Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, September 12, 2025
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
People understand me so poorly that they don't even understand my complaint about them not understanding me. - Soren Kierkegaard
Les Woodland's book Sticky Buns Across America: Back-roads biking from sea to shining sea is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- August 23 - September 14: Vuelta a España
- September 12: Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
Upcoming racing:
- September 13: Memorial Marco Pantani
- September 14: Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
Latest completed racing:
- September 2 - 7: Tour of Britain
- August 31: Bretagne Classic-Ouest France
- August 26 - 29: Tour Poitou Charentes en Nouvelle Aquitaine
- August 20 - 24: Renewi Tour
- August 19 - 22: Tour du Limousin
- August 17: Hamburg Cyclassics
- August 17: La Polynormande
- August 12 - 16: Tour of Denmark
- August 15: Circuit Franco-Belge
We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from stage winner Filippo Ganna's Team INEOS Grenadiers:
Filippo Ganna stormed to the stage win on the 18th stage time trial at La Vuelta a Espana.
With the stage being reduced to just 12km, Ganna powered to a blistering time of 13:00.89 minutes, averaging 63km per hour in the final four kilometres.
The Italian national champion crossed the line 19 seconds faster than Dan Hoole (Lidl-Trek) who had been in the hot seat.
Having been the 17th starter of the day, Ganna held onto the hot seat for the rest of the stage, with Jai Vine (UAE Emirates - XRG) only able to raise tensions, ultimately finishing just one second back.
Filippo Ganna on his way to winning stage 18. Sirotti photo
Speaking after his victory, Ganna said:
“I think I suffered more in the last few hours in the hot seat! The first part of the ride, I couldn’t find a comfortable rhythm and then in the final bit, I pushed without thinking of the numbers and just went off feel. I’m really happy with today.
“I just tried to do the best today. The first half, I took a corner a bit too aggressively, so then I tried not to take too many risks in the second half.
“After the Tour de France and the crash, it wasn’t easy and I wanted to come back fighting. Every time I’m on the bike, I try to do my best and I want to be in the best condition. I came into today suffering after two weeks of the Vuelta, with a lot of climbing in the legs. When you’re 85 kilos it’s not easy to be climbing that much!”
Content continues below the ads
Here's the Vuelta report from sixth-place Stefen Küng's Team Groupama-FDJ:
Looking for his best legs since the start of the Vuelta a España, Stefan Küng took advantage of his favorite exercise on Thursday to get back in the mix. In Valladolid, in a time trial reduced to just 12 kilometres, the Swiss rider was able to play a major role. After setting the best provisional time at the second check point, he ultimately lost eleven seconds to winner Filippo Ganna at the finish line. He still secured a solid sixth place in this 18th stage, while Rémi Cavagna finished 13th, twenty seconds behind the Italian, but only two behind the top ten.
Stefan Küng riding to sixth in the stage. Sirotti photo
The only individual time trial of the Vuelta a España took place on Thursday, but in conditions different from those initially anticipated. For safety reasons, the riders were no longer required to cover twenty-seven kilometers, but just a bit more than twelve, in the streets of Valladolid. “The route completely changed,” explained David Han. “There was supposed to be a small difficulty, which was no longer there. We had a slightly technical first section in town of about three kilometres, then a return trip on a large road. The outward journey was with a slight 3/4 headwind, and the return journey had a slight three-quarter tailwind. Above all, going from twenty-seven to just twelve kilometres brought a lot of people back into the game, and I think that was a slight disadvantage for Rémi and Stefan.” The Frenchman was the first of the two specialists to set off, shortly after 3 p.m., and took the provisional third time at the finish, after 13 minutes and 21 seconds of effort. “I gave it my all today, even though I may have lost 3-4 seconds in the early corners”, he said. “Then I rode well, pushed all the way to the finish line, and I really didn’t have a single moment of weakness. I can’t be disappointed. I’m quite satisfied.”
While Rémi Cavagna then lost a few positions, Stefan Küng made a strong impression by passing within the same second as the leader at the first intermediate checkpoint (km 4) and then setting the fastest time at the second checkpoint (km 8), three seconds ahead of Ganna. “I wanted to start fast to be able to compete for the win,” said the Swiss man. After the final part, he ultimately lost eleven seconds to his Italian rival, taking provisional third place. After the rest of the competition, including the overall favorites, covered the course, the former two-time European time trial champion eventually took sixth place, while Ganna secured the victory.
“The Vuelta has been very difficult for me physically,” Stefan said. “I had Covid just before the Tour de Pologne, and it slowed down my preparation. Last year, I almost felt like I was flying in the Vuelta. This year, that was definitely not the case. I suffered a lot, but I fight every day because I’m a fighter, I love racing, and I felt like things were getting better in the last few days. I gave my best, a few guys were stronger, and I don’t have any regrets. It’s still a step forward”.
The Swiss rouleur still achieved his best result in this Vuelta, while Rémi Cavagna obtained thirteenth place, just two seconds from the top 10. “With one rider in the top five and two in the top ten, it would have been a good time trial, so we’re a bit disappointed,” added David. “That being said, Stefan and Rémi did a nice time trial. The level is high, there are also the GC riders as often, and even more so in the third week. After winning last year, and as a specialist, it’s a small disappointment for Stefan to finish sixth, but compared to the last few weeks, I think he was much better than in Poland, that he’s improving every day, and this time trial will do him good for the world and European championships. For the other five riders, the instruction was to do it properly, but while thinking about tomorrow as well. The stage might finish with a sprint, but it will also be exposed to the wind.”
Content continues below the ads
Here's the Vuelta report from GC leader Jonas Vingegaard's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
Jonas Vingegaard set the ninth-fastest time in the short individual time trial of the Vuelta a España. Thanks to that result, the 28-year-old Dane retains a forty-second advantage over João Almeida in the general classification.
In the run-up to the final weekend, an individual time trial in Valladolid was on the programme. The course was originally set at 27.2 kilometres but was shortened to 12.2 kilometres for safety reasons. The route ran over flat roads.
Shortly after the start, Filippo Ganna immediately posted a fast time. The Italian champion’s mark would remain unbeaten. Attention then shifted to the general classification contenders. Team Visma | Lease a Bike duo Sepp Kuss and Matteo Jorgenson, both of whom sit inside the top ten overall, delivered solid rides. GC leader Vingegaard was the very last rider to roll down the start ramp at 5:17 p.m.
Vingegaard set a strong time at the first intermediate point and held his pace all the way to the finish. The Dane, facing a route that did not really suit his strengths, eventually placed ninth, eighteen seconds down on Ganna. His closest rival in the standings, Almeida, was ten seconds faster. In the general classification, Vingegaard still leads the Portuguese rider by forty seconds.
Jonas Vingegaard successfully defending his GC lead. Sirotti photo
“I’m satisfied with my performance today,” Vingegaard said afterwards. “This course suited the heavier riders, so I’m definitely pleased with this ninth place. I remain in the lead overall with just three stages to go. My focus is already on tomorrow and the following day, because two tough stages are still to come. I’m heading into the final weekend with confidence.”
Here's the Vuelta report from GC third-place Tom Pidcock's Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team:
Stage 18 of La Vuelta a España was a twelve kilometer time trial in beautiful Valladolid. Tom Pidcock finished 22nd on the stage and keeps his third place overall with three more stages to go.
Tom Pidcock raced in and around Valladolid with an average speed of 54 kilometers an hour this Thursday. In this flat time trial he gained time on all the riders behind him in the overall classification, on all those who are fighting with him for that third place and the final podium in Madrid.
The twelve kilometers through Valladolid against the clock were the culmination of many months of precise preparation with our equipment partners, mechanics, coaching staff and everyone involved.
A 22nd place on the day signifies so much more than just a number. It’s one step closer to the realization of a dream, for Tom Pidcock personally and for the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team collectively.
Tom Pidcock's 22nd place in the time trial was good enough for him to keep his GC third place. Sitotti photo
Tom Pidcock said:
“I think this is the best time trial I ever did, looking at the numbers I pushed. I can be pretty happy. The team did a lot of work in preparation. I didn’t focus on the time trial as we looked at my climbing but the team did a lot of preparation. Q36.5 made a very good skinsuit that made me faster. I just felt super strong to be honest. What happened in Bilbao took a lot out of me mentally and I suffered on the climbs in the second week. I now feel confident but I am not going to be complacent. It’s the first time I am in this situation to finish on a podium of a Grand Tour. It’s a big deal. I stay focused on the race.”
The Vuelta a España continues on Friday with a rather flat stage from Rueda to Guijuelo and then on Saturday we go to Bola del Mundo for the final, big mountain top showdown.
Content continues below the ads
And here's the Vuelta report from Alex Segaert's Team Lotto:
Alec Segaert finished a strong eighth in the Vuelta time trial, just 16 seconds behind winner Filippo Ganna. “The numbers are, certainly for an 18th stage in my first Grand Tour, not bad. I can be satisfied.”
After his strong time trial at the Tour of Denmark, where he took second place, Segaert had set his sights on this time trial in the final week of the Vuelta. The course, which was originally planned to cover 27.2 kilometers, was at the last minute cut down by more than half to a very local 12.2-kilometer loop in order to better manage the announced protests. “I was looking forward to this time trial, even with the last-minute change,” said Alec Segaert. “I stayed calm and tried to deliver as perfect an effort as possible.
Alex Segaert on his way to winning the time trial at the 2025 Renewi Tour.
”With success, as Segaert secured a fine eighth place in this stage of the Tour of Spain. “I really gave it everything. My teammate Jonas Gregaard started ahead of me and it was extremely tough to catch him; I was completely spent. Especially on the long straight sections towards the end, I squeezed out every last bit I had. Totally empty. At the start I probably lost some time in certain corners, but not all that much. I have to be satisfied. Looking at the numbers too: they’re not bad for an 18th stage in my first Grand Tour.”
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary