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Friday, February 28, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
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Current racing:
- February 26 - March 2: O Gran Camiño
Upcoming racing:
- March 1: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
- March 1: Faun Ardèche Classic
- March 2: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- March 2: Faun Drôme Classic
- March 4: Le Samyn
- March 5: Trofeo Laigueglia
- March 8: Strade Bianche
Latest completed racing:
- February 17 - 23: UAE Tour
- February 19 - 23: Volta ao Algarve
- February 22 - 23: Tour des Alpes-Maritimes
- 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
We posted the report from fourth-place Thomas Pesenti's Team Soudal Quick-Step with the results.
Here's the report from eighth-place Davide Piganzoli's Team Polti-VisitMalta:
Eighth place at the finish, with Davide Piganzoli’s great attitude in a demanding finish of the second stage O Gran Camiño. The Italian rider was able to be in a cut with the six best riders of the race that stood out with only 10 kilometres to go.
Two clearly differentiated parts in the stage of O Gran Camiño that crossed the province of Pontevedra. A route of 133 kilometres that let go a breakaway of 3 riders in the initial part, where Diego Sevilla and Alessandro Tonelli also fought to be in the front group without success. The breakaway accumulated almost 3 minutes of advantage, although with the proximity of the final circuit, the differences tightened.
And the first pass through the finish line preceded the entrance to the circuit with the ascent to the Alto de San Vicenzo. Short, but with hard ramps, the main peloton began to lose riders. Heading into the second and final climb, six riders stood out with Davide Piganzoli looking to start deciding the overall. The breakaway rode down the descent at full speed, but without gaining the necessary advantage or understanding, so they were neutralised before the final kilometres. Cort Nielsen (UNO X) raised his arms again, while Piganzoli was eighth and is now 10th overall, just 20 seconds behind the leader.
Magnus Cort wins the stage.
Davide Piganzoli: ‘The attack in the hardest part allowed me to test my legs and confirm that I feel good. I was able to be with the best riders, it was a very demanding day in the final part. With this result, I’m confident for tomorrow’s time trial’.
Jesús Hernández, sport director: ‘The finish was selective, and when the best riders attacked, Piganzoli was able to be there. They finally caught him from behind, but we had asked Piga to enter well positioned and to compete in the sprint, as he did. With that position, we face with attitude the time trial that seems to be decisive’.
Tomorrow, O Gran Camiño faces in fact an individual time trial in Ourense of 15.5 kilometres and an uphill profile, in which differences will be marked with a view to the general classification.
And here's the O Gran Camiño stage two report from team Groupama-FDJ:
Groupama-FDJ proved aggressive from start to finish on stage two of O Gran Camiño this Thursday. First of all, the youngest of the squad, Rémi Daumas, showed himself by entering the day’s breakaway, which ended with twenty kilometres to go. In the final, Rémy Rochas followed the best climbers before Maxime Decomble, another rider of “La Conti”, launched an attack five kilometres from the finish. The 19-year-old was caught at the kilometre mark, Magnus Cort won the uphill sprint, and Rémy Rochas took seventh place. Friday, a demanding fifteen-kilometre time trial awaits the riders.
Stage two about to start.
In the aftermath of the longest stage of the week (190 kilometres, editor’s note), the peloton set off on the shortest one this Thursday (time trial excluded). The second stage leading towards A Estrada “only” tallied 133 kilometres, yet featured almost 2,500 metres of elevation gain, including a hilly final. Groupama-FDJ had concrete ambitions for the uphill finish, but they also stood out from the start thanks to Rémi Daumas, 18 years old, a rider of “La Conti” since this winter and promoted to the WorldTeam for his first race of the season. “
We said at the briefing that we had to be attentive if the fight for the breakaway was a bit long,” explained Philippe Mauduit. “When it starts fast on a route like that, you never know how it’s going to end. Rémi followed a move, he thought that a group was going to come back from the back, unfortunately that didn’t happen, and they were just three up front all day. It was a bit hopeless, but it doesn’t matter. He continues his learning, and he had a good day at the front”. Along with the Spaniards Ander Okamika and Alvaro Sagrado, the young man therefore led the race, got up to four minutes of a gap, and was even able to start the last lap of the circuit in the front.
On the penultimate time on the line, with thirty-six kilometres to go, the gap was still one minute on the peloton, but the latter came back at full speed before the last fifteen hilly kilometres. Rémi Daumas was caught a few moments earlier. “It’s still motivating for him, and it’s always a good experience to spend a day at the front,” added Philippe. His breakaway companions surrendered shortly after, and the peloton tackled the Alto de San Vicenzo (2.5 km at 7%).
“The goal was to make sure that Clément, Rémy and Maxime were in the best possible position for this final circuit,” Philippe added. “Given the pace set by Israel-Premier Tech, we knew that they would go on the attack, and the boys were ready to join in the fight. Rémy was in the best position when Derek Gee attacked, and he went for it.” The group of leaders quickly reduced to six men, but their lead at the top was only a dozen seconds. “We quickly realized that Uno-X was still organized in the back, so Rémy gave a few turns, but he didn’t push too much as he sometimes does,” Philippe said.
Around thirty men then regrouped with six kilometres to go, but a few moments later, Maxime Decomble stood on the pedals. He immediately gained a small lead that he bravely tried to maintain. “It was a daring move, and when you know Maxime’s qualities in the time trial, Uno-X did well not to take it easy behind him,” Philippe assured. “They really did everything they could to make sure that he couldn’t take ten more seconds. It was really well played by Maxime.” “It wasn’t planned,” said the young man. “I knew that if I wanted to try something, I had to do it there. I didn’t really believe I could win, because Uno-X still had some guys, but you never know. It was likely that I would be caught, but I wanted to try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’m happy that I could be aggressive, that I could have my own chance in the final and it’s nice to see that I have the level to be in front.” His great effort allowed him to keep the lead until the flamme rouge, before the Uno-X Mobility team eventually launched the race leader, Magnus Cort, towards another victory in the sprint.
In this tough final Rémy Rochas also fought well to secure seventh place on the line. “We don’t differentiate between the youngest and the oldest, their objectives are not the same, but they all held their own today”, concluded Philippe. “In short, it was a pretty good day for the team”. Friday’s will be a crucial one, since the riders will have to cover fifteen kilometres against the clock, with a five-kilometre climb in the middle of the course. “Often, pure climbers are at a disadvantage in time trials”, added Philippe. “In this case, the balance is more or less restored. This gives Rémy and Clément the chance to achieve a performance that doesn’t completely take them out of the general classification. It’s also a course that will suit Maxime Decomble well. We can’t wait to see what it will bring”. The young man already has another goal in mind: “I’m sixth in the youth classification, and it could be possible to get the jersey on the time trial,” he said. Let’s see tomorrow.
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Here's the update from Team Israel-Premier Tech:
Israel – Premier Tech enters Opening Weekend in Belgium – and the wider Spring Classics campaign that Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne herald the start of – with a mix of excitement, anticipation and a quiet confidence.
Revered by cycling fans worldwide, Omloop (Saturday March 1) marks the team’s first one-day WorldTour race of the season in Europe. While Kuurne on Sunday can be overshadowed by what comes before it, the race boasts an impressive list of former winners and its involvement in Opening Weekend automatically gives it undeniable gravitas.
Sep Vanmarcke finished on the podium at Omloop for IPT in 2021, while Hugo Hofstetter’s sixth place at Kuurne a year earlier remains the team’s best result there. Despite the strong opposition, there’s a belief within IPT that being competitive across the weekend’s doubleheader is possible.
“I think we have assembled a strong and balanced squad,” says Steve Bauer, IPT’s Sporting Manager. “There’s always the unknown at this time of the year in terms of how we stack up against the big teams and the main favorites, but there’s a certain confidence in our riders.
“We can go in with ambition: we know what we have to do and where we need to be.”
The unpredictability of both races calls for multiple options. At Omloop, Jake Stewart (who finished second ahead of Vanmarcke four years ago), Riley Sheehan, and Joe Blackmore will provide leadership. If Kuurne comes down to a bunch sprint, Ethan Vernon and Hofstetter will get called upon, but Stewart and Sheehan could also figure should it be a more selective race.
Jake stewart racing in the 2023 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
Experience provided by home rider Tom Van Asbroeck at Omloop (already a 10-time starter in the race) and Guillaume Boivin (set to line up for his seventh Omloop and ninth Kuurne participations) will be invaluable, too.
“Strength in numbers is going to be important, it always is in these races,” adds Bauer. “I think we have more depth than we’ve had before, but it’s also youthful depth. Joe and Riley are still finding their capacities in the big game, but we believe in them. Jake’s done well at Omloop before, too. That’s a good blend of experience and youthful ambition.”
Having missed Opening Weekend through injury in 2024, Wednesday’s Omloop recon provided welcome insight for Stewart. “I haven’t been on these roads for the best part of two years now, so it was nice to refresh the memory,” says the British rider. “I remembered it all pretty well, which was good to know ahead of the weekend.”
Stewart has already outlined his form this season. He finished second in the final stage of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in early February, and then came seventh in a tough and technical opening stage at Tour de la Provence a few days later.
He adds: “It’s exciting that I’ve had such a good run into the Classics: no injury, no illness, and really good consistency. I’m super excited to get stuck in. We know that anything can happen in these races – the priority on Sunday will be dropping Ethan off for the final, but I’ve proven already this season that if I need to sprint I can.
“Valencia and Provence were two good races to start the season – they weren’t too long, so I didn’t go too deep there. Coming to Belgium for Opening Weekend, you need to still be fresh physically and mentally.”
Sheehan may be preparing for just the second Opening Weekend of his career, but the 24-year-old hopes that he has already got under the skin of the races.
The American says: “Belgian races with the bad weather and bad roads: I like them a lot! I only finished one of them [Kuurne] last year, but it was good. It set the standard for me and I know what level I have to be at here. From there, I had a piece of the puzzle figured out, and that is a big stepping stone.
“After Flanders last year [where he finished 13th] I’m pretty confident that these races can suit me well. I’m really motivated for them.”
Sheehan adds that the value of the Omloop recon should not be understated. “I was getting flashbacks to last year and refreshing the mind,” he says. “It was nice to see the course again and mentally prepare for the parcours.
“Since the race can be so unpredictable and chaotic, it’s all about understanding the parcours, trying to remember what you have next. It’s Belgium, around every corner is a surprise. Having it in the back of your mind helps. You’ve got to be ready for anything.”
IPT at Omloop Nieuwsblad (Saturday March 1)
Riders: Joe Blackmore (GBR), Guillaume Boivin (CAN), Matîs Louvel (FRA), Riley Pickrell (CAN), Riley Sheehan (USA), Jake Stewart (GBR), Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL)
IPT at Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne (Sunday March 2)
Riders: Guillaume Boivin (CAN), Hugo Hofstetter (FRA), Matîs Louvel (FRA), Michael Schwarzmann (GER), Riley Sheehan (USA), Jake Stewart (GBR), Ethan Vernon (GBR)
Sports Directors: Steve Bauer (CAN), Eric Van Lancker (BEL), Pat McCarty (USA)
Here's weekend race preview from Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
This weekend in Belgium, the classic cycling season kicks off with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Team Visma | Lease a Bike delivered four different winners in the past two years and aims to continue that success. Wout van Aert and sports director Grischa Niermann preview the Flemish races.
Team Visma | Lease a Bike will think back to the previous editions of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne with warm feelings. In 2022, Van Aert won the Omloop for the first time and in 2023, Dylan van Baarle and Tiesj Benoot ensured a fine double in the opening weekend. That was repeated last year by Jan Tratnik and Van Aert, who gave the team a dream start to the classic campaign.
If it is up to Niermann, that trend will continue. "Our goal is to win a race", the sports director stated. "Despite the necessary changes we have had to make in the lineup, we have a very strong team for both days. We have prepared well and are motivated to get a nice result."
With Van Aert as leader and Kooij joining as sprinter in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, Niermann expects to be able to do well in both races. "Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is decided more often than Omloop in a sprint of a large group. The past two years we have been able to avoid a sprint, but now that Olav is there, we have multiple options. Olav likes to ride these races and we think Kuurne is one of the spring classics that suits him best."
Wout van Aert wins the 2024 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
Van Aert made his first road race kilometres of this season in the Clasica Jaen and the Volta ao Algarve and left a good impression, especially in the final time trial. Behind Jonas Vingegaard, who won the general classification, he took a second place. "I look back on the first races with a satisfied feeling", Van Aert said.
"The goal was to win an extra percent in those first races and I think I succeeded. I found the confidence and fun and that has pleased me a lot", said Van Aert. "I think after next weekend we will really be able to tell what my level is like. The most important thing is that I felt better every day and took a step forward."
Niermann is tempering expectations around Van Aert. "Wout showed in the time trial of the Volta ao Algarve that he is in good shape. Nevertheless, we should not yet expect him to be in absolute top form this weekend. His peak is in late March, early April, when the monuments are on the programme. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne are two nice benchmarks."
Squad Team Visma | Lease a Bike - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (1-03): Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, Matteo Jorgenson, Edoardo Affini, Per Strand Hagenes, Victor Campenaerts and Matthew Brennan.
Squad Team Visma | Lease a Bike - Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (2-03): Wout van Aert, Olav Kooij, Tiesj Benoot, Matteo Jorgenson, Edoardo Affini, Loe van Belle and Victor Campenaerts.
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Here's Team Jayco AlUla cobbled classics preview:
Team Jayco AlUla will kick-off their cobbled classics campaign with the traditional Belgian double-header of Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.
The squad will line-up with a strong mixture of youth and experience across the two races over a hectic weekend. After missing the classics opener last season, Kell O’Brien will be back on the cobbles on Saturday alongside Campbell Stewart, with the duo starting their first European races of the year.
New signings Bob Donaldson and Jelte Krijnsen will get their first taste of ‘Opening Weekend’, with the latter set to feature in both races alongside his countryman Elmaar Reinders and fellow new recruit Jascha Sütterlin. Anders Foldager heads to Belgium off the back of strong hit out in Spain at the Ruta Del Sol and will start Saturday’s Omloop.
German powerhouse Max Walscheid will be looking to back up his strong UAE Tour performance in Sunday’s event, with Jesse Kramer making the step up from the Hagens Berman Jayco development team to complete the squad.
Team Jayco AlUla at Opening Weekend:
Bob Donadlson (GBR)*
Anders Foldager (DEN)*
Jesse Kramer (NED)**
Jelte Krijnsen (NED)
Kell O’Brien (AUS)*
Elmar Reinders (NED)
Campbell Stewart (NZL)*
Jasha Sütterlin (GER)
Max Walscheid (GER)**
(*Omloop only, **KBK only)
Jasha Sütterlin:
“I’m feeling good, and I think I’m ready just in time for the classics season after sickness between Valenciana and Ruta Del Sol when I couldn’t train for one week. Towards the end of Ruta I was feeling great again and I’m happy how everything went all winter and all the races I did so far! Now it’s just few days until we start Opening Weekend!
"I’m not really nervous about it, I’m just exited to do the cobbled classics again because I really missed it the last two years, so I’m super exited. Most of all I’m already looking forward to Flanders and Roubaix, they are the Queen of classics. If everything goes right, we can go for a really great result there, but of course it would already be super nice having some top results starting this week at Opening Weekend.”
Mat Hayman (Sports Director):
“‘Opening Weekend’, it’s in the name, it’s the first time back on the cobbles in Belgium and we’re really looking forward to getting back up there with this group. We’ve got some new guys on the team, but also some guys that have been with the team for many years.
"Most of the guys know what to expect in Belgium, but it’s always a shock to the system when you go up there for the first time, so it’s a good opportunity to really get some hard racing.”
2025 Opening Weekend – Race Details:
Sat 1st Mar, Omloop Nieuwsblad (197km)
Sun 2nd Mar, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (196.9km)
And here's the Classics preview from Team Bahrain Victorious
Team Bahrain Victorious is ready to launch its Classics campaign this weekend at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (March 1) and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (March 2).
The Opening Weekend marks the start of WorldTour racing in Europe, beginning with the 80th edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The 197km race starts in Ghent, near the ‘t Kuipke Velodrome, before heading into the East Flanders region. Along the way, riders will face 11 climbs and 8 cobbled sectors, with the first sector, Paddestraat, appearing after just 30km, and the first climb Leberg, after 50km.
The race is expected to ignite at the 100km mark, where the remaining of the climbs and cobbles are packed into the final 90km. With 17km to go, the peloton will approach iconic Muur-Kapelmuur before taking on the Bosberg, a crucial point where the final selection is likely to be made ahead of the finish in Ninove.
Matej Mohoric at the 2024 Tour de France. Sirotti photo
Team Bahrain Victorious will be led by Matej Mohorič and Fred Wright, two riders well-suited to the Belgian Classics’ demands. They will be supported by Andrea Pasqualon, Matevž Govekar, Kamil Gradek, Roman Ermakov, and Robert Stannard.
Michal Golas, Sports Director, commented:
“I think we’ve done a great job since December, ticking all the boxes in preparation for these races. We’ve tested equipment, completed recons, and the riders have shown great dedication throughout the winter. Hopefully, all the hard work pays off. Our performances in previous races have proven that we’re in good shape and ready to be competitive here.
"For Omloop, Matej and Fred will be our leaders. They’ve already shown they work well together, and I hope they can deliver a strong result on Saturday. As the first Classic of the season, it will be a tough and stressful race with extra tension in the peloton, so we need to stay focused and avoid potential issues early on. Our support riders—Ermakov, Matevž, and Gradek—will play a crucial role in protecting our leaders through the initial phase. Andrea Pasqualon will also be key in helping us during the middle section of the race, ensuring we stay in a strong position before the decisive moments.
"Once we reach this phase, the race will start to take shape, and we’ll need to be ready to race aggressively, following attacks and responding to key moves. The final selection will likely happen on the Muur and Bosberg, where we expect Matej, Fred, and Robert to be in contention for a strong result.”
The following day, the team will take on the 77th edition of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, another nearly 200km race that presents a different challenge. Slightly flatter than Omloop, Kuurne offers opportunities for both aggressive Classics riders and sprinters.
Starting in Kortrijk, the 196km course features 13 climbs, with a crucial section coming at the halfway point when riders face Hameu des Papin, Le Bourliquet, and Mont Saint-Laurent in quick succession.
The final climb of the day, the Kluisberg, comes with 60km remaining, setting the stage for a tactical battle between breakaway specialists and sprint teams looking to control the race.
For Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Team Bahrain Victorious will make two lineup changes, with Vlad Van Mechelen and Alberto Bruttomesso replacing Kamil Gradek and Roman Ermakov.
Van Mechelen, making his Classics debut, is eager to impress on home soil, while Bruttomesso will provide support for the team. Meanwhile, Mohorič, Wright, and Stannard will be ready to follow key moves and long-range attacks and Matevz Govekar will also be an option for a reduced bunch sprint to ensure the team remains competitive in all race scenarios.
Michal Golas, Sports Director, added:
“For Kuurne, it’s a different scenario, as we have a rider taking on their first Classic. Vlad Van Mechelen will make his classics debut, and I know he’s highly motivated to prove his talent. He’s already demonstrated his abilities, and I believe he will be a great support for the team. Bruttomesso also joins the team and will be looking to build from his experience last year and support the leaders.
"Govekar gives us a good option if it comes down to a reduce bunch sprint. However, we anticipate a tough middle section, where many teams will try to force a selection. Matej, Fred, and Robert will need to be alert to follow the key moves. Andrea Pasqualon will again be important in helping us maintain position and react to attacks.
"This race will be a battle between the fast finishers and the aggressive riders aiming for a long-range attack. Fortunately, we have strong options for both scenarios, giving us a great chance to secure good results this weekend.”
The team sent me this schedule:
Omloop het Nieuwsblad - MAR 01
Rudi Kemna - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Omloop Het Nieuwsblad marks the official start of the Classics season and is always a special race. We don’t want to sit back during the day and wait and see—we want to race from start to finish. Teamwork will be crucial, as making the correct decisions at the right moments will be key. Our goal is to be active in the key phases of the race, ensuring that we are in the right position when those important moments unfold."
Line-up:
Julius van den Berg (NLD)
John Degenkolb (DEU)
Patrick Eddy (AUS)
Alex Edmondson (AUS)
Sean Flynn (GBR)
Enzo Leijnse (NLD)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
John Degenkolb before the start of the 2024 Dwars door Vlaanderen. Sirotti photo
Omloop het Nieuwsblad - MAR 01
Albert Timmer - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is the first big test of the Classics season, a race where chaos, tough terrain, and relentless racing always bring the strongest riders to the forefront. We're ready to take on the challenge, aiming to be in the mix with Pfeiffer, Megan, and Franziska in the final. With the different strengths within our team, we have multiple options to race aggressively and shape the race to our advantage. Supporting them, we have Mara, Elise, and Francesca who form a strong block. Everything is geared toward reaching the final in the best possible way and from there we hope to be in position to race for a good result."
Line-up:
Francesca Barale (ITA)
Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR)
Megan Jastrab (USA)
Franziska Koch (DEU)
Mara Roldan (CAN)
Elise Uijen (NLD)
Faun-Ardèche Classic - MAR 01
Christian Guiberteau - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"It's always nice to return to France for some hilly races. The Faun Ardèche Classic is a race that always delivers an intense battle over the rolling terrain of the Ardèche region. It’s a day for the punchy climbers, but with a flatter finish, it also leaves opportunities for those with a strong sprint after a hard race. We come into the race with a strong line-up, looking to race aggressively and put ourselves in the mix for the final. We head to the race with Warren and Kevin as finishers while Romain [Bardet], who continues to recover after his crash in Portugal, also has the potential to play a role in the final too. We believe this course suits their strengths well. We'll have a strong squad who can race aggressively throughout the race. Last year, we had three riders in the top 20, and we aim to be just as present at the front this time around."
Line-up:
Romain Bardet (FRA)
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Robbe Dhondt (BEL)
Chris Hamilton (AUS)
Bjoern Koerdt (GBR)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA)
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne - MAR 02
Rudi Kemna - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"The second day of Opening Weekend brings Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, a tough race that puts the riders to the test. However, we see opportunities to reach the finish with a reduced group, aiming for a sprint with Pavel as our finisher. Teamwork will once again be essential. The team will need to work together to guide Pavel through the toughest sections of the course and ensure he reaches the finale in the best possible shape. If everything goes according to plan, we hope to turn that into a strong result."
Line-up:
Pavel Bittner (CZE)
John Degenkolb (DEU)
Patrick Eddy (AUS)
Alex Edmondson (AUS)
Sean Flynn (GBR)
Enzo Leijnse (NLD)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
Faun Drome Classic - MAR 02
Christian Guiberteau - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Faun Drome Classic offers another tough test in France, with a course that suits explosive climbers who thrive on repeated short, steep ascents. Unlike Faun Ardèche Classic, this race finishes uphill, making it a true test of legs after a long and aggressive day. Once again, we’ll be looking to race on the front foot, using our strong and versatile squad to create opportunities. Like in Ardèche, we will set up Warren and Kevin for the finale, while Romain [Bardet] has the chance to go for it too as he continues to recover from his crash in Portugal. We’ll look to play our cards smartly to get the best possible result. With a strong team ready to fight, we’re aiming to play a big role in this race."
Line-up:
Romain Bardet (FRA)
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Robbe Dhondt (BEL)
Chris Hamilton (AUS)
Bjoern Koerdt (GBR)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA)
Omloop van het Hageland - MAR 02
Albert Timmer - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Omloop van het Hageland is a race that often comes down to a sprint but also offers plenty of opportunities to race aggressively. With Charlotte on the start line, we have a true finisher in our ranks, but we’re also ready to take on the race and make moves when the moment is right. With the team we have at the start, we keep all options open to be part of the action and race on the front foot."
Line-up:
Silje Bader (NLD)
Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR)
Ella Heremans (BEL)
Megan Jastrab (USA)
Charlotte Kool (NLD)
Juliana Londoño (COL)
Brussel-Opwijk - MAR 02
Bennie Lambregts - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Brussel-Opwijk is part of the U23 Road Series competition in Belgium and the Netherlands. The race begins with several large laps, featuring two cobbled climbs and plenty of twists and turns. Positioning as a team will be crucial from the start, as a good position allows us to react to the many splits and breakaways that will occur in the peloton. We line-up in combination with three riders of DFV Cycling Team alongside our own three riders: Vincent, Jurgen, and Christiaan. Our approach is to race aggressively from the start, ensuring we are in the mix early on. With Christiaan, we have one of the fastest sprinters in the field as an extra weapon, but he will also need to stay sharp throughout the race to be in contention when it matters most."
Line-up:
Vincent Bodet (FRA)
Christiaan van Rees (NLD)
Jurgen Zomermaand (NLD)
Ename Samyn Classic- MAR 04
Pim Ligthart - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Ename Samyn Classic is a race where chaos is guaranteed—cobbled sectors, potential crosswinds, and a relentless pace make it a true test of strength and teamwork. We will start with Pavel as our sprint finisher, but before thinking about a finish, we need to get the basics right. With so many key points on the course, positioning and teamwork will be crucial. Riding together as a strong unit from sector to sector will be the key to success. If we execute that well, we can support Pavel and put him in the best possible position to fight for the sprint."
Line-up:
Julius van den Berg (NLD)
Pavel Bittner (CZE)
Patrick Eddy (AUS)
Alex Edmondson (AUS)
Enzo Leijnse (NLD)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
Casper van Uden (NLD)
Le Samyn des Dames - MAR 04
Albert Timmer - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Le Samyn des Dames is a race that always delivers an exciting battle, with a tough circuit featuring cobbled sections that test both endurance and positioning. Once again, we have Charlotte at the start, but the plan is to race aggressively rather than simply wait for a sprint. With Franziska, Megan, and Rachele, we have riders who are not only fast but also capable of handling a hard race. By racing smart and staying in the mix, we’ll give ourselves the best chance to be in contention when the real selection is made."
Line-up:
Silje Bader (NLD)
Ella Heremans (BEL)
Megan Jastrab (USA)
Franziska Koch (DEU)
Charlotte Kool (NLD)
Juliana Londoño (COL)
Mara Roldan (CAN)
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Here’s the team’s news:
We are proud to announce that, as of July 1, 2025, Rabobank will officially become a partner of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The partnership will be sealed today at Rabobank’s headquarters in Utrecht. This collaboration marks a significant step: Rabobank is returning to the world of cycling, driven by a shared vision of talent development, sports participation, and a healthy society. The partnership will begin with the Tour de France and will run for at least 3.5 years.
Rabobank has a long history in cycling. Over the years, the bank has closely followed the sport and our team, admiring its growth, professionalization, and the way we have strengthened and further developed cycling as a team. Now, we are taking a new step together, focusing on developing the next generation of cycling talents and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle.
When the team was sponsored by Rabobank. A scene from the 2009 Vuelta a España. Sirotti photo
Rabobank is a Dutch bank with a strong social commitment and a great passion for sports. For many years, the bank has been dedicated to Dutch elite sports and talent development. This partnership seamlessly aligns with our shared ambition to make sports accessible and to foster young talent.
A key element of this collaboration is the joint effort to nurture new Dutch cycling talent. Rabobank will become a strategic partner of our Ready2Race program, which introduces young children to cycling in an accessible way. In addition to partnering with Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Rabobank will also become a partner of TeamNL.
Richard Plugge, CEO of Team Visma | Lease a Bike: "This is a special moment. Rabobank has a deep-rooted cycling heritage. In 2012, they gave us the opportunity with Blanco to rebuild cycling and return it to the fans. Their decision to rejoin us as a partner is a great compliment. It shows how much cycling has evolved in recent years and how our team has become synonymous with professionalism, integrity, and success. Through this partnership, we continue building the future of the sport and inspire the next generation of cycling talents. We are proud of this collaboration and excited about what we can achieve together."
“Rabobank has been supporting sports in the Netherlands for many years—ranging from enthusiastic amateur basketball players to ambitious hockey talents, and from young athletes with Olympic and Paralympic dreams to now, once again, professional cyclists. With the addition of Team Visma | Lease a Bike to our sports partnerships, we are returning to our old love: cycling. As the jersey sponsor of both the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Development Team, we look forward to supporting the next generation of cycling talent together,” says Stefaan Decraene, Chairman of the Managing Board of Rabobank.
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