Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, October 11, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. - Niccolo Machiavelli
Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2019: A Year of New Faces is available in both Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- October 11: Il Lombardia
Upcoming racing:
- October 12: Paris-Tours
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Guangxi
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Holland
- October 15: Giro del Veneto
- October 19: Veneto Classic
Latest completed racing:
- October 9: Gran Piemonte
- October 7: Binche-Chimay-Binche
- October 7: Tre Valli Varesine
- October 6: Coppa Bernocchi
- September 28 - October 5: Tour de Langkawi
- October 5: Coppa Agostoni
- October 4: Giro dell'Emilia
- October 3: Mûnsterland Giro
- September 21 - 28: World Cycling Championships
- September 17 - 21: Tour de Luxembourg
Here's the update from Team Bahrain Victorious:
With just a few weeks remaining of the 2025 cycling season, there isn’t much left on the Bahrain Victorious race calendar. However, fans and riders can still expect plenty of action and emotion … starting this weekend with the last Monument of the season, Il Lombardia.
Tradition dictates that Como and Bergamo alternate as start and finish towns, and for this 119th edition the peloton sets off from the southern tip of Italy’s third largest lake: Lago di Como. There are 4,748 vertical metres across the 241 km, and seven official categorised climbs, on the same route used in 2023.
The bunch will first tackle the iconic Ghisallo climb, (8.8km at 3.9%) before descending into the picturesque town of Bellagio and reaching Lecco. Once in the province of Bergamo, they will face a relentless sequence of climbs and descents, with barely any flat sections in between. Key ascents include the Roncola (with gradients up to 17%), Berbenno, Dossena, Zambla Alta, and Passo di Ganda.
The descents are equally demanding, particularly the technical one from Selvino, which features 19 hairpins. The final nine flat kilometres toward Bergamo will serve as the approach to the decisive finale: the climb through Città Alta (Bergamo’s upper town), with cobblestones and ramps up to 12%, followed by a fast descent to the finish line in the heart of of the city.
Sports Director Roman Kreuziger shared his thoughts ahead of the race:
“It’s a beautiful race for climbers. Il Lombardia—no matter where it starts or finishes—is always a Monument defined by elevation and difficulty. This edition starts in Como and finishes in Bergamo, tackling the famous Ghisallo after 40 km and then a series of challenging climbs around Bergamo. The final cobbled ascent through Bergamo Alta is really tough, followed by the descent into the finish.
"It’s the last Monument of the season, and it’s important to approach it with the same focus as the first. Riders must stay concentrated from start to finish, knowing it’s the final big effort of the year for many of them.
"The level of competition will be incredible, with the best riders in the world—Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, and Tom Pidcock—all in top form. Our target is a top-eight finish, which is ambitious but realistic if everything comes together.
"Among our younger riders, Afonso Eulálio has shown strong improvement throughout the Italian campaign. After struggling at Emilia, he performed better at Tre Valli and continues to feel stronger each day. I expect him to be one of the last helpers for Lenny Martinez and Antonio Tiberi, who are both in good condition. It’s October, so day-by-day form matters, but we believe one of them can achieve our goal.
Lenny Martinez finishes the 2025 Giro dell'Emilia. Sirotti photo
"Our experienced men, like Damiano Caruso and Pello Bilbao, are always reliable. They bring consistency and high standards, and Pello will serve as road captain, ensuring everyone is well-positioned at the key moments.
"Edoardo Zambanini, who just finished sixth at Gran Piemonte, has shown great form recently and will play an important role in positioning the team for the Passo di Ganda, which will be a crucial point in the race.
"Moreover we have Rainer Kepplinger joining as the freshest rider, ready to support the team for as long as possible.
"We have a solid team and know we’ll face strong contenders, but patience and smart energy management will be key. If we stay focused and fuelled throughout, I’m confident we can deliver another strong performance to close the season.”
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Here's the Il Lombardia preview from Team EF Education-EasyPost:
On Saturday, EF Education-EasyPost will take on the final Monument of the season at Il Lombardia.
Watch for Alex Baudin, Richard Carapaz, Rui Costa, Ben Healy, Neilson Powless, Archie Ryan and Harry Sweeny at the Race of the Falling Leaves. Our riders want to close out the classics season on a high.
Il Lombardia is one of the hardest and most beautiful races on the calendar. Covering 241 kilometers from Como to Bergamo on mountain roads near the lakes north of Milan, the 120-year-old contest is a test of endurance, tactics and climbing speed. Some of the most illustrious riders in cycling history have made their names on climbs such as the Ghisallo, Roncola, Berbenno, Dossena, Zambla Alta and Passo di Ganda.
Rising through forests turned gold in the late afternoon light, past chapels and villages, and up and over the tree line, riders then plunge to the foot of the next climb — and the next. Richie, Ben, and Neilson each have the potential to add their names to Il Lombardia’s roll call of victors. Winning a Monument is a dream for each of them.
Richard Carapaz finishes stage 17 of the 2025 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
With Alex, Rui, Harry, and Archie to guide them toward the finale, they will work together to make the race and challenge the favorites.
Read our captains' thoughts before Il Lombardia.
Ben Healy:
"I am feeling pretty good. It was a hard recovery after the worlds, but racing Tre Valli opened up the legs a bit. I’ll be good to go on Saturday. It’s a beautiful race and a big one to finish the season, here in northern Italy in the falling leaves. We have a super strong team. I think we’ve got some good riders for this race. It is definitely going to be a battle of attrition to the end. We’ve got a good team for that. It’ll just be hard bike racing. The way races go now, it’s just about seeing who can last until the end. That is what we’re going to try and do on Saturday."
Richard Carapaz:
"It was a very long season for me after all the setbacks after the Giro, but I think I can attack Lombardia with a very good attitude. I am excited to do it. It is a very special race, a classic with a lot of history. Being here is already special. I am feeling good and hoping to leave it all out there on Saturday. I want to be as far up the standings as possible. I have the legs for it and I will try. We have options, but it will all come down to a natural selection. You have to be there with the team and then the race will decide."
Neilson Powless
"I’ve been feeling better and better over the last week. It is going to be nice to race with Richie and Ben. The other guys will be strong too. We’ve got a crazy good team. We don’t have an outright favorite, but we have plenty of cards to play, which should help the tactics a bit.
"Hopefully, we can cook something up. It is going to be difficult to win, but we have to try something. It’s the race of the falling leaves. Fall is beautiful in Italy, with the colors in the trees, passing wineries in the mountains. It is going to be a long, hard day of bike racing. The satisfaction, when you’re done, almost no matter where you finish is nice, but getting to race aggressively with the best riders in the world on those roads is a really special feeling. It’s the perfect way to conclude the classics season.:
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
INEOS Grenadiers are proud to announce the signing of exciting French rider Kévin Vauquelin, who will join the team on a three-year deal from 2026.
At just 24 years old, Vauquelin's performances have continued to evolve including his maiden stage victory at the 2024 Tour de France in Bologna and a breakthrough GC performance finishing seventh in this year's Tour.
Since turning professional in 2022, Vauquelin has also achieved overall wins at Etoile de Bessèges and the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var; second at this year’s Tour de Suisse; and two runner-up finishes at La Flèche Wallonne.
His consistency and flair underscore why he’s regarded as such an exciting prospect in the professional peloton.
Kévin Vauquelin wins stage two of the 2024 Tour de France. Sirotti photo
Vauquelin said: “I’m extremely proud to join a team like INEOS Grenadiers which has shaped the history of cycling for over a decade - both in Grand Tours and across the calendar. I’m still in shock.”
Vauquelin joins the team from Arkéa-B&B Hotels, where he quickly developed into a rider capable of shining on the biggest stage.
“Arkéa - B&B Hotels will always be important to me. It’s the team where I turned pro, where they trusted me and gave me responsibility. I was able to thrive and learn my job in a calm environment.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Vauquelin said: “I’m really excited to discover a new environment, new teammates, new equipment and a new way of working with the staff group. For me, it’s the logical next step in my career to continue my progression and explore new horizons.
“I have participated in two Tour de France editions, and each time it was an emotional rollercoaster. In 2024, I went from a tough moment on the first stage to immense joy on the second day when I won in Bologna. This year, I knew my preparation was good, and I arrived confident. I discovered myself at every stage, lived crazy moments, especially when the Tour passed through my home region of Normandy, and I hung in every day. Even now, I think I’ve experienced something completely wild, and I’m proud of myself. For the future, I know I still have a lot to discover, but I’ll work even harder to get closer to the best.”
Vauquelin also paid tribute to the incredible support he has already felt from fans: “I never could have imagined it. On some stages, my ears were ringing from hearing my name so much. I even saw my face on a hot air balloon! At the Tour, everything is amplified and I tried to live it to the fullest while staying true to myself. It makes me proud and motivates me a lot. Thanks to everyone for this support, from the bottom of my heart.”
Sir Dave Brailsford, said: “I’ve been excited to watch Kevin’s progress over the past couple of seasons. Not only is he a punchy rider who knows how to win, at this year’s Tour I was impressed to see him add a new dimension to his racing. He races with intelligence and ambition - qualities that fit perfectly with the Grenadiers.
“We believe his best years are ahead of him and we’re excited to help him realise his potential.”
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Here’s the team’s news:
Israel – Premier Tech is pleased to announce contract extensions for four key riders: George Bennett and Guillaume Boivin renew for 2026, Hugo Hofstetter has inked a two-year extension, and Nick Schultz has signed a three-year deal through to 2028.
These signings reinforce IPT’s diverse ambitions as the team eyes a return to the UCI WorldTour in 2026, bolstering the team’s depth for stage races and one-day classics while adding leadership experience.
The quartet brings a diverse skillset and experience to the team, explains General Manager Kjell Carlström.
“Every team needs a core group of riders for all race terrains and these four all play an important role in the team,” says Carlström. “Guillaume Boivin is one of the originals, having joined us early on in 2016, and has signed on for his 11th year with the team which is an impressive feat. He is an important member of our sprint train, playing a vital role in positioning and protecting our sprinters so he is an asset to the team, and someone who has also proven himself in the classics.”
Boivin says: “I’m very happy and grateful to be staying with the team for another year. Next year will be 11th year with the team and even though I’ve been doing this for a while now, I’m very excited about the challenges ahead. Next year will also be a big year with the UCI Road World Championships in my hometown of Montreal. It would be a dream to be there competing next September.”
Guillaume Boivin racing in stage one of the 2022 Tour de France. Sirotti photo
Bennett has played a part in a number of IPT’s recent successes, including Stevie Williams’ victories at the Tour Down Under and Flèche Wallonne in 2024, and Matthew Riccitello claiming the white jersey in this year’s Vuelta a España.
Carlström says: “George Bennett brings an equal amount of experience as a strong climber and road captain, which is essential when it comes to our stage race and Grand Tour objectives. When George joined us two years ago, he immediately settled into the team dynamic and has been instrumental in some of our stage race success, so we are thrilled to renew his contract for another year.”
Bennett adds: “I’m really happy to be continuing with the team. It’s a very special environment and a great group of people to be involved with. They have shown me a lot of support on and off the bike in what’s been a tough year and we have a lot of ambition to continue to evolve into one of the best teams in the world, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Having rejoined IPT in 2024, after a two-year hiatus, 31-year-old Hofstetter is at home on the roads of the French and Belgian classics.
“When I think of Hugo Hofstetter, versatility is the word that comes to mind,” adds Carlström. “Not only is Hugo a fast sprinter, he is also a strong rider for the classics. His four top-10s, including two podiums, in the first week of the spring classics this year are an excellent example of Hugo’s potential to win races and score points.”
Hofstetter says: “It was a really good start to the season for me this year and the team gave put a lot of trust in me as a protected rider. I’m really appreciative of this and, of course, I’m really happy to re-sign with them. After some good results, for example in Kuurne – Brussels – Kuurne and Gent – Wevelgem, I wanted to stay and we quickly agreed to an extension.
“After four years in the team, I feel very at home here but I still have some big goals to come, including the French Championships in two years which will be in my hometown so this is probably going to be one of the most important races of my career.”
While Schultz was a last-minute addition to the team in 2023, the 31-year-old Australian quickly gained the trust of his teammates and team management which has led to a three-year extension through to 2028.
“Nick Schultz is one of most versatile all-rounders, adding depth to just about any race roster no matter the race,” explains Carlström. “He is an important rider both on and off the bike, adding a great deal to our team culture. As a selfless teammate, we were all thrilled to see Nick win the opening stage of Volta Catalunya last year – a well-deserved win after countless hours riding in support of the team. We are excited to see what he can do in the next three years.”
Schultz adds: “I’ve been with the team now for three seasons and throughout those years I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I’ve been a part of many successful races with the team, but it’s not the results, it’s the people that make it so special for me. From the staff to the riders, I think we’re incredibly lucky to be in the environment we are in.
“Being able to extend this journey for another three years means a great deal to me and I’m grateful to the team for having the confidence in me to offer that opportunity, especially during what was a difficult first half of the year plagued by injury. Going forward, I hope to continue my role as a key domestique for our big leaders and be as reliable as possible every time I put a number on. I know that with our amazing performance staff I’ll be given a platform to always keep improving and if I can do that, each year will be a success.”
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