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Wednesday, March 5, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
The only change is that baseball has turned Paige from a second class citizen to a second class immortal. - Satchel Paige
Bill & Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2021: The Little Cannibal Dominates is available in both Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- March 5: Trofeo Laigueglia
Upcoming racing:
- March 8: Strade Bianche
- March 9 - 16: Paris-Nice
Latest completed racing:
- March 4: Le Samyn Classic
- February 26 - March 2: O Gran Camiño
- March 2: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- March 2: Faun Drôme Classic
- March 1: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
- March 1: Faun Ardèche Classic
- February 17 - 23: UAE Tour
- February 19 - 23: Volta ao Algarve
We posted the report from second-place Paul Magnier's Team Soudal Quick-Step with the results.
Here's the report from Team Picnic-PostNL:
With Opening Weekend behind them, Team Picnic PostNL were back in action on Tuesday at the renamed Ename Samyn Classic, where they were met with the traditional parcours. However, with no wind forecast, it would be the attitude of the peloton and the twisting narrow roads that would split things. Unfortunately, it was a day of bad luck for sprint finisher Pavel Bittner who was involved in some early crashes and stepped off the bike.
Team Picnic PostNL rallied around each other as best as they could, following some strong attacks, and heading into the last lap Tim Naberman and Casper van Uden were within the reduced peloton. However, Naberman suffered a puncture on the cobbles leaving Van Uden alone in the front. Trying his best to position himself for the finale Van Uden fought hard, but caught behind a split after the last cobbled section and couldn’t compete for a result on the day.
Mathieu van der Poel wins 2025 Le Samyn.
Van Uden said: “It was a shame Pavel crashed early in the race. We positioned ourselves well the first half of the day but after that we lost it a bit and were a bit too far back for some key moments. When there were only a few of us left in the group and the attacks started, I had to spend a lot of energy following those important moves. In the last five kilometres I made a mistake, was then out of position for the cobbles and did not have the legs anymore in the finale.”
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Team Groupama-FDJ posted this Samyn race report:
On one side or the other of Belgium, Lewis Askey remains at the front! After his solid opening weekend, the British rider once again showed off his good condition on Tuesday at the Ename Samyn Classic. After a lively, yet controlled race, the 23-year-old grabbed fifth place in a small-group sprint in Dour. The victory went to Mathieu van der Poel.
Forty-eight hours after completing the first “Flemish” races of the season, Lewis Askey took part this Tuesday in the first Walloon event of the year: the Ename Samyn Classic. Also, after two solid performances on Saturday and Sunday (10th and 16th, editor’s note), the British rider had a clear leadership within the Groupama-FDJ cycling team for the day’s race. “The team was entirely focused on Lewis, who was our best card, both in the event that it finished in a sprint and in the event that it was an open race,” explained Frédéric Guesdon. “We knew he was in good condition, and that he would be able to follow the best. Everyone had to support him, with very specific tasks for everyone.”
Halfway through the race, the peloton reached the final circuit of Dour, around thirty kilometres long and including six small cobbled sectors. The morning breakaway of eight men was able to cover the first lap in the lead, before the peloton became more active. Mathieu van der Poel especially made a first attack sixty kilometres from the finish, everything came back together a few moments later, then a group managed to go clear forty kilometres from the finish, with Lewis Bower in there.
Another shot of the Samyn finish.
Together with eight riders, the young New Zealander, who was competing in his first European race of the season, never had more than a twenty-second lead. “It was good that Lewis was in front, but the race didn’t really open up”, explained Frédéric. “Everyone must have been a bit afraid of Van der Poel, and there were quite a few sprinters, which also tends to block the race. It was hard to make a difference, and everyone got it into their heads that it was going to finish with a sprint. We had also told Lewis [Askey] that there was no point in attacking if there were still a lot of teammates and few moves, and that he had to stay focused on the sprint. If we had noticed that the race had opened up early enough, he would have been active, but as long as it remained together, we maintained the sprint option”. “It was a race with a lot of stress because of the sectors and the small roads,” explained the British rider. “The team trusted me for the sprint after the condition I had shown on the opening weekend. The team rode well to keep it together and I didn’t need to waste energy. They also brought me back up when I lost my position in the peloton a few times, so thank you to them.”
Despite a few attacks, the peloton never really split up, and Lewis Bower’s group was caught fifteen kilometres from the finish. Groupama-FDJ then positioned at the head of the pack to control the situation and place their leader until the last cobbled sector located three kilometres from the finish line. “They motivated each other, and when the momentum is good, everyone feels involved,” said Frédéric. “It’s great when it works like that. Up until the last three kilometres, Lewis still needed his teammates, and Cyril especially until the last kilometre. Everyone did their job, and even more.”
Around twenty riders finally came out from the last sector to tackle the slight uphill portion leading to the finish line. The fight for position proved quite hectic. “I targeted Van der Poel’s wheel in the final, but like many others, I didn’t manage to keep it,” said Lewis. “He had a decent position for the sprint and then it came down to the legs,” added Frédéric. “It was a sprint for strong men, as usual here.”
Although he was unable to compete with the Dutchman in the final straight, Lewis Askey found himself fighting for the podium until the final metres, before settling for fifth place on the day. “I’m happy to have rewarded the team’s work a little, even if there is more to come”, he said. “I felt the body was a bit tired today after the weekend, so I’m still happy to have got this result”. “Lewis is starting his fourth year with us, he’s reaching maturity, he’s now here to get the best possible results, and that’s what we expect of him”, concluded Frédéric. “He deserves to win one, as he’s been close for a while. In any case, we’ve been preparing him for that purpose. After the Strade Bianche, he will compete in the Nokere Koerse, the Grand Prix de Denain and Cholet-Pays de Loire, races which could suit him”.
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Here's the news from Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates:
UAE Team Emirates-XRG will aim to add to their 13 victories so far this season as Tadej Pogačar leads the charge on the white Tuscan roads of Siena at Strade Bianche (8 March) in Italy.
Pogačar holds two previous victories at Strade Bianche to his name already from 2022 and 2024, and will be hoping to repeat his UAE Tour winning form on the streets of Siena when the race arrives to the Piazza del Campo on Sunday afternoon.
Tadej Pogacar winning the 2024 Strade Bianche. Sirotti photo
Pogačar: “Strade is a race where I have some great memories. My track record there is pretty good and I hope to be up at the pointy end of the action again on Saturday. We can expect some strong rivals – the startlist is always on a high level for these big races and it should make things exciting both for us and for the fans.
"It was good to get the season started in UAE, winning made it even better obviously. The team is on a good wave at the moment with many wins already and we’ll hope to continue that over the next races.”
The team will be guided by Sports Manager Matxin Fernandez (Spa) and the Sports Director pairing of Andrej Hauptman (Slo) and Manuele Mori (Ita).
Strade Bianche [1.UWT] – 08-Mar-2025
- Filippo Baroncini (Ita)
- Isaac Del Toro (Mex)
- Felix Grossschartner (Aus)
- Domen Novak (Slo)
- Tadej Pogačar (Slo)
- Florian Vermeersch (Bel)
- Tim Wellens (Bel)
The team sent me this schedule:
Strade Bianche -MAR 08
Matt Winston - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"Strade Bianche is a race like no other—dusty, relentless, and unpredictable. The white roads of Tuscany will wear the peloton down, and we know the race will break apart gradually. Our focus is to anticipate the key moments with Max and Frank, making sure we’re in the front when the race really opens up. If we’re there in the deep final, we give ourselves the best chance for a good result."
Frank van de Broek (shown at the 2024 Tour of Turkey) will race the Strade Bianche.
Line-up:
Frank van den Broek (NLD)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Robbe Dhondt (BEL)
Chris Hamilton (AUS)
Bjoern Koerdt (GBR)
Max Poole (GBR)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA)
Strade Bianche Donne - MAR 08
Callum Ferguson - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"The first Italian classic of our three-race block, Strade Bianche always delivers an unpredictable and exciting race. We have a strong group here, with different options to play—whether that means being active in the breaks or waiting to see how the final unfolds. That flexibility gives us opportunities, and with good teamwork, both approaches can put us in a strong position."
Line-up:
Francesca Barale (ITA)
Marta Cavalli (ITA)
Eleonora Ciabocco (ITA)
Nienke Vinke (NLD)
Josie Nelson (GBR)
Elise Uijen (NLD)
Grand Prix Criquielion - MAR 08
Roy Curvers - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"The Belgian one-day racing season continues with the GP Criquielion, a race that has all the ingredients of a true Flemish classic: narrow roads, cobblestones, and short, punchy climbs. The wind could add an extra challenge, but history tells us that this race often ends in a sprint. We’re bringing a well-balanced squad, capable of racing aggressively in tough conditions while also having the firepower to set up a sprint if that’s what happens. Pavel came close last year with a strong second place, and this time, we’re aiming for one step higher!"
Line-up:
Pavel Bittner (CZE)
Patrick Eddy (AUS)
Alex Edmondson (AUS)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
Timo Roosen (NLD)
Mees Vlot (NLD)
Oliver Peace (GBR)
Dorpenomloop Rucphen - MAR 09
Bennie Lambregts - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"We line up at the Dorpenomloop Rucphen with last year’s winner, Johan Dorussen—a great challenge for our team as we aim to repeat that success. This race is always shaped by the conditions; whether the wind plays a role or not, we’re prepared for both scenarios. It’s a classic Dutch race, and we take on this challenge with confidence, ready to make an impact once again."
Line-up:
Vincent Bodet (FRA)
Johan Dorussen (NLD)
Ryan Gal (NLD)
Ko Molenaar (NLD)
Christiaan van Rees (NLD)
Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL)
Jurgen Zomermaand (NLD)
Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré - MAR 09
Roy Curvers - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"Grote Prijs Jean - Pierre Monseré is another typical Flemish one-day race, featuring technical roads, sharp climbs, and the ever-present risk of crosswinds. While breakaways can play a role, the race has a history of favouring the fast men in the final. We’re coming in with a strong and adaptable squad, ready to take on different scenarios. If the race turns into a battle of attrition, we have riders who can go on the attack. If it all comes down to a sprint, we’ll focus on positioning our fast finisher Pavel in the best possible way to contest the sprint."
Line-up:
Pavel Bittner (CZE)
Patrick Eddy (AUS)
Alex Edmondson (AUS)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
Timo Roosen (NLD)
Mees Vlot (NLD)
Oliver Peace (GBR)
Paris-Nice - MAR 09 - MAR 16
Rudi Kemna - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Paris-Nice, the 'Race to the Sun,' is always an early-season highlight, balancing sprints, punchy finishes, and a tough final weekend in the mountains. It’s a race that rewards both strength and strategy. If Romain has fully recovered from his crash, then in his last appearance at the race we will target a GC result with him as our finisher, but we will approach and assess things day-by-day. We have a strong team built around this goal to provide support on the varied terrain at the race. We will also look for stage success with Fabio and Tobias, while Warren could be a card that we play to target a breakaway in the hills; but we will see how things progress with Romain and our GC ambitions - where if things go smoothly and Romain has recovered, then we hope top fight for a strong result come the end of the week.”
Line-up:
Tobias Lund Andresen (DNK)
Romain Bardet (FRA)
Warren Barguil (FRA)
John Degenkolb (DEU)
Sean Flynn (GBR)
Fabio Jakobsen (NLD)
Julius van den Berg (NLD)
Tirreno-Adriatico - MAR 10 - MAR 16
Matt Winston - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"We’re looking forward to one of the first WorldTour stage races in Europe this season, and we’re bringing a strong team to Tirreno-Adriatico. Our GC ambitions lie with Max, who will aim for a strong opening time trial before shifting focus to the tougher stages later in the week, supported by Chris and Gijs on the hilly terrain. In the sprints, our focus is on Casper, with Bram and Niklas guiding him in the final part of the lead-out. Stages two and seven offer the main sprint opportunities, and we’re ready to make the most of them."
Line-up:
Chris Hamilton (AUS)
Gijs Leemreize (NLD)
Enzo Leijnse (NLD)
Niklas Märkl (DEU)
Max Poole (GBR)
Casper van Uden (NLD)
Bram Welten (NLD)
Powless’ Team EF Education-EasyPost sent me this:
After Trofeo Laigueglia and Paris-Nice, Neilson will head to Milano-Sanremo, the Flemish cobbles, and the Ardennes
Neilson Powless is excited about his spring campaign.
Neilson has put the bout of pneumonia that kept him out of action at the start of the season behind him, and after his strong performance at the Volta ao Algarve, where he finished sixth overall and seventh in the uphill time trial, he is riding well. He is now resting up at home with his daughter and wife, before heading to Trofeo Laigueglia and Paris-Nice, where he wants to compete with the best on GC and go for a stage win, while building his form for his main goals for the spring.
Paris-Nice, the iconic eight-day stage race from the heart of France to his European hometown on the Riviera, will be his final test before the spring classics. Neilson will then focus on a full slate of classic one-day races in March and April, with Milano-Sanremo, Dwars door Vlaanderen and De Ronde on the books, before he goes for victory in the Ardennes.
Neilson Powless before the start of the 2024 Tour of Lombardy. Sirotti photo
Neilson Powless' spring schedule
- Trofeo Laigueglia
- Paris-Nice
- Milano-Sanremo
- Dwars door Vlaanderen
- Ronde van Vlaanderen
- Amstel Gold Race
- Flèche Wallonne
- Liège-Bastogne-Liège
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Here’s the team’s news:
This Wednesday, the Trofeo Laigueglia will be the first race of the season in Italy. Team Polti VisitMalta is looking forward to a tough and long-distance inaugural event, in which it hopes to be able to compete for the victory.
The 190-kilometre route is divided into three sections. The passages through Laigueglia perfectly structure a race that enters the final circuit at kilometre 154, with four climbs to Colla Michieri in the 10km route of each lap, and where the favourites will try their luck in search of raising their arms.
The line up for this first appointment in the Italian calendar relies on a Diego Pablo Sevilla who comes from racing in O Gran Camiño, collaborating with the great podium of Davide Piganzoli. Along with him, Mattia Bais and Álex Martín make their debut this season. Meanwhile, Samuele Zoccarato, Javi Serrano, Davide De Cassan and Davide Bais make up a versatile selection of riders that will have to be brave in Laigueglia.
Diego Pablo Sevilla racing in 2024
Mattia Bais: ‘The team is making its debut on the Italian calendar and I am making my debut this season. There will be a high level of participation, the final will be really selective, but I personally have worked well and I am confident that I can do a great job in Laigueglia’.
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