Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. - Epictetus
Les Woodland's book Dirty Feet: How the Great Unwashed Created the Tour de France is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- June 21 - 29: Most national road championships
Upcoming racing:
- July 2 - 7: Tour of Austria
- July 5 - 27: Tour de France
Latest completed racing:
- June 24: Giro dell'Appennino
- June 15 - 22: Tour de Suisse
- June 18 - 22: Baloise Belgium Tour
- June 8 - 15: Critérium du Dauphiné
- June 13: GP Kanton Aargau
- June 8: Brussels Cycling Classic
- May 9 - June 1: Giro d'Italia
- May 29 - June 1: Tour of Norway
- May 14 - 18: 4 Jours de Dunkerque
- May 18: Rund um Köln
- May 13: Classique Dunkerque
- May 11: Tro-Bro Léon
- May 10: GP du Morbihan
- May 9: Tour du Finistère
We posted the report from race winner Diego Ulissi's Team XDS Astana with the results.
Here's the report from Team Polti-VisitMalta:
Team Polti-VisitMalta played a leading role in every phase of the Giro dell’Appennino. Starting with Davide De Cassan: in the breakaway of 9 riders for 60% of the race, he soloed over the Bocchetta climb and, after being caught by eventual winner Ulissi (Astana) stayed with the top group alongside Davide Piganzoli and Alex Martín, eventually finishing 10th in the sprint of the chasers on Via XX Settembre. Behind him, Martín placed 12th and Piganzoli 19th despite an earlier crash with no consequences. Mattia Bais, on the other hand, crashed on a descent and was forced to abandon.
Diego Ulissi wins the 2025 Giro dell'Appennino. Sirotti photo
Sports director Giovanni Ellena commented: “Beyond De Cassan, our best-placed rider after an aggressive day, credit also goes to his two teammates in the same group behind Ulissi. The three of them managed the race situations well and responded to several counterattacks — a solid effort that leaves us seeing the glass half full.”
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Here's the team's schedule:
The national time trial championships: who rides where?
In various countries, national time trial titles are at stake this week. Are you curious about which of our riders are participating and when their races are? Check out the overview below.
Dutch championship individual time trial (June 24)
Men:Dylan van Baarle
U23: Sjors Lugthart
Women: Lieke Nooijen, Maud Oudeman, Femke de Vries
Dylan van Baarle time-trialing at the 2024 Tirreno-Adriatico. Sirotti photo
Hungarian championship individual time trial (June 25)
Men: Attila Valter
Polish championship individual time trial (June 25)
U23: Patryk Goszczurny
British championship individual time trial (June 26)
Men: Matthew Brennan
U23: Tomos Pattinson, Elliot Rowe
Women: Imogen Wolff
Norwegian championship individual time trial (June 26)
Men: Jørgen Nordhagen
U23: Jonas Kind Høydahl
Italian championship individual time trial (June 26)
Women: Martina Fidanza
U23: Pietro Mattio
Slovakian championship individual time trial (June 26)
Women: Viktória Chladoňová
Belgian championship individual time trial (June 27)
U23: Matisse Van Kerckhove
German championship individual time trial (June 27)
Men: Niklas Behrens
U23: Ian Kings
Women: Linda Riedmann
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Here’s the team’s news:
Our Latvian champion Emīls Liepiņš will be part of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in 2026. Liepiņš joined in 2025 after five years in the World Tour and has proven to be a great assett to the team. He is a versatile rider helping reach the team goals in a great variety of races.
The adventure all started with the vibes he saw at the team’s dinner table the year before he joined.
Emils Liepins racing at the 2024 Tour de Romandie. Sirotti photo
Liepiņš said: “I chose this team this year because from the outside they looked like a happy team with good vibes at the dinner table when we shared hotels during races. I can tell you now that from the inside it is true. This team is my happy place where both staff and riders are joyful. Happy riders, happy staff, good results, and it shows. My power is higher than ever and I feel much stronger too. People around me see it too: I am in a good place so signing for another year was an easy decision.”
The letters of Emīls form the word ‘smile’ and that is what characterizes the 32-year-old rider. He is a rider who adds to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team culture on and off the bike.
“I have work to do every day,” he smiles. “I am often the road captain, help with the lead-out for Matteo Moschetti, help Tom Pidcock before the climbs and think about the strategy.”
“I also love coaching the younger riders because I have been a pro for many years and know how this – sometimes very hard world of cycling – works,” he adds.
"Every time when I am called up for a race, I am happy to pack my bags and see my colleagues and our staff again. We are a great team and I am happy to be part of it.”
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General Manager Doug Ryder on Emīls Liepiņš’s contract renewal:
“Building a successful team isn’t just about signing riders who finish on the podium—it’s also about those who contribute to the foundation and growth of the team. Emīls is one of those riders. His constant positivity and friendly presence with staff, sponsors, and teammates are invaluable off the bike, while his tactical awareness and strength on the bike make a real impact in races.
"He’s incredibly versatile and continues to develop, so I’m pleased he’s staying with us as we keep building the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.”
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