Tour, while performing consistently throughout the whole season.
Londoño expressed: “I’m really excited to join Team dsm-firmenich PostNL next year. It will be a big step for me to race in the WorldTour but I just want to learn as much as I can from the rest of the girls in the team and the staff here, especially in my first year as I settle in. The team is really professional and structured, there is someone to help you for everything, and I think that suits me as a person. Right now, I’m not fully sure what type of rider I am. I do have a good sprint, but I also want to be a complete rider and not focus on only one speciality as I am still young, so I think that will work well with the team and how they do things. I’m looking forward to it.”
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna continued: “Juliana has been on the radar of our scouting department for some time. She visited us at our Keep Challenging Center in Sittard where we did some testing, and she really impressed us with not only her test results but also her personality too; as she’s a super driven and intelligent young individual. Winning both on the road and on the track highlight her abilities, and we think she has untapped potential that we can further develop with our group of coaches and experts. We want to give her the room to grow and improve without any pressure, as she gets used to WorldTour level racing.”
Juliana Londoño:
Juan Martinez
Coming from the Boyacan Highlands’ department in Colombia within the Andean region, Martinez is a natural climber who finds himself at home when the road goes uphill. Like many, he was inspired by the successful Colombian cyclists from the past who come from his region and showed his talents in the very competitive junior races in Colombia but also over in Spain, where he made a mark by winning the uphill time trial on stage four at Bizkaiko Itzulia. Making the daunting trip over to Europe full-time in 2023 to join Q36.5 Continental Cycling Team, Martinez has faced a few setbacks but has progressed solidly with the Swiss squad. Continuing to grow as a rider, things clicked earlier in 2024 at the Valle d’Aosta where second and fourth places on stages were enough to see him claim sixth overall in a very competitive field, also claiming the mountains jersey. Staying in Italy, his form saw him take an impressive win in Bassano – Monte Grappa in July; once again highlighting his strength when the road goes upwards. After that, he represented his nation at the famous Tour de l’Avenir where he supported his teammates.
Martinez said: “Team dsm-firmenich PostNL is one of the biggest teams in the world and it will be special to turn professional with them. They have developed a lot of great riders in the past so I think it will be a good fit for me as I make the next step in my career. The support you get as a rider in terms of nutrition, training, the equipment; everything is very professional. Also looking at the races, this year the team had some really nice results which is good and gives me confidence in the success of how they work. I think for now I am more of a pure climber, but I just want to improve as much as I possibly can in the next years. Hopefully I can help the team to more victories and if I can take one myself as a pro – that would be the dream.”
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna continued: “Juan has shown himself to be a very exciting climbing talent, and he really excels when the road goes uphill. He’s experienced racing in Europe with Q36.5 Pro Cycling’s Development team over the past two years and this season he won the mountains jersey at the Giro Valle d’Aosta, which is one of the most prestigious races in terms of climbing at this age level. As he is still a young rider, we believe there is still a lot of space for him to progress and develop in the coming years with us.”
Juan Martinez:
12 Cycling Heroes Recognised in New Year Honours List
British Cycling has rounded off a momentous year with four Olympic and six Paralympic gold medalists honoured in the 2025 New Year Honours list, alongside two exceptional community cycling champions, for their services to cycling.
After winning a sensational, second back-to-back Olympic gold medal in the MTB after an intense showdown with home-nation rider Victor Koretzky, Tom Pidcock has been awarded an OBE for services to cycling.
Also being recognised with an OBE for services to cycling is four-time Paralympic gold medalist Jaco van Gass, who brought home two golds from Paris in the C1-5 mixed team sprint and C3 individual pursuit.
Having made history at this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games becoming the first ever British women’s team sprint squad to win Olympic gold, Sophie Capewell, Emma Finucane and Katy Marchant have each been awarded an MBE.
Also recognised with an MBE for services to cycling were tandem riders Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl who won an incredible two gold, one silver and one bronze medal across the road and track, as well as fellow tandem riders Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan who took home a gold medal in their first Paralympic Games.
Having added a silver medal to his Paralympic medal collection in the men’s C3 individual pursuit, before winning the men’s C1-3 road race in sensational style against a duo of French riders, Fin Graham was also awarded an MBE.
Inspirational Yorkshire cycling volunteer Val French (67) was awarded a BEM for her services to cycling after this year becoming the first British Cycling Breeze Champion to lead 1,000 women-only bike rides. Breeze is British Cycling’s groundbreaking programme to get more women riding bikes for fun and since 2011 Val has helped more than 5,000 women on to bikes and played a huge role in narrowing the gender gap in participation in the sport.
73-year-old Christopher Sprules was also awarded a BEM for his services to cycling, having helped to grow cycling group Sustrans in Sussex, as well as working on projects to encourage people to walk or cycle.
CEO for British Cycling, Jon Dutton OBE said: “On behalf of everyone at British Cycling, I’d like to congratulate all of those recognised for their services to cycling in the New Year Honours list and thank them for their contribution to our great sport. It’s fantastic to see our Olympic and Paralympic heroes recognised for their extraordinary achievements which brought joy to so many over the summer Games. I’m especially pleased to see Val recognised for her exceptional efforts in supporting women to get out on their bikes and experience the joy of cycling for themselves. Volunteers like Val are the absolute backbone of our sport and her passion and dedication is helping to change thousands of people’s lives for the better.”
Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Stephen Park CBE said: “In what has been such a fantastic year for elite sport in Great Britain, to see so many Olympic and Paralympic cyclists recognised in the New Year Honours list is a real testament to the talent we have in this country. All of the Olympians and Paralympians recognised this year have spent their careers working hard to get to the biggest sporting stage in the world, where they delivered skilful and electrifying performances that bring unity and pride to all those watching back home, and help inspire the nation.”
OBE for Tom Pidcock:
Thanks to our Partner BINGOAL!
We extend our sincere thanks to our title partner BINGOAL, who supported our project and our riders from 2020 to 2024. Our partnership, which was supposed to continue until 2026, must end because of the new law on gambling. Thanks to this partnership, these five great seasons have allowed our team to make a big leap forward and open up many development and performance prospects for our riders.
Christopher Brandt. “We are very sad to have to end our fruitful collaboration of the last five years with BINGOAL, because of the new law on games of chance. We believe that the new rules concerning this sector will not fundamentally change things. It is a shame to have to end our common journey with BINGOAL in this way. Our budget is impacted. Our partner has been one of our main supporters since 2020, a very close and constructive partner, a member of the family. From the beginning, we had found solutions together in the face of the UCI bans. BINGOAL was also an essential support during the very difficult period of covid. The end of our adventure with BINGOAL does not mean the end of our mutual friendship. We hope that the future will allow us to get closer again. Thank you BINGOAL!”
Santos Tour Down Under 2025 Men’s Start List
The 2025 men’s peloton features several current National Champions: Michael Woods from Canada, Alberto Bettiol from Italy, Mauro Schmid from Switzerland, Jhonatan Narvaez from Ecuador, Paul Lapeira from France, and Luke Plapp from Australia.
21 Teams Guaranteed to Start
In accordance with the regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale, the following eighteen UCI WorldTeams are automatically entered:
Alpecin-Deceuninck (Bel)
Arkéa – B&B Hôtels (Fra)
Bahrain Victorious (Brn)
Cofidis (Fra)
Décathlon Ag2r La Mondiale Team (Fra)
EF Education-Easypost (USA)
Groupama – FDJ (Fra)
INEOS Grenadiers (Gbr)
Intermarché – Wanty (Bel)
Lidl-Trek (USA)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe (Ger)
Soudal Quick-Step (Bel)
Team Jayco AlUla (Aus)
Team Picnic PostNL (Ned)
Team Visma | Lease a Bike (Ned)
UAE Team Emirates (UAE)
XDS Astana Team (Kaz)
The organisers have invited the following teams:
TotalEnergies (Fra)
Tudor Pro Cycling Team (Sui)
Uno-X Mobility (Nor)
Automatically qualified due to their UCI ranking at the end of the 2024 season, the teams Israel-Premier Tech (Isr) and Lotto (Bel) have declined the invitation.
The 22nd team selected for the 83rd edition of Paris-Nice will be announced at a later date.
2025 Paris-Nice route:
MyWhoosh Revamps Sunday Race Club for a New Chapter in Virtual Racing
The stakes are higher, the routes are more dynamic: MyWhoosh is taking the Sunday Race Club (SRC) to the next level and with a new logo.
Sunday Race Club is a premium racing event on MyWhoosh, launched in 2022, featuring challenging racing through a variety of routes and courses, high-level performance verification, and dynamic categorisation every Sunday of the year, with the prize pool equally distributed among male and female categories.
With an all-new format, reimagined prize structure, and expanded categories, this revamped experience is designed to challenge and engage riders more than ever.
At its core, SRC reflects MyWhoosh’s belief that racing is the pinnacle of cycling – an opportunity to push limits, improve skills, and connect with a global community. The 2025 SRC revamp addresses key challenges of the event to ensure an optimised, more engaging and competitive format that caters to riders of all types.
What’s New?
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1. Addition of Two More Categories for Fairer Racing
- Narrower power spread in categorisation, making races more competitive and accessible to a broader audience. From January, there will be six categories instead of four.
- Prizes for the top 10 in each category.
- Additional prizes for the top 7 teams in finals, along with Sprint and KOM (King of the Mountains) segments and overall weekly winners.
- An expanded selection of routes ensures varied terrain, including rolling hills, flat segments, and mountainous stages. Courses are standardised for both men’s and women’s races, offering fresh challenges each week.
2. Enhanced Prize Distribution
3. Diverse and Dynamic Routes
January 2025 SRC Routes
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4. Improved Engagement and Accessibility
- More balanced competition with tailored courses and increased engagement. Riders at all levels can now feel challenged yet competitive.
- Increased funds for lower categories, with 60% of the prize allocation matching the category above. Additional incentives for sprint/KOM winners encourage diverse racing strategies.
- Updates are available here
5. Updated Prize Money Breakdown
6.Updated ruleset
Monthly Prize Money Breakdown
The new SRC ensures that every participant, regardless of their strength type and ability level, can test their limits and explore a variety of routes and courses while joining a global community of racers. By making the format more inclusive and varied, MyWhoosh continues to redefine virtual cycling for its worldwide community.
The MyWhoosh Sunday Race Club takes place every Sunday, starting with Category 6 racing from 07:30am (GMT) for females and 09:30am (GMT) for male categories, and live streamed on YouTube and Twitch. For more information, visit https://www.mywhoosh.com/events/.
About MyWhoosh
Founded in 2019 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, MyWhoosh is a free-to-use virtual cycling app offering immersive, tailored training experiences. Trusted by professionals and beginners alike, it features stunning virtual worlds, competitive races, and over 730 workout plans.
Gianni Savio Passed Away on Monday
The Italian was a well-known figure in the cycling world as a team manager for decades. He was 76 years old.
Savio started his career in 1986, when he was team manager at Santini. Six years later, he took over the team as manager from Dino Zandegù. He then joined the new Glacial–Selle Italia in 1996. That team seemed to change names every year: Selle Italia, Colombia-Selle Italia, Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, Androni Giocattoli, Drone Hopper and currently GW Shimano–Sidermec, with Savio running the ship.
Savio was also known as an expert on South American cycling. He was national coach of both Colombia and Venezuela, had many contacts in those regions and discovered some great talents: José Rujano and Egan Bernal were scouted by him and they made a name for themselves in Europe. Some other riders who rode for his teams were Andrea Tafi, Romāns Vainšteins, Iván Parra, José Serpa, Michele Scarponi, Kenny van Hummel, Johnny Hoogerland, Franco Pellizotti, Iván Ramiro Sosa, Fausto Masnada and Mattia Cattaneo.
In 2022, Savio’s team, then called Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli, was still riding as ProTeam. But in 2023, the team, now called GW Shimano-Sidermec, took a step back to Continental level. That was also the last year that Savio was actively involved with the team. His health deteriorated. The Italian passed away after a long illness on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Cycling loses a real character – Gianni Savio:
Oldest Tour Stage Winner Émile Idée has Died
Émile Idée has passed away at the age of 104. The Frenchman was the oldest living winner of a Tour de France stage. He won stage thirteen of the Tour in 1949.
Idée was born on 19 July 1920. He turned pro in 1940, after which he rode for Alcyon-Dunlop for a long time. He later rode for Le Perle-Hutchinson, Olmo-Fulgor and Peugeot-Dunlop. In his career he won the Critérium International five times, a stage in Paris-Nice and won the French road championship several times. He also came second in both Paris-Tours (1947) and Paris-Roubaix (1948). He was also second twice behind Fausto Coppi in the Chrono des Nations.
Idée also achieved his greatest success in the year that Coppi won his first Tour: 1949. The then 28-year-old rider triumphed in the thirteenth stage from Toulouse to Nimes. From a leading group of six, he beat Roger Lambrecht and Marcel Dupont. After 289 kilometres, he was too fast for the two Belgians.
The oldest living Tour stage winner is now Antonin Rolland. He was born on September 3, 1924 and is now 100 years old. He won a stage in the Tour de France in 1952 and 1955.
Rest in peace Émile Idée:
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