Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2025 Tour de France | 2025 Giro d'Italia
I know nothing, except the fact of my ignorance. - Diogenes
Les Woodland's book The Olympics' 50 Craziest Stories: A Five Ring Circus is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- February 4 - 8: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
- February 4 - 8: Etoile de Bessèges
- February 7 - 11: Tour of Oman
Upcoming racing:
- February 13 - 14: Vuelta a la Region de Murcia
- February 13 - 15: Tour de la Provence
Latest completed racing:
- February 6: Muscat Classic
- January 28 - February 1: Challenge Ciclista Mallorca
- January 31-February 1: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
- February 1: GP Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseilaise
- January 29: Surf Coast Classic Race cancelled
- January 17 - 25: Tour Down Under
- January 25: Classica Comunitat Valenciana 1969-GP Valencia
- January 1: GP Sven Nys
- December 30: Superprestige Diegem
- December 29: Trofee Loenhout-Azencross
- December 26: World Cup Gavere
- December 23: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
- December 14: World Cup Namur
We posted the report from stage winner AJ August's Team INEOS Grenadiers with the results.
Here's the report from fourth-place Jonathan Vervenne's Team Soudal Quick-Step:
Jonathan Vervenne put in a gutsy ride and a massive show of strength on the third stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, his effort and persistence making for a spectacular finale, maybe the most thrilling since the start of the season.
The 22-year-old Giro Next Gen stage winner, who is only a few weeks into his first pro season, joined a dangerous move that came to life on a long descent, inside the last 20 kilometers, and thanks also to his commitment and time trial skills, the quartet built a nice lead of almost half a minute as they approached the outskirts of San Vicente de Raspeig.
Jonathan Vervenne racing in stage two of the 2026 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.
Going under the flamme rouge, things continued to remain promising for the leaders, but they soon began a game of cat and mouse, and this helped the strung-out peloton to cut the gap to just ten seconds on the finishing straight. The catch seemed imminent at that point, but one last push at the front from Jonathan helped the attackers hold off the chasers. Vervenne took fourth place, behind stage winner Andrew August (Ineos Grenadiers), a fantastic result for the Belgian neo-pro, who impressed with his never-say-die attitude in closing kilometers of the day.
“Our team’s plan was to attack in the final five kilometers, but other guys went earlier, and it was Lampi who told me to jump and go after him, which I did. It was quite the effort to join them, but I managed to do that. Not everyone collaborated in the finale, but I kept going and even tried to attack. Unfortunately, the legs were empty. It’s a good result, could have been better, but I learned some valuable things today and this brings me a lot of satisfaction”, Jonathan said after the stage.
Content continues below the ads
Here's the Valenciana Tour report from GC leader Biniam Girmay's NSN Cycling Team:
Two days after his maiden win with NSN Cycling Team, Biniam Girmay showed his strong legs on stage 1 weren’t a one-off with another commanding sprint to cross the line in fifth place, the best of the bunch, behind the breakaway that narrowly held off the charging peloton.
It’s no wonder Biniam praised his teammates immediately after the race after a stellar performance from the team all day, starting with Tom Van Asbroeck controlling the early breakaway, before Lewis Askey, Riley Sheehan, Matís Louvel, and Pau Martí kept Biniam safe and well positioned on the day’s climbs, and emptied themselves in pursuit of the quartet that got away after the final climb.
In the end it was a matter of meters and Biniam led the peloton home just four seconds behind winner AJ August (INEOS Grenadiers), which was enough to keep the yellow jersey on equal time with today’s second place holder Ådne Holter (Uno-X Mobility).
Biniam Girmay wins stage one
“Today I want to thank my teammates, because they did a super incredible job from the start to the finish,” explained Biniam. “We controlled the race, but, unfortunately, four guys went into the breakaway, and we did all that we could do to catch them. I almost sacrificed everyone until the last moments – it’s just that the other guys in the front were super strong. I would have liked to win this race to finish off the hard work of my teammates but I’m just super happy with my shape right now.”
At the start of the day, Binian wasn’t completely sure he would be sprinting for the win which he takes confidence from ahead of his early season objectives.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect to have such good legs,” added Biniam. “I tried to manage my pace [on the climb] and I always go in my own zone. I am here to find the last, let’s say, 10% of my shape, so these are good signs for the upcoming races.”
For Sports Director Dimitri Claeys, today’s performance is a prime example of the foundation the team is looking to establish with Biniam and his teammates.
Content continues below the ads
And here's the Volta Valenciana report from Mattia Bais' Team Polti-VisitMalta:
In the third stage of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, the Italian cyclist Mattia Bais was part of the day’s breakaway alongside Pablo García, fighting for bonus seconds and KOM points. His effort allowed him to move into the top five overall, just 7 seconds behind Girmay. In a reduced sprint finish, Mirco Maestri took 9th place.
Mattia Bais and Pablo García gave Team Polti VisitMalta a strong presence in the middle part of the route, with the Madrid native working tirelessly for the Italian to try and maintain their advantage over the peloton and also fight for both bonus seconds and the mountains jersey.
After overcoming the day’s most demanding climb to Tibi, the movements in the peloton and the favorable terrain brought down the breakaway, although Bais held on in the main group. At the finish in San Vicente del Raspeig, Mirco Maestri finished fifth in the peloton, behind the four escapees who contested the victory, which was ultimately won by August (INEOS).
Mattia Bais winning stage seven of the 2023 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
Mattia Bais: “It was tough to get into the breakaway; everyone knew it was possible I’d make it to the finish, and we fought hard. Both ‘Garchu’ and I were able to stay at the front and fight for bonus seconds, although we were caught on the way to the finish. We’re happy to have achieved our goals today.”
Sports Director Stefano Zanatta: “The courage to be in a hard-fought breakaway and then be key players is truly commendable, especially with Mattia Bais, aided by a tremendous Pablo García. We were also able to fight with Mirco Maestri for a result at the finish, so the overall result is very positive once again.”
This Saturday, the fourth stage takes place, with challenging terrain between La Nucía and Teulada that could once again shape the general classification. The climb to Cumbres del Sol in the final section will be the day’s main attraction.
“The guys worked together, communicated well, and everything went according to plan,” added Claeys. “That was the main objective. Of course, when you’re in a race like this, you want to win the stage, but today the key things for me were teamwork, fighting spirit, and communication – and those were all there. It’s a shame we didn’t win today but what the guys did at the end was really good, even if it only resulted in fifth place. We kept the yellow jersey and that’s a big positive. The team deserves it, and it gives us something to celebrate at the end of the day.”
Content continues below the ads
Here’s the update from Vingegaard’s Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
Jonas Vingegaard will not line up at the start of the UAE Tour later this month after all. A recent crash followed by illness has ruled out his planned participation.
Vingegaard said: “I was really looking forward to returning to the UAE Tour and am therefore disappointed that we have had to make this decision. However, the combination of the crash and subsequent illness made it necessary. It is better to fully recover first so that I can then focus on my next goals.”
Jonas Vingegaard on the podium following stage 20 of the 2025 Vuelta a España. Sirotti photo
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary