The UAE Team Emirates have shown they are not just about Tadej Pogačar as Adam Yates and João Almeida dominated the Tour de Suisse. We also have all the news, views and video from the Beloise Belgium Tour and the women’s Tour de Suisse in a packed EUROTRASH Monday.
Patrick Lefevere: “The first yellow card in cycling can go to the UCI” – TOP STORY.
Rider news: Positive news on Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert’s Tour participation, Egan Bernal and Daniel Felipe Martínez will ride the Olympic Games, the IOC say Aleksandr Vlasov can go to the Olympic Games, Mark Cavendish is knighted, Laurens ten Dam to ride ultra race of 4,500 kilometres, Pieter Serry may have to forget his possible first Tour de France, Lennert Van Eetvelt and Florian Vermeersch will soon be racing again and a back injury sidelines Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.
Team news: Lotto Dstny CEO expects Eenkhoorn and Campenaerts to leave, Lidl-Trek resigns Tom Skujins for two years, Mischa Bredewold three years longer with Team SD Worx-Protime and Cesare Benedetti ends career and becomes DS.
Race news: The World’s top cyclists back in Hamburg and Tour Down Under: Celebrate 25 years with us this January!
Get a big coffee for this morning’s EUROTRASH read.
TOP STORY: Patrick Lefevere: “The First Yellow Card in Cycling Can Go to the UCI”
From 2025, the UCI will introduce a yellow card system in cycling. Riders who receive two or more yellow cards can expect a suspension. Soudal Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere disagrees with with this new ‘inovation’ and states why in his Het Nieuwsblad column.
“A person may wonder whether there is a need for an extra stick behind the door,” wrote Lefevere. “With fines, UCI points deductions, declassification and disqualification, there is already a wide range of sanctions. I suppose that the yellow card has its right to exist as a punishment that is less drastic than a disqualification, but still weighs more heavily for a rider than a fine that is usually paid by the team.”
Lefevere fears that the effects of the penalties will not bring what the UCI expects. “I am not disfavoured with the idea per se, but everything depends on its implementation in practice. Who will be the referee who can hand out the yellow cards? Competition juries almost without exception consist of people who have never ridden a racing bike. My advice is to certainly involve former riders in the decision-making process about which behaviour really compromises safety.”
However, according to the Soudal Quick-Step team boss, there is an even bigger problem. “I don’t want to suspect the UCI of malicious intent, but I also suspect that they don’t mind that all the media attention after their safety communiqué went to the ‘spectacular’ news surrounding the yellow cards. What was also stated in the text in a few lines, in strikingly veiled terms: ‘The UCI has decided to test the effects of restrictions on the wearing and use of earphones during the race.’ This may lead to a change in the use of the earphones, for example by limiting them to two riders in the race.”
“That’s a completely ridiculous idea. Translate that to the ‘normal’ workplace: an employer is not allowed to speak to his staff during the performance of their job. The UCI then packages it as a safety measure. That the radio on the back poses a physical danger in the event of a fall, so far. But you take away an instrument with which you can inform riders about unexpected dangers on the road. What if a car comes onto the course and your two riders with earphones are already off course for whatever reason? Absurd of course. The first yellow card in cycling may soon go to the UCI itself.”
More common sense for Patrick:
Tour de Suisse 2024
Adam Yates won Stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse on Thursday. On the difficult final climb to Cari, he held off his teammate, Joao Almeida for the win. The two UAE Team Emirates riders also moved into the first two places on GC.
The fifth stage of the Swiss tour was also for the climbers. After the start in Ambri it immediately went uphill to Altanca (5km at 9%). It was also there that some climbers immediately tried their luck. Richard Carapaz (EF Education First-EasyPost), the Olympic champion, along with his teammate Alberto Bettiol, were not amongst them as they didn’t start the stage.
Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Simone Velasco & Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazastan), Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Ben Zwiehoff (BORA-hansgrohe), Johan Price Pejtersen (Bahrain Victorious), Lawson Craddock (Jayco-AlUla) and Damien Howson (Q36.5) went on the attack, but Gugliemi, Price Pejtersen, Craddock and Velasco were soon in trouble and were soon swallowed up by the peloton. Flèche Wallonne winner, Stephen Williams (IPT), jumped across on the second climb of the day, to Cari (9.6km at 8.2%). Together with Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step) and Nans Peters (Decathlon AG2R), he joined the break, now of seven riders. On the climb only Lutsenko held out. Many riders couldn’t handle the pace and the peloton was also thinned out. There were about 20 riders left in the peloton and Lutsenko was also caught.
In the middle of the stage the pace dropped and many riders were able to return due to a drop in the pace. There were 100 flat kilometres before the final climb, again to Cari. Lutsenko, Peters and Williams tried again on the flat section, together with Einer Rubio and Johannes Staune-Mittet. They were given a maximum lead of 2 minutes. The intermediate sprint was picked up by the escapees, but once they started climbing, it was all over. Rubio struggled for the longest time, but the pace of UAE Team Emirates in the peloton was too high to stay away. There were attacks from Mauro Badilatti (Q36.5) and Matthew Riccitello (IPT), but they were pulled back again. When Joao Almeida, 2nd overall, took the lead for Adam Yates, we then saw many casualties. Wilco Kelderman & Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) were the first top 10 GC riders to be dropped, as were Sergio Higuita (BORA-hansgrohe), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R) and Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers).
Almeida reduced the lead group to 5 riders. Riccitello was still among them, as were Enric Mas (Movistar) and Tour winner, Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers). Yates waited until 1.6 kilometres from the finish before launching his attack. Mas and Bernal initially lost a few metres, but fought back to his wheel at the start of the final kilometre. Yates kept putting the pressure on. Bernal was the first to go, then Mas was done 800 metres out. The two were caught by Almeida. The Portuguese rider tried to jump across to Yates, but finished 5 seconds behind him.
Stage winner and overall leader, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates): “It was a very strong performance, João kept a crazy pace in the final part of the climb, after that Ineos had kept a pace very hard in the first two climbs. In the team we all are in super shape and super motivated. Being two guys from the same team in the first two places of the GC is a good position for us and we had super teammates who could work for us.”
4th on the stage and 5th overall, Matthew Riccitello (IPT): “I’m very happy with how today went. I knew I had good legs before the race and in all the races I do I’m always quite ambitious and eager to get a good result. I wouldn’t say I’m super surprised, just pretty happy that today turned out well. It suited me a little more than yesterday’s climb, and also the fact that the stage was quite hard from the beginning helped me a little. I do a little better when everyone has some leg fatigue. I don’t know if I could have done anything differently, I went as fast as I could to the top. I was a little bummed that Bernal passed me at the end, but it was a good race and I’m happy with the result. We have many climbs ahead of us. I just want to continue as I have been and it will be a good race.”
5th on the stage and 4th overall, Enric Mas (Movistar): “They have been very good climbs. It was what I was waiting for, this type of stage. I’m not very happy, but day by day, fitness is improving and, after Sunday, we will go home in good shape. Then it will be time to rest before the Tour. I was behind Yates trying to win the stage and, in the end, I finished fifth. We came here without the best possible shape, but we are improving and we will see what we can do.”
6th on the stage and 7th overall, Óscar Onley (dsm-firmenich-PostNL): “The boys have fought a lot today to come back and support me after a very hard first hour of the race. They put me in a good position and from then on it was all about my legs. I have given everything and I hope to have more opportunities in the coming days.”
10th on the stage and 9th overall, Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It has been a very hard day. On the final climb, the pace was high. Just like yesterday, I noticed that I still lack some explosiveness. As the competition picked up pace, I quickly found my own rhythm. Then I tried to limit the loss. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my best day. The differences with the top five remains manageable. I notice that the base is there, but I’m still missing a little. Of course, I will continue fighting. The next three days are not easy. It’s definitely not decided yet.”
Tour de Suisse Stage 5 Result:
1. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates in 3:54:37
2. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates at 0:05
3. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:16
4. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:18
5. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 0:22
6. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 0:54
7. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers
8. Sergio Andres Higuita (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 1:03
9. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 1:13
10. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:20.
Tour de Suisse Overall After Stage 5:
1. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates in 15:44:35
2. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates at 0:35
3. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:11
4. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 1:49
5. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 1:53
6. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek at 2:17
7. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 2:21
8. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 2:46
9. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 2:51
10. Sergio Andres Higuita (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 3:01
Suisse’24 stage 5:
Joao Almeida won a very short Sixth Stage of the Tour of Switzerland. The Portuguese rider of UAE Team Emirates finished ahead of his teammate and overall leader, Adam Yates.
Due to the heavy snow in the Alps in recent weeks, the race organisers had to cancel the Nufenen Pass (14km at 7.9%) and shorten the stage. There would be short stage of only 42.5 kilometres, including a final climb to Blatten-Belalp. An alternative mountain stage also turned out not to be possible, so the stage had to start in Ulrichen, at the foot of the descent of the Nufenen Pass. This left a very short stage, with the finish on the climb to the Belalp ski resort (5.8km at 8.8%).
“It is not a rest day and not a full-fledged mountain stage. Actually, it is mainly a waste of time,” said Tom Pidcock. Alexis Renard (Cofidis) was the first attacker of the day, almost immediately after the start. Stefan Bisseger (EF Education-EasyPost) went after him, but when Renard was caught he couldn’t hang on to Bisseger. Tour of Turkey winner Frank van den Broek (dsm-firmenich-PostNL) and Anders Foldager (Jayco AlUla) joined Bisseger. Behind; the teams of the GC riders wanted to block so that they had a relatively quiet day. But the Swiss national team and Arkéa-B&B Hotels, and the other teams that missed the break, started to chase.
UAE Team Emirates took control of the peloton for their two leaders, Adam Yates and Joao Almeida. The UAE riders put a lot of pressure on the peloton. The three riders in the break were able to take a maximum lead of 1:30. When they started the final climb to Belalp, Bisseger and Van den Broek dropped Boldager. Van den Broek rode at his own pace and held out the longest of the three escapees. It was impossible to stay away from the peloton and he was caught with 3 kilometres to go.
In the peloton, INEOS Grenadiers attempted to surprise UAE Team Emirates at the start of the climb, but Adam Yates’ teammates soon took over again. The work wasn’t done by Joao Almeida, he was allowed to stay sheltered. Isaac del Toro took a long turn on the front, and with 3.5 kilometres to go, Yates accelerated. Mattias Skjelmose held on the longest, but the Danish champion of Lidl-Trek had Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers) and Almeida on his wheel. With just over 1 kilometre to go, Bernal jumped away from Skjelmose, hoping to close the 5 second gap to Yates. It looked like he would succeed, but the Colombian fell back to the pursuers. Then just after the final kilometre, the Portuguese rider crossed to Yates and started to tow the overall leader. In the finishing straight, Almeida rode away from Yates for the stage win.
Stage winner and 2nd overall, João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates): “We were both really strong, and it was quite good, Adam attacked quite far from the finish, and I was on Skjelmose’s wheel, so it was perfect for me. In the end, I could catch him without bringing the other riders across. So, I’m really happy with this victory. I think it’s positive, as long as we do first and second, it doesn’t matter who wins, I think we’re both happy. There’s good teamwork and there’s always respect for each other, that’s the main thing. At the end of the day, the team wins anyway so we just have to keep the focus these next two days, so hopefully we could make it.”
Overall leader and 2nd on the stage, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates): “Yesterday Joao Almeida was super strong, and today. Maybe for me, I attacked too early on the climb. I feel like I’m doing very well, and in the end, Joao came back. He took me down at the end, so another super strong performance from my team. I hope tomorrow will be the same. We have shown in recent days that we are in good shape and that we will fight for victory. It is very nice for the team to be in this position. Tomorrow will be a difficult stage, maybe even the Queen stage. I hope that tonight we have a small celebration for the victory, and that tomorrow we come back strong.”
3rd on the stage and 4th overall, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek): “It is an important result for me, for my morale and of course for the trust they had in me from the beginning. That was what I needed after yesterday when I didn’t get what I expected. I didn’t have many answers about what went wrong yesterday, but I think today I’ve proven that it was just a bad day. In an atypical stage like today, you just have to be focused at the key moment and press the accelerator on the climb. Like the other days, the team did a great job putting me in the perfect position at the end of the climb. From there we climbed at a strong pace, set by Ineos, and I immediately felt comfortable. I’m proud to have always kept Yates in sight after his attack. Being around such a strong and fit rider is a good conclusion. Now I am fourth overall, I will do my best to get on the podium at the end of the race.”
4th on the stage and 3rd overall, Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers): “It was a very fast stage, there was a lot of nervousness, but in the end, it turned out to be very nice. It was very special, but another good test. Every day I check if I have the legs, I always have to try, put on a show, move the race, use the equipment… We all know that the race is not over until you cross the finish line on the last day, so you have to stay focused. The Tour de France is different, but I feel good. Day by day, I feel better and better. I knew that I was not going to arrive in Switzerland at my best, but the important thing is to recover well after these efforts and then go to the Tour.”
5th on the stage, Lenny Martínez (Groupama-FDJ): “I think I finished in 5th or close to it. It’s nice to finally have some sensations and have fun out front with the best. It feels good. It has been a bit of a strange stage, especially because I usually have better legs at the end of the stage than at the beginning. And in the end, they were good, so I’m happy. The team placed me very well, which was perfect because I was ahead. Then we had to follow the UAE train, which was very high. Then when Adam Yates went, I was surprised that it didn’t make a big difference right away. I made my effort and gave it my all until the end, the last 500 meters were a bit long… I’m still looking forward to this weekend, even though I have fallen back a bit in the general classification. It feels good, we keep working, I always give everything anyway.”
Tour de Suisse Stage 6 Result:
1. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates in 55:13
2. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates at 0:04
3. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek at 0:09
4. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:15
5. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Groupama-FDJ at 0:35
6. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 40
7. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 0:47
8. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech
9. Pelayo Sanchez Mayo (Spa) Movistar at 0:54
10. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale.
Tour de Suisse Overall After Stage 6:
1. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates in 16:39:46
2. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates at 0:27
3. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:28
4. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek at 2:24
5. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 2:38
6. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 2:42
7. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 3:28
8. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 3:37
9. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 4:01
10. Pelayo Sanchez Mayo (Spa) Movistar at 4:28.
Suisse’24 stage 6:
Adam Yates took the victory on the penultimate Stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse. On a big climbing day around Villars-sur-Ollon, he and his teammate João Almeida were the strongest on the day. The UAE Team Emirates dominated the stage as Yates and Almeida finished together, 14 seconds ahead of Matthew Riccitello (IPT) in 3rd place.
The penultimate Suisse stage was only 118.1 kilometres, but it was tough with more than 3,000 metres of climbing, it was yet another day for the mountain men. In the stage starting and finishing in Villars-sur-Ollon, the riders had three categorised climbs: The Col de la Croix (17.1km at 7.1%) and the final climb to Villars-sur-Ollon (8.6km at 8%).
The riders had to climb right from the start. Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny), Einer Rubio (Movistar) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) wanted to be in the early move. The three eventually managed to get into the ‘Break of the Day’. They were joined by Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious), Johannes Staune-Mittet (Visma | Lease a Bike), Jan Chirsten (UAE Team Emirates), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Dstny) and Harold Martín López (Astana Qazaqstan). Pickering was closest to overall leader Adam Yates at 7:32.
The break wasn’t given much space by the men of INEOS Grenadiers, as the Col de la Croix, the entire climb, got closer. In the peloton, Ion Izagirre had to abandon after a crash and Cian Uijtdebroeks and Lenny Martinez took over on the climb. Visma | So Lease a Bike’s Staune-Mettet attacked on the second climb and no one could follow, so he pushed on solo. The Norwegian was only 1 minute ahead of the peloton and at the top of the Col de la Croix, Staune-Mittet took 6 points for the KOM jersey.
Behind the Norwegian, the other escapees didn’t try too hard and the eleven were caught before the top of the Col de la Croix. There was now only Staune-Mittet ahead of the peloton in the run-up to the final climb to Villars-sur-olon. On the descent, Staune-Mittet managed to extended his lead to 1:30. On the final climb, it soon became clear that it was only a matter of time before the Visma | Lease a Bike rider would be caught. Due to INEOS Grenadiers, the Norwegian’s lead decreased. Eight kilometres from the finish he only had a 45 seconds lead and 4 kilometres out, he was caught. It was Felix Gall who was first to pass him.
The Austrian of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale had jumped away from the peloton, while INEOS Grenadiers was still leading. It was João Almeida who was the first to chase Gall. He had Matthew Riccitello, teammate Adam Yates and Wilco Kelderman on his wheel. Behind; INEOS Grenadiers had no answer due to their chase work. With just under 2 kilometres to go, Wilco Kelderman couldn’t hold on to the group of chasers, while Felix Gall was caught by the two UAE riders. Matthew Riccitello was chasing but couldn’t get to Almeida and Yates. In the final metres, João Almeida gave the stage to his teammate. Riccitello was third, Wilco Kelderman managed to finish fourth, together with Mattias Skjelmose, Egan Bernal, Oscar Onley and Tom Pidcock. Gall was ninth at 30 seconds, ahead of Enric Mas of Movistar.
Stage winner and overall leader, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates): “You see, then, he’s such a nice guy. When we got away at the end there, we said what we should do. I asked him if I could have the stage, and he said yes, straight away. It just showed the character he is. He’s such a nice guy and he’s in such great condition that he could easily win himself. To have that is a great quality, not just as a bike rider but as a person, so chapeau to him. I think for me personally as well, tomorrow’s time trial, he’s going to put almost a minute into me, so I’m sure you’ll see him on this chair tomorrow. I think he’s shown in the last few days how strong he is when he starts doing his crazy pace. When he’s alone tomorrow in the TT, I think he’s going to fly up here. So, we’ll see tomorrow, and then hopefully we can win again.”
5th on the stage and 4th overall, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek): “Today’s performance was good, I am happy with how I managed the whole effort. Now I’m looking for something special in tomorrow’s time trial.”
6th on the stage and 3rd overall, Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers): “I think we have one of the strongest races here and everyone is committed to our plan. We did our best to play our cards. In the end we are still on the podium and tomorrow we will have to defend ourselves. It’s not that we are in good shape, but we have to stay focused on ourselves, try to keep improving and we have great motivation to try to do even better.”
Tour de Suisse Stage 7 Result:
1. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates in 3:05:41
2. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates
3. Matthew Riccitello (Ita) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:14
4. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 0:16
5. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek
6. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers
7. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich-PostNL
8. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers
9. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 0:32
10. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 0:35.
Tour de Suisse Overall After Stage 7:
1. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates in 19:45:17
2. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates at 0:31
3. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:51
4. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek at 2:50
5. Matthew Riccitello (Ita) Israel-Premier Tech at 3:02
6. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 3:23
7. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 3:54
8. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 4:03
9. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 4:41
10. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 4:59.
Suisse’24 stage 7:
Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) won the 2024 Tour de Suisse overall. In the final mountain time trial to Villars-sur-Ollon, the British rider finished second behind his teammate João Almeida, who won the stage and finished second overall. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) was third on the stage and jumped over Egan Bernal to take third overall.
The Tour de Suisse ended with an individual mountain time trial of 15.7 kilometres from Aigle to Villars-sur-Ollon. Five flat kilometres from the Rhône valley, the riders go to the foot of the final climb (10km at 7%) on the main road from Ollon.
The battle for the overall victory was between UAE teammates Adam Yates and João Almeida. The difference between them was 31 seconds. Behind them; Egan Bernal had to defended his third place as he had a 59 second lead on Mattias Skjelmose. Today, June 16, is the anniversary of the death of Gino Mäder in the Tour de Suisse. Many teams and riders remembered the Swiss rider on social media, where his mother also shared an emotional message. The favourites all started late in the stage, but it was Damiano Caruso who set the first target time of 35:16, at an average of 26.7 kph. The first to beat the Italian’s time was Lenny Martinez, who was 57 seconds faster. We then had to wait until the top riders started.
The Top 10 on the GC started after 4pm. Most riders went for a bike change at the start of the climb. At the intermediate point after 12.5 kilometres, Tom Pidcock, Matthew Riccitello and Mattias Skjelmose set the fastest split time. Almeida and Yates chipped away at Skjelmose’s time at that point, although they were within four seconds of the Dane. Pidcock was the first to knock Martinez off the hot seat, with a final time of 34:14, but he was also quickly beaten by the young climber Riccitello. Skjelmose went under by 18 seconds for a final time of 33:44. He moved up to third overall, because Egan Bernal lost more than a minute on Skjelmose. The stage victory went to UAE Team Emirates, again. João Almeida clocked 33:23 at the finish and that was enough for the stage victory. He didn’t take the overall victory, as Yates lost only 8 seconds to secure the final overall victory. Almeida was second and Skjelmose third on the final overall.
Stage winner and 2nd overall, João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates): “I’m really happy with the time trial stage victory, I think my first TT victory except nationals so that’s pretty good. At the start of the day, I knew it was quite impossible to win the GC against Adam. He’s quite strong and it’s not a flat TT so I’m super happy with the win and the second place behind him. We did a perfect team work so it was a great week.”
Final overall winner and 2nd on the stage, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates): “It’s definitely up there with my biggest wins. About two days to go, I wasn’t sure if I could do it. Obviously, I had the two time checks with João in front of me and I knew he was going to accelerate a little bit there in the end. Actually, I just couldn’t accelerate, I was already over the limit so I just tried to hold the pace and thankfully it was enough. I’m still out of breath because it was such a hard climb but one thing I had in the back of my mind for a while was the 2019 Tirreno-Adriatico where I lost the TT on the last day by one second and this had lived rent-free in my head for many years so it’s finally good to win a race and win it with a TT like this. To win any big bike race is a big privilege and to share the podium with Joao as well, he’s a special teammate.”
Best young rider, 3rd on the stage and overall, Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Lidl-Trek): “I am very satisfied. The goals for today were to win a stage and achieve a podium place and then being on the podium was even more important. To achieve that podium spot is very special. It took a special performance to do that and I think I did that. I showed this week that I can come back well. A bad day doesn’t mean you’re a bad rider. It is important to be mentally strong and have the right mindset. I have some good people around me and they kept believing in me, that’s what brought me back.”
5th on the stage and 6th overall, Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers): “I have gotten a little better every day this week. This was my best result in a time trial since I started riding as a professional. So I think I can be very happy with that. My wattages are very high, so I’m happy with that. I really didn’t start well at all, I just came from an altitude training camp and felt super light, but it got better every day. I think this week shows what training like that can do. We raced in the mountains for five days in a row and every day I got better, so that’s very positive for me. I’m sixth in the final classification because I overtook Enric Mas, but I don’t want to be someone who always finishes in the top 10 of a general classification. I’m going to Crans-Montana tonight for the Mountain Bike World Cup next weekend, before I go to the Tour de France. So I won’t return home, but will stay in Switzerland. I decide what my Tour will look like this year, no one else. Otherwise you shouldn’t expect anything from me. I must be given the freedom to believe in my Tour mission. I know exactly what I want. It won’t be easy to achieve that, but the people in my camp know how I work. I decide what my Tour looks like, no one else.”
Tour de Suisse Stage 8 Result:
1. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates in 33:23
2. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates at 0:08
3. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek at 0:20
4. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:37
5. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:50
6. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Groupama-FDJ at 0:55
7. Pelayo Sanchez Mayo (Spa) Movistar at 1:21
8. David De La Cruz (Spa) Melgarejo Q36.5 at 1:25
9. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:30
10. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:40.
Tour de Suisse Final Overall Result:
1. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Team Emirates in 20:18:49
2. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates at 0:22
3. Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Den) Lidl-Trek at 3:02
4. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 3:12
5. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 3:31
6. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 4:36
7. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 5:01
8. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 5:40
9. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 6:31
10. Felix Gall (Aust) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 6:35.
Suisse’24 stage 8:
Baloise Belgium Tour 2024
Tim Merlier won the sprint on the Wandelaar in Knokke-Heist in the first stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour. Soudal Quick-Step’s top sprinter was too fast for Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike).
On day two the peloton raced to the coast. From Merelbeke in Gent, there was first a passage through the Zwalm region, Gavere and Kruisem, where the riders hit the Flemish Ardennes. There were a few climbs here and the cobbles of the Lange Munte.
This caused a lot of nervousness in the peloton and no leading group was allowed to get away in the first 25 kilometres. On the flatter roads along Damme and Aalter, Davide Bais (Polti Kometa), Kay De Bruyckere (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Quentin Bezza (Philippe Wagner/Bazin), Gianni Marchand (Tarteletto-Isorex), Max Kroonen (VolkerWessels), Lars Loohuis (BEAT Cycling) and Ward Vanhoof (Flanders-Baloise) escaped the peloton. The peloton kept the seven leaders within catching distance. The race came together again 70 kilometres from the finish. After some skirmishes, Uno-X Mobility, the team of overall leader Søren Wærenskjold, kept the pace high, along with Soudal Quick-Step for Tim Merlier. The race now entered the area of Knokke-Heist, where there would be two circuits of 19.2 kilometres before the slightly uphill finish on the Wandelaar.
The ‘Golden Kilometre’ was also in the final, where bonuses of 3, 2 and 1 seconds could be taken in three intermediate sprints. Wærenskjold won the first intermediate sprint, but his closest opponent, Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) took back 4 seconds in the other sprints. Benoit Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R) grabbed the 3 seconds in the third sprint, as did Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek), Damien Touzé (Decathlon AG2R), Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto Dstny) and Per Strand Hagenes (Visma | Lease a Bike) all picked up seconds before they concentrated on the finish. After a strong final kilometre from Lidl-Trek for Edward Theuns, it was Alpecin-Deceuninck who placed Jasper Philipsen perfectly on the Zeedijk in Knokke-Heist. Robbe Ghys led-out his teammate up the Wandelaar, but Tim Merlier came off his wheel with more speed. No one could get close to the three-time Giro stage winner.
Stage winner, Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step): “I’m happy to get my first win in the Belgium Tour. The finale was a bit like the one in Nokere, so I was very confident in my chances, even though I’m not in top condition as this is my first race since the Giro. I was relaxed in the sprint and this helped me tackle the finish without any pressure. Beating so many fast men here feels really good, it’s a big morale-boost ahead of next week’s National Championships.”
3rd on the stage, Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It’s a shame. We did well as a team, especially during the last lap of the circuit. As a result, he was well ahead. Maybe I wasn’t confident enough to take the initiative in the sprint. I waited a little longer than necessary and finished third. Of course it takes a little getting used to again now, but it’s been going pretty well. It’s not bad to come back with a third place. We can fight for stage wins every day if we continue like this.”
10th on the stage, Matyas Kopecky (Team Novo Nordisk): “I had very good legs today. Which surprised me after yesterday’s time trial, because I remember that last year I suffered the day after, but today went better than expected. I had some headwind in the last 500m and I spent more energy than necessary considering the distance to the finish line, but against this group of the best sprinters in the world I am happy with tenth place. When we arrived at the circuit, Andrea and I were together and very well positioned near the head. But we lost each other on the last lap and I knew I had to try to move forward to try to get the best position for the sprint, so I continued on my way for the last two kilometres. It is a good start to the race and showing what we can do against the best competitors is always a good feeling and a strong motivation.”
Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL): “I lost John Degenkolb and Bram Welten a little at the end entering the finish town, and when we met, it was already the last kilometre. John shot very well, but today he was too much for me. Overall, the feeling is good coming back to my first race, and if we stay together better next time, we will be in the fight in the coming days.”
Baloise Belgium Tour Stage 2 Result:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step in 4:35:50
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
3. Olav Kooij (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
4. Pierre Barbier (Fra) Philippe Wagner/Bazin
5. Lionel Taminiaux (Bel) Lotto Dstny
6. Mike Teunissen (Ned) Intermarché-Wanty
7. Søren Wærenskjold (Nor) Uno-X Mobility
8. Edward Theuns (Bel) Lidl-Trek
9. Gerben Thijssen (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty
10. Matyas Kopecky (CZ) Team Novo Nordisk.
Baloise Belgium Tour Overall After Stage 2:
1. Søren Wærenskjold (Nor) Uno-X Mobility in 4:12:43
2. Mathias Vacek (CZ) Lidl-Trek at 0:02
3. Rune Herregodts (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:13
4. Alec Segaert (Bel) Lotto Dstny at 0:15
5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Lidl-Trek at 0:17
6. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Soudal Quick-Step
7. Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Movistar at 0:19
8. Daan Hoole (Ned) Lidl-Trek at 0:21
9. Josef Cerny (CZ) Soudal Quick-Step at 0:24
10. Quentin Bezza (Fra) Philippe Wagner/Bazin.
Belgium Tour’24 stage 2:
Jasper Philipsen won the Third Stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour on Friday. In Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, the Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter was the fastest in a bunch gallop. Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) kept the overall lead and now has 11 seconds on second placed Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek).
The peloton left Turnhout to cross almost the entire Antwerp Kempen via Kasterlee, Geel, Olen and Westerlo, to arrive at Scherpenheuvel-Zichem via Diest, where the Dwars door het Hageland was held last week. In Flemish Brabant they had some short climbs, part of a circuit of 49 kilometres, to be ridden twice.
Two riders of the VolkerWessels team started the ‘Break of the Day’. Lindsay De Vylder (Flanders-Baloise), Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti Kometa), Yorben Lauryssen (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Stijn Appel (BEAT) and Jago Willems (VolkerWessels) joined them, making a group of seven leaders. Not much happened, but on the local circuit there were three climbs: the Het Rot (1.8km at 2.2%), Roeselberg (1.3km at 4%) and Kerkstraat (800metres at 4.2%). The first passage of Kerkstraat was disrupted by oil on the road. Almost the entire peloton had to stop and after that the race really got going. The Lidl-Trek riders in particular were very active, with Edward Theuns, Jasper Stuyven and Mathias Vacek each attempting an attack. Jasper Philipsen and Quinten Hermans also wanted to be involved.
That wave of attackers didn’t last long, so dropped riders, such as Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Alex Aranburu (Movistar), managed to rejoin the second peloton. Uno-X Mobility then took control at the start of the ‘Golden Kilometre’. Overall leader Søren Wærenskjold won all three sprints, a good bonus before the Ardennes on Saturday.
Alec Segaert (Lotto Dstny) also sprinted for some seconds and continued his effort after the ‘Golden Kilometre’. Kasper Asgreen (Soudal Quick-Step), Robbe Ghys (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Aranburu were also interested in an attack, but everything came back together again. On and after the Kerkstraat, where everything split a lap before, no one could get away, despite attempts by Pierre Gautherat (Decathlon AG2R) and Cyriel Desal (Bingoal WB). On the run-up to the cobbled section, Fabio Jakobsen was taken out by a crash, leaving about a 100 riders to contest the bunch sprint. Soudal Quick-Step looked to be in control for a long time, but in the end it was Jonas Rickaert and Robbe Ghys who led-out their sprinter, Jasper Philipsen, perfectly. Gerben Thijssen was on his wheel, but didn’t have the strength to get past the Limburger. Thursday’s winner, Tim Merlier, took the wrong side of the peloton and was boxed in for the sprint.
Stage winner and 10th overall, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “It’s the second year in a row that I won in Scherpenheuvel, but last year it was a little more difficult. Today was a bit more of a massive sprint. Like yesterday, we did very well with the team. I’m happy to do a little better today and to be able to win like that. It’s the perfect opportunity to get back into the routine. We got together in the last kilometre and were able to really take the lead. I’m happy with the way the team is doing and happy to be able to thank them with a win. We’ve been working hard the last few months, I’m definitely looking for my best form. I hope it falls in July.”
2nd on the stage, Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It was a nervous final. We were in a good position, but since the last metres were downhill, we ended up in the so-called washing machine. In the sprint I had to recover some positions and in the end I couldn’t do it. We cannot go beyond second place. That’s not bad, but let’s hope we can continue the line this weekend and get a victory in the final stage.”
3rd on the stage, Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty): “We fought today. After yesterday I had to show my team that I can trust the lead-out. They did a great job, which allowed me to reward that with a podium finish. It was also a different sprint than yesterday. I knew I could focus on Mike Teunissen, because he was going really fast. Even Laurenz Rex, who had a flat tire just over 10km from the finish, came back to help me. If you notice things like that, them going through fire for you, you can also do just that little bit more in the sprint. Looking ahead to the Tour de France, those are all positive signs. So today’s result, and the manner in which, is a huge boost. Tomorrow for me it will mainly be about survival. We will try to help Lorenzo Rota and Rune Herregodts to a nice place in the classification. Rune is third right now, so we have to support him as much as possible. In the last stage of the Belgium Tour I might take my chance again, but we’ll see.”
Baloise Belgium Tour Stage 3 Result:
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
2. Olav Kooij (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
3. Gerben Thijssen (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty
4. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step
5. John Degenkolb (Ger) dsm-firmenich-PostNL
6. Lionel Taminiaux (Bel) Lotto Dstny
7. Luca Mozzato (Ita) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
8. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Tarteletto-Isorex
9. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Lidl-Trek
10. Nicklas Overgaard Pedersen (Den) TDT-Unibet.
Baloise Belgium Tour Overall After Stage 3:
1. Søren Wærenskjold (Nor) Uno-X Mobility in 8:27:09
2. Mathias Vacek (CZ) Lidl-Trek at 0:11
3. Rune Herregodts (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:22
4. Alec Segaert (Bel) Lotto Dstny at 0:23
5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Lidl-Trek at 0:25
6. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Soudal Quick-Step at 0:26
7. Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Movistar at 0:28
8. Daan Hoole (Ned) Lidl-Trek at 0.30
9. Rasmus Tiller (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 0:32
10. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:33.
Belgium Tour’24 stage 3:
Alex Aranburu was the winner on the penultimate day of the Baloise Belgium Tour. In a hilly Stage 4 starting and finishing in Durbuy, he beat the others on the last steep kilometre. Mathias Vacek took 9 bonus seconds in the golden kilometre, bringing him closer to Søren Wærenskjold, he’s now at only 2 seconds.
On Saturday, the race was run largely on the Ardennes stage of the past two editions. From the start in Durbuy, the riders had a circuit of 31.9 kilometres, including six difficult climbs. The Champs des Hêtres (2.1km at 2.7%), Côte de Petit Somme (2.2km at 5.8%) and the Côte de Hermanne (2.2km at 5.8%). The Mur de Durbuy (1.2km at 6.2%) was the final climb with the steepest sections at the finish.
After 7 kilometres, the leading group of the day formed. A 4 man attack was joined by another 8 riders, for a break of 12 men. This included: Rémi Cavagna (Movistar), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), Martin Svrcek (Soudal Quick-Step), Valentin Retailleau (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Nathan Smith (Team Novo Nordisk), Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti Kometa), Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Lindsay De Vylder (Team Flanders-Baloise), Jeroen van Krimpen (BEAT), Tristan Scherpenbergh (Philippe Wagner/Bazin), Jasper Haest and Jago Willems (VolkerWessels), but they never had a big lead. After three of the five laps, the peloton led by Uno-X Mobility had closed within 30 seconds of the leading group. Rémi Cavagna decided to gave up, as Jago Willems attacked. The Belgian gained 30 seconds and remained in the lead solo for quite a time. The peloton slowed down on the run-up to the last lap and Willems soon had 1 minute.
Going into the final lap, the lead disappeared. Lidl-Trek took control and the break attempt was over. Edward Theuns attacked, after which second overall, Mathias Vacek, went past him. At 25 kilometres from the finish, the Czech had almost 30 seconds on the peloton. Lorenzo Rota (Intermarché-Wanty), Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto Dstny) and Joseph Blackmore (IPT) managed to connect after 10 kilometres of chasing. The Czech had the ‘Golden Kilometre’ in his sights were he could gain seconds on Søren Wærenskjold.
The other escapees let Vacek take the bonus seconds in the three sprints. This gave him 9 seconds, bringing him within 2 seconds of overall leader Søren Wærenskjold. The difference on the peloton remained around half a minute. In the peloton Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Uno-X Mobility and Visma | Lease a Bike were in pursuit of the leading trio. With 5 kilometres to go, the peloton was stuck at around 20 seconds. At the foot of the Mur de Durbuy, the foursome only had 10 seconds. In the last steep kilometre the four were caught and the battle would be on the steep sections. In the uphill sprint it was Alex Aranburu who managed to take the win. Behind him was Pierre Gautherat, who beat Jasper Philipsen in the battle for second place.
Stage winner and 4th overall, Álex Aranburu (Movistar): “We knew that the finish was very good for us. Lidl-Trek played its cards very well in the last climbs, they made the race tough, but the team has worked very well towards the finish line and we took this victory that makes me so excited… and 10 seconds to go third in the general. For now I’m happy with today. We were looking for a stage success, now we are on the overall podium… We are going to enjoy today and tomorrow we will see if we have options to advance positions.”
Baloise Belgium Tour Stage 4 Result:
1. Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Movistar in 4:14:26
2. Pierre Gautherat (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
3. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:03
4. Riley Sheehan (USA) Israel-Premier Tech
5. Carlos Canal Blanco (Spa) Movistar
6. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Lidl-Trek
7. Lorenzo Rota (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty
8. Damien Touzé (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
9. Per Strand Hagenes (Nor) Visma | Lease a Bike
10. Gonzalo Serrano (Spa) Movistar at 0:06.
Baloise Belgium Tour Overall After Stage 4:
1. Søren Wærenskjold (Nor) Uno-X Mobility at 12:33:32
2. Mathias Vacek (CZ) Lidl-Trek at 0:02
3. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 14
4. Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Movistar at 0:16
5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Lidl-Trek
6. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Soudal Quick-Step at 0:21
7. Damien Touzé (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 0:25
8. Per Strand Hagenes (Nor) Visma | Lease a Bike
9. Alec Segaert (Bel) Lotto Dstny 0:26
10. Pier-André Coté (Can) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:35.
Belgium Tour’24 stage 4:
Søren Waerenskjold is the final overall winner of the 2024 Baloise Belgium Tour. In the final Stage 5 of 186 kilometres around Brussels, the Norwegian of Uno-X Mobility managed to secure his lead in the ‘Golden Kilometer’, after which he was lucky that Mathias Vacek was just outside the Top-3 in the final sprint. The stage was won by Tim Merlier, who beat Jasper Philipsen in a bunch sprint.
After Saturday’s hilly stage around Durbuy, Søren Waerenskjold was still in the lead, but the race threatened to become a battle of seconds in the final stage to Brussels, with Mathias Vacek at 2 seconds, Alex Aranburu at 6 seconds, Jasper Stuyven at 16 seconds and Jasper Philipsen at 20 seconds of the Norwegian leader. The stage to Brussels started and finish next to the Atomium and consisted of four circuits with a difficult finish on the Esplanade. Four hundred metres from the finish there was a sharp right hand bend.
Dries De Bondt, Ceriel Desal, Sébastien Grignard, Olivier Godfroid and Thimo Willems made up the early break. A chasing group managed to cross, creating a break of nine men. Eventually there was only seven left and they never got more than a 2 minute lead. Lidl-Trek kept the gap small in the peloton, so that Vacek could go for the overall victory. The focus would be on the ‘Golden Kilometer’, about 50 kilometres from the finish. Lidl-Trek had almost caught the leading group, but due to interference from Uno-X, the escapees managed to extend their lead to 17 seconds. Strong work by Tim Declercq and Daan Hoole brought back De Bondt and Willems just before the ‘Golden Kilometer’.
Waerenskjold beat Aranburu and Vacek in the first sprint, causing the Norwegian to move ahead in the rankings. In the second and third sprints, the favourites for the overall victory couldn’t sprint. This was followed by a restless phase in which several riders tried to escape, but the sprinter’s teams kept control. Jago Willems of VolkerWessels managed to win the intermediate sprint classification, after an exciting sprint with Lindsay De Vylder (Flanders-Baloise). BEAT rider Michiel Coppens then went on the attack. He was given some space by the sprint teams, just like Gwen Leclainche (Philippe Wagner-Bazin). The Frenchman was caught 3 kilometres before the finish, after which it was up to the sprinter’s teams.
In a right hand bend, about 2 kilometres before the finish, Mick van Dijke and Olav Kooij crashed, ruling them out of a stage win. Then Soudal Quick-Step and Alpecin-Deceuninck took command in the final kilometre. Jasper Philipsen was led-out perfectly through the last corner, but Tim Merlier came off his wheel in finishing straight to take the victory in Brussels. Behind the two Belgians, Mathias Vacek lost the sprint for third place to Tom Van Asbroeck. Vacek missed out on 4 bonus seconds, and also the overall victory. Søren Waerenskjold took the final overall win for his Uno-X Mobility team. Vacek and Aranburu were second and third overall.
Stage winner, Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step): “Two victories in the Belgium Tour, where I had never won before, means I can be happy with my week. We were in a good position going into the final kilometres, keeping the speed high, and when the other sprint trains came into the frame, I decided to remain in third wheel and start my sprint from there. Beating Jasper again, who is one of the fastest guys out there, makes me really proud. The team had a great week here and we can all be proud of what we achieved. These two victories and the form I had give me a lot of confidence and motivation for the National Championships. I did a recon of the parcours and I am looking forward to next Sunday’s race.”
Final overall winner, Søren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility): “I am very happy with this. I tried to win the first sprint there and then stay on Vacek’s wheel, but he was also close in the final sprint. I was very lucky that three more men finished ahead of him. I am very happy. This team is great, because they did well all week. I want to thank them all. I wouldn’t have won without these teammates. They rode great. It wasn’t easy. I have been tired the last few days. This certainly gives confidence, but I really gave everything and fought for every second. The rest was also very strong, but you have to keep doing your work. Tomorrow I will rest a lot and tonight I will have a beer at Zaventem, haha!”
2nd on the stage and 4th overall, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I would have liked to win, but I also have to be honest that Tim was faster today. In itself everything is going well towards the Tour. We got our lead-out on track, everyone knows what to do. It is seeing that I am now reaching my best level. The green jersey and stage victories are the goal, we will do our best for that. I always ride championships to win. We have a strong team across the board, so I hope to participate for the championship.”
Baloise Belgium Tour Stage 5 Result:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step in 5:16:10
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
3. Tom Van Asbroeck (Bel) Israel-Premier Tech
4. Mathias Vacek (CZ) Lidl-Trek
5. Sander De Pestel (Bel) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
6. Gerben Thijssen (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty
7. Emilien Jeannière (Fra) TotalEnergies
8. Oded Kogut (Isr) Israel-Premier Tech
9. Lionel Taminiaux (Bel) Lotto Dstny
10. Matyas Kopecky (CZ) Team Novo Nordisk.
Baloise Belgium Tour Overall After Stage 5:
1. Søren Wærenskjold (Nor) Uno-X Mobility in 16:27:19
2. Mathias Vacek (CZ) Lidl-Trek at 0:04
3. Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Movistar at 0:07
4. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck 0:17
5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Lidl-Trek 0:19
6. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Soudal Quick-Step at 0:24
7. Alec Segaert (Bel) Lotto Dstny at 0:26
8. Damien Touzé (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 0:28
9. Per Strand Hagenes (Nor) Visma | Lease a Bike
10. Pier-André Coté (Can) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:35.
Belgium Tour’24 stage 5:
Tour de Suisse Women 2024
Demi Vollering dominated the Opening Stage 1 of the women’s Tour de Suisse on Saturday. The Dutch champion crossed the line solo to take the stage win and the overall lead. Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) and Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM) were second and third.
The four-day stage race opened with an uphill finish in Villars-sur-Ollon. The peloton had 4 kilometres of climbing from the start. After a descent and the climb of the first part of the Col de la Croix, the stage of only 58 kilometres ended where it started.
On the Col de la Croix, the top favourites of SD Worx-Protime tried to split the race. The peloton was already thinned out and after 7 kilometres of racing, Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM) went on the attack. She was briefly joined by Kim Cadzow (EF Education-Cannondale), but Chabbey went solo. Vollering took the lead on the descent. Not to push hard, but for safety. Chabbey was able to extend her lead to 3 minutes. SD Worx-Protime sent Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber on the counterattack, but she could only get to within 1.30 of Chabbey and then gave up.
Chabbey still had a lead of 2:30 with 7 kilometres to go, but lost ground on the final climb. The Italian rider, Gaia Realini started to get a chase going in the peloton. Top favourite, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), followed her. The two worked well together and closed the gap on Chabbey, who started the last 2 kilometres with a 25 second lead. In the final kilometre the Swiss rider was caught. Vollering attacked and passed Chabbey and dropped Realini. The Dutch champion crossed the line 22 seconds ahead of Realini, Chabbey was at 46 seconds.
Stage winner and overall leader, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime): “It’s never easy. That’s the thing, isn’t it? If you make it look easy, you’re doing it right. It was a strange stage, because it was so short and there were a lot of climbs. You felt the confusion in the peloton: how do we approach this? But in the end it was a nice race. Although it was short, it was still tough. It’s a shame we don’t have Marlen here, she is sick. I hope she gets better soon and I hope we can still win with the team. I am now in a good position in the rankings, let’s hope I can keep it that way.”
3rd on the stage and overall, Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM): “The plan was for Agnieszka and me to attack the first climb to create a group. Unfortunately, when I attacked, I was alone. I knew it was a long way to go, but I committed. I knew the climbs and descents well and used that to my advantage. Coming into the final climb with such a big gap, I was hoping to be able to stay away. My legs were hurting and it was hard mentally because I knew the gap was coming down. I had a lot of cheering and support from the side of the road, which helped. I’m disappointed to miss the stage win. We still have more opportunities, and I’m confident that we can do something nice again in the following stages with our climbing team.”
8th on the stage and overall, Neve Bradbury (Canyon//SRAM): “We planned for an attack close to the top of the first climb, and that’s exactly what happened after someone else made the first move. With Elise away, we could stay on the wheels and let the other teams react. It worked perfectly for us with Elise off the front because she can climb and descend well, putting a lot of pressure on the other teams. The pace was on from the bottom of the final climb and was a hard effort. I couldn’t follow Realini when she attacked but could ride back into some rhythm. I lost my computer unit and thought we had 1km to go when I attacked, but afterwards I realised we still had 3km to go. I’m happy with our team’s performance and also with my performance. We aim to all move up in the time trial stage tomorrow.”
12th on the stage and overall, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM): “What a racer and champion Elise is! A brave attacker that never gives up. The victory is just around the corner for her. We’re so proud of her, and it was heartbreaking to see her sad at the finish line. Neve and Antonia climbed amazingly. Despite their young age, they’re very strong and are experienced with positioning and fighting for their places. Agnieszka did a great job keeping us in the front, especially before the important sections leading into the climb, and Justyna did her best to keep us safe. Personally, I had a bad day today and didn’t feel like myself.”
Tour de Suisse Women Stage 1 Result:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 1:47:10
2. Gaia Realini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 0:22
3. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM at 0:46
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 0:58
5. Kim Cadzow (NZ) EF Education-Cannondale at 1:03
6. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 1:17
7. Marion Bunel (Fra) St Michel-Mavic-Auber93
8. Neve Bradbury (Aus) Canyon//SRAM
9. Urska Zigart (Slo) Liv AlUla Jayco
10. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 1:29
Tour de Suisse Women Overall After Stage 1:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 1:47:00
2. Gaia Realini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 26
3. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM at 49
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 1:08
5. Kim Cadzow (NZ) EF Education-Cannondale at 1:13
6. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 1:27
7. Marion Bunel (Fra) St Michel-Mavic-Auber93
8. Neve Bradbury (Aus) Canyon//SRAM
9. Urska Zigart (Slo) Liv AlUla Jayco
10. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 1:39.
Suisse’24 stage 1:
Demi Vollering won the first hilly road stage and followed that up by winning the mountain time trial Stage 2. Vollering beat Elisa Longo Borghini by 18 seconds and Kim Cadzow by 26.
The climb to Villars-sur-Ollon would be the battle ground for the overall victory in the men’s Tour de Suise, but first the women would have their second stage time trial. The start was in Aigle, then it went via 5 flatter kilometres from the Rhône valley, on the main road from Ollon, to the foot of the final climb (10km at 8%). The finish line was on the climb.
Mohinabonu Elmurodova of Uzbekistan was the first rider to roll off the starting ramp at 10.05am. The leader of the Tour de Suisse, Demi Vollering, was last to start at 11.45am. The Dutch rider of SD Worx-Protime was also the top favourite to win the stage. The first target time was set by the American, Kristen Faulkner, who lost a lot of time on Saturday in the opening stage to Villars-sur-Ollon. The EF Education-EasyPost rider recorded a final time of 43:28 at an average speed of 21.670kph. There was a wait for Mischa Bredewold to finish. The European road champion managed a good time of 44:00, but was more than half a minute slower than Faulkner. Jolanda Neff, Christina Schweinberger and Alena Ivanchenko also couldn’t get near the time of Faulkner.
Becky Storrie was faster. The 25-year-old British rider, who rides for dsm-firmenich-PostNL, got off to a flying start and managed to continue her efforts up the final climb. Storrie was 17 seconds faster than Faulkner’s time in 43:11. She took the hot seat, but the biggest contenders for the stage victory had yet to ride. Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka (43:16) and Nienke Vinke (43:12) came very close to Storrie’s top time, but not fast enough. Brodie Chapman of Lidl-Trek was 2 minutes faster than the British rider after 15.7 kilometres. With a final time of 41:11 at an average speed of 22.870kph. German rider, Antonia Niedermaier of Canyon//SRAM was the first to go under 41 minutes with 40:48 at 23.085kph. Next it was Juliette Labous with a time of 40:34, but Kim Cadzow was even faster. The New Zealander went top with 40:13.
Elise Chabbey had a bad day and was passed by Gaia Realini and lost a lot of time. Realini was on a good ride, but lost her power in the last uphill kilometres and was slower than Cadzow by three quarters of a minute. Her teammate Longo Borghini did a lot better and recorded the new best time. With a final time of 40:05, the Italian champion was 8 seconds faster than Cadzow and could take the stage victory, as Vollering was 23 second down at the second intermediate point to Longo Borghini. The overall leader of the race had been saving something for the uphill final. Vollering managed to convert her 23 second deficit into an 18 second lead with a strong third section. Vollering achieved her second consecutive stage victory and took more time on the general classification. Longo Borghini is now her closest rival, but the Italian is at 1:26.
Stage winner and overall leader, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime): “The finishing time counts. I approached the time trial like a normal race, knowing that normally during a climb I only get stronger. I rode myself completely empty in the last kilometres. I’m good at that. Luckily it was enough for the win and I was also able to gain time in the general classification. I tried to ride a stable time trial, giving everything in the last four kilometres. In those kilometres I stopped looking at the power meter and just rode as fast as possible to the finish. You can make a lot of plans on such a tough climb, but in the end it’s about getting the most out of yourself. That means you also have to ride a lot on your gut. If you look at the classification, I am indeed in a good position. The main task for our team will be not to let a big group get away in the next two days. We have good riders who can do well on the terrain of the next few days. For some riders in our team there are also chances for success here. I hope we can ride two more good stages here with Team SD Worx-Protime. I have a lot of confidence in that.”
Tour de Suisse Women Stage 2 Result:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 39:47:19
2. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Lidl-Trek Ladies at 0:18:00
3. Kim Cadzow EF Education-Cannondale at 0:26:00
4. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 0:47:00
5. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger) Canyon//SRAM at 1:01:00
6. Gaia Realini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 1:02:00
7. Brodie Chapman (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 1:24:00
8. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 1:49:00
9. Neve Bradbury (Aus) Canyon//SRAM at 2:18:00
10. Femke De Vries (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 2:36:00.
Tour de Suisse Women Overall After Stage 2:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 2:26:47
2. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 1:26
3. Gaia Realini (Ita) Lidl-Trek at 1:28
4. Kim Cadzow (NZ) EF Education-Cannondale at 1:39
5. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich-PostNL at 2:14
6. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger) Canyon//SRAM at 2:40
7. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 3:28
8. Brodie Chapman (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 3:41
9. Neve Bradbury (Aus) Canyon//SRAM at 3:45
10. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM at 4:13.
Suisse’24 stage 2:
Positive News on Tour Participation of Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert
Visma | Lease a Bike has said that it will only make a late decision whether defending champion Vingegaard will ride the Tour (June 29-July 21) this year, but there are positive signs. It also looks like Wout van Aert is preparing for the Tour de France in Tignes.
According to Danish and Italian media, Vingegaard has now significantly increased his time trial training during his altitude training camp in Tignes. This seems to be a good sign in view of the upcoming Tour de France, which starts in just under two weeks in Florence, Italy.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Vingegaard is doing everything he can to prepare for the Tour. His participation in the Vuelta a España would be in doubt due to family circumstances. “Which means that just by riding the Tour, he would have one Grand Tour in his legs this year,” the paper reports.
Vingegaard’s trainer, Tim Heemskerk, was cautious last week in conversation with the Danish BT. “It’s 50-50 whether Jonas will make it to the Tour. It is exciting to see how his body will now respond to the tough training week he has had. Can he handle this? Is there fatigue?” Heemskerk did raise some important questions. According to the coach, the next two weeks are essential towards the Tour de France. “Jonas must also get the wow feeling himself. The feeling that things are getting better. He still needs a few good weeks of training, because there is still something to gain.”
Wout van Aert is also currently working towards his next goals in Tignes at altitude. It is still unclear whether the Tour de France is on his program, but the 29-year-old Belgian has had some promising training sessions in the French mountains. With teammate Christophe Laporte, who is also uncertain for the Tour, Van Aert completed a monster training session of almost 200 kilometres with just under 5,000 metres of climbing. Later the same day he did an extra 40 kilometres with Tiesj Benoot, climbing 1,100 metres.
Van Aert training for the Tour?
Egan Bernal and Daniel Felipe Martínez will Ride the Olympic Games
Egan Bernal will be in Paris for the Olympic Games. The 2019 Tour winner is part of the Colombian team. Bernal will represent his country in the road race, as will Daniel Felipe Martínez, who will also ride the time trial.
It is the 27-year-old Bernal’s first participation in the Olympic Games. Three years ago he was not in Tokyo, Bernal has had two difficult years due to his training crash, but looks to be back to his old self. This year he has finished in the top ten in the Tour Colombia, O Gran Camiño, Paris-Nice, the Tour of Catalonia and the Tour de Romandie. Last week he rode the Tour de Suisse, where he is preparing for the Tour de France (June 29-July 21). After the Tour de France he will go straight to the Olympic Games. Daniel Felipe Martinez will also represent the Colombian team. The second overall in the Giro d’Italia will also start the Olympic time trial.
Movistar’s sprinter, Fernando Gaviria, will also go to the Olympic Games, but not on the road, but the track. The 29-year-old Gaviria hasn’t raced much on the track in recent years, but is a two-time World champion, in 2015 and 2016 in the omnium. He also finished fourth at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Gaviria’s selection for the Games has not gone down well back in Colombia. He was chosen instead of Juan Esteban Arango, who was more likely to receive a ticket based on his results. The 37-year-old Arango has been making his feeling public on social media.
Bernal to the Paris Olympics:
The International Olympic Committee Allows Aleksandr Vlasov to Participate in the Olympic Games
Aleksandr Vlasov can participate in the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. The cyclist name is on a provisional list of 25 Olympic athletes who are allowed to participate under a neutral flag. The list was published on Saturday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The war between Ukraine and Russia has meant that athletes from Russia and Belarus are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. The IOC has decided that individual athletes from the two countries may participate under the neutral flag under certain conditions. The Russian and Belarusian Olympians must have no ties with their own military or security services and must not support or have supported the Russian invasion.
To check this, the IOC has created a special panel. The panel has now assessed the first five sports: cycling, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling. Aleksandr Vlasov passed the inspection, as did thirteen other athletes from Russia and eleven athletes from Belarus.
Among these other athletes are also three cyclists: Russia’s Tamara Dronova and Alena Ivanchenko have also been approved by the IOC panel, as has Hanna Tserakh for Belarus.
Aleksandr Vlasov going to Paris:
Mark Cavendish has Been knighted in the British King’s Birthday Honours
Despite the fact that he is still active, Mark Cavendish is a sprinting legend with exceptional results. The British rider is now receiving praise for his cycling performance. ‘Cav’ has been knighted by King Charles in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Mark Cavendish is probably the best male road sprinter of all time. The 39-year-old, who is riding for the Astana Qazaqstan team in ‘probably’ his last year as a professional cyclist, currently holds the record for stage wins in the Tour de France stage wins, thirty-four, along with Eddy Merckx. This year he will try to achieve at least one final stage victory in the French stage race, which starts in two weeks.
Cavendish follows Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny as the fourth male cyclist to be knighted. Cavendish was riding the Tour de Suisse last week in preparation for the French Grand Tour.
Sir Mark Cavendish:
Laurens ten Dam is Riding an Ultra Race of 4,500 Kilometres
Laurens ten Dam will participate in the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 4,481 kilometre ultra ‘race’ from Canada to Mexico. Cycling for two weeks without any help or back up. “At Unbound I know what to expect. Here I could almost be eaten by bears,” he said on his podcast Live Slow Ride Fast.
He had only just returned from the Unbound Gravel in the US, but has already flown to the other side of the world. Ten Dam started the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route on Friday, June 14. Unlike other years, there are twelve days between Unbound and the ultra race, this year there was the opportunity to participate. “Then I could go home for a short while after Unbound,” he says.
Ten Dam was looking for a new challenge and explains in his podcast why he chose the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. “I’ve done three ultra races. But they were all relatively short. The longest was three days, but this one sets the record at thirteen days. Moreover, this ultra is self-supported and that attracted me. So then the question arose: If I am going to ride a self-supported ultra race, what would be the best. And so that was the Great Divide.”
Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is a cycling route and has a mass start once a year. That is on the second Friday of June. The preparation for Ten Dam is different than for other challenges. “You are ‘on’. You are paying close attention to everything. Instead of going cycling last Sunday afternoon, I went packing. I’m really going away for two weeks, without a laptop and such, so I have to complete everything properly before I leave.”
Thomas Dekker didn’t travel to Canada, as was originally planned. But Ten Dam honestly stated that Dekker should not do it for him. “You shouldn’t do it for me, I won’t be able to wait for you halfway because I’m there to get the best out of myself, whether that’s a fifth or first place,” the 43-year-old said.
Even though Dekker had been planning to participate for a long time, he decided not to do it. Ten Dam laughingly explains how Dekker made the decision. “The day before Unbound I woke up and asked Thomas if he had slept well. The first thing he said was: ‘I’m not going to ride the Divide Route! I didn’t sleep well last night and I kept thinking about it, but I’m not going to do it.’”
Gravel and MTB for Ten Dam:
Pieter Serry May Have to Forget his Possible First Tour de France
Pieter Serry can’t race for Soudal Quick-Step for the time being. The team announced that the rider was hit by a motorist during training in early June and as a result suffered a severe concussion. Serry was on the long-list for the Tour de France, but will have to wait another year for his Tour debut.
Serry can’t remember much about his crash: the Belgian underwent scans in the hospital after he recovered. “Physically it’s not too bad,” Serry told Het Nieuwsblad. “Apart from a few minor abrasions, there is no sign of my crash. My helmet was battered and the frame of my bike was broken in two places. I’m glad I wore it (the helmet).”
The main problem is that Serry can’t see well. “My eyes are not working together in sync at the moment. I have a bit of double vision and it is not clear when that will improve. This should heal itself, but the doctors have difficulty telling me when I will be able to see normally again. That’s quite frustrating. As long as I don’t see completely clearly, I obviously can’t start training.”
Serry now can’t envisage his first Tour participation. The loyal worker was on Soudal Quick-Step’s long-list for the French Grand Tour (June 29-July 21). He will now have to set new goals. “But now there is that uncertainty. When will I be able to see clearly again? As soon as I can do that, there is nothing stopping me from starting to train.”
“I hope to be able to start on the rolls this week,” Serry continued. “It remains to be seen when I can get back on the road. It is difficult to set new goals, but I hope that I can do an altitude training camp with the team in the summer and ride the (end of year) Classics or the Vuelta a España (August 17-September 8) in the autumn.”
Probably no Tour for Pieter Serry:
Lennert Van Eetvelt and Florian Vermeersch Will Soon be Racing Again
There is a chance that Lennert Van Eetvelt and Florian Vermeersch will soon return to racing, Het Nieuwsblad reports. Both Lotto Dstny riders have been out of action for quite some time.
Van Eetvelt, who started 2024 very well, has not raced since Strade Bianche due to knee problems. His return was postponed several times, as his knee started to bother him again and he was also hit during training. The 22-year-old climber was actually supposed to start the Tour of Switzerland, but it was too early. The winner of the UAE Tour now seems to have recovered from his knee problems. If everything continues to go as planned, Van Eetvelt will ride the Belgian national time trial championships in Binche on Thursday (June 20).
His teammate, Florian Vermeersch, also looks like he will return. The 25-year-old Classic specialist, who is reportedly going to UAE Team Emirates, will return to the peloton on Sunday, June 23. Vermeersch will start the Belgian Road Championships in Zottegem. He has been out of action for the past four months due to a broken femur suffered in a bad crash in the Tour of Murcia.
Lennert Van Eetvelt racing again soon:
A back Injury Sidelines Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio will not be in action in the coming weeks. The 38-year-old South African has been struggling with a back injury since a crash in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. “She will not be able to start in the coming races, including the Giro Donne,” announced her AG Insurance-Soudal Team.
In the first stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, Moolman-Pasio crashed. With just 600 metres to go, she was involved in a crash that forced her to abandon the race. She was taken to hospital for further examination, which revealed that she had suffered a back injury.
She must now focus on her recovery and will not be able to start in the upcoming races, including the Giro Donne (7-14 July). “For now, Ashleigh will start to slowly build up her training routine, week by week. In the coming weeks, she will assess progress together with the medical team to gradually resume her training sessions,” the Belgian team says.
The big question is whether Moolman-Pasio can be fit in time for the Olympic road race in Paris (August 4), although she has not yet been selected and the Tour de France Femmes (August 12-18). “I’m doing much better now and I feel very positive after my visit to the specialist yesterday. I am really optimistic that I will be able to race again in August,” she said. “Of course I have to be careful and prioritise my recovery, but I think it’s also good to have a clear goal to work towards. It gives me motivation and positive energy.”
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio injured:
Lotto Dstny CEO Expects Eenkhoorn and Campenaerts to Leave: “Cannot Compete with Those Teams”
Lotto Dstny accepts the departure of Pascal Eenkhoorn, Victor Campenaerts and Florian Vermeersch. Team boss, Stéphane Heulot, said in conversation with Sporza: “The riders who will leave next season have chosen teams with which we cannot compete. We have not even made a counter-proposal.”
Eenkhoorn leaves for Soudal Quick-Step for two seasons, Victor Campenaerts returns to Visma | Lease a Bike for three years and Florian Vermeersch has been linked with UAE Team Emirates and there has also been interest in Andreas Kron. Heulot does not want to comment on those specific cases. “But we don’t have the largest budget of the peloton, so it is important not to spend all our money,” said the team manager.
Lotto Dstny did manage to extend the contracts of Maxim Van Gils and Lennert Van Eetvelt. “We have recorded the riders we want to keep for a longer period. 23 riders are currently under contract for next season. We will announce the contract extensions in the coming days,” Heulot announced.
Last Friday the team announced that Robin Orins (22), Joshua Giddings (20) and Lorenz Van de Wynkele (22) would move from their development team to the professional team.
Then there is also the chance that sponsor, Dstny, which has not yet made a decision on sponsorship for 2025. Heulot is still waiting for news from the company and is not ruling anything out. “We are still talking to Dstny, the door is not closed. Cycling teams are always looking for sources of income and so are we, but we are not worried.”
Heulot not worried:
Lidl-Trek Resigns Tom Skujins for Two Years
Lidl-Trek has extended the contract of Toms Skujins until 2026. The six-time Latvian champion has been under contract with the American team since 2018 and sees it as difficult to imagine himself in a different kit than that of Lidl-Trek. “Toms is a rare type of rider, and I am happy that we can keep him,” general manager Luca Guercilena said on the team website.
Skujins has extended with Lidl-Trek until 2026 because he and the team believe that the experienced all-rounder is currently having his best season ever. However, the feeling within the team also plays a major role in the Latvian’s extension. “This year, for the first time in many years, I spent three weeks on top of a mountain with the team. We strive for better performance, but at the same time Lidl-Trek feels like a family. Our environment is really different than many teams,” he said.
Only six riders in the American WorldTour team have been riding for Guercilena for longer. “I’m certainly not the longest-serving member of the team, but I’m certainly close. It is very comfortable to be in the same environment, but at the same time the team also drives me to move forward with them,” Skuijns said on the team website.
General manager Guercilena is more than satisfied with the contract extension. “If you just looked at the results you might underestimate him, but when you see how much he contributes to the team in all areas, you quickly realise how valuable he is. The fact that he continues to improve, even as the level of cycling rises, says a lot about not only his talent, but especially his work ethic,” the Italian said.
Two more years for Tom Skujins with Lidl-Trek:
Mischa Bredewold Three Years Longer with Team SD Worx-Protime
“Confidence in further growth”
Mischa Bredewold has extended her contract with Team SD Worx-Protime by three years until the end of 2027. After some good talks with the team’s management, the European champion was convinced that she can make the necessary steps in the coming years within the Dutch WorldTeam. “If you look at how well I have developed in the last year and a half with this team, I have a lot of confidence that I can grow further within Team SD Worx-Protime,” Bredewold indicated.
The now 23-year-old Bredewold made her debut in Team SD Worx-Protime colours in 2023. During that time, she has established herself in the sub-top of women’s cycling and managed to record fine victories such as the European Road Championships, Classic Lorient Agglomération and two stages in the Itzulia Women. “I never thought when I signed with this team that I would be able to win such nice races so quickly. In that respect, I have made huge strides here very quickly,” Bredewold looks back.
Bredewold spoke to the team about the ambitions, vision and familiar environment. Bredewold: “It immediately became clear that we are on the same page sport-wise. I hope to be able to take further steps in the coming years so that I can ride serious finishes in the hill classics but also in stage races and grow towards the top. I also want to make progress in time trial. In this respect, I should be able to perform well in a wide range of races. That is also what the team management has in mind. A lot of confidence was expressed. That has been decisive for me. Furthermore, I have felt at home with this team from the first moment.”
Sports manager Danny Stam: “I am happy that we can keep Mischa to our team for a longer period. She has already shown a lot of progression over the past season and a half and it looks like there is still more in it. One of Mischa’s strengths is that she is versatile in many areas. She could develop as a real hard rider like Marlen Reusser, but also has a very good sprint in her legs. We are confident that she can make great strides in our team’s colours in the coming years.”
Mischa Bredewold to stay with SD Worx-Protime:
Cesare Benedetti Ends Career and Becomes DS
Cesare “Cece” Benedetti was part of the team from the very first day. He was one of the first riders selected for Ralph Denk’s new Team NetApp in 2010. Cece has spent his entire professional career with the same team.
In August, the 36-year-old will end his career as a rider. 15 seasons together show the unique loyalty for which he is known within the peloton. Benedetti is the most experienced rider in the BORA – hansgrohe squad and has become a road captain in recent years. May 23, 2019 will remain unforgettable: Benedetti, usually an important helper in the team, was the centre of attention that day. He celebrated at the finish of the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia in Pinerolo. The most important victory of a long career was taken in a Grand Tour, in Italy of all places!
The following year, the South Tyrolean became a Polish citizen. Fittingly, the Tour de Pologne – his new home race – will be his final race.
Cesare Benedetti: “It seems like yesterday that I met Ralph Denk at the 2009 World Championships in Mendrisio. We quickly came to an agreement and 15 years later, I am proud to finish my cycling career with the same team. Today I can consider it something very special.”
From pro to DS
As one stage of his career comes to an end, preparations for the next stage have already begun. Starting in 2025, Cesare Benedetti will become a Sports Director at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. His focus will be on the rookie program with the newly founded U23 team.
Prior to the new season, he will complete a trainee program with the WorldTeam Sport Directors. He will switch to the car for selected races in September and October to prepare for his new role.
Benedetti: “I am now ready to face new challenges in a new role, but still in the same great project. After 25 years of waking up every day with the same sporting goals, I feel grateful and blessed to be able to end my adventure as a professional athlete with new goals already in mind. I am sure this is very important for my future and my health in the next chapter of my life. There are still some big goals that I will share with the team as a rider for the rest of 2024, but I already feel highly motivated to give my best in my new position to repay the team’s trust.”
Benedetti now a DS:
2024 ARCTIC RACE OF NORWAY: 18 TEAMS HEAD TO THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Key points:
- Ø Nine Tour de France teams are on the start list for the eleventh edition of the Arctic Race of Norway, scheduled for 4–7 August.
- Ø The 108 riders on the start line will fight to add their names to the annals of a race that counts among its winners riders of the calibre of Thor Hushovd, Steven Kruijswijk, Dylan Teuns, Alexey Lutsenko, Andreas Leknessund and the reigning champion, Stephen Williams, who proved that his earlier successes were no fluke by claiming the 2024 La Flèche Wallonne.
- Ø Four teams are slated to make their debut: Lotto Dstny, Tudor, VF Group–Bardiani–CSF–Faizanè and TDT–Unibet will make their first foray into a race packed with sporting challenges and the breathtaking panoramas of northern Norway.
This eleventh edition will set off to discover the Nordland region, above the Arctic Circle. From 4 to 7 August, the riders in the peloton will have to show their resilience in the face of the wind, which is very strong in this region. The entire route will be centred around Bodø, European Capital of Culture 2024. The 18-team peloton will include 9 of the teams that took part in the Tour de France in July.
The first-timers —Lotto Dstny, Tudor, VF Group–Bardiani–CSF–Faizanè and TDT–Unibet— will be eager to prove their mettle against event regulars such as Cofidis, Astana and dsm-firmenich Post NL.
Many rising stars in the international peloton have shown their first flashes of talent in the northernmost race in the world. The reigning champion, Stephen Williams (2024 La Flèche Wallonne winner), is the latest example, joining the ranks of Mathieu van der Poel, a three-time stage winner here (2018 and 2019), and Alexey Lutsenko, who emerged victorious from the 2019 Arctic Race of Norway. One thing is for sure: the champions of today will again share the limelight with the heroes of tomorrow on the roads of Norway.
Teams participating in the 2024 Arctic Race of Norway
UCI WorldTeams (5):
Astana Qazaqstan Team
Arkéa–B&B Hotels
Cofidis
Team dsm–firmenich PostNL
Team Jayco–AlUla
UCI ProTeams (12):
Bingoal WB:
Equipo Kern Pharma
Israel–Premier Tech
Lotto Dstny
TDT–Unibet
Team Flanders–Baloise
Team Novo Nordisk
TotalEnergies
Uno-X Mobility
Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
VF Group–Bardiani–CSF–Faizanè
UCI Continental Teams (1):
Team Coop
Stages of the 2024 Arctic Race of Norway:
- Ø Sunday, 4 August — stage 1: Bodø–Rognan (157 km)
- Ø Monday, 5 August — stage 2: Beiarn–Fauske (175 km)
- Ø Tuesday, 6 August — stage 3: Tverlandet–Jakobsbakken (Sulitjelma) (155 km)
- Ø Wednesday, 7 August — stage 4: Glomfjord (Meløy) – Bodø (156 km)
The World’s Top Cyclists Back in Hamburg
All 18 teams from the WorldTour and five from cycling’s second division make up the starting field for the BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg 2024. On September 8, the starting signal will be given for a top-class field of riders and an exciting cycling race of the highest category through Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.
The BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg is the penultimate WorldTour race on European soil this season, where the sprinters have a chance of winning. Like Mads Pedersen last year, who put Danny van Poppel and three-time Hamburg winner Elia Viviani (2017 to 2019) in his place. Or surprise winner Marco Haller, who was faster than Wout Van Aert in 2022 out of a small group that crossed the finish line just seconds ahead of the field.
Their teams, Lidl – Trek, BORA – hansgrohe, Ineos Grenadiers and Team Visma | Lease a Bike will be fighting for victory on the Waseberg and also on the home straight in Mönckebergstraße, just like their competitors. Alpecin – Deceuninck, Intermarché – Wanty, Team dsm – firmenich PostNL and Team Jayco AlUla, whose squads focus on sprints and one-day races, also have this date marked on their calendar.
Israel – PremierTech and Lotto Dstny are two UCI ProTeams that have repeatedly competed in Hamburg in the past. However, it will be a premiere for the teams Uno-X Mobility from Norway as well as Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and Tudor Pro Cycling Team, who will start with a Swiss license.
The teams of the BEMER Cyclassics Hamburg 2024 (as of: June 13th, 2024)
UCI WorldTeams (18)
· Alpecin – Deceuninck
· Soudal Quick-Step
· Arkéa-B&B Hotels
· Team dsm – firmenich PostNL
· Astana Qazaqstan Team
· Team Jayco AlUla
· Team Bahrain Victorious
· Team Visma | Lease a Bike
· BORA – hansgrohe
· UAE Team Emirates
· Team Cofidis
· Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
· EF Education – EasyPost
UCI ProTeams (5)
· Groupama – FDJ
· Israel – PremierTech
· Ineos Grenadiers
· Lotto Dstny
· Intermarché – Wanty
· Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
· Lidl – Trek
· Tudor Pro Cycling Team
· Movistar Team
· Uno-X Mobility
Celebrate 25 Years With us This January!
The PEZ INSTAGRAM
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The PEZ NEWSWIRE!
Don’t forget to check the “NEWSWIRE” section, you can find it on the homepage, just above the PEZ Shop section. The bits of news that missed the EuroTrash deadline are in there, plus any news as-it-happens will be added there too.
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