Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
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Upcoming racing:
- April 2: Dwars door Vlaanderen
- April 2: Paris - Camembert Lepetit
- April 4: Route Adélie de Vitre
- April 5: GP Miguel Indurain
- April 5: Volta Limburg Classic
- April 6: Ronde van Vlaanderen
Latest completed racing:
- March 24 - 30: Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
- March 30: Gent - Wevelgem
- March 30: La Roue Tourangelle
- March 25 - 29: Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali
- March 28: E3 Saxo Bank Classic
- March 26: Classic Brugge-De Panne
- March 22: Milano-Sanremo
- March 21: Bredene Koksijde Classic
- March 20: GP de Denain
- March 19: Danilith Nokere Koerse
- March 19: Milano-Torino
- March 9 - 16: Paris-Nice
- March 10 - 16: Tirreno-Adriatico
- March 8: Strade Bianche
- March 5: Trofeo Laigueglia
- March 4: Le Samyn Classic
Today the Tour de France announce the complete list of participating teams in the 2025 Tour de France, including the three wild card teams. Noticibly missing is Tom Pidcock's Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
Here's the list:
UCI World Teams:
- Alpecin-Deceuninck
- Arkea-B&B Hotels
- Bahrain Victorious
- Cofidis
- Decathlon AG2R-La Mondiale
- EF Education-EasyPost
- Groupama-FDJ
- INEOS Grenadiers
- Intermarché-Wanty
- Lidl-Trek
- Movistar
- Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
- Soudal Quick-Step
- Jayco-AlUla
- Team Picnic-PostNL
- Visma | Lease a Bike
- UAE Team Emirates-XRG
- XDS Astana
UCI Pro Teams:
- Lotto
- Israel-Premier Tech
Wild Cards:
- TotalEnergies
- Tudor Pro Cycling
- Uno-X Mobility
The Tudor Pro Cycling Team posted this piece on its selection to ride the Tour:
Le Tour de France 2025 will be the Premiere of Tudor Pro Cycling on the Stage of Cycling’s most Prestigious Race.
Tudor Pro Cycling officially received an invitation by race organizer A.S.O for this year’s Tour de France. It’s a dream come true for the team, a historic moment and a highlight on the race calendar of Tudor Pro Cycling. The team is looking forward to take on it’s inaugural “Grand Boucle“ at the Grand Départ in Lille on the 5th of July - with a daring spirit and great excitement.
Julian Alaphilippe, multiple stage winner and Le Tour veteran, about the Tour de France invitation for his new team: “It’s super motivating to think about the Tour and it’s a real personal challenge to come back to the Tour, but even more so to be there with my new team. It definitely is a historic moment for Tudor Pro Cycling. The Tour de France is looking very difficult, as it does every year, with plenty of opportunities for punchers. Every stage of the Tour requires a lot of concentration and motivation, but especially in the first week, I see some opportunities with several stages designed for puncher profiles.“
Julian Alaphilippe headed to the start of 2023 Tour de France stage 18. Sirotti photo
Marc Hirschi, Tour de France stage winner in 2020, shares his memories and dreams: “I have such good memories from the Tour: back in 2020, being at the start of my first Tour de France was a dream. For me, it is a dream to go back to the Tour. Going there and winning a stage would be the highlight of the year. The Tour is so special and so well known outside of cycling, that everyone wants to be at the start. The crowds are crazy all day long on all stages.“
Team owner Fabian Cancellara returns to the Tour de France in a new role: “I have a lot of history with the Tour and I’m really looking forward to being back at the Grand Départ in my new role now. I’m very happy for the team, proud and excited. It’s our dream that becomes a reality now. We’re ready to show a daring racing spirit - in July we’re heading to France to race and not only to participate!“
Raphael Meyer, Tudor Pro Cycling CEO, says his team has worked hard and is ready for the Tour: “We’re a ProTeam, but operating on WorldTour level has always been our goal. We’ve worked very hard on the structure of the team and are convinced that both staff and riders are ready for our first Tour de France participation.The invitation to this year’s Tour de France marks an important and historic step in the young history of Tudor Pro Cycling. With dedication and our daring approach to pro cycling we’re looking forward showing ourselves at the Tour de France this summer.“
The 112th edition of the Tour de France starts from Lille on the 5th of July. The cycling season’s second Grand Tour races entirely in France this year and includes iconic finishes like Mûr de Bretagne, Mont Ventoux and Col de la Loze. After three weeks of racing and 21 stages, the Tour de France finishes on the legendary Champs-Élysées in Paris on the 27th of July.
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Jakobsen’s Team Picnic-PostNL posted this news:
Determined to hit the ground running in their second season together, Team Picnic PostNL put in strong work in the winter period, building Jakobsen’s shape and base form nicely; ready to tackle 2025 head on. However, in the high intensity moments in those early-season races, Jakobsen found himself unable to push on the pedals as hard as he previously could.
Conducting further tests with the team’s medical staff, it was revealed that Jakobsen has flow limitation in the iliac artery in both of his legs.
Fabio Jakobsen winning stage one of the 2024 Tour of Turkey
Team Picnic PostNL doctor Camiel Aldershof explained: “Unfortunately after conducting recent tests, we have discovered that Fabio has flow limitation of the iliac arteries. As the diagnosis is very clear and currently limiting him on the bike, he will undergo surgery to attempt and fix the issue.”
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“Thankfully, he has a more favourable prognosis to return due to the type of limitation; however, this can take some time to come back from.”
“The surgery means that Fabio will be off the bike for around six weeks initially, with no other strenuous physical activity allowed. In the meantime, we will monitor his progress and from there, when he is ready, we will gradually have him return to training and slowly build up intensity again.”
Jakobsen added: “I trained well this winter and came into the season with some confidence. We picked up some top ten results at UAE Tour and Paris-Nice, but when it came to those key moments and high intensity sprint efforts I suffered; my legs simply weren’t working as they should.”
“It’s mentally of course a setback, but now that we have found the cause of the issue, I am hopeful that the surgery can then solve it. Sometimes you need to take one step back to be able to make two forward, and I hope that’s what I’m going to do now.”
Jakobsen will undergo surgery on Wednesday 2nd April, before a period off the bike and his rehabilitation begins. His race program for the remainder of 2025 remains open and is dependent on how his recovery goes.
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Dwars door Vlaanderen - APR 02
Pim Ligthart - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"Dwars door Vlaanderen serves as the final stepping stone towards Ronde van Vlaanderen, offering a challenging mix of cobbled climbs and technical roads that demand both strength and sharp race instincts. While not as long as some of the other Flemish classics, the relentless succession of hills and tricky sections makes for an unpredictable and selective race. Our goal is clear: we want to be in the final with Nils, Sean, and John. With smart teamwork and the right positioning, we aim to place ourselves in the decisive moves when the race really comes to life. To do that we need to race proactively and seize our opportunities.”
Line-up:
Julius van den Berg (NLD)
John Degenkolb (DEU)
Alex Edmondson (AUS)
Nils Eekhoff (NLD)
Sean Flynn (GBR)
Enzo Leijnse (NLD)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
John Degenkolb before the start of the 2024 Dwars door Vlaanderen race. Sirotti photo.
Dwars door Vlaanderen Women - APR 02
Albert Timmer - Team Picnic PostNL coach
"Dwars door Vlaanderen is a beautiful race that offers a true test of both strength and race craft. With its mix of cobbled climbs, twisting roads, and a fast run-in to the finish, it’s a race that often rewards both aggressive racing and good positioning. We’re lining up with a relatively young team, focusing on executing the basics well and growing throughout the race. With Rachele and Josie, we have riders who are not only fast in the final but also capable of racing proactively. The key will be reading the race, making the right moves, and making the most of our opportunities."
Line-up:
Rachele Barbieri (ITA)
Ella Heremans (BEL)
Juliana Londoño (COL)
Josie Nelson (GBR)
Mara Roldan (CAN)
Abi Smith (GBR)
Gran Premio Miguel Indurain - APR 05
Christian Guiberteau - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"The GP Miguel Indurain is a race that always delivers an exciting and unpredictable battle. It’s a day where timing and positioning are everything, as the race often explodes long before the final climb. For us, Oscar will be our finisher, with Kevin also well-suited to this kind of race. In the earlier phases, Warren and Gijs can play an important role in anticipating moves, whether by staying ahead of the action in the pre-final or even making it into a strong breakaway. A small early move isn’t a concern, but if a big and dangerous group goes, we’ll need to be present. It’s all about racing smart, reading the race well, and making sure we are in the right places when it matters most."
Line-up:
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Bjoern Koerdt (GBR)
Gijs Leemreize (NLD)
Juan Guillermo Martinez (COL)
Oscar Onley (GBR)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA)
Volta NXT Classic - APR 05
Bennie Lambregts - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"The Volta NXT Classic presents a fantastic opportunity for our Development program riders to gain valuable experience in a demanding race. We’re lining up with a mixed team that includes five riders from our Development program and two from our Men's program; with Frank van den Broek as our finisher. Having an experienced rider like Frank in the team will be an important learning moment for the young guys, as they navigate the challenges of positioning, pacing, and race dynamics on this tough circuit. This year’s course differs slightly from the usual edition, but the organisers have created a challenging and selective route that should lead to an exciting race. We will aim to support Frank as best as possible for the finale, while ensuring that the younger guys make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow. It’s a great challenge, and both the riders and staff are highly motivated for the day ahead."
Line-up:
Vincent Bodet (FRA)
Frank van den Broek (NLD)
Jacob Bush (GBR)
Robbe Dhondt (BEL)
Ryan Gal (NLD)
Oliver Peace (GBR)
Pavel Sumpik (CZE)
Ronde van Vlaanderen - APR 06
Pim Ligthart - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"It's time for one of the most iconic and demanding races of the spring, where only the strongest riders remain in contention. This is not a race to sit back and wait—we want to be part of the action from start to finish. Teamwork will be crucial, as making the right decisions at the key moments can make all the difference. Our goal is to be present ahead of the important phases of the race, so that we are in the right place when the race truly comes to life. From there, we will then give it our all on the way to Oudenaarde to come away with the best result possible."
Line-up:
John Degenkolb (DEU)
Patrick Eddy (AUS)
Nils Eekhoff (NLD)
Sean Flynn (GBR)
Enzo Leijnse (NLD)
Tim Naberman (NLD)
Timo Roosen (NLD)
Ronde van Vlaanderen Women - APR 06
Callum Ferguson - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"De Ronde is a race that demands strength, resilience, and smart racing. With its relentless cobbled climbs and ever-changing race dynamics, positioning and timing are crucial. We’re lining up with a strong and experienced team, featuring riders who have excelled here in the past. We have multiple cards to play—Franzi and Marta can be active in the pre-final, while Pfeiffer will be our key rider for the deep final. It’s all about executing our race plan and reading the race well on the day."
Line-up:
Francesca Barale (ITA)
Marta Cavalli (ITA)
Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR)
Megan Jastrab (USA)
Franziska Koch (DEU)
Mara Roldan (CAN)
Itzulia Basque Country - APR 07 - APR 12
Phil West - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Itzulia Basque Country always delivers hard and unpredictable racing, with relentless climbs, technical descents, and an electric atmosphere created by passionate fans. We return to the race with a strong group, including Oscar and Warren, who were part of our squad here last year. Our main goal is to support Oscar as our finisher in the GC battle—we believe he has the ability to do well here, given the progress he has made since last season. The key will be racing as a united team, staying structured throughout the week, and making the right moves when opportunities arise. Along the way, we also want to be active and aggressive in the daily battles, making the most of each stage. We’re looking forward to another exciting week of racing in the Basque Country."
Line-up:
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Bjoern Koerdt (GBR)
Gijs Leemreize (NLD)
Juan Guillermo Martinez (COL)
Oscar Onley (GBR)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA)
Région Pays de la Loire Tour - APR 08 - APR 11
Asbjørn Kragh Andersen - Team Picnic PostNL coach:
"Région Pays de la Loire Tour is a great opportunity for our Development program, and we’re excited to be on the start line. It’s a race that can unfold in different ways, with opportunities for both aggressive racing and sprint finishes. Our goal is simple: to make the most of each stage, race with ambition, and show our colors at the front. The team is highly motivated, and we’re ready to take on the challenge every day."
Line-up:
Vincent Bodet (FRA)
Ryan Gal (NLD)
Ko Molenaar (NLD)
Christiaan van Rees (NLD)
Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL)
Jurgen Zomermaand (NLD)
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