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Sunday, February 15, 2026
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2025 Tour de France | 2025 Giro d'Italia
Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts. - Charles Dickens
Bill & Carol McGann’s book The Story of the 2024 Tour de France: The Happy Warrior Triumphs is available print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the link on the right.
Current racing:
- February 13 - 15: Tour de la Provence
- February 15: Clasica de Almeria
Upcoming racing:
- February 16: Clásica Jaén
- February 16 - 22: UAE Tour
- February 18 - 22: Volta ao Algarve
- February 18 - 22: Vuelta a Andalucia - Ruta Ciclista del Sol
- February 21: Classic Var
Latest completed racing:
- February 13 - 14: Vuelta a la Region de Murcia
- February 7 - 11: Tour of Oman
- February 4 - 8: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
- February 4 - 8: Etoile de Bessèges
- 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
We psoted the report from second-place Carlos Rodriguez's Team INEOS Grenadiers with the results.
Here's the report from stage two winner Matthew Riccitello's Team Decathlon CMA CGA:
We couldn't have asked for a better start to the season. In his very first race with the team, Matthew Riccitello raised his arms in victory at the top of Montagne de Lure. This win on CMA CGM's home turf shows that all the hard work over the winter is already paying off.
Matthew Riccitello (on right) wins Tour of Provence stage two. X. Pereyron/LNC Cyclisme hoto
Movement even before the climb
Although the decision was made on the snow-covered slopes of Montagne de Lure, the race had been decided long before. On this 175km stage, which promised to favor climbers, there was an additional factor to consider today: the wind. With riders such as Oliver Naesen, Stan Dewulf, and Rasmus Søjberg Pedersen, our climbers were well supported to cope with the strong winds on this second stage.
The action began just over 50 kilometers from the finish line. On the slight downhill section after the last categorized climb of the day (Col de Buire, category 3), EF Education – EasyPost and Van Rysel Roubaix decided to ramp up the pace. Well positioned at the front of the peloton, our riders them to form a crosswind group that quickly opened up a significant gap.
This offensive lasted only about 20 kilometers, as successive changes in direction were no longer favorable for crosswinds in the last 30 kilometers.
The final climb
From the first slopes of Montagne de Lure, the peloton quickly thinned out under the impetus of the Ineos Grenadiers team. "We knew we had two cards to play in this climb: me, if the climb was very selective, and Aurélien Paret-Peintre, if the group remained larger to play the sprint," said Matthew Riccitello.
With 3.8 kilometers to go, and only five riders in the lead group, Carlos Rodríguez increased the pace. Matthew was the only one able to keep up with the Spaniard. Thanks to the presence of Aurélien Paret-Peintre providing immediate support in the chasing group, Matthew was able to stay on his rival's wheel before making his move in the technical final kilometer. In the sprint, he beat Rodríguez to claim his first win of the season.
Aurélien Paret-Peintre finished fourth. By pushing hard just a few lengths behind the leading duo, Aurélien remained fully engaged to secure an impressive fourth place.
Thanks to this victory in his new colors, Matthew Riccitello takes the leader's jersey in the overall classification as well as the best climber's jersey.
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And here's the Tour of Provence stage two report from Rémi Daumas' Team Groupama-FDJ United:
The queen stage of the Tour de la Provence reached its conclusion with a snowy backdrop this Saturday at the summit of Montagne de Lure. Obviously decisive for the general classification, the day was first animated by a breakaway featuring young Esteban Foucher for Groupama-FDJ United. Later on, after the fourteen-kilometre final climb, his “La Conti” teammate Rémi Daumas impressed by claiming seventh place. Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet finished 13th.
The challenging profile of the Tour de Provence's second stage.
For the first time in the 2026 season, the peloton tackled a final climb of more than ten kilometres on stage 2 of the Tour de la Provence. Montagne de Lure, with nearly fourteen kilometres at 6.5%, awaited the riders at the end of a hilly course from start to finish. Groupama-FDJ United colors stood out from the very beginning thanks to Esteban Foucher, a new recruit to “La Conti”, and already promoted to the WorldTour team.
“Esteban and Lorenzo were designated to go in the breakaway. It went from the gun, and Esteban found himself up the road,” explained Frédéric Guesdon. “The goal for him today was either to test himself on the final climb and see how far he could go, or to make the breakaway. He made the break — it was worth it and a good experience for him.” Alongside five other riders, the 20-year-old led the race for a long time while his teammates remained attentive in the peloton. “About fifty kilometres from the finish, there was a strong tailwind on a slight downhill. It stretched the peloton and split things up a bit,” Frédéric said. “We weren’t too worried because we knew there was a headwind before the final climb, and above all, the guys were really in the mix, in the front group.”
The bunch regrouped approaching the final thirty kilometers, and then quickly closed in on the breakaway, whose advantage was down to around twenty seconds at the foot of Montagne de Lure. Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet and his teammates gathered near the front of the pack while Esteban Foucher was caught after a strong day out front.
“The plan was to make the best possible climb with Guillaume for the overall classification,” Frédéric explained. “Rémi had to stay with him as long as possible, and that’s what happened at first.” Halfway up the climb, Rémi Daumas and his leader were still well positioned in a peloton reduced to just twenty riders. Then, when the pace increased shortly before the final five kilometres, the rider from “La Conti” managed to hold on slightly longer than the French climber. “The roles were somewhat reversed,” Frédéric explained. “I think Guillaume still needs racing, and he’s a very resistant rider for whom a lone climb doesn’t necessarily suit perfectly. As for Rémi, we know he has great qualities, but we weren’t quite sure what he could do at this level.”
In the final kilometers of climbing, the 19-year-old capped off his excellent performance with a notable seventh place. “He had done some great tests during the training camp before the race,” Frédéric added. “So it’s only half a surprise because he had shown promising signs, but above all it’s very encouraging for the future. We were hoping for a bit better for Guillaume, but Rémi is where he belongs — perhaps even a little higher — and that allows us to stay in the game.”
Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet crossed the line in 13th place, 1’11 behind stage winner Matthew Riccitello. The Tour de la Provence will conclude Sunday toward Arles. “There could be some action because quite a bit of wind is expected on a fairly exposed finishing circuit,” Frédéric concluded. “We’ll make sure Rémi and Guillaume don’t lose their positions in the overall standings — or even improve them — and we’ll also aim for a result on the stage.”
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Because the stage was cancelled we did not post a report.
Here's the Vuelta de Murcia update from Team Soudal Quick-Step:
Alto Collado Bermejo was the main attraction of Vuelta a Murcia stage two, and despite the fact it came more than 100 kilometers from the finish, everybody expected it to have an important role in the outcome. It wasn’t meant to be in the end, after strong gusts of wind led to a delayed start and 40 kilometers being cut from the course, before the organisers decided to neutralize the whole race and hold only the ten kilometers.
The conditions made holding the stage as initially scheduled completely unfeasible, which meant the race was turned into a criterium on the streets of Santomera, won by Emils Liepins (Pinarello-Q36.5). Viktor Soenens was our top finisher in the general classification, just like in Volta Comunitat Valenciana.
Soudal Quick-Step remains in Spain now for Monday’s Clasica Jaen, which will see the peloton take on some spectacular gravel roads.
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Here’s the team’s post:
Antonio Tiberi will headline Bahrain Victorious’ general classification ambitions at the UAE Tour, the Middle East’s only WorldTour stage race, held across seven stages from 16-22 February.
The team returns to a race where it has consistently delivered strong performances in recent years, including three podium finishes in the last four editions through Pello Bilbao. This season, leadership shifts to the next generation, with Tiberi stepping forward to guide the team’s GC challenge following an encouraging start to the year and a fourth-place finish at the Volta Valenciana.
Antonio Tiberi before the start of the 2025 Vuelta a España stage one. Sirotti photo
Now firmly establishing himself as a contender in week-long stage races, the Italian arrives in confident form and ready to target the overall classification on a course that rewards both climbing strength and time trial ability.
The eighth edition of the UAE Tour presents a slightly reshaped route that should make the general classification battle more selective than in previous years.
The first key test comes early with Stage 2’s 12.2 km individual time trial on Hudayriyat Island, where we will see the first meaningful time gaps.
Attention then turns to the mountains. Stage 3 introduces a new challenge to the race with the summit finish on Jebel Mobrah, replacing Jebel Jais. The climb measures 13.2 km at an average gradient of 8.1%, steeper and more irregular than its predecessor, potentially creating bigger splits among the favourites.
The decisive moment is expected on the penultimate stage with the iconic Jebel Hafeet summit finish, a climb that has historically crowned the overall winner and remains the race’s ultimate proving ground for GC contenders.
Outside of the climbs and time trial, the remaining stages are likely to favour the sprinters, although crosswinds and echelons on the exposed desert roads can quickly reshape the race and demand full-team vigilance.
While Tiberi leads the GC charge, Bahrain Victorious brings a balanced line-up capable of competing across all terrains.
Daniel Skerl will target the sprint opportunities. Entering his second professional season, the young Italian continues to show progress and confidence after finishing seventh on the Breakwater stage last year and delivering strong performances earlier this season.
Road captain Damiano Caruso provides invaluable experience and climbing support, acting as Tiberi’s key lieutenant in the decisive uphill finishes. Afonso Eulálio and Rainer Kepplinger return to racing in the Gulf following a successful showing at the AlUla Tour, adding depth and versatility in the hills. Mathijs Paasschens offers strength and protection on the flat stages, while Nikias Arndt brings experience in crosswind conditions and will guide Skerl through the sprint lead-outs.
Sports Director Franco Pellizotti said:
“The guys are doing very well and the team atmosphere is strong. We’ve been close to a win already this season and we feel it’s only a matter of time before everything comes together. Hopefully that moment arrives here in the UAE.
Antonio will be our leader. He has started the season well and his condition is improving step by step. The new climb is an unknown for everyone, but we’re confident. The whole team will ride for him, protecting him on the flat stages and supporting him in the mountains, while Skerl gives us opportunities in the sprints. We believe we can be competitive across all terrain.”
Tiberi returns to the UAE Tour having last competed in the race in 2023, where he impressed with a strong top-ten overall finish, and is now looking at competiting for the podium:
“I raced the UAE Tour in 2023 and I still remember it really well. It’s always a race that gives me a nice feeling when I think about it. It’s such a different place compared to what we’re used to in Europe, something unique, and that makes it special. Going back I have some memories-the bad being a crash in the ITT, but the good was placing in the top ten.
After the good performance recently in Volta Valencianca, my confidence is high and of course I go there with ambitions. The goal is to fight for the general classification and be up there with the best guys like Remco and del Toro. The longer climbs and the time trial should suit me, so we’ll try to make the difference there.
We also have this new climb which looks pretty hard, so I think it will be a key moment for the race and maybe create some bigger gaps. It should make things interesting and I am hoping for a good UAE Tour.”
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