Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, February 20, 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 have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had the time to make it shorter. - Blaise Pascal
Les Woodland's book Cycling's 50 Triumphs and Tragedies: The rise and fall of bicycle racing's champions is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- February 16 - 22: UAE Tour
- February 18 - 22: Volta ao Algarve
- February 18 - 22: Vuelta a Andalucia - Ruta Ciclista del Sol
Upcoming racing:
- February 21: Classic Var
- February 22: Tour des Alpes Maritimes
- February 25 - March 1: Giro di Sardegna
Latest completed racing:
- February 16: Clásica Jaén
- February 13 - 15: Tour de la Provence
- February 15: Clasica de Almeria
- 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
We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from stage winner Jonathan Milan's Team Lidl-Trek:
The powerful Italian came out on top in a hectic bunch sprint to Fujairah on stage four of the UAE Tour, taking his third win of the season
You can count on Jonny Milan to bounce back. Despite the heavy heat of the desert, the nervous, last-minute catch of the breakaway and the road rash remaining from his crash on the opening stage, there was nothing that could stop the flying, powerhouse Italian from taking victory on stage four of the UAE Tour.
Jonathan Milan wins stage four.
It was a long day for the sprinters’ teams chasing a strong breakaway of five riders who were out front for the entirety of the 182-kilometre stage. Despite a valiant effort, the break was caught in the last hundred meters in the run into Fujairah, swallowed up by the jaws of hungry lead-out trains.
Milan stayed calm alongside his teammates during the final kilometers and was guided safely to a perfect position to launch his sprint by Simone Consonni. The 25-year-old waited patiently and when the moment came, Milan shot out of the front of the bunch in his trademark style, unleashing a long, unparalleled sprint which saw him win the stage convincingly. A masterclass in perseverance, patience and power.
In the winner's words
“I have to say the truth, yes [I had doubts the breakaway would be caught]. We knew that this breakaway was extremely strong, we always kept them around two minutes, three minutes during the race. I have to say that my guys were really strong to keep them under control, they did really big work, a super strong effort from them and I have to thank them like always.
“After one kilometer to go and there I was a bit more relaxed I have to say, but in a sprint you’re never too relaxed. We knew it would be a bit stressful as a last kilometer with this big straight always has a bit of a washing machine [effect], it would be tough to all stay together. My teammates were also there and did a fantastic job to always keep me in the first positions and delivered me in a good way. I just had to sprint, I’m really happy with my performance.
“I’m really happy also for him [brother Matteo, 3rd]. I knew that he could do really well. Just after the finish line he told me he was third. For me I was even more happy, but I’m glad he didn’t beat me today. Maybe one day he will be there! I’m happy for my victory and for his first top-three in a World Tour race.”
Here's the UAE Tour stage two report from second-place Ethan Vernon's NSN Cycling Team:
Ethan Vernon almost followed last month’s Tour Down Under win with a UAE Tour stage victory on Thursday, as his late surge along the corniche in Fujairah proved enough for second on the day.
Vernon was only beaten by Jonathan Milan (LTK), but notably made up significant ground on the Italian after the late catching of the day’s breakaway contributed to an already hectic finish to stage 4.
Another view of the UAE Tour stage four finish.
“It’s slightly disappointing as I felt like I was coming with speed at the end, but I just couldn’t get out until a bit later on,” says Vernon. Ideally I’d have launched the sprint a bit earlier, and when I got out, I ran out of room before the line.
“It was a chaotic finale – the break was looking pretty good and I think we only closed it in the last KM. I just surfed my way through the last few kilometers. I lost the boys a bit, but I saw INEOS come with a few guys, so I jumped in behind them and they kind of did my lead-out for me.
“Second in the end, but I think I had one of the fastest speeds at the end, so I can take confidence.”
Today’s finish was the first typical bunch sprint of this year’s UAE Tour, with two more opportunities remaining in Dubai on Friday and Abu Dhabi two days later.
“We know we have one of the best sprinters here with Ethan, and we can take confidence from getting second after a hectic finish,” says DS Alex Cataford. It was a harder sprint stage than we’d normally have here – a bit more elevation, and that led to a strong breakaway.
“It was touch and go if the break would stay away, so we made sure we put some guys at the front to help bring it back in the last 40KM. It came back right before the line, and the boys did a good job in the final. It was a super chaotic sprint, very messy, but they helped each other and we got Ethan where he needed to be going into the last roundabout.
“Ethan did an excellent sprint – when we watched it back it seemed like he was the one coming up with the most speed to the line.”
Content continues below the ads
And here's the UAE Tour stage four report from seventh-place Steffen De Schuyteneer's Team Lotto-Intermarché:
Under the relentless heat of Fujairah, Steffen De Schuyteneer powered to a solid seventh place in today’s fourth stage of the UAE Tour,, delivering a strong performance in a chaotic and high-speed bunch sprint. “This was my first opportunity and there’s still two to go. So tomorrow we try again”, De Schuyteneer remains optimistic.
The peloton at Masfout, the southernmost city of the stage.
With soaring temperatures putting the peloton under constant pressure, stage four proved to be one of the toughest days so far. The pace remained hight throughout the day while an early breakaway animated the stage and forced the peloton into a prolonged chase. They were only reeled in with just a few kilometers remaining - seeing up a fast, nervous and chaotic sprint finish.
Despite a hectic final, De Schuyteneer managed to stay in contention. Thanks to his teammates and lead-out man Jasper De Buyst, he was still able to fight for position in the sprint.
Reflecting on his first sprint stage of this UAE Tour, De Schuyteneer said: “Due to the chaotic final, we lost each other a bit. In the end, Jasper (De Buyst) and I found each other again but unfortunately we were a bit far off. Jasper (De Buyst) still did an amazing job in positioning me for the sprint.”
After crossing the line in seventh, Steffen remained optimistic: “I am satisfied with this seventh place finish. This was my first opportunity and there’s still two to go. So tomorrow we try again.”
On the menu for tomorrow is another sprint stage through Dubai, where the riders will cover 166 kilometers from Dubai Mamzar Park to Dubai Hamdan Smart University.
We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from stage two second-place and new GC leader Juan Ayuso's Team Lidl-Trek:
The Spanish climber finished in second place on the first mountaintop finish of the Volta ao Algarve and moves into the general classification lead.
Under the orange glow of Portugal’s evening sun, Juan Ayuso and his teammates battled up the brutal Alto de Fóia climb to end the second stage of Volta ao Algarve. The unrelenting slopes set the backdrop for the Spanish rider’s first true climbing test of the season – one he passed with flying colours. Bold and unafraid, Lidl-Trek took the race on from the beginning, ensuring that GC-leader Ayuso was well-protected in the kilometers leading up to the final Fóia showdown. At the bottom of the ascent, Héctor Álvarez set a tough tempo to whittle down the peloton, before handing over to Carlos Verona and Lennard Kämna who continued the pacesetting.
Paul Seixas beats Juan Ayuso for the stage win, but Ayuso can't feel too bad, he's now the GC leader. Getty photo
Behind Ayuso waited with patience as the group steadily lessened in size, until he eventually emerged as one of the strongest climbers in the race alongside Paul Sexias. As the summit came into view, the pair sprinted for the stage victory, with Ayuso finishing in second place by the narrowest of margins. It was an impressive climbing debut in Lidl-Trek colours for the Spanish rider and he now wears the leader’s jersey at the Volta ao Algarve with an individual time trial coming up tomorrow.
Juan's view from the race:
“[The sprint] was really tight, I think I lost by less than half a wheel so it’s a pity, but it is what it is. Paul also deserves the win. I wanted to get the win to thank the great work of my teammates today but it wasn’t meant to be today, but we still have tomorrow and the last day to fight for the win. It was a difficult sprint, I think I made a mistake because I knew I had to enter the second last corner first, and Paul was more intelligent than me and he managed to anticipate. When he started his sprint he started with two bike [lengths] ahead of me. I tried to catch up but I didn’t have enough time before the line.
"We saw [the time trial] the other day and it’s quite a nice parcours, a lot left and right and up and down, so it will be hard. We’ll see what we can do.”
Content continues below the ads
Here's the Algarve Tour stage two report from third-place Joao Almeida's UAE Team Emirates-XRG:
The Spanish climber finished in second place on the first mountaintop finish of the Volta ao Algarve and moves into the general classification lead.
Under the orange glow of Portugal’s evening sun, Juan Ayuso and his teammates battled up the brutal Alto de Fóia climb to end the second stage of Volta ao Algarve. The unrelenting slopes set the backdrop for the Spanish rider’s first true climbing test of the season – one he passed with flying colours. Bold and unafraid, Lidl-Trek took the race on from the beginning, ensuring that GC-leader Ayuso was well-protected in the kilometers leading up to the final Fóia showdown. At the bottom of the ascent, Héctor Álvarez set a tough tempo to whittle down the peloton, before handing over to Carlos Verona and Lennard Kämna who continued the pacesetting.
Behind Ayuso waited with patience as the group steadily lessened in size, until he eventually emerged as one of the strongest climbers in the race alongside Paul Sexias. As the summit came into view, the pair sprinted for the stage victory, with Ayuso finishing in second place by the narrowest of margins. It was an impressive climbing debut in Lidl-Trek colours for the Spanish rider and he now wears the leader’s jersey at the Volta ao Algarve with an individual time trial coming up tomorrow.
Juan's view of the race:
“[The sprint] was really tight, I think I lost by less than half a wheel so it’s a pity, but it is what it is. Paul also deserves the win. I wanted to get the win to thank the great work of my teammates today but it wasn’t meant to be today, but we still have tomorrow and the last day to fight for the win. It was a difficult sprint, I think I made a mistake because I knew I had to enter the second last corner first, and Paul was more intelligent than me and he managed to anticipate. When he started his sprint he started with two bike [lengths] ahead of me. I tried to catch up but I didn’t have enough time before the line.
"We saw [the time trial] the other day and it’s quite a nice parcours, a lot left and right and up and down, so it will be hard. We’ll see what we can do.”
And here's the Algavre report from Max Schachmann's Team Soudal Quick-Step:
Alto da Foia – a climb used for the first time at the Volta ao Algarve in 1977 – featured again as the first uphill finish of the Portuguese race, but this time, the peloton tackled it from a different side, longer (8.9 kilometers) and much harder (6.3%).
Paul Magnier began the day in yellow after his crushing sprint victory on the opening stage, and Soudal Quick-Step honoured the jersey by setting a steady tempo at the front of the bunch until the closing part of the day, when the GC teams took over to set up their leaders for the last ascent. Their tempo ended up shredding the group to pieces, only three riders being left to fight for victory, which went to Paul Seixas (Decathlon CGA CGM).
Max Schachmann finishing stage four of the 2025 Pais Vasco stage race.
Maximilian Schachmann finished some 40-odd seconds later, not far from the top ten, and thanks to this solid effort, he is now 12th overall. The German, who finished fifth here on the GC last year, had a good chance of improving his classification on Friday, when the race schedules a 20km individual time trial in Vilamoura.
Content continues below the ads
We posted the report from stage winner and new GC leader Iván Romeo's Movistar team with the results.
Here's the report from Christophe Laporte's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
Christophe Laporte has lost his leader's jersey in the Ruta del Sol. In the second stage of the Spanish stage race, breakaway riders Ivan Romeo and Andreas Leknessund stayed ahead of the peloton, allowing stage winner Romeo to take the lead in the general classification.
Ivan Romeo wins stage two.
The day after the successful opening stage, the riders faced a challenging stage from Torrox to Otura. After a relatively flat approach, the 25-kilometre Puerto de la Cabra, a first category climb, awaited them. Laporte, who wore the yellow leader's jersey as the winner of the first stage, was unable to keep up with the fast pace, but returned thanks to the efforts of his teammates.
Meanwhile, Romeo and Leknessund had broken away and the pair took a maximum lead of three minutes. Several teams, including Team Visma | Lease a Bike, gave it their all to close the gap with the leaders, but Romeo and Leknessund held on until the end. Romeo proved to be the strongest and took the leader's jersey from Laporte, who crossed the finish line in the reduced peloton. He now sits in sixth place in the general classification.
"It was a tough day. On the Puerto de la Cabra, the peloton was shattered to pieces and only Matisse Van Kerckhove managed to keep up at the front. The rest stayed with Christophe and tried to bring him back to the peloton. Once we had made the connection, we immediately went to the front to keep the pace high. At that point, Romeo and Leknessund had already broken away", sports director Marc Reef said.
"We did everything we could to win this stage, but unfortunately we didn't succeed. Hats off to Romeo and Leknessund. If several teams failed to close the gap, they more than deserved it." The fact that Laporte remained at the front in the second part of the stage was a good sign, according to Reef. "It shows that he is in good shape and can keep up on a course like this."
According to Reef, there will be more opportunities for Laporte tomorrow. "Tomorrow's stage has a difficult start, but the finish should be doable. We will once again do everything we can to get involved in the battle for the stage victory."
And here's the Ruta del Sol report from Team Groupama-FDJ United:
The “Ruta del Sol” stepped up another notch on Thursday during a short but lively second stage to Otura, where a strong breakaway duo managed to pull it off. Ivan Romeo took the victory and moved into the overall lead, while Romain Grégoire (10th), Bastien Tronchon and Clément Braz Afonso crossed the line with the main peloton nearly a minute later.
Despite being just 140 kilometres long, the second stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia was anything but a leisurely ride. After a start along the coast, the peloton faced a relentless 25-kilometre climb averaging 5% — more than enough to shake up the race and launch the first major attacks. Although an early break went clear before the Puerto de la Cabra, the race was reshuffled in the toughest middle section of the ascent. Ivan Romeo and Andreas Leknessund launched their move there, bridging across to the last survivor of the morning break, Josh Burnett.
Profile of Ruta del Sol stage two.
“They went really hard when everyone was still trying to measure their effort,” said Yvon Caër. “On those kinds of gradients, those two riders are very comfortable. We knew they were real powerhouses, and once they went over the summit, we knew it would be difficult.” The duo reached the top around 30 seconds ahead of a group of favourites that included Clément Braz Afonso, before a first peloton of around thirty riders — also featuring Romain Grégoire and Maxime Decomble — regrouped. “Visma-Lease a Bike was waiting for Laporte to come back, but the damage was already done,” Yvon added. “We also thought UAE would take responsibility — which they partly did — but they couldn’t close the gap.”
Instead, after a spell of hesitation in the bunch, the gap stretched out to three minutes before a second small group, including Bastien Tronchon, managed to come back. Several teams joined forces to bring the gap down, but the two escapees proved too strong. “The two riders out front really crushed the peloton,” Yvon said. “We also asked Clément to pull in the last 25 kilometres because you never know what can happen, but on 4–5% gradients they were moving just as fast as we were, and they never looked at each other.”
On the final five-kilometre false flat, the gap came back to around one minute, but Romeo and Leknessund were never truly under threat. The Spaniard eventually took the win, while Romain Grégoire sprinted to tenth place from a reduced peloton that also included Bastien Tronchon and Clément Braz Afonso.“We don’t really have any regrets because it would have meant taking a very big risk to follow them, and I don’t think we had the legs at that moment,” Yvon concluded. “Despite today’s scenario, there’s still a great opportunity for Romain to achieve a strong overall result. That’s why we came here, and we’ll fight for it until the end. We’ll also make sure Bastien or Paul get their chances on stages three and four.”
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary