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Saturday, March 1, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road. - Stephen Hawking
Les Woodland's book Tour of Flanders: The Inside Story - The rocky roads of the Ronde van Vlaanderen is available in print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- February 26 - March 2: O Gran Camiño
- March 1: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
- March 1: Faun Ardèche Classic
Upcoming racing:
- 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 second-place Davide Piganzoli's Team Polti-VisitMalta:
A successful day for Team Polti VisitMalta in the O Gran Camiño time trial in Ourense, with Davide Piganzoli demonstrating his status as a contender for the final victory. Second at only 17 seconds and third overall at the same distance of the new leader Gee (Israel), the two remaining stages will be very important for the Italian rider and the interests of the team.
‘We gave everything in the time trial, it wasn’t particularly long but it had a climb in the initial part that demanded the maximum from us and then we were able to hold on’, explained Piganzoli. A technical course but for strong riders. A distance of 15.5 kilometres that alternated a 3rd category climb in the initial part with a descent for skilled cyclists at the entrance to the finish line. The stage of the third day of O Gran Camiño could not have been better for Piga, who started strongly (only 2 seconds behind the best time in the intermediate point) and held on in the final part to lose only 17 seconds at the finish line.
Davide Piganzoli riding to second in the stage.
‘We have a team to go on the attack and look for the overall win, I trust them and I feel very well to look for that lead’, explained Davide Piganzoli in statements after the day’s effort.
‘We are very happy with Piga’s performance,’ explained Jesús Hernández, sports director of Team Polti VisitMalta. ‘The results of the previous days are confirmed, achieving a second position of high level and a lot of merit. He [Piganzoli] is riding with confidence, with determination, without complexes and that allows him to aim for the best possible result in the race’.
Tomorrow, O Gran Camiño faces its queen stage in the province of Lugo, with 142.1 kilometres between A Pobra do Brollón and O Cebreiro, with four mountain passes that should clarify the general classification of the race.
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Here's the O Gran Camiño stage three report from third-place Maxime Decomble's Team Groupama-FDJ:
After showing himself on Thursday with a late attack, Maxime Decomble did even better this Friday on stage 3 of O Gran Camiño. In his favourite discipline, the time trial, the 19-year-old put in a top-notch performance as he took third place of the day, twenty seconds behind the winner Derek Gee. Promoted to the WorldTour team this week, as on the Étoile de Bessèges where he also scored a top 5 on the time trial, the rider from “La Conti” keeps on performing, and now sits in fifth place overall. A tough weekend is now looming.
Maxime Decomble racing to fifth in the Étoile de Bessèges time trial earler this year. Sirotti photo
After two stages that finished in a sprint, a first proper hierarchy in the general classification was expected this Friday in O Gran Camiño. Over the 15.6 kilometres between Ourense and Pereiro de Aguiar, the time trial was definitely set to create some gaps. “The start was a bit technical and fast, then we got quite quickly, after 2.5 kilometers, to the day’s big difficulty: a 5.5-kilometre hill averaging 5%”, explained Joseph Berlin-Sémon, the team’s coach. “It could be a bit scary, but you could still go quite fast up the climb. After that, you had to be able to continue pushing on rolling, straight sections, where aerodynamics were important.
Then, the last kilometre was very fast with a very technical descent as well. In the end, this time did not disadvantage the specialists because the climb could be done with the big gear. It was not a time trial that really favoured the climbers either, given the very flat section, where smaller riders could lose a lot of time.” After Rémi Daumas, Oscar Nilsson-Julien and Max Bock had completed the course in the beginning of the afternoon, Groupama-FDJ was waiting for its major cards from 4pm. “For Maxime, the goal was to get a result,” said Joseph. “We know he is a time trial specialist. The goal was to prove it again today. For Rémy and Clément, the objective was rather to limit the losses overall, because we knew that it would be difficult to get a big result.”
Starting at exactly 4:08pm, the man from “La Conti” did meet the expectations. At the intermediate check point, located at the top of the hill, Maxime Decomble set the best time, and he did the same at the finish after a great second part of the race. Thanks to a time of 23’38, he got on the “hot seat”. “I didn’t really know where to expect myself even though I had done a good time trial in Bessèges,” said the young man. “I knew, however, that this time trial that could suit me with the hill and a flat section where you had to be strong. We did a nice recon of the course this morning and I had a good discussion with my coach. Taking the provisional first place was almost necessary if I wanted to score a good result because there were still a lot of guys after me. It was nice to be in the hot seat, I had no pressure.”
Young man was finally beaten after about twenty minutes by Davide Piganzoli, then only Derek Gee did better than those two. Maxime Decomble therefore beat Magnus Cort by four seconds to secure his place on the day’s podium, in third position. “I am very happy,” he said, “and I thank the staff who helped me a lot today.” “We knew he was a specialist in the U23 category with his French champion title, and we had already seen that he was capable of producing a very good result among the pros on the Etoile de Bessèges,” added Joseph. “He brought another confirmation today, with a field that was perhaps a little less high-level, but it is well deserved, and it shows that he will have the ability to focus on difficult time trials like this in the future.”
At only 19 years old, he secured his first top 3 in the pro ranks, and also enjoyed his very first ceremony. “It’s his first white jersey and it’s always nice to get on the podium with Magnus Cort and Derek Gee when you’re a very young rider”, added Joseph. “It’s a little bonus for him and for the team and we’ll see what we can do in the coming days”. “I hope to at least keep this white jersey, said Maxime. “Tomorrow, there’s a tough race, it could suit me but Rémy and Clément are still the leaders“.
Thanks to his performance on Friday, Maxime Decomble now sits in fifth place overall, thirty-nine seconds behind Derek Gee, while Rémy Rochas and Clément Braz Afonso are around twentieth place, a minute or so back. “They both struggled and lost a lot of time on the flat section today, but that was predictable,” concluded Joseph Berlin-Sémon. “There’s a gap with Gee but there’s a hard stage tomorrow. It’s going to be dynamic, and everything’s still possible.”
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Here's the team's post:
Last Sunday, Jan Tratnik celebrated his 35th birthday - a good reason to take a closer look at the new member to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. The second reason? The upcoming Opening Weekend with the Omloop Nieuwsblad, which Tratnik surprisingly won last year.
Jan Tratnik on the Grammont in the 2024 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
In the first part, we traced Jan's unusual path into professional cycling. 24th February in 2024 was just as unpredictable, as it was only the second time in his career that he had competed in the Omloop. He actually seemed destined for the role of helper in the strong Visma team. But cycling is unpredictable.
“After 100 kilometers, I thought the race was over”, recalls Jan. The second of eleven cobbled sections had not even been completed, the hilly part of the race was still to come. "Strong crosswinds had torn the field apart. All the favorites were at the front, Visma was represented by five men. I wasn't there. Basically, everything was done."
But that's how it is with the cobbled classics: nothing is decided until the finish line is crossed. "I was in the second group and just kept fighting to always get over the hills with the first riders. And then we actually closed the gap to the break again."
That was just before the famous Muur van Geraardsbergen, the penultimate climb.
The decisive moment
In the final 20 kilometers, the peloton split again. Attacks followed one after the other, but even after the final Bosberg there was no preliminary decision. Until Jan took heart.
"I went eight kilometers before the finish. I turned around - and the group was standing still. That was the moment when I realized: this can work." With Nils Politt as his only companion, he flew towards the finish in Ninove.
And Jan kept the upper hand in the sprint. "When I crossed the finish line, it was one of the best moments of my career. Friends from Slovenia were there, celebrating me - an incredible feeling."
Returning with Bib 1
But it's not just the memories of that day that remain, but also a valuable lesson: "You must never give up in Belgium. There are 100 ways a race can turn around - even if you're a long way behind."
A year later, Jan returns to this special place - with race number 1 on his back. "This will be one of the greatest moments of my career. The Omloop is a prestigious race, the history, the cobbles, the atmosphere. Belgium is a cycling nation. I get goosebumps when I think about it."
Here's the team's post:
Lidl-Trek is set to tackle Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a well-balanced squad, blending experience, power, and youthful energy. With leaders like Jasper Stuyven, Toms Skujiņš, and Edward Theuns, backed by a strong supporting cast, the team is eager to make an impact on the Flemish cobbles.
Toms Skujiņš delivered one of the most talked-about moments in last year’s Omloop when he dropped Wout van Aert on the Berendries. It was a breakthrough ride, even if the final result didn’t quite match the performance. “I have great memories from last year—I surprised myself and the team with how strong I was. The result was maybe a bit disappointing, so I hope to improve on that this time,” he says.
This year, the Latvian is looking forward to another shot at the race, backed by a strong Lidl-Trek squad. “We have some guys who are already showing great form. Mathias Vacek proved himself in Algarve, climbing well and performing in the time trials. There are some younger guys stepping up, and when you combine them with experienced riders who have already proven themselves, I really think we have an even stronger team than last year.”
Toms Skujins racing the 2022 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Sirotti photo
Jasper Stuyven also feels optimistic about the team’s potential, though he acknowledges that one key rider is missing. “On paper, we have a stronger team than last year, but it’s unfortunate that Søren Kragh Andersen is out. That might mean we’re about the same level as last year. That said, everyone has another year of experience under their belt, so hopefully, we’ve improved. Last year, the entire team had a perfect winter and arrived in top form. Hopefully, that’s the case again this year, then we’ll definitely be just as strong across the board. But we’ll have to wait and see.”
Individually, Stuyven is satisfied with his current shape. “My condition is similar to where it was at this time last year. Does that mean I’ll be at my peak for Omloop? Probably not, but the foundation is there. A lot will depend on how I feel on race day.”
One thing he’s certain about is his favorite part of the course. “The Haaghoek remains one of my favorite sectors. We pass it multiple times, the crowds are always big, and it really feels like the true start of the season among the fans.”
A team ready for battle
Alongside Stuyven and Skujiņš, Lidl-Trek brings a balanced and powerful squad to Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Tim ‘El Trektor’ Declercq and Daan Hoole are the team’s two big engines, driving the pace and keeping the race under control. Edward Theuns adds a wealth of experience on these demanding Flemish roads, knowing exactly what it takes to navigate the chaos of the Classics, while young Tim Torn Teutenberg gets his first taste of the spring Classics.
Mathias Vacek is another rider eager to make his mark. “Being part of such a strong team is really special,” he says. “We have so many strong guys, and I feel the responsibility to prove myself in the Classics. There’s pressure, but it mostly gives me motivation to perform at my best.” The young Czech talent has already shown strong early-season form and is determined to contribute to the team’s success. “The atmosphere between the riders is great. We understand each other well and work together towards the same goal.”
For Vacek, racing in Flanders is unlike anything else on the calendar. “The Classics here are completely different from any other race. The cobbles, the narrow roads, the fans, the rough weather… These are the most special races of the year. It’s full-on entertainment from start to finish. Anything can happen at any moment. You have to stay at the front and embrace the adrenaline. I love racing here, even though these are the hardest races of the season. You can be as prepared as possible, but you never know how the race will unfold. I can’t wait to get started.”
With a mix of seasoned leaders, powerhouse domestiques, and rising talents, Lidl-Trek heads into Opening Weekend with confidence and ambition. The riders are eager to kick off the Classics season and put their hard work to the test on the Flemish roads. With the passionate Belgian fans creating an electric atmosphere, the team is ready to embrace the challenge. We hope to see many supporters at the start in ’t Kuipke in Ghent and lining the course, cheering us on as we take on the first big race of the year.
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Here's the team's news:
Intermarché-Wanty launches its classics campaign on Belgian soil with three races in four days: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (1.WT) this Saturday, March 1st, followed by Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (1.Pro) on Sunday, March 2nd, and the first Walloon race of the season with the Samyn Classic (1.1) on Tuesday, March 4th. A group of eleven riders will compete under the direction of Aike Visbeek, Dimitri Claeys, and Franky Van Haesebroucke.
Benefiting from solid preparation, with reconnaissance rides from November up to a final one this Thursday, February 27th, the World Team sets off from the Kuipke in Ghent around 11:15 AM this Saturday for the opening of the Belgian classics calendar. The peloton of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad must cover 197 kilometers to reach Ninove, with eight cobbled sectors and eleven climbs along their route, including a triple passage of the Haaghoek and Leberg, the Molenberg 40 kilometers from the finish, before the final on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg in the last 15 kilometers.
A contender in the sprint for the podium in the last edition, Laurenz Rex eventually finished sixth, eight seconds behind winner Jan Tratnik. He returns this Saturday with the support of local rider Arne Marit, who achieved the first podium of the season in Australia, as well as Vito Braet, Adrien Petit, Jonas Rutsch, Luca Van Boven, and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk.
Laurenz Rex winning the 2024 Le Samyn race.
"Regularly throughout the winter, we trained in the Flemish Ardennes with our group for the classics. We did the recon of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Ghent-Wevelgem in November, then in January we tested our new Hutchinson tires on the cobbles of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The final recon before the Belgian opening weekend is traditionally an important event for the entire team, to refresh our memory of the course and the sensations on the cobbles. I am convinced that we are ready for these first appointments with the Flemish Ardennes. Collectively during the Tour of the Algarve, we were solid around Biniam Girmay.
"On a personal level, I have received a lot of confidence from my teammates in my new role as captain. This gives me a lot of satisfaction and motivates me to improve the details to perfect our sprint train. Now, I am eagerly looking forward to this opening weekend, with the goal of doing better than last year. I feel physically stronger, but I have also gained maturity. For example, my double crash at Paris-Roubaix taught me to manage external expectations and pressure. Since then, I have focused on my preparation and not on the chaotic factors that can occur in the classics, and which are beyond your control. The work done in recent weeks has been effective. I feel really good, so I know I am capable of great things." - Laurenz Rex
"We have been eagerly awaiting this long Belgian opening weekend, which we have meticulously prepared. Despite the absences of Biniam Girmay, who became a father for the second time, and Hugo Page, who is ill, we still have a solid and broad selection, allowing us to field fresh riders in each of the three classics. We saw at the Tour of the Algarve that the condition is there.
"I'm particularly thinking of Laurenz Rex; I'm proud of his development as a leader. He is now physically stronger and more experienced than last season. With his current form, we can expect him to play a role in the finals of Nieuwsblad and Samyn Classic. At Kuurne on Sunday, our spearheads will be Vito Braet and Arne Marit, as fast riders, and we are looking forward to Taco van der Hoorn's return to the classics. He knows the course like no one else and is an important element of our group for the spring. We can expect open and attractive races, with a chance of a large bunch sprint at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, especially if the wind blows strongly in the finale and reduces the chances of the breakaways surviving." - Aike Visbeek (Performance Manager)
Here’s the team’s update:
This weekend, Kasper Asgreen will lead EF Education-EasyPost into the cobbled classics, with the former Tour of Flanders winner spearheading our men’s squad for Omloop het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne – better known to cycling fans as opening weekend.
Last week, Kasper was in Portugal, refining his early-season form at the Volta ao Algarve. It was the Danish rider’s first stage race in EF Education-EasyPost colors, and the focus was on building upon the solid foundations he laid during the winter training camps in preparation for the classics.
Kasper’s on-the-bike qualities provide our EF Education-EasyPost men’s squad with an added edge and a renewed sense of excitement as we head into the opening weekend, with Kasper competing both in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and Kuurne the following day.
Kasper Asgreen wins the 2021 Tour of Flanders ahead of Mathieu van der Poel. Getty images.
“The aim in these early races has been to support each other, and honestly, it’s been a pleasure. It’s been really nice to get going, and we’ve been riding well as a team in these first few races and communicating well,” Kasper told us ahead of this weekend’s double-header in Belgium.
Kasper made his EF Education-EasyPost debut at the Figueira Champions Classic earlier this month, posting a credible top-twenty. The result showed that the all-rounder was on the way up, and in Algarve, his main focus was on racking up extra kilometres and forging bonds with the teammates he’ll be racing with throughout March and April.
“That aspect was essential for me at Algarve. The race came down to sprints, mountain stages, or the final time trial, so it wasn’t like there was an obvious opportunity for me. The priority for me was making sure that we were on the right path for the classics. It was great spending time with the guys, learning more about how they all race and hanging out at the dinner table in the evenings. Very quickly, this felt like home for me,” he said.
“At the same time, I’m really looking forward to getting into the classics, starting with Omloop het Nieuwsblad and then Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne as part of opening weekend. Several of the riders from the Volta ao Algarve will head to Belgium next, and the work that we’ve done in Portugal, in terms of getting to know each other and how we work, will be beneficial in the classics. Figueira Champions Classic showed that I’m on the right track. There’s still some work to do, but there’s still time before we reach the big ones like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but the signs are good,” the Dane added.
Kasper’s classics campaign will briefly pause after opening weekend, as he heads to France for Paris-Nice, before resuming later in March with a string of one-day appointments, including Milano-Sanremo, the E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem, and Dwars door Vlaanderen, that will culminate in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix – the two biggest cobbled races in the men’s WorldTour.
The early season races have given Kasper the chance to shape his condition, and now he can’t wait to turn his focus to the races he’s most passionate about.
“It’s no secret that I’ve had a difficult time in the spring classics over the last couple of years, so the aim is to get back to the front and be in the mix when fighting for victory. If you have the level to do that, then anything is possible,” he said.
“It’s great to be part of this team. Leading the EF Education-EasyPost in the classics is something that you need to work on in terms of gaining trust from your teammates, and that’s where Alargve was helpful. Now I’m eager to head to Belgium, put on this jersey and take on the cobbles,” Kasper added.
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