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Monday, February 17, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
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Current racing:
- February 17 - 23: UAE Tour
Upcoming racing:
- February 22 - 23: Tour des Alpes-Maritimes
- February 26 - March 2: O Gran Camiño
- March 1: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Latest completed racing:
- February 14 - 16: Tour de la Provence
- February 16: Clásica de Almeria
- February 15: Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia
- February 8 - 12: Tour of Oman
- February 5 - 9 Etoile de Bessèges/Tour du Gard
- February 5 - 9: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
- February 7: Muscat Classic
- February 1 & 2: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
- February 2: GP La Marseillaise
- January 29 - February 2: Challenge Vuelta a Mallorca
We posted the report from GC winner Mads Pedersen's Team Lidl-Trek with the results.
Here's the report from stage winner Sam Bennett's Team Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale:
Tour de la Provence: Sam Bennett doubles up
Sam Bennett:
"It was a tough day of racing. The leading group had a big lead and the riders in the breakaway were fighting for the overall classification. What's more, the wind was strong, making it difficult to catch them. My team-mates had to redouble their efforts and did an excellent job of controlling the race and bringing me back to the front of the pack at a crucial moment. The last three kilometers required an intense effort. In the end, I was able to launch my sprint from the back with speed to take the win. It's a very good result and I'm happy with what the team and I achieved over the race weekend".
Sam Bennett (on left) wins stage three.
Luke Rowe:
"Today, even though we had riders in the top 10 overall, we decided to go all out for the stage win with Sam Bennett. This required total commitment from the whole team, showing the riders ' confidence in their sprinter. Everyone put in a really solid performance, and in the end it enabled us to win two stages in this Tour de la Provence. It's fantastic for the whole team, but also for Luke Roberts and me as team managers; it's an ideal start to the season. Winning is always something prestigious."
The news:
Two Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale riders in the top 10 of the overall ranking
At the end of an intense final stage, Sander de Pestel (8th) and Dorian Godon (10th) retain their places in the top 10 of the Tour de la Provence overall classification.
The number: 2
At the Tour de la Provence 2025, former Irish champion Sam Bennett won two sprints, on the first and third - and final - stages. A perfect start to his season.
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Here's the Tour de la Provence stage three report from Team Groupama-FDJ:
A bunch sprint was expected in Arles, and a bunch sprint did happen to complete the 2025 Tour de la Provence. However, it turned out to be quite messy, as a big crash occurred just 100 metres from the line. Because of it, Paul Penhoët was unable to make a proper effort and had to settle for fifth place at the finish. Because of the day’s bonus seconds, Thibaud Gruel dropped back in the overall standings but remained in the top 10 (9th).
The riders arrive in Arles for the first loop of the stage 3 course. Next time it will be for the finish. Photo: Billy Lebelge
In other circumstances, the third and final stage of the Tour de la Provence would have been quite calm, with a peloton easily controlling the morning breakaway. Not today. On Sunday, heading towards Arles, the final stage of the French event proved lively to say the least, and for a clear reason. “We witnessed a fight for the bonus seconds, which could allow some riders to move up overall given that the gaps were tight,” explained Yvon Caër.
Although the first intermediate sprint was located after seventy kilometres, the peloton still controlled and neutralized all attempts of breakaways. Everything was all together after an hour and a half of racing. “There was a strong sprint,” said Yvon. “We tried to get in the mix with Thibaud, but against Jake Stewart and Marijn van den Berg, we couldn’t do anything. As a result, these two riders passed us in the general classification.” After that, a six-man breakaway was finally able to develop and managed to stay away later on to get the bonus seconds of the other intermediate sprint, located twelve kilometres from the finish. “After the first sprint, we switched to Paul 100% for the final sprint,” claimed Yvon. The last few kilometres were somewhat hectic because of a few roundabouts, and the breakaway was only caught at the flamme rouge.
The anticipated sprint did indeed take place, but in special conditions. “We tried to do our best, Clément positioned Paul ideally, even if Paul lost his wheel for a bit,” explained Yvon. “Above all, Paul unclipped after Ackermann crashed with 100 metres to go. I don’t think he had the chance to win, because Bennett and Van den Berg came with high speed on the right of the road, but third place was probably within reach. He didn’t crash, that’s something…”
Fifth on the line after his sixth place the day before, the French sprinter now has four top-10s this season. Thibaud Gruel tallies three after taking eighth on Friday and Saturday, and his ninth place overall. “We came with a very clear GC goal with Paul,” concluded Yvon. “The first stage put us in trouble from that regard, but we saw some positive things. Thibaud is progressing, even if he still lacks bearings. I am convinced that routes such as those we’ve done on this Tour de la Provence can really suit him in the future. A top 10 overall is not unimportant for a young rider. He is learning, and we are convinced that his abilities will allow him to go even higher. Paul has left his illness behind him, and we’ve seen nice things setting up with Clément and Cyril. They found their way of working. With health, a little luck and confidence, it will pay off!”
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We posted the report from second-place Max Kanter's Team XDS Astana with the results.
Here's the report from Team Polti-VisitMalta:
Team Polti-VisitMalta continues its strong start to the season in Spain with a double top-10 finish at the Clásica de Almería. After last year’s unfortunate crash at the finish line, the riders directed by Jesús Hernández controlled the situation in the circuit that concluded the race once the day’s breakaway was caught. Avoiding any issues and positioning both sprinters well, Giovanni Lonardi finished 5th and Manuel Peñalver 8th in the sprint, behind winner Fretin (Cofidis).
Milan Fretin wins the 40th edition of the Clásica de Almería. Getty photo
Lonardi: “Our lead-out train was at the front for a long time, but it wasn’t easy to stay ahead until the final meters. In the last corner some riders overtook us, but in any case we’re happy to have stayed in the leading positions.”
Sports director Hernández: “We showed great teamwork in a finale that we know is always chaotic, collecting valuable points in a .PRO event.”
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Van Eetvelt’s Team Lotto sent me this:
Exactly one year ago, no one saw it coming when he was crowned the winner of the UAE Tour. But this time, all eyes will be on him from Monday onward. Lennert Van Eetvelt (23) is ready to defend his title.
For those who might not remember, let’s revisit 2024: Van Eetvelt not only triumphed in the final stage on Jebel Hafeet, but he also captured the overall victory in an exciting finish, winning by just a matter of seconds. After several attacks, a nearly complete peloton arrived at the base of the final climb, where Van Eetvelt showcased his talent in the last kilometer. A smart move, especially considering that two stages earlier, he had collected six bonus seconds in a breakaway—seconds that proved crucial on the final day. As a result, Van Eetvelt will pin on the number 1 jersey tomorrow (Monday). "Becoming a professional cyclist was already a big achievement, but winning at the WorldTour level changed a lot for me," Van Eetvelt reflects on the eve of a new UAE Tour. "It also made me see myself differently as a rider. As for how others see me, I don’t think about that too much (laughs)."
Lennert Van Eetvelt finishes stage seven of the UAE Tour with no one else in sight.
It’s clear that this year, there will be more eyes on him than last year. However, Van Eetvelt is happy to shift the spotlight to world champion Tadej Pogačar. "I realize that I now have to be part of the race. I can’t just show up at the start- I have to fight for it. But I think everyone expects Pogačar to stand on the top step of the podium next Sunday. That doesn’t make us any less determined, though. He could always have an off day or not be at his absolute peak yet. We just have to go for it and act as if he isn’t there. That seems like the best mindset to have."
Team director Mario Aerts fully agrees: "Of course, we’re going to try to win again, even though we know that one clear favorite is also on the start line," he says. "The situation is a bit different, too. Last year, Lenny had already won in Mallorca before the UAE Tour. Now, he hasn’t raced yet, which makes the question mark even bigger—also for himself. How is his form?"
The UAE Tour features two summit finishes—decisive for the overall victory, Aerts acknowledges. "Stages three and seven, the final one, will be crucial. And then it’s all about limiting losses in the time trial. On top of that, in the UAE, you always have to watch out for crosswinds in the desert. The team is ready; we will race with an open mind."
This is not a race we cover, but here is the report from winner António Morgado's UAE Team Emirates:
Racing on home shores for the first time this season, António Morgado produced a ride of the highest calibre to win the Figueira Champions Classic on Sunday afternoon. The Portuguese rider attacked 21km from the finish and held off his pursuers to take his second victory of the season and UAE Team Emirates-XRG‘s seventh of the fledgling campaign.
Antonio Morgado wins in Protugal.
Throughout the finale, the Emirati squad were well positioned with Morgado joined by João Almeida and Jan Christen in the select group of favourites. All three were strong contenders for victory on the rolling parcours in this one-day test, but it was Morgado who soared towards the summit of the Rua Parque Florestal climb. Sensing his opportunity to go clear from a select group, the 21-year-old made a tremendous acceleration and quickly developed a gap to those behind him.
Immediately settling into his groove, Morgado did not look back, at one point stretching his advantage over the chasers in excess of 30 seconds. Mikkel Honoré (EF Education-EasyPost) and Jon Agirre (Euskaltel-Euskadi) emerged as Morgado’s toughest pursuers, but the pair could not catch the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider as the final couple of kilometres came into view. In their place, Soudal Quick-Step led the reduced group of favourites, hoping to tee up a sprint finish for their fast man, Paul Magnier.
Try as they might, Morgado was not to be stopped on Sunday. As the finish approached, the Portuguese had pistons for legs and powered his way to the line, becoming the first home winner of this race in its short three-year history. Behind Morgado, Magnier sprinted to second place, five seconds down on the race winner, with Mathias Vacek of Lidl-Trek rounding out the day’s podium in third.
Earlier in the race, UAE Team Emirates-XRG remained attentive as the day’s breakaway was caught and Ineos Grenadiers’ Filippo Ganna made a bold attack. The Italian established a handy gap over the peloton, which was dwindling in number, but the former world time trial champion was caught as the penultimate climb began to bite.
It was at this moment that Morgado seized his opportunity and flew the coop, riding alone for nigh on 21km to claim an incredible victory.
Morgado: “This win feels really special for me. I’ve been training well and my sensations are very good on the bike so I knew if all went well that I would have a chance today.
“I felt good during the race and our team was strong. From last year I knew the critical moment would probably be on the steep climb where I attacked so I saw my moment to move and I took it.
“For me I’m so happy and proud to win here in Portugal. Like the Belgians want to win in Belgium and the French want to win in France… I’m no different. This is the only professional Classic we have here in Portugal and to win it is a big deal for me.”
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