Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, November 21, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men. - John Locke
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Upcoming racing:
- December 14: World Cup Namur
- December 23: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
- December 26: World Cup Gavere
- December 29: Trofee Loenhout-Azencross
- December 30: Superprestige Diegem
- January 1: GP Sven Nys
Latest completed racing:
- November 16: Trofee Hamme-Flandriencross
- November 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 26: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Guangxi
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Holland
- October 19: Veneto Classic
- October 19: Japan Cup
- October 19: Chrono des Nations
- October 15: Giro del Veneto
- October 12: Paris-Tours
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
Silke Smulders will be wearing the colours of Liv AlUla Jayco through 2027 after the Dutch rider penned a new contract with squad.
In her first two seasons with Liv AlUla Jayco, the 24-year-old, Smulders has shown herself to be a strong rider who is just beginning to find the limits of her potential.
After claiming her debut professional victory in 2024, she went on to claim her first WorldTour podium this year with second overall at the Tour Down Under in addition to finishing runner-up in the points competition.
The GreenEDGE Cycling management are delighted that Smulders will continue her growth as a rider with the team and are excited to see how much further she can develop.
Silke Smulders after 2025 Tour Down Under stage 3. Sprint Cycling photo
Silke Smulders:
“I am really happy to renew with Liv AlUla Jayco until 2027. I think it shows that they have a lot of confidence in me and that feels really good. I have developed so much the last two years with the team so I think this team is the perfect place for me to develop further and build on what we started two years ago. Also, this group is growing together. Knowing how to race together, we believe in each other, and I think that this is something special that we can continue to build on. For me, I’m really happy that I could re-sign. The support in the team is good, the group is good, and these are all the ingredients that I need to perform at my best. I think we can achieve some really nice things in the next years.”
Wim Stroetinga – Liv AlUla Jayco Sporting Manager:
“We are really excited that Silke has chosen to extend with the team for another two seasons. Since joining at the start of last year, she has already established herself as a key rider for the team’s success at both stage and one-day races. Silke’s second place overall finish at the Tour Down Under showed what she is capable of already and that a major win is just around the corner. At 24, she is still developing as a rider, and we believe that Liv AlUla Jayco is the right place for her to continue her progress.”
Silke Smulders:
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 24
Key Results
1st Vuelta a Andalucía, stage 1 (2024)
2nd Vuelta a Andalucía, overall classification (2024)
2nd Tour Down Under, overall classification (2025)
2nd Tour Down Under, stage 2 (2025)
2nd Tour Down Under, stage 3 (2025)
5th Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (2025)
7th Simac Ladies Tour (2024)
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
Bahrain Victorious is pleased to announce the arrival of Nikolas Maes, who will join the team as a Sports Director for the upcoming 2026 season.
A former professional road cyclist from 2007 to 2020, the 39-year-old Belgian transitioned immediately into a directing role with his former team, Lotto, where he has worked until now. Maes brings extensive experience in the Classics, having guided his squad through the major Flanders races. Moreover, as a rider, he was a trusted domestique for some of the biggest names in the Classics, including legendary Belgian champion Tom Boonen.
Nikolas Maes
After five seasons working as a Sports Director and in technical performance roles at Lotto, Maes is ready for the next step in his career:
“I’m happy to join such a motivated and professional environment. I’m ready for the challenge of helping the team achieve its goals and I look forward to working with the staff and riders.”
Milan Eržen, Managing Director of Bahrain Victorious, commented: “Nikolas brings a wealth of experience to our Sports Director group, particularly for the Classics season. His knowledge will be invaluable during the spring campaign, and we’re confident he will play an important role in helping our riders deliver strong results.”
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Here’s the team’s news:
Kazakh rider Alexandr Vinokurov jr., who competed for the continental team XDS Astana Development Team and ended his cycling career this autumn due to injuries, has completed a training course at the UCI education center and, after successfully passing the exam, received a diploma of Sports Director.
Starting from 2026, Alexandr Vinokurov jr. will join XDS Astana Team as a trainee Sports Director. During the internship, Alexandr will work closely with the experienced Sports Directors of both the WorldTour and the continental teams, as well as actively collaborate with the team’s performance group.
Alexandr Vinokurov jr. Sprint Cycling photo
“In recent seasons, Alex had several injuries, and the last one turned out to be very serious. Yes, he showed strong character and managed to come back, riding several races with the continental team, but his decision to end his career is completely understandable. At the same time, it is great that Alex decided to stay in cycling, completed his studies, passed the exams successfully, and now looks with optimism at a new role. The internship in both teams, WorldTour and continental, will allow him to gain the necessary experience, confidence, and understand how professional cycling works from the other side. The transition from the bike saddle to the car’s front seat is never easy, any Sports Director will tell you that, so I hope that with proper diligence and determination, Alex will succeed”, – said Alexandr Shefer, Head Sports Director of XDS Astana Team.
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