Olost > La Molina 180.2km With just over 4000m of climbing, this is a tough day in the saddle. The race finishes with La Molina, a climb that rarely causes gaps between the best riders, but it all depends on how the climb is ridden. Weather A lovely day. The Climbs This is Coll de la Creuta, it’s the only HC climb in the stage. It’s not the hardest climb in the world, but it is long. La Molina is a climb that’s always used in this race, almost all the riders in the bunch will know it. The opening...

Brugge > De Panne 211.8km One of those days where you’d much rather be watching on TV rather than being in the race. It’s a race that’s for the sprinters, but it won’t be a big sprint this year. Weather Lots of wind and a bit of rain too. The wind is coming from the south-west and will mainly be around 30km/h for the whole day, which is more than enough to cause serious splits. Echelons The organisers have seen sense and reversed the direction of the lap circuit, which means a lovely cross/tailwind as the bunch fly through De...

Mataró > Vallter 165.4km The first of the big GC days. Roglič and Evenepoel finished one and two in today’s sprint finish, what’s the chances of a repeat? Weather Another nice day for the riders and there’s a gentle tailwind on the climb. The Climb Vallter 2000 is a climb most of this bunch know well. Officially it’s 22.2km at 5.3%, but the final 9.3km averages 7.3%. This is a tough climb and finishing at 2120m above sea level makes it even harder. Last time we were here, Adam Yates won solo, the time before he won a sprint from...

Sant Feliu de Guíxols > Sant Feliu de Guíxols 164.6km The opening stage is just about the same as last year, it should be a big sprint, but one that tests everyone to the limit. Weather A sunny start to the week. The Climb This is the final categorised climb of the day. It starts with 30km to go and is a relatively steady 6.8km at 4.2%.  Finale If you’ve seen the finishes here in 2019 and 2022, you’ll remember just how hard it is. The riders race along the beachfront and then cut inland. Everyone who’s been to Spain...

It’s the 102nd edition of this beautiful race, and it’s the hardest route I can remember. Instead of the usual two mountaintop finishes, this year we’ve got three, I am a happy boy. The opening stage is basically the same as last year when Michael Matthews beat Sonny Colbrelli in a gruelling uphill sprint. You’ll remember that Colbrelli suffered a cardiac arrest just after the stage, thankfully the medical people were able to save his life, but I do miss watching him race.  Scenario – sprint, but a very tough one, the final kilometre seems to go on forever. It’s just...

Abbiategrasso > Sanremo 293.5km The same finish as usual, the same gruelling test of stamina, it can only be Milano-Sanremo. Weather Not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. A good racing day. Crucially, there’a lot of tailwind on both the Cipressa and Poggio. Key Points The Cipressa. Hold onto your hats, time to hit the accelerator. The Poggio. The hardest 3.6km of the season. The Poggio descent, fast and technical. How Can Pogačar Win? (Formerly known as the tactics section) Last year UAE arrived looking to win the race with Pogačar, and boy did everyone else know about...

San Benedetto del Tronto > San Benedetto del Tronto 155.9km The final stage is normally one for the sprinters, but the organisers have made the opening half harder this year, which will give some hope for the breakaway riders. The problem is the 80km of flat to finish the day, you’ll need some big engines in the break to hold off a charging peloton. Weather A sunny end to the week and not too much wind. First Half It’s a tricky start, one with plenty of chances for a strong break to form, but will this happen with so many...

Nice > Nice 117.1km Time for one of my favourite stages of the year, it really is a thing of beauty. I’m going to attempt to write a preview to match. Weather A beautiful day to finish the race off. Expect lots of people to remind you this is the race to the sun. Just smile and let them think they’re being smart, don’t get mad. Key Points The climbing starts after just 15km of the stage with Côte de Levens. 6.2km at 5.9% will get the legs going. Next up is Côte de Châteauneuf (du pape), it’s the easiest...

Osimo Stazione > Osimo 193.3km Every year the organisers treat us to a muro stage, this year we’re in Osimo, scene of a fantastic Simon Yates win in the 2018 Giro before it all started to go wrong for him. I like the route, but there’s a little bit inside me that wishes it was even harder.  Weather Nice and warm again. The wind starts at around 20km/h and weakens throughout the day. The section before the riders hit the lap circuit will see the bunch a little on the nervous side, the roads are exposed and the wind is...

Nice > Col de la Couillole 142.6km It was meant to be the big GC day, but it seems like we’ve already had one of those. Col de la Couillole was used back in 2017, when Richie Porte destroyed the rest of the field and took a very impressive win for BMC. It’s a tough climb. Weather Sunny and the wind is still up, but nothing like today. Up on the climb the wind will be 17km/h and another fucking headwind. My soul weeps. The Climb 15.2km at 7.3% and there’s plenty of sections that are 8% and over. Back...

Tourves > La Colle-sur-Lou 197.1km A stage that many will look at and think breakaway, but there are a few fast men who’ll hope that it all comes back together. Technically speaking, 2674m of climbing is within the capabilities of many fast men, but will they cope with the finale? Weather Blowing a gale! At points, the wind could well go over 50km/h. Most of the route is well protected by trees, but the wind speed will make for a nervous bunch. There’s a lot of cross/tailwind throughout the day, it will make the break hard to catch. Hopefully the...

Morro d’Oro > Sarnano-Sassotetto 167.6km After today’s punchy climb, it’s time for a proper mountaintop finish, one that will go a long way to settling the GC battle. Weather It starts off quite warm and with little wind, but it doesn’t stay like that. By the end of the stage, it’s going to be just about freezing at the top of the mountain and the wind will be close to 30km/h. The bad news for watching fans is that it’s a roaring headwind on the climb. The Climb A proper mountain at this time of year. It’s quite a steady...

Greccio > Tortoreto 218.7km Strap yourself in, it’s the first time this year we’ll see Van Aert, van der Poel, Pidcock Alaphilippe and Girmay going head-to-head. The stage ends with a lap circuit, and it contains a tough little climb which is done three and a bit times. As the stage ends with the hill, it’s going to be a fascinating fight between some of the best classics riders in the world. Weather Getting warmer with temperatures edging up to 20 degrees. The Climb Harder than the numbers suggest. The average might be 7% but the climb has a significant...

Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise > Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux 212.2km After today’s GC fun, it’s another day to interest the sprinters, in all likelihood it’s their final shot at glory in this race. They’ll grovel round this weekend, or head home for a beer and Dominos, or is that my weekend? Weather There could be a little bit of rain around and there’s going to be a nagging headwind for the whole day. Final Climb 5.9km at 4.3% isn’t much, but if some teams want to push the pace on, it could put a few sprinters into difficulty. The crest comes with 30km to go. Finale...

Saint-Amand-Montrond > La Loge des Gardes 164.5km It’s day 4 and the wind has decided to join the party. Weather A bit grey, a bit rainy and very windy. If forecasts are to be believed, the first half of the stage could see the wind gust up to 50km/h, with a constant around 30km/h. Echelons The roads aren’t as exposed as in the opening two stages, but there are enough sections to get the echelon police ready for action. The first 80km of the stage is where splits can happen, then the bunch head into the trees and the wind...

Follinica > Foligno 216.5km The bunch head east in what should be another sprint finish. Weather The wind is coming from the south-west, so it’s crosswind the whole day, but with the wind under 20km/h, it’s unlikely to do much damage. Finale This 4km stretch from 11km to 7km to go is an interesting point. There’s a relatively strong cross/tailwind, and the road is narrow. I doubt there will be splits, but a good early position is very important. The final 2.5km is very technical, so much more interesting than an arrow straight road. There’s a narrow left-hand turn with...

Camaiore > Follonica 209.7km The second stage is the first opportunity for the fast men with a sprint finish in Follonica. Ineos are in control of the leader’s jersey, they’ll do much of the chasing of the break, but they’ll also get help from the sprint teams, we have three big ones here. Weather Cloudy sun and temperatures will edge towards 15 degrees. The start of the stage will see wind of around 30km/h, but it’s to significantly decrease throughout the day, so echelons are unlikely. Teams will have to watchful in the opening half of the stage as there...

Dampierre-en-Burly > Dampierre-en-Burly 32.1km TTT It’s time trial day. Weather Grey, cold, but it should stay dry. The wind should be consistent for all as there’s only 1h3m between the first and last team setting off. Route Very few corners to deal with, that makes life so much easier for the riders. Tactics Much has been made of the change of rules for this TTT, but I don’t think it will change how most teams go about the race. The team gets the time of the first rider across the line, but all riders will get their own time, in...

Lido di Camaiore > Lido di Camaiore 11.5km The race starts with an 11.5km ITT, one that should be familiar to you. It’s a little shorter than last year, but it’s on the same road that’s used every year.  Start, turn right, down to the bottom of the road, U-turn, back to the finish.  Weather It looks a bit on the rainy side, and quite windy too, not ideal for a time trial. We’ll see if the weather will be consistent for all, but wet roads shouldn’t be too much of an issue with only two corners. The wind looks...

Bazainville > Fontainebleau 163.5km One of those Paris-Nice stages where everyone is nervously checking the weather forecast. If the wind blows, it will be in pieces, but if not then we’re in for a big sprint. Weather Cold and the wind will be a steady 17km/h, which might not be strong enough for proper chaos. It’s going to be another cold day; the sun will be well hidden behind grey clouds. Echelons The direction of the wind is perfect, and we have exposed roads, but the wind could do with being a little stronger. Now, in this part of the...

With Paris-Nice getting lots of attention, you’d be forgiven about missing Tirreno-Adriatico, but not by me! The top two GC riders in the world might be in France, but there’s plenty of talent at this race, and it now looks wide open. The route contains no surprises, it’s a classic Tirreno route. Please note, the organisers have classified one climb as HC, the rest are all cat 1s. This does not mean they are all cat 1 difficulty, it’s just a nice way of giving a rider from a smaller team a chance of winning the KOM jersey. The opening...

La Verrière > La Verrière 169.3km The opening stage of the race falls into the “interesting” category. There’s a wall climb with 20km to go, and a little kicker with just 7km to go, which has 6, 4 and 2 seconds for the first three over the crest. In a race where bonus seconds could play a big role, the organisers are hoping to tease out an attack from some of the GC men. It’s a stage the sprinters will hope to win, but there is hope that a late attack could take the day. Weather Grey. There could be...

When deciding on the route for this year’s Paris-Nice, the organisers went a wee walk down the local park. One of them brought the carry oot (alcohol), another some weed, and they even managed to find some magic mushrooms along the way. After a very long night, they decided on a 32km TTT, but the team’s time is taken on the first rider across the line, and each individual rider gets their own time on crossing the line. Far out man! This stage will hopefully see some whacky tactics, some could get it very wrong, at least that’s what I...

Siena > Siena 183.7km The white roads of Siena are calling. Unfortunately, what was meant to be the first big showdown between Pogačar, Van Aert, van der Poel and Alaphilippe isn’t going to happen, Pogačar’s off to Paris-Nice and Van Aert is waiting for Tirreno before starting his season. I can’t help but be disappointed, but we’ve still got van der Poel, Alaphilippe and Pidcock. Fingers crossed, it’s an epic day. Weather Sunny and temperatures will be around 12 degrees. There’s not much wind either. Perfect conditions for the race. Key Points The route remains the same as usual, there...

Laigueglia > Laigueglia 201.0km The period of cold and windy conditions in most of Europe continues, this is going to be a “different” edition of Trofeo Laigueglia. Weather Freezing cold, maybe some snow and very strong wind. Lots of riders will take one look out of the window and hope the race gets shortened! Lap Circuit The main event of the lap is the Colla Micheri climb which is 2km at 7.8%. Given the weather conditions, the descent will be just as important, it’s normally a fast one. Saying that, there’s a tricky descent before the bunch hit the lap...

Quaregnon > Dour 206.6km With the excitement of the opening weekend still sitting in my brain, the riders bounce straight into another cobbled race, it’s the 55th edition of Le Samyn. Okay, it’s not as prestigious as Omloop or Kuurne, but this one is for the hipsters. The route is very similar to last year, just a couple of tiny adjustments that most won’t even notice.  Weather Another Baltic day for the riders to endure. The wind will be around 20km/h, coming from the north-east means lots of crosswind sections for the bunch to deal with. Lap Circuit Rue de Vert...

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium > Jebel Hafeet 153.4km The final stage is here, thank God for that. Each year this race is a grind, the organisers really must start thinking about changing things up. We’ve got sprints with barely a corner in the final 10km, and two mountain stages with just one climb at the end of an easy day. The good weather and fancy hotels will always attract the riders to this part of the world, but from a viewing spectacle, the organisers must do better. Rant over, on with the preview. Weather Roasting hot, even up the climb....

Kuurne > Kuurne 191.3km Freezing cold conditions, a strong wind, this is going to be a long day for some. After removing the Kwaremont last year, the organisers have stuck with the new route. I love the Kwaremont, so I’m always disappointed when it’s not in the race, but there’s still enough to keep everyone entertained. The route change didn’t really have an impact on the race, it was still a big game of cat and mouse, with the break getting caught agonisingly close to the line. Who’ll win this time round, the cat or the mouse? Weather Baltic! The...

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi > Abu Dhabi Breakwater 165.6km The last chance for the sprinters. Another boring day lies ahead, thank God Omloop is also on. This finish has been used before, but the road in to the final 1.5km is different.  Weather Hot and sunny. There’s not much wind around, but the sprint is headwind, yet again. Finale We’re back on wide roads for the finale of the stage, until the final 500m or so. There’s a gentle curve in the final 150m, being on the left is the best place to be. Tactics Stage 4 was chaos...

Al Marjan Island > Umm al Quwain 170.3km Another boring day ahead. It should be a sprint and everyone will spend the day just waiting for the final 5km. Weather Another hot one with temperatures close to 30 degrees. There is a lot of crosswind throughout the stage, and exposed roads, but with the wind only hitting 17km/h, it’s unlikely to split.  Finale The final straight is basically 5km long, with just a couple of roundabouts to negotiate. The big difference compared to stage 4 is the width of the road, it is much narrower. This will bring more order...

Ghent > Ninove 207.3km The opening weekend is here, hallelujah! The races so far have given a big hint at form, but as we have several riders racing for the first time in 2023, there’s still a lot of unknowns. The organisers have seen the error of their ways and brought back the Molenberg. Weather Cold and windy. Temperatures will barely get above 3 degrees and the wind will hit around 25km/h, coming from the north. That’s plenty to split the race. Route I’ve decided to break the race up into a few parts, mainly to show the wind and...

Al Shindagha / Dubai Harbour 173.9km The first of the big sprint battles. Most of the stage will be boring, but the finale will be fun. Weather Not as hot as previous days, but still hot by Scottish standards. There shouldn’t be too much wind around. Finale Wide road, arrow straight, final bend with 700m to go. Headwind sprint. Tactics QuickStep are in control of the race, and even though they’ve won two out of three stages, they’ll want more. They’ll take control of what’s likely to be a weak break, before getting some help from the other sprint teams....

Umbrella Beach Al Fujairah > Jebel Jais 184.9km The first of the mountain stages, but don’t get too excited, it’s Jebel Jais. Not the best climb in the world for those watching, the steady gradient normally means we get a sprint finish. Weather Another day with lots of sunshine. The wind starts around 20km/h but decreases in strength throughout the stage. Echelons are unlikely. Finale It’s a long climb, but the wide road, nice surface and gradient make it straightforward for the best climbers.  Tactics Will we see a different climb to previous years? That is very unlikely, as quite...

Khalifa Port > Khalifa Port 17.3km TTT We have a team time trial but are lacking the usual big engines. Yes, we have a few TT specialists here, but not that many. The route is a standard out and back effort, but with the wind blowing it could be a tricky one. 17.3km is quite short for a TTT, expect to see most teams try to keep all their riders together until the end.  Weather A bit cloudy and the wind could cause a few problems as the TT is basically in the sea.  Contenders Joining us for tonight’s preview...

Al Dhafra Castle > Al Mirfa 151.5km The opening stage of the race is the same as back in 2021 when the wind blew and van der Poel won a reduced sprint. The GC riders will be nervously checking the weather forecast. Weather It’s going to be a windy one! At around 30km/h, it’s strong enough to cause a huge number of problems for the riders, especially as it’s in the dessert. The direction of the wind will give some hope, most of the time it’s going to be a cross/headwind, and there’s a block headwind as the bunch head...

It’s the 5th edition of the UAE Tour and the organisers have decided to change the ITT to a TTT, apart from that, everything looks the same. In theory, the change should mean smaller gaps at the top of the GC, and hopefully an exciting final stage. We’ll have to wait and see if the plan works. Most of the opening stage takes place in the dessert, so echelons are likely if the wind blows. Last time we had this stage, it split in wind and van der Poel won the sprint from a small group. Same again please. A very...

Villa de Otura > Alhaurín de la Torre 184.1km The final stage of the race is similar to the one used in 2019, when Matteo Trentin won a reduced sprint, but there are two big differences. The first of these is the introduction of the cat 1 climb, and the finish is also a little bit harder. Will we see anyone trying to make a move on GC? Weather Quite a nice day to finish the race. The wind will reach around 15km/h and will mainly be a headwind in the final 50km. The Climbs The cat 1 climb is...

Lagoa > Lagoa 24.4km ITT The race ends with a 24.4km ITT. It’s similar to the route used in 2021, when Kasper Asgreen took the win. With just 33 seconds separating the top 11, this is going to go down to the wire. Weather It should be dry for all, but the wind looks like it could drop a little for the late starters. The Route It’s a lumpy one, the 24km is full of little climbs which will make it hard for some to settle into a rhythm.  GC Situation Contenders Filippo Ganna – starts as the favourite to take...

Albufeira > Malhão 177.6km Well, well, well, what a ride by Magnus Cort. He now sits 18s ahead of Rui Costa, Van Wilder is at 20, Madouas, Hindley and Pidcock are at 26, Ganna’s at 27 and the rest follow at 28. This race is still wide open. The problem for Magnus Cort is that he’s going to be a victim of his own success, all the other teams are going to go full gas in this stage. Can he hold on? Weather Another nice day, but there will be a bit of wind around to keep the peloton on...

Olvera > Iznájar 164.2km Given the GC position, and what happened today, it looks like another good day for the breakaway. The stage ends in Iznájar, which is where Serrano and Herregodts have won in previous years, but the finish this time round is different, it heads up tiny little streets, right through the centre of town. Teams will have to decide if they want another sprint finish against Pogačar or to try their luck in the break. Weather Cloudy sun and temperatures will be creeping up to 20 degrees. The riders will be faced with a strong crosswind for...

Faro > Tavira 203.5km Last year, the organisers used Tavira as the finish for the TT, but this year they return to the usual sprint finish. It’s technical, and harder than it looks. Weather Sunny and temperatures will be up around 18 degrees. There’s going to be a bit of wind around, but there aren’t many exposed sections, so I don’t expect any splits. Finale It’s all about the final 2.5km, as there are three roundabouts, the final one with 800 to go. Then there’s a fast corner with 400 to go, and the road starts to rise to the...

Alcalá de Guadaira > Alcalá de los Gazules 161.0km On paper, the easiest stage of the race, but only if the wind agrees.  Weather There could be a lot of wind around. Some reports are saying 55km/h, which is insane and dangerous for the peloton. Other reports say the wind will be around 20km/h, it’s one of those days of waiting to see what happens on the road.  Finale It’s the finish that Tim Wellens won in 2018 and 2019, but the exact position of the line is different this time round, there’s a little bit more descending after the...

Sagres > Fóia 186.2km The second stage heads back to Alto da Fóia, a regular finish in the race. This year, the approach to the climb is different, it looks a little harder to me. Last year, Higuita and Foss crashed withing sight of the line, allowing Gaudu to take the win, will it be another sprint this year? Weather Sunny, quite warm and not much wind. The Climbs This is the Picota climb, which comes just before Fóia. It’s hard enough to drop a lot of riders, especially as there’s also a couple of uncategorised lumps leading into it. ...

Diezma > Alcalá la Real 155.9km The second stage finishes in Alcalá la Real, which is where Covi won in 2022 and Ethan Hayter in 2021. The finishing location was different in those two editions, the organisers have decided to go back to the 2021 finish, which means the final 500m on horrible cobbles.  Weather Quite a nice day, but still under 15 degrees. Key Points Puerto de la Hoya de Charrilla is the penultimate climb of the day. It’s classified as a cat 2, but it starts with 1.7km at 14.5%, then a short downhill before 2.5km at 7.6%....

Puente de Génave > Santiago de la Espada 178.9km It might be the first stage, but we’re straight into the thick of it. With 4155m of climbing, this is the hardest stage of the race, we’ll see big gaps on GC at the end. With three cat 1 climbs, this is going to test everyone’s climbing legs and the best will rise to the top. Weather Cloudy sun but temperatures won’t get much above 10 degrees. The Climbs The first of the cat 1 climbs is Puerto de Navalperal. It starts difficult and gets easier towards the top. Then it’s...

Portimão > Lagos 200.0km The opening stage of the race, and it should be one for the sprinters. This is the same finish as last year, but the organisers have added a little climb with 20km. This isn’t hard enough to put the pure sprinters into difficulty, it should be a big sprint. Fingers crossed; we avoid the crashes that always seem to happen in this stage. Weather Not great. There’s rain around and it’s quite windy. As most of the route is covered by trees, there shouldn’t be any echelons. Finale Last year the bunch was tiny for the...

For this year’s edition of the Vuelta a Andalucía it looks like the organisers all dropped some acid and then decided on the route. The result is one of the most ridiculously challenging races you’re likely to see. Every single stage ends with an uphill finish, and we see the return of some old favourites. I like it, I like it a lot. The opening stage is the Queen stage, it will have a huge impact on the battle for the overall title. This is risky, if someone (Pogačar) rides away from everyone else, the week will be left without...

The 49th edition of the Volta ao Algarve, and the organisers have stuck with the tried and tested route. We should have two days for the sprinters, two GC days, and one ITT. One slight issue is the weather, it looks like being wet and windy for most of the race. The opening stage of the race is a sprint in Lagos. We’ll see if anyone can get close to Fabio Jakobsen. The usual finish at the top of Alto da Fóia. This a stage that normally ends in a sprint between the GC riders, and I don’t expect anything different...

Samail > Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) 152.4km Time for the Green Mountain. With the GC position finely balanced, the final stage could get a little tactical. First of all, everyone’s got to get to the foot of the climb in the peloton. Weather Hot and there’s a little bit of wind around. In previous years, we have seen splits on the road to the climb, teams will need to be wary and not expect to simply roll to the foot of the Green Mountain. The Climb Steep! Head down, full gas, block out the pain. Tactics It’s about 18...

Izki > Yitti Hills 204km Another new finish, the Tour of Oman is really spoiling us. At 204km it must be the longest ever Tour of Oman stage. It finishes in the Yitti Hills, which sounds like something you get after eating a dodgy curry. Matteo Jorgenson took a brilliant win today; he now leads the GC and Movistar have a strong team to support him. Will this be another GC day? Will a “sprinter” be able to hang on? Time to take a look. Weather Another roasting hot day. Finale The final 13km of the stage features two cat...

Úbeda > Baeza 177.9km It’s the 2nd edition of the race, but the organisers have decided to change things up a bit. We’ve got 7 gravel sectors, the longest is a whopping 11km in length. It’s not just the gravel the riders have to worry about, with nearly 3000m of climbing throughout the day, this is a demanding day in the saddle. The organisers are delighted that Tadej Pogačar will start his season here, it’s a massive coup for the race. Weather Nice and sunny, with temperatures hitting a maximum of 15 degrees. The wind will be around 15km/h throughout the...

Al Khobar > Jabal Haat 154.8km Hold onto your hats, there’s a new finish to get your teeth into. Pan flat all day, then a tough uphill finish. This is much harder than today, we’ll start to see who’ll be the main contenders for the overall title. Weather Hot, sunny, not much wind. Finale The worst of the climb is around 900m at 14%, this finishes with about 500m to go, then it gets “easier”, and the final stretch is around 7%. The above image doesn’t show the final 500m, but it does give the best impression of the real...

Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex > Qurayyat 174.2km After today’s sprint win for Tim Merlier, the race ends for the hills and the well-used finish at the top of that little hill in Qurayyat. Last time we were here, Anthon Charmig took the win with an excellent burst of pace, who’ll be successful this time round? Weather Another warm day with lots of sunshine. Finale I would put this in the harder than it looks, category. Each time we’ve been here, the climb has been selective, and we’ve seen gaps between the best GC riders. You’re talking about a 20 second...

Puebla de Vícar > Roquetas de Mar 189.5km Just about the same route as last year, only the opening 15km are different. It’s a race where the riders are always a little nervous about the strength of the wind, it’s the only thing that can stop a big sprint. Weather Quite a nice day, and there will be a lot of wind. It varies throughout the day, but it will reach over 30km/h at the end of the race. Finale Pretty straightforward, but I’m not a fan of the corner with just 600m to go. The winner should come from...

São Pedro > Figueira da Foz 187.7km Another new race for me to get my teeth into. I love it! 2414m of climbing, but the lap circuit contains a serious looking climb, this should be a hard race, and one that is selective. QuickStep, DSM, Wanty, Alpecin and Trek are the big teams, I’m looking forward to seeing how they approach the finale of this race.  Weather Cloudy sun and temperatures will be around 15 degrees. The wind is quite strong, but most of the route is covered by trees. Lap Circuit The main climb is 3.2km at 6.4%, but...

Al Rustaq Fort > Oman Convention & Exhibition centre 147.4km The first stage of the Tour of Oman is one for the sprinters, and it’s the same finish as last year. The final 5km isn’t the exact same, but we have the same final turn and rise to the line. Cavendish was 2nd here in 2022, can he go one better for his new team in 2023? Weather Temperatures will hit 26 degrees and there’s going to be lots of sun. Finale The run for home is all about two right-hand corners, they come with 3.5km and 1km to go. The...

San Javier > Cartagena 197.7km We have an interesting change in the finish, hopefully the race is altogether for a grandstand finale. Alessandro Covi is the defending champion, he’s back with a very strong UAE squad who start as the big favourites to take another win, can anyone stop them? Weather Light rain showers throughout the day and wind which will eventually reach around 30km/h. It’s a cross/tailwind for most of the opening 100km, then on the way back there’s a lot of headwind. The Climbs The big climb in the middle of the race. 17.8km at 5.3% and that...

Welcome to the hardest edition of the Tour of Oman. There’s not too much for the sprinters, the organisers have introduced a couple of new stages to shake things up a bit. In what can be a boring race, it’s good to see them trying something different. The opening stage is the only one that is likely to end in a big sprint. We have Merlier, Cavendish and Ackermann at the race, we’ll have to see who comes out on top. Scenario – bunch sprint. The finish in Qurayyat has been used a lot in the last editions of the...

Al Mouj Muscat > Al Bustan 173.5km A brand-new race to get your teeth into, it makes sense to have a little warm up before the Tour of Oman kicks off on Saturday. This race has 2086m of climbing, which isn’t that much, but the placement of the climbs means we’re unlikely to get a big sprint. For those that know the Tour of Oman, it’s the same finale that features in the old Al Bustan stage, the one that’s been won by Nathan Haas, Alexey Lutsenko, Ben Hermans and Bob Jungels.  Weather Sunny and temperatures will be around 25...

Paterna > València 92.7km The final stage in Valenciana is normally one for the sprinters, but not this year. Just 93km in length, but it contains the hardest climb of the whole race. Given the current GC position, several scenarios can play out during this stage, which should make for fascinating viewing. Weather Another cracking day with lots of sunshine and not much wind. The Climbs First up is the Oronet climb. It’s a gentle 8km at 3.8% and starts after 20km of the day. The main event of the stage, La Frontera. 5km at 9.4%, which is a serious...

Burriana > Santa d’Altura 181.6km The Queen stage, but I can’t help feeling disappointed. Okay, there’s 3717m of elevation, but I would say there’s a lot of irrelevant climbing. The main climb, which goes through the finishing line, crests with over 60km to go, that’s far too far out for any action. The stage ends with another uphill kick, but how big will the peloton be at the finish? Weather A beautiful day in Spain. Finale 3.4km at 6.6%, it’s a steady climb. The riders will be very happy they get to ride through the finish earlier in the stage,...

Old Town > Maraya 143.4km It’s the final stage, but the GC isn’t settled yet. We have a gravel section of around 7km, which will make Guerreiro a little bit on the nervous side, but this stage should still end in a sprint. Weather Another nice day to finish. Finale Slightly uphill, so it’s going to cause a few problems. With 5km to go, there’s 780m at 4.1%, which will cause some of the sprinters to slide down the bunch. Then there’s a lot of flat for them to move back up, before the final 750m at 2.7%.  Contenders Dylan...

Bétera > Sagunto 144.8km This is a very dangerous day for the GC riders. The big climb crests with 28km to go, what happens after is anyone’s guess, but anyone who doesn’t have teammates will be put under pressure. The same climbs were used back in the 2017 Vuelta, and Contador launched a series of attacks to try and distance Froome, but he wasn’t successful. In the end the break just stayed away, and a large GC group came over the line together, but this isn’t a grand tour. Weather Another nice day. The Big Climb The worst of the...

Novelda > Alto de Pinos Benoisa 177.7km Time for a big day of climbing, 3567m to be exact. Not only do we have an uphill finish, but we also have Cumbre del Sol. This stage will start to shape the GC, but the race still has a long way to go. Weather Nice and sunny. The Climbs Do you remember the battle between Froome and Dumoulin on this climb? Crazy to think it was 2015. The climb is 3km at 9.2% and crests with 33km to go, so it’s unlikely to see any moves by the main GC riders. The...

Maraya > Skyviewsd of Harrat Uwairid 163.4km It’s the big GC day in the Saudi Tour, and I love a wall climb! The climbers have survived the windy stages and can now test their legs and see who’s the strongest. Weather Sunny, 15 degrees, not windy. The Wall 2.7km at 11.6%, but the worst of it is 1.7km at 15.6%. Last year riders had to zigzag up the wall, it really is a brutal climb, and there’s a bonus sprint at the top. From the crest there’s 8km to go. Tactics Without any wind to speak of, this should just...

Orihuela > Altea 188.5km If a team has brought a sprinter to this race, this is their only hope of taking a win, but will they hang on over the climbs? Weather Sunny, 11 degrees and not much wind. The Climbs First up is the Rates. The opening 7km averages 5.4%, and it’s a climb that every pro knows well. The climb continues to roll along for another 7km, but the first half is where the legs hurt. The Bernia climb can be split into two, with a short flat in the middle. First up, 4km at 5.3%, then 3.5km...

The bunch head to Valencia for some much-needed sunshine. With most teams spending long hours at team camps in the area, the roads are well known to the pro peloton. This year’s edition of the race is very difficult, there’s not much hope for those who don’t climb very well. The opening stage is the only chance for the fast men, and it’s still going to be challenge. There are two climbs in quick succession, it won’t take much to put sprinters into difficulty. Scenario – reduced bunch sprint. Lots of climbing throughout the day, including Cumbres del Sol  and a...

Al Manshiyah > Abu Rakah 159.4km It’s the same finishing town as last year’s 2nd stage but it’s not the same finish. On first look, it’s easier than the finish where Buitrago won just one year ago. Weather Sunny, but cooler than in previous days with temperatures struggling to get above 15 degrees. The wind will strengthen throughout the day, eventually getting close to 30km/h. Finale This is the final 2.3km of the stage, it’s a testy one for the fast men. First up there is 1.1km at 6.8%, then it’s most downhill for the final 1.1km. The climb will certainly...

Winter Park > Shall 183.8km A sprint stage where everyone will be nervous about the wind. Weather Sunny and temperatures will be around 20 degrees. The wind will be around 25-35km/h and coming from the west. It’s going to be a cagey peloton. Echelons The more people talk about them happening, the less they actually happen, but I can’t help myself. The opening 70km is mainly tailwind, the first major crosswind section comes when the bunch turn left and head north, this comes at km 69. For the next 20km it’s a full-on crosswind of about 35km/h, it will split....

Alula Airport > Khaybar 181.2km The sprint stages in this part of the world are all the same, they’re either incredibly boring or the wind blows and they’re a lot of fun. Fingers crossed it’s the latter. Weather Cloudy sun and pleasant temperatures. The wind comes from the south-west and will reach 25km/h. Echelons Given the direction of the wind, it’s crosswind for most of the day. The wind is meant to strengthen throughout the day, but remember, it doesn’t take much to split things in the desert. Contenders Dylan Groenewegen – this is a big race for Jayco, it’s the...

I enjoyed watching the Saudi Tour in 2022, and with the current weather forecast, this year should be even better. There’s four sprint stages and one GC day, but as most of the race takes place in the desert, the wind can play havoc with the peloton. Should be a sprint, but with 25km/h crosswinds, it could end up getting blown to pieces. The current prediction is for 30-40km/h wind. If this is true, the peloton could be very small at the finish. Another stage with crosswinds of 25km/h. The finish isn’t flat either, there’s 1km at 7% which crests...

Cirvunvalación > Cirvunvalación 112.2km It’s the final stage in San Juan and it looks like another chance for the sprinters, but some will hope the breakaway has its day. We have seven laps of the downtown circuit, and it’s going to be over quickly as the stage is only 112km in length. Weather Cloudy sun and temperatures will be around 30 degrees. Finale Nice and easy, with a gentle bend in the road. This finish has been used before, it’s on a wide highway, which usually makes for a messy sprint. Tactics The opening kilometres will be interesting, some will...

Palma > Palma 141.7km The Mallorca Challenge ends with the usual sprint finish in Palma, but will we get a sprint? Weather Cloudy sun, with temperatures around 5 degrees. The issue will be the wind, it’s going to be around 25-30km/h all day long. Echelons Once the riders start heading back to Palma, they are faced with a 50km stretch of road with a lovely cross/tailwind. Some of this road is protected by trees, but there’s still plenty of exposed sections and if teams want to split the race, they can. Tactics Who wants to split the race in the...

Marseille > Septèmes-les-Vallons 167.1km The first race of the year in France, a race that’s been dominated by the French since the 2000s. Last year it ended in a reduced bunch sprint, thanks mainly to a very strong Trek-Segafredo team, but Capiot took a surprise win. Injury has denied him the chance to defend his title, will we get another sprint this year? Weather Nice and sunny but still quite cold. There’s not much wind about, but as usual, the final 35km is a headwind. Key Points Route des Crêtes is the hardest climb in the race, it’s a proper...

Velódromo Cubierto de San Juan > Velódromo Cubierto de San Juan 145.7km After the GC fun it’s time for the sprinters to get back in the mix. I see a standard sprint stage; it could be a little on the boring side. Weather Hot and sunny. There’s a little bit of wind at the end but it shouldn’t be enough to cause echelons. Living in a Box Near the end the bunch complete two laps of this square, I don’t recall ever seeing something like this before. Hopefully, it’s not a trend that catches on! Finale The finishing straight is...

Geelong > Geelong 174.5km After a two year break due to COVID, we’re back in Geelong for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, that’s right, the longest name on the cycling calendar! It’s the same route as in previous years, but this time the big loop is done anti-clockwise, which is the reserve compared to previous years. The main part of the race is still the lap circuit which features the wall climb, Challambra Crescent.  Weather European weather! Heavy cloud and 20 degrees. It should stay dry and there’s not much wind. Key Points Welcome back to Challambra Crescent....

Lloseta > Lloseta 122.6km Rui Costa, Marijn van der Berg and Kobe Goossens, what a week it’s been! There’s been a late change in the route for this race, thanks to a dodgy weather forecast. The new route is a big lap which is covered twice, and it features one big climb. The finish is the same as planned, but the race now looks a little easier than before. Weather Baltic! Temperatures won’t get much above zero and there’s more rain around.  Key Points Coll de Femenia is the new climb in the race, it is 7.6km at 5.4%. It’s...

San Juan > Alto del Colorado 173.8km The big GC day with a trip up to Alto del Colorado. It’s time to see Remco go up against the South Americans. Weather Not as warm as previous stages, with temperatures not really getting above 25 degrees. The wind is coming from the south-east and will be around 25km/h, and as the stage mainly heads north it means there are lots of possibilities to form echelons. The Climb Its’s a steady Eddie sort of climb, nothing to really write home about. 20km at 4.3% normally wouldn’t worry a proper climber but the...

Andratx > Coll de la Creueta 160.7km It’s the third day of racing over in Mallorca and now we know a little more about the current shape of some of the riders. This race is one for the climbers, thanks to the presence of Puig Major, a mountain that most of the peloton will know well. It will severely reduce the bunch, then we’ll have to wait and see what happens next. Weather Should be the best weather the bunch have had so far in these races. It still won’t be warm, but the sun should be out for a...

Ses Salines > Alcúdia 158.1km Flat for most of the day, then it’s one climb, one descent, and a sprint finish. Not the most exciting race in the world, but it’s good racing kilometres for the peloton. Last year, Biniam Girmay took the win, will he back it up with another win this year? Weather Cloudy sun, not very warm, and a light headwind for most of the day. The Climb Col de Sa Batalla is the main event of the day, 7.7km at 4.8%. It’s a steady effort and can be easily controlled by a strong team. Tactics Almost...

Circuito San Juan Villicum > Barreal 196km At last, a stage with a bit of something in it! After three sprint stages, this is the first day which will realistically give the breakaway some hope, but it all depends on the attitude of the world tour teams. If they decide to go for the break, it will happen, but they could also decide to ride for another sprint. The climbs aren’t overly difficult, but I’m hoping it’s enough to put off the likes of Jakobsen and Bennett. Weather Temperatures are around 30 degrees and there should be a light tailwind...

Palmanova > Palmanova 149.3km We head to Mallorca for the first of five one-day races. These are often seen as pre-season friendlies, but in recent years have grown a little in terms of meaning, but they’re certainly not the be all and end all. Riders are here to get some racing kilometres in the legs, but a win’s a win. The first of the races is Trofeo Calvia, and with 2866m of climbing, it’s one that suits the puncheurs and climbers.  Weather A bit rainy, a bit cold and a bit windy. Key Points Coll de Sóller is likely to...

Circuito San Juan Villicum > Circuito San Juan Villicum 174.2km Another sprint stage, but this one has a tricky finish. It’s the same end that was used in 2020, when Štybar surprised the sprinters with an attack in the final kilometre. Can lightning strike twice? Weather It’s going to be a hot one with temperatures approaching 40 degrees. There’s a little bit of wind about, but it shouldn’t cause any problems. Finale With just under 5km to go the bunch head off the main road onto the racing circuit. We have several sweeping bends and a few little lumps to...

Villa San Agustin > San José de Jáchal 201.5km The second stage in San Juan has the worst cat 1 climb in the world! This will be a standard sprint stage; nothing will stop the world tour teams from ensuring we get a bunch kick. Weather Another warm day and the wind is down compared to the opening stage.  Finale Nice and straightforward, the turns at 1.2km and 800m to go are very important in terms of position. The final straight is 800m long, that means you don’t need to be right at the front to win the sprint, a...

Unley > Mount Lofty 112.3km It’s the final stage and everything is still to play for. Jay Vine is in the ochre jersey, and he leads Pello Bilbao and Simon Yates by 15 seconds, in terms of the GC they are the only realistic challengers. The race ends with a lap circuit featuring Mount Lofty and 2541m (if you remove the neutral section) of climbing in just 112km of racing. It’s going to be a full gas kind of day. Weather Cloudy sun and temperatures will hit around 25 degrees, and not much wind. Key Point The Mount Lofty climb...

Estadio Aldo Cantoni > Estadio Aldo Cantoni 141.9km The opening stage of San Juan won’t win a beauty competition! It’s out of town on a straight road into a barren wasteland, then a U-turn, before heading back into town. They basically spend 120km on the same stretch of road, I’ve not seen that for a long time. Think Mad Max and you won’t be too far away. Weather At least the weather’s playing ball. It’s a roasting hot day with temperatures getting up to 35 degrees and it’s windy! It should start around 25km/h, before weakening, and then picking up...

After a two-year COVID break the pro peloton head back to Argentina. The race is the usual mix of sprint stages and a mountaintop finish, nothing too exciting for us watching fans. The pros love this race, it provides them with important kilometres in the legs under the sunshine. Remco’s back, something the organisers will be delighted about, it’s his first stage race in the rainbow jersey. The race begins with a standard sprint stage. With Jakobsen, Bennett, Gaviria, Nizzolo and Viviani here, I don’t see the world tour teams messing up the chase. Scenario – bunch sprint. Should be...

Port Willunga > Willunga Township 133.1km A flat stage which should be one for the sprinters, but everyone will be carefully checking the wind speed. Weather Sunny and warmer than in previous days, but still not sweltering. The wind is coming from the south-east and will reach around 30km/h, which is strong enough for echelons. Key Points This is the main crosswind section. It is 6.4km in length and as we have a lap circuit the bunch do it twice, but as you can see there’s an awful lot of trees. There are other sections throughout the stage that are...

Norwood > Campbelltown 116.7km The final two stages look interesting, but this is the day that will go a long way to settling the GC. We return to Corkscrew Road, a devilishly tough climb, especially at this point in the year. It’s time to see who’s got the punch required to win the ochre jersey. Weather A pleasant day with temperatures just edging above 20 degrees and much less wind. Key Points We start with a climb; you don’t see that too often these days. Norton Summit isn’t to be taken lightly, it’s 10km at 4%. It will be very...

Brighton > Victor Harbor 154.6km Stage 2 and we head to Victor Harbor, a finish that’s well known to the race. Over the years the organisers have tinkered with the approach to the finish, this time they’ve decided to make it as difficult as possible by introducing the Nettle Hill climb. I don’t remember this featuring in the race before, but I could be wrong. Cresting with 21km to go, this is going to make the finale of the stage exciting to watch, but will we see another sprint? Weather Sunny but temperatures won’t even reach 20 degrees, the Europeans...

Tanunda > Tanunda 150.2km The first proper stage of the race is a lap circuit around Tanunda, home of the beautiful Barossa Valley wines. Last year it was Sam Bennett who won here, but this stage is harder than that one. The finishing line is in the same position, but they approach it from the opposite direction. It looks like ending in a sprint, but the size of the group is up for debate. Weather Temperatures are way down on what we normally get in this race, the maximum is a very manageable 20 degrees. The wind will be around...

The organisers have decided to give us something totally different, they’ve got to be applauded for that. Out goes Willunga Hill, in comes a prologue and a lot of punchy stages, but they’ve crucially also brought the Corkscrew Road climb back into the race. This is an event which has been dominated by those who spend their winter in the southern hemisphere, it gives them a massive advantage in terms of preparation, but will we see a surprise this time round? The intermediate sprints normally have an impact on the GC battle, but they seem to be positioned in spots...

Ballarat > Ballarat 186.5km Road racing is back! No more shuffling about the house trying to think up jobs to do, it’s time to get back in the preview chair and focus on the greatest sport in the world. Last year we witnessed a very different race to what normal occurs in Ballarat, this was mainly to do with BikeExchange not having a strong team at the race, but they’re back to normal this year. The start list is about as strong as I can remember, we’re only missing Jai Hindley from the ”big” Aussie stars, I’m delighted to see...

Bergamo > Como 252.5km Well then, the season is just about done, but we’ve still got a monument to fight for. I love this point in the year, most of the bunch have no idea how their legs will react after a long and demanding season. This year we’ve got a change of route with Muro di Sormano being excluded from the race after the organisers eventually decided the descent was too dangerous after several horrible crashes over the years. Instead, San Fermo della Battaglia is climbed on two occasions with the Civiglo stuck in-between. Without a shadow of doubt,...

Carpi > San Luca 198.0km It’s the 105th edition of Giro dell’Emilia, a beautiful race in Bologna. This year the race follows a familiar route, with the hard climb of Medelana before hitting the lap circuit and five ascents of the San Luca climb. As usual, the race will be very selective and the strongest on the day will claim the title, and this year there’s a big chance a new name is added to the trophy.  Weather Pleasant temperatures and not much wind, it’s a nice day for a bike race. Key Points The Medelana climb is used to get...

Helensburgh > Wollongong 164.3km The women’s road race promises to be a fascinating event. Last year, Italy ended the Dutch stranglehold on the rainbow jersey, and they once again look like the strongest teams in the race. We’ve now seen Mount Pleasant, but this is the first time we get to see Mount Keira. We also have the embarrassing situation of the under 23 race happening within the elite race, it’s a terrible look for the sport. With many of the young riders working as domestiques, it devalues what should be the pinnacle for the young athletes competing for this...

Wollongong > Wollongong 170km Unlike in the elite races, the under 23 men don’t have to climb Mount Keira, it’s straight onto the lap circuit and ten times round. That makes it 170km and 2541m of climbing, so not the hardest race in the world, but the climbs should still ensure it’s a selective day. Weather Wet and windy, not what the doctor ordered. As it’s a city circuit there won’t be echelons, but the weather conditions will increase the difficulty of the race. Key Points This is the section where damage will be done, this is where the climbers...

Helensburgh > Wollongong 267.2km The most important race of the year, the big one, the one where you get a special jersey for winning! After being starved of world tour racing for a couple of years, Australia will be delighted to see the best riders in the world back on their shores, and they’ve delivered a route full of intrigue and promise. The riders make the race, but they’ve been provided with everything they need for a brilliant day out. Weather A nice enough day with temperatures sitting at 18 degrees. The wind isn’t strong but will be a tailwind...

Wollongong > Wollongong 34.4.km ITT Men and women have the same route and distance, that’s the headline news ahead of the time trial world championship. The lap circuit, which is done twice, will become very familiar over the next week, the road race always uses these roads but has an extra section that isn’t included in the TT. The Route 315m of climbing over 34.4km is a relatively flat route. The main climb is Mount Ousley which is 600m at 7.3%, the length of the climb means it won’t be a big factor in the outcome of the race. The...

Brakel > Haacht 199.9km The racing continues in Belgium with the 12th edition of the Primus Classic. It’s a race with a little bit of everything, one that can be won by different types of riders. Weather Wet, windy, and quite cold for this time of year. This will significantly increase the difficulty of the race. Key Points The image shows a 50km stretch of road that starts after 120km of racing, and finishes with 30km to go. The hardest climb in this little lap is the Moskesstraat, which you’ll remember from the worlds. It might only be around 500m at...

Blegny > Citadelle de Namur 199.8km After the fun of Canada, it’s time to head back to Belgium. The finish returns to the traditional one, I can’t actually remember why they took a different route up to the citadelle last year, I think it was due to roadworks. Weather Thunderstorms are predicted, so it could get very wet. Key Points The finale kicks off with Chemin de Potisseau, which is crested with 15km to go. 3.2km at 4.9% isn’t that hard, but the right attack has a chance of getting a good gap on the peloton and going all the...

Montréal > Montréal 224.9km GP Montréal is a race I like; the hilly circuit guarantees exciting racing and I’m looking forward to a cracker of a race. It starts late afternoon over in Europe, so I can watch the early stages with my Sunday roast, before moving beside the fire with a bottle of wine for the closing stages. The route has been tinkered with over the years, an extra little climb was added in 2018, before the race was extended by a couple of laps in 2019. After a couple of years off the calendar the organisers have mainly...

Las Rozas > Madrid 99.6km A final sprint in Madrid to conclude the race. Weather Glorious sunshine. Circuit Same circuit that’s been used many times. The U-turn comes with 1km to go, and it usually gets very messy in the finishing straight. Contenders Tim Merlier – he’s got one last chance to get a win in this race, it’s not been a happy three weeks for the Belgian champion. He’s still got Taminiaux, Meurisse and Vermeersch to lead him out, that’s a good sprint train at this point in the race. This is the first time he’s completed a grand tour;...

Moralzarzar > Navacerrada 181km The final mountain stage of the race, and the last opportunity for riders to make a move on GC. The stage doesn’t have any long climbs, but with almost 4000m of climbing, this should be a very exciting day. Evenepoel looks strong, but Mas will still try and see if he can crack him, this is a rare chance for him to win a grand tour. Behind them, the battle for the podium is still on, I’m hoping for another chaotic stage with lots of attacking. Weather Sunny and warm. Key Climbs Puerto de Navacerrada comes...

Talavera de la Reina > Talavera de la Reina 138.4km After today’s chaos, strap yourself in for another bonkers stage. Just 138km long, with two laps of a circuit with a big mountain, but the final time up crests with a whopping 42.5km still to go. Do you have any idea what’s going to happen? Anyone? No, me neither. Weather Another nice day, temperatures won’t be too hot. The Climb 18.1km at 4% doesn’t sound like much, but that does include two downhill sections. The climb never gets overly steep, but it will certainly provide a challenge for those who...

Québec > Québec 204.0km Friday night racing is back for those of us in Europe, so grab your drink of choice (I’ll have a bottle of wine) and get ready for crit racing, Canadian style! After two years off the calendar due to COVID, the professional peloton is back and ready for the usual mix of punchy climbs and a likely sprint finish. Weather Beautiful sunshine and it’ll be warm too. Key Points It’s a circuit I’m sure you all know well. There are three climbs, but the two steep ones are very short and you’re over them before you...

West Bridgford > Mansfield 186.9km Movistar are now in control of the race, but with Ineos breathing down their neck, they won’t be able to rest easy. On paper, this is the easiest stage in the race, one that should end in a sprint. The problem on Tuesday was that Bora didn’t want to ride for a sprint until it was too late. As they have the fastest rider in the race, they need to take control from the beginning of the stage, otherwise the break will take the win. Weather Another day with a risk of showers throughout, but...

Trujillo > El Piornal 191.8km Another mountain stage with a flat start, I’m fed up with this. With 25 KOM points on offer, this is a day where Jay Vine can all but seal the polka dot jersey. Just like every mountain stage in this race, will the peloton chase the break or is it another day for the attackers to take the win? The climbs at the end are both called Alto de Piornal, but it’s not the same climb done twice, it’s a different climb each time, and a different finishing position. Weather Temperatures will be in the...

Redcar > Helmsley 149.3km For me, this is the Queen stage of the race, but I’m afraid the wind could ruin it. The stage is a short one, just 150km in length, and it contains 2669m of climbing. Those GC riders who have already down 14 seconds on the race lead know that this is the day they need to make count. Weather There will be a risk of showers throughout the day and the wind will be around 15-20km/h, coming from the south-east. That means a lot of crosswind as the bunch head west across the moors, but it...

Aracena > Monasterio de Tentudia 162km Today’s crash will likely have a big impact on this stage, as Jumbo-Visma would have controlled it for a Roglič stage win. His crash today was a bad one, it’s very unlikely he’ll have fully recovered, Jumbo-Visma will go into damage limitation mode. That frees the stage up for another breakaway win, something I’m getting bored of. Weather Cloudier than today, but it should still be warm. Finale 10.2km at 5.1% doesn’t sound too hard, but that’s because the flat section in the middle distorts the numbers. The climb starts with 2.92km at 6.6%,...

Durham > Sunderland 163.5km The race moves into England for the third stage of the race. This one looks like a nailed-on sprint, as the cat 1 climb comes very early in the day.  Weather Cloudy with a threat of rain throughout, but it looks like the riders might just miss it, at least that’s what they’ll hope. There’s a very heavy band of rain due to hit close to the end of the stage, hopefully the riders go fast tomorrow. Finale The first of the key points comes with 2.6km to go, where the bunch go all the way...

Sanlúcar de Barramenda > Tomares 189.7km It looks like a sprint stage, but then again, maybe not. Trek-Segafredo have been the main team ensuring sprint stages turn out that way, but as Mads Pedersen has now won a stage the pressure will now pass to other teams. Mads has been very active in this race, appearing in multiple breakaways to secure the green jersey, he’s also been working his team hard in sprint stages, this is the perfect opportunity to give something back to his teammates, knowing that we’ll have another sprint in Madrid. This stage will be familiar to...

Hawick > Duns 174.8km A day spent in the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders. There’s 2457m of climbing, the final 30km of the day has just about one quarter of all the climbing contained within. This hard finish, which features two cat 3 climbs, will test the climbing legs of the sprinters.  Weather The rain should pass before the stage starts, so the riders should spend the day in cloudy sunshine and temperatures will be just above 20 degrees. The wind is coming from the south-east and will be a constant worry throughout the stage, as there’s lots of...

Martos > Sierra Nevada (Observatorio Pico Veleta) 152.5km We’ve got a rest day on Monday and this stage finishes at 2430m above sea level, can we please get a bloody GC day! I don’t know about you, but I’m getting fed up with breakaway wins at this race. Don’t get me wrong, I love the attackers getting a win, but when it happens too often the race gets a little boring. With Remco showing weakness today, the vultures are circling and are ready to pounce, this should be a day to remember. Weather Sunny and hot. The Climbs First up...

Aberdeen > Glenshee 180.9km If you come to the north of Scotland in September you always run the risk of terrible weather, and it looks like the riders are going to be unlucky. There is a yellow weather warning in place from midnight on Sunday until 1500, it looks like the bunch will need their wet weather gear to get through this stage.  Weather Awful! There’s a lot of heavy rain overnight, but it looks likely the first couple of hours of the stage will also have lots of rain and a strong wind coming from the south-east. The rain...

The Tour of Britain has been used as a preparation race for the World Championships, but it looks like the big names have realised it’s very difficult to win this race and win the rainbow jersey. The stages are deceptively hard, there’s a lot of transfers and the weather can be a bit on the dodgy side. This means that we’ve got a different looking start list this year, it’s possible we see some younger riders step forward and challenge for stages and GC. Stage 1 We start up in Scotland and a finish up at Glenshee ski centre. It...

Montoro > Alto de la Pandera 160.5km The first of two big stages in the Sierra Nevada. It’s another mountain stage with a flat start, but that didn’t stop a huge break getting up the road on Thursday. With 18 KOM points on offer, it’s not a huge day in the fight for the KOM jersey, but it is a big day in the fight for the podium. Sierra de La Pandera was last used in 2017, with Rafa Majka winning from the break and the main GC contenders coming home close to each other, will we see a repeat...

Ronda > Montilla 168.5km Another day and another chance for the sprinters. With the fast men looking relatively equal, there should be no shortage of teams to chase down the morning break. This will mean the break will likely contain riders from the Spanish conti teams, and will be chased down with ease, setting up a big finish. Weather Another hot day in the south of Spain, I’m now starting to get jealous. Much of the day is spent riding into a headwind or cross/headwind, good luck to the brave souls who jump in the morning move. Finale The final...

Salobreña > Peñas Blancas 192.5km We head back to the mountains, or mountain to be correct, with a stage that goes through many towns well known to us tourists from Northern Europe. The peloton spends almost the whole day going in out and popular holiday destinations, the route passes through Nerja, Torrox, Malaga, Marbella and Estepona, I’ve been to almost all these places! It finishes by climbing Peñas Blancas, I remember the last time we were here, Leo König took a monumental win for Net-App Endura. This time round it could be one for Remco, but all riders will be...

Alhama de Murcia > Cabo de Gata 191.2km A simple stage awaits the peloton, it should be nice and easy for everyone, then a big sprint. Some brave souls will jump in the break, but they don’t stand a chance as the sprinters hunt out a stage win, despite most teams being depleted. There’s also a late bonus sprint that Mads Pedersen will be interested in. Weather We’re in the south and the temperatures are up, get your sun cream on. It’s a headwind for most of the day, terrible news for those wanting the break to win. Finale The...

Elche > Alicante 30.9km ITT A time trial for the specialists.  The opening 17km is mostly downhill, this is where the damage will be done. The rest of the route is mainly flat, but there is a little climb near the end, but it’s only 750m at 5.2%. This is a terrible route for the little climbers, they are going to lose a huge amount of time to Evenepoel. Weather Sunny and the wind should be the same for all.  Contenders Remco Evenepoel – he’ll start the stage as the big favourite. Despite being a small climber, we all know he’s...

Villaviciosa > Les Praeres 171.4km Another big mountain stage awaits the riders, with the hardest finish in the whole race. We were last here in 2018 and Simon Yates took the win from Miguel Ángel López. Les Praeres is a horrible climb, it is ridiculously steep and unrelenting.  Weather A nice day with lots of sun and temperatures getting close to 30 degrees. Key Climbs This is the first categorised climb of the day, it starts after almost 50km of racing. Is this where the break will be formed? Midway through the stage we have this cat 1 climb, it’s...

Pola de Laviana > Colláu Fancuaya 153.8km The first proper mountaintop finish of the race. Remco is in the lead after a dominant display on Thursday, but the race is far from over. This stage will see a shake down in the GC, it’s a big day in the battle for red. Weather Cloudy sun and the temperature will stay under 25 degrees. Key Points For the first time in the race we have a climb at the start. Alto de la Colladona is 9.1km at 5.3% and is a cat 2 effort, it gives the climbers a chance of...

Camargo > Cistierna 189.8km This is a stage you don’t often see in a grand tour. We have a very tough cat 1 climb which starts just over half way into the stage, from the crest there is 64km to go. It looks a weird one to me, hopefully it’s good to watch. Weather It will be cloudy and there’s a chance of rain. The wind is light, but it will be a tailwind throughout. The Climb Puerto de San Glorio is 26.4km at 4.7%, it is long and demanding. It’s hard to imagine any sprinter looking at this and...

Bilbao > Pico Jano 180.8km After today’s breakaway stage, Rudy Molard is in red, a tremendous moment in his career. He’s only 2 seconds ahead of Fred Wright, both will be trying their best to finish the stage in red, it’s all to play for. With FDJ in the race lead, we’ll have to see what happens in terms of the breakaway. It’s the first summit finish of the race, but it’s not the hardest. Weather Looks like rain and temperatures will be down on previous days.  The Climbs The first cat 1 climb of the day is Collada de...

Irun > Bilbao 186.5km Hands up if you want a breakaway stage? Two times up a climb that’s 4.2km at 8.2%, and last time up crests with 14km to go. As Thursday is an uphill finish, I would expect to see a large break fight out the stage win, allowing Jumbo-Visma to give away the red jersey. I don’t see any team wanting to chase and set up a potential sprint, not with Roglič looking ominously strong. The climb is too hard for Pedersen and Ineos have too many protected riders to chase all day. It’s also a good day...

Vitoria > Laguardia 152.9km The first “interesting” looking stage of the race. We are in the Basque Country and are faced with a day that’s too hard for the pure sprinters, and some of the breakaway experts will be licking their lips. Will Jumbo-Visma be happy giving away the jersey? Will other teams chase the break and set up a big finish? We’ll only know once the racing gets started on Tuesday. Weather Sunny and warm, temperatures will be around 30 degrees. The Climb It’s categorised as a cat 3, but as usual in this part of the world, it’s...

Hamburg > Hamburg 204.6km After 2 years off the calendar, the race returns and it’s a familiar looking route. Usually one for the fast men, Viviani has won the last three editions, but the finale always ensures the group is reduced to around 50 riders. Will this year follow the same path? Weather Pleasant temperatures, and there’s a little bit of wind around, but it shouldn’t cause any problems. The Climb The Waseberg is the main climb of the day, it’s covered on three occasions. The first time is after 140km of racing, so it’s too far out for any...

Breda > Breda 193.2km The final stage in the Netherlands, and it’s a stage that was designed with echelons in mind. We got a big sprint today, will there be another one tomorrow? Weather Cloudy, but it should stay dry. All eyes will be on the wind, it’s going to be around 15-20km/h and mainly coming from the west.  Echelons No doubt, people will be jumping up and down telling you they’ll be echelons, but I don’t see it. There’s exposed crosswind sections in the opening 50km, but that’s followed by around 70km of headwind. If we do see some...

Give > Vejle 125.4km The final stage is one that’s well known to those who watch the Tour of Denmark. Repeated laps of the circuit in Vejle has been a staple of this race for many years, but the organisers have moved it to the final stage and significantly shortened the stage, I like it a lot! Normally, we’re talking around 200km, but this year it’s only 125km and it still features lots of climbing, including the famous Kiddesvej. The organisers want to see some action and I’m sure that’s exactly what they’ll get. Weather Sunny and the wind will...

Hertogenbosch > Utrecht 174.9km The first of the big sprints, the break doesn’t stand a chance. We have a cat 4 climb to lure some into joining the morning move, with the KOM jersey waiting for them on the podium at the end of the day.  Weather Sunny, warm and the wind shouldn’t be a problem. Finale Technical, and a little bit dangerous, if you ask me. The approach to Utrecht is fine, most of it takes place on a wide highway, but once the bunch turn left at a roundabout with 4.6km to go, everything changes. The next section...

Skive > Skive 166.7km Unfortunately, the gravel stage was a bit of a non-event, time for the fourth stage and another opportunity for the sprinters. Weather Sunny and not much wind. Finale The stage ends with three laps of this circuit. It’s relatively straightforward, and it includes a little kicker, but it’s only 350m in length. The final corner comes with 2km to go, but there is a fast left-hand bend with just 500m to go, I’d want to be on the inside for this one. Tactics It’s a standard sprint stage, that’s it. Alpecin, Jumbo-Visma and QuickStep will be...

Utrecht 23.4km TTT The Vuelta kicks off with a team time trial around the streets of Utrecht. As we are in the Netherlands, expect lots of support for Jumbo-Visma. Weather We have a real risk of thunderstorms, which isn’t ideal for a TTT. It looks like there will be rain in the afternoon and early evening, but accurately predicting when will be very difficult. The Route Considering you have 8 riders trying to stay in formation, it looks very technical to me, with plenty of corners. The longest straight section of road is 3.5km in length, the next one is...

Otterup > Herning 239.3km Today’s TT has left us with a delicately balanced GC picture, the bonus seconds in the next three stages will go a long way to determining the winner of the race. This stage is a nod to GP Herning, one of the biggest races in this part of the world. We have an incredibly long stage of 239km and we have 9 gravel sectors, totalling 18.2km of the rough stuff. This is a stage that many will fear, it should have a big impact on the GC fight. Weather There is a risk of thunderstorms, it...

It’s time for La Vuelta, the final grand tour of the season. I love all things Spain, including this race. While others show you every kilometre live, the Vuelta continues to be old school, there’s really no need to show the early part of most stages. As usual, it’s the standard mix of wall finishes, and some longer mountains thrown in too. This year, it looks a little easier than previous editions, hopefully we have a big fight for the red jersey, one that goes all the way to Madrid. Key Stages The first of the proper mountain stages doesn’t...

Assens 12.2km ITT As usual, we have an ITT in the Tour of Denmark, one that will have a big impact on the GC fight. Weather A bit grey at times, but it should be dry for all. The wind should also be the same strength for all, with a lot of headwind throughout. One forecast predicts the wind will change direction a little bit for the later starters, which would give them a disadvantage. As it’s just one forecast, I’ll say that it won’t happen. Route Nice and straightforward, it’s a power course. Contenders Geraint Thomas – this should suit...

Allerød > Køge 222.5km The opening stage of the Tour of Denmark is a long one, and it could be a touch on the boring side, but not if the wind blows. It’s still likely to end in a sprint, but there is a chance of echelons. Weather A hot one up in Denmark with temperatures close to 30 degrees, but what about the wind? The opening 25km is mainly crosswind, which is then followed by 100 km of headwind. Then the road heads east and we get more crosswind sections. The wind will be around 20km/h for most of...

Well then, the Tour of Denmark has gone mental! We still have a few familiar stages, with a 12.2km ITT and the circuit in Vejle, but this year we have two incredibly long stages, one of which features 18.2km of gravel. You heard me right, gravel! Not only that, but there should be a fair amount of rain and wind, it could be an edition to remember. One thing to note is the position of the intermediate sprints, three out of the four road stages have an early sprint. In a race likely to be decided by a small margin,...

Murnau > München 207.1km The Euros are in Germany, and they’ve been designed so we get a big sprint, it might not be a great watch. It’s a city centre finish in Munich, with five laps of the lap circuit.  Weather Sunny and hot as the heatwave continues in Europe. Lap Circuit Much of the circuit takes place on very wide roads, but as the bunch go up and down the same stretches of tarmac, it’ll be a two-lane or three-lane for much of the finish. There should be plenty of space for the sprint teams to get into colour...

With the Vuelta starting next Friday, it’s time to look at the stages. As most of you will know, the Vuelta is totally different to the other grand tours, mainly due to its position in the calendar. The race is very chilled, it doesn’t have the same level of nerves as the Giro and Tour, and the route is distinctly Spanish. This year the race starts in the Netherlands, spending three days before heading to the Basque Country. It then stays in the north for six stages before heading down to the south for eight stages, hopefully the heatwave will...

Tournai > La Louvière 176km New name and new route! What was known as Tour de l’Eurométropole is now Circuit Franco-Belge, and they’ve switched the race too. It used to be La Louvière to Tournai, but that’s been reversed, and the new route is certainly an interesting one. With the fight for world tour points now reaching fever pitch, the race takes on even more significance. The new route involves a road down into La Louvière and then four full laps of a challenging little circuit, it promises to be a day full of attacking racing. Weather Sunny and hot,...

Warwick > Warwick 109.4km The women’s road race is early on Sunday morning, it’s going to be an early alarm call for those taking part. It’s a flat circuit, one that suits riders with a lot of grunt. Weather Nice and sunny. Lap Circuit The women do seven laps of the circuit, it’s not a particularly challenging one. Tactics The race looks set to be a straight fight between England and Australia. Australia – Roy, Roseman-Gannon, Manly, Chapman, Brown, and Baker. England – Smith, Nelson, Lowden, Leech, Henderson, and Barnes. I would say there’s a clear imbalance between the two...

Warwick > Warwick 157.6km The Commonwealth Games Road Race is an interesting event. We have a few riders coming here from the Tour, will they be tired or benefit from the much-lauded Tour legs? For those that don’t know, this is the only event where Team GB split into their individual countries, which means we have Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man competing. Throw in Australia and New Zealand and we have a very competitive start list.  Weather 25 degrees and sunny. Route Pretty much as flat as you’ll find in this part of the world....

Lerma > Lagunas 169.7km After today’s breakaway win, we head to the mountains and a big finish on Lagunas de Neila. Will it be another day for the break, or will the GC riders want a stage win? Weather Around 30 degrees, but not as sunny as previous days. The Climb It’s a climb most of us will know well, they love using it in this race. 11.8km at 6.2%, but the final 2.8km average 10.3%, this is where it starts to hurt. I remember a few editions where it’s been a headwind on the climb, but this year most...

Torresandino > Clunia 168.4km The fourth stage in Burgos should be one for the puncheurs. It’s been a while since this finish was used, last time was 2019 and Alex Aranburu took the win. I’ve a memory of Jens Keukeleire smashing this finish way back in 2013, on way to winning two stages of the race that year. The uphill finish is a test, and we can see gaps at the finish, so GC riders need to make sure they’re at the front and not caught behind any splits, this is what makes it too hard for the sprinters. Weather...

Valsir > Kraków 177km The Tour of Poland finishes with an interesting looking stage. The opening 45km contains a number of climbs, two of which are categorised. Not only that, but we have an early sprint point, at the top of a little rise and another sprint after 63km.  Weather Hot and sunny. Key Points The first intermediate sprint comes after just 24km of racing, this is the run into it. The sprint point is at the top of the little hill, it’s a challenging one.  This is the only cat 1 climb of the week, but the organisers have...

Quintana Martin Galindez > Villarcayo 153.3km It’s time for the GC battle to start, but with the big climb cresting with 36km to go, will we see any gaps between the main contenders? Weather A bit more cloud than in previous stages and the temperature will be a lot nicer for the bunch. The wind is light, but it’s still a headwind on Picon Blanco. Key Points The climb of Picon Blanco is well known in this race, it’s a very difficult effort. If the bunch go full, the front group will be small at the top, but will anyone...

Gronków > Ski Station Rusiński 11.8km ITT After today’s sprint stage, we head for the time trial. It’s a bit of a strange one, I don’t think I’ve seen a TT that looks like this one. It starts with 3km of flat, before 5km at 2.7%, then 2.15km at 6.2%, before 1km of downhill and then 600m of flat to finish it off. Overall, it’s 331m of climbing over 11.8km, which should give the climbers a chance against the TT specialists. The other weird thing about this time trial is a lack of proper corners, there are only two times...

Lancut > Rzeszów 178.4km Today was a little bit of a weird one. We had a crazy start, with GC riders attacking and trying to put Bora under pressure. Then it settled down, with the rest of the stage being ridden at a steady tempo, including the last two climbs. This stage is the last one climbers can make a difference, it’s now or never if you don’t have a great TT. Will we see a strong group form at the start? Will it be another day for the sprinters? Will I manage to correctly predict it? Weather Cloudy, but...

Vivar > Villadiego 157.6km The second stage in Burgos is a nailed-on sprint, it’s not a day that’s going to get exciting until the final 10km. Weather Another roasting hot day. There is a small chance of echelons in the final 30km, but I don’t see splits. Finale The above image is the final 9km, it starts with a climb of 1.3km at 6%, nothing that should worry any of the fast men. Then we have a very long straight round, and a corner with just 200m to go. Not a well-planned finish if you ask me. The long straight...

Lesko > Sanok 179km The fourth stage of the Tour of Poland is a day that will interest different types of riders, there’s something for everyone. After his win today, Sergio Higuita is in the yellow jersey and Bora will be in charge of controlling the stage. Today, they only had Aleotti left to support Higuita towards the end of the stage, this could be an issue in this stage.  Weather Another sunny day with pleasant temperatures. The Climbs The finale of the stage kicks off with this cat 2 climb, but it should be relatively straightforward for most in...

Burgos > Burgos 156.8km The first stage of the race and it’s the usual finish up at the castle. I wonder which type of rider will take the win this year. Sprinter, puncheur or climber? Weather Roasting hot, temperatures are due to peak at 35 degrees. We have some lovely, exposed sections in the final 60km, but with the wind only around 15km/h, I don’t think we’ll see significant splits. Finale The bunch climb up to the castle on two occasions, teams need to be wary first time up as it is possible to get a strong group off the...

Vuelta a Burgos offers those heading to the Vuelta Espana a last chance to fine tune their form. The route is a traditional one with two mountain stages, two uphill sprints and one flat sprint. The weather forecast is a good one, with lots of sunshine, but as the roads in this part of the world are exposed to the elements, teams will be keeping one eye on the wind. Stage 1 The traditional opening stage with the finish up at the castle. It’s a stage that sprinters can win, but it’s also been won by puncheurs and sometimes even...

Krasnik > Przemysł 237.6km This finish was brought in last year, and it provided an exciting battle with Almeida taking the win from Ulissi and Mohorič. This year the finish is the same, but the organisers have increased the distance up to 238km. We’ll have to wait and see if the extra distance has any impact, I’m not so sure, as most of the day should be ridden at an easy tempo.  Weather Nice enough temperatures throughout the day. The wind is coming from the north-west, and as the riders are heading south for much of the day, we do...

Chelm > Zamosc 205.6km Another day, another sprint. Nothing much will happen in the stage, until we get into the final 20km, or so. The stage ends with a lap circuit, something that we often see in this race. The circuit is 9km in length and the bunch complete just one full lap. Weather Looks like rain for the start of the stage, but it should by dry for the second half of the day. Finale Pretty easy. There are a couple of corners to help line out the bunch, the last of which comes just before the flamme rouge....

San Sebastián > San Sebastián 224.2km With just a slight change never the finish, this year’s route is very similar to previous editions. We have the Jaizkibel, quickly followed by Erlaitz and then Murgil Tontorra to finish, it’s a route I love. The race has the usual mix of riders coming from the Tour, hoping to squeeze the last ounce of performance out of their legs, and others who are already starting the final phase of their season. The winner normally comes from the Tour, but Evenepoel was the exception to the rule, so those coming here from a different...

Kielce > Lubin 218.6km The opening stage is a long day in the saddle, almost 220km. Most of it will likely be spent at an easy tempo as the break will be weak and everyone will be happy with a sprint finish. Weather Cloudy and warm. There is a risk of a thunderstorm, but the current forecast suggests it will arrive after the finish. Finale Not overly technical, but there are still some points where positioning is vital. At 3km to go, the road goes downhill, and the speeds will be very high. This leads into a very tight right-hand...

The Tour of Poland has seen significant changes to its parcour this year, a move that could well encourage more attacking racing. Back in comes a time trial, as does some very long days in the saddle. On paper, it looks like just one GC day, but the opportunities are there for the main contenders to push on multiple days. This marks the beginning of the final third of the season, with most here racing for the first time in a couple of months. This race is important, but most will see it as a way of getting racing in...

La Défense Arena > Champs-Élysées 115.4km After a brilliant three weeks, the race finishes with the usual sprint on the Champs-Élysées. Can Van Aert repeat his success from last year? This year he’ll face more competition as none of the sprinters have left the race, we still have all the fast men here and hoping for success. Weather Another roasting hot day. Finale They’ve decided to keep it the same as last year, with the extended distance between the final corner and finishing line. As usual, controlling the head of the race as you head into the underpass, with 2km...

Lacapelle-Marival > Rocamadour 40.6km ITT A 41km ITT after three extremely hard weeks, I don’t think the organisers will be popular with the riders. The route looks relatively flat, but it does contain 428m of climbing, which means the roads most be more undulating than they look on the profile. In the last 6km there are two kickers, the first one is 1km at 6% and to finish off there is 1.5km at 8%. Despite being relatively short, these two climbs could have quite a big say in the outcome of the stage, getting your pacing strategy right is very...

Castelnau-Magnoac > Cahors 188.4km Stage 19 of the Tour de France, and we have a sprint stage! Okay, it might not end in a sprint, but it looks the most likely option. We have a couple of cat 4 climbs in the second half of the stage, but the fast men will all survive, even though some are on their last legs. The issue is the wind, we have crosswinds for the entire stage, but can anyone be arsed trying to create echelons? Weather Hot and sunny, with the wind coming from just above west, which means crosswind all day...

Lourdes > Hautacam 143.1km Today we had a huge day in the mountains, are you ready for another one? It’s another short stage, this time it’s 143km in length. The climbing in this stage is harder, we have three huge climbs for the riders to deal with. The battle for yellow is still on, as is the battle for the polka dot jersey. The final 84km of the stage contains 3250m of climbing, that’s bordering on the ridiculous. Weather The high temperatures are back, it’s over 30 degrees again. The wind is light, but it is a headwind on the...

Saint-Gaudens > Peyragudes 129.6km Another huge day in the fight for the yellow jersey. This is the penultimate mountain stage, time is running out for those wanting to make a move in the overall classification, this day takes on a huge amount of significance in the fight for yellow and the podium. Last time we were here it was 2017 and a certain Romain Bardet took the stage win, after Team Sky had ridden all day to set up Chris Froome. That was the first time the super steep section was added at the end of the stage, it is...

Carcassonne > Foix 178.3km Welcome to the third week of the Tour de France. The first two weeks of the race have been raced at an infernal speed, and with the added complication of the extreme heat, a lot of riders already seem to be way beyond their limit. This week could see some high on GC explode, and it also gives an opportunity to those who have ridden smart in the first two weeks. Stage 16 looks like a classic breakaway stage, especially as Jumbo-Visma and UAE are down to just five workers each. Weather Maximum temperatures of 35...

Rodez > Carcassonne 202.4km Another day that gives the sprinters and breakaway riders a little hope. With 2639m of climbing, it’s certainly not a flat day, but the presence of just one categorised climb will get the sprinters hoping. The same is true for many potential breakaway riders, recent stages have been more suited to those who can climb, but this day is a good one for those who prefer flatter parcours. As usual, the composition of the break will decide how far it goes in the stage. Weather The hottest day of the race so far, with temperatures getting...

Saint-Étienne > Mende 192.3km The race heads back to Mende, a stage made for the breakaway. The two finishes here in the last 7 years have gone that exact way, with Fraile winning in 2018 and Cummings in 2015, both stages are ones that I remember well. The final climb is very hard, but it’s possible for a non-climber to take the day, if they ride a clever tactical race. Stuyven was incredible close to doing this in 2018, but Fraile caught and then dropped him with just 50m of the climb still to go, the Belgian will be back...

Bourg d’Oisans > Saint-Étienne 192.3km What a fabulous week of racing we’ve had, and there’s still three stages to go until the final rest day. The GC battle is put on hold, and we have a transition day to Saint-Étienne. It looks like one for the sprinters, but with tired legs, the right break could go a long way. However, as this could well be the last sprint before Paris, the sprint teams will be keen on setting this up for the fast men. Weather Roasting hot, with temperatures over 30 degrees. The opening 140km of the stage is into...

Briançon > Alpe d’Huez 164.8km How do you follow that? Today, we witnessed one of the best stages in recent Tour history, one that will go down as one of the greats, but can it get even better? It’s Bastille Day, we have three enormous climbs, finishing on the Alpe, but is the yellow jersey now secure on the shoulders of Vingegaard? Will Pogačar come out swinging? Jumbo-Visma are now in control of yellow, and they have the team to back it up. Given their dominance today, the break will sense a chance of taking the win, it’s a big...

Albertville > Col du Granon 151.5km A monumental day in the fight for the yellow jersey. We have four iconic climbs and a leader’s team starting to creak under the pressure of COVID. UAE will rue not getting Kämna into yellow, this isn’t a stage they can control. Throw in the high altitude climbs and we’re hopefully in for a legendary Tour de France mountain stage. Weather Roasting hot and hardly any wind. Once up at over 2000m, things are a little more bearable. The Climbs First up are the beautiful hairpins of Lacets de Montvernier. The break should go...

Morzine > Megève 147.9km We have a medium mountain stage that will interest many riders. As Wednesday and Thursday are big days in the high mountains, this is likely to be another day for the breakaway. The final climb isn’t hard, it’s highly unlikely we’ll see gaps between the GC riders, so there’s no incentive for GC teams to ride. Expect to see a big fight for the break, and then a calm day in the bunch. Weather Another hot and sunny day as temperatures continue to build. Finale 21.5km at 4.1% doesn’t excite me, it’s a bit of a...

Aigle > Châtel 192.7km A stage that would normally be one for the breakaway. The reason for this is the position of the final climb, it crests with 10km to go, which normally puts teams off chasing the break down. However, this edition of the Tour has been well controlled by the peloton, maybe one of the GC teams will want a crack at the win. Weather Nice and sunny and it’s getting hotter. Key Points Col de la Croix is a tough climb, but the position of it in the stage means it will likely be ridden at tempo....

Dôle > Lausanne 186.1km A stage with “only” 2614m of climbing, but it has a deceptively hard finish. Which of the sprinters will fancy their chances of winning this tough stage? Jumbo-Visma are the obvious choice, this is a great chance for Wout Van Aert to take another stage win. Weather Another sunny day. Finale Harder than the numbers suggest, but the key points are into a headwind. The first section of climbing is around 2.2km at 5.5%, followed by a short section of flat. The final 2.2km averages 5.4%, but that includes a final 300 which is flat. Both...

Tomblaine > La Super Planche des Belles Filles 176.1km The first mountaintop finish of the race, with the finish on Super Planche des Belles Filles. Last time we were here it was 2019 and Dylan Teuns beat Giulio Ciccone in an intense sprint, taking a huge win from the break. Back in the GC group, Geraint Thomas was the first home, but only a handful of seconds separated the top climbers. This isn’t a stage where the yellow jersey will be won, but it’ll still be great to watch. Will the break take another win? Weather Nice and sunny. The...

Binche > Longwy 220.1km After the chaos of the cobbles, the riders are now faced with the longest stage of the whole race. We finish in Longwy, the place where Sagan won back in the 3rd stage of the 2017 edition. It’s the same finish, but this year the approach is harder. The breakaway riders will sense a chance of taking the win as the finish will be too hard for most of the fast men.  Weather There is a risk of showers throughout most of the stage, and temperatures will be around 20 degrees. The wind is up over 20km/h...

Lille Métropole > Arenberg Porte du Hainaut 156.7km A day eagerly anticipated by many, but not all. Every so often the organisers decide to include cobbles in one of the stages, which normally leads to crashes and some GC riders hopes left in the gutter. We have 11 cobble sectors, totalling 19.4km. It’s not a mini-Roubaix, but it is a dangerous stage. I’ll leave the debate about whether it should be in the race to the side. Weather It’s another nice day for the bunch, with pleasant temperatures and not much wind. The Sectors We might not have any 5-star...

Vejle > Sønderborg 181.8km Another day where the threat of crosswinds looms large. It should be a bunch sprint, but a few teams might have other ideas. Weather It’s a nice day with temperatures around 23 degrees. The wind is what everyone will be checking, and the news is mixed. The vast majority of the day the bunch ride south, and for the first half of the day the wind is coming from the south-west, that means a cross/headwind, so unlikely we’ll see splits.  Things change with around 80km to go, as the wind moves round a bit and comes...

Copenhague > Copenhague 13.1km ITT The Tour kicks off in Denmark with a 13.1km ITT. The route contains a number of corners, but I wouldn’t say it was technical. Most of it takes place on wide roads, meaning that the corners will be able to be taken at speed, as long as it’s dry, which will favour the TT specialists. The second half of the route does feature some tighter corners, but all the contenders will know the roads inside out. The prize for the winner is the first yellow jersey of the race, it doesn’t get any bigger than...

The big one’s here, but with COVID still looming large, the race starts with a lot of uncertainty. I’ve already looked at all the stages, you can see it here 2022 Tour de France Stage Analysis Key Stages There’s every chance of the wind splitting things up as the bunch head south. Throw in some narrow roads, and if the echelons don’t get you, the crashes will. It will be your normal crazy first road stage of the Tour, and some GC riders won’t enjoy themselves. The cobbled stage. Nerves and crashes are on the menu, but the cobbles aren’t...

The Tour de France is fast approaching, it begins on Friday 1st July. This year the Grand Depart is from Copenhagen, Denmark. The locals are going crazy for this, expect three days with packed crowds. Time to take a look at the route. Stage 1 We start with a 13.1km ITT, one that looks very technical. The route contains many corners, which will give hope to those wanting to beat Ganna. Mads Pedersen will know every inch of this stage, but will it be enough for him to secure a fairy tale yellow jersey? Stage 2 Day 2 in Denmark, and...

Vaduz > Vaduz 25.4km ITT The race ends with a time trail in Liechtenstein. 25km is a long one, and after such a demanding race, most riders are on their knees. After today’s mountain stage, we now have Sergio Higuita in the race lead, but Geraint Thomas looms large. Weather Another roasting hot day, with a consistent wind for all. Contenders Remco Evenepoel – it’s not been the race he hoped for but winning the TT would put a positive spin on things. He’s done three TTs this year, winning one and finishing second in the other two. He’s gone pretty...

Durbuy > Durbuy 172.4km The Queen stage in the Belgium Tour, and what a stage! I’m a sucker for a good lap circuit, this one isn’t good, it’s amazing. With over 3000m of climbing, this is going to be a great test for those ahead of the Tour de France. After the TT, Mads Pedersen is in the race lead, will he still be at the end of this day? Weather Roasting hot, temperatures could hit 34 degrees. Lap Circuit The bunch do four laps of this little beauty, there is no flat road, always up or down. In terms...

Ambri > Malbun 195.8km On paper, it’s a good-looking stage for the breakaway. The downhill start means the peloton will likely stay together until we get to the first climb of the day, that’s when the attackers will hope to form a strong break and disappear up the road never to be seen again. The GC riders will be looking at the final climb and hope to save all their energy for it, they know they’ll need it. Weather Another roasting hot day with temperatures hitting 30 degrees in the valley.  The Climbs First up is the Lukmanierpass, which if...

Locarno > Moosalp 180.5km The first of two huge days in the mountains. We might only have two climbs, but both are monsters are will seriously test the legs ahead of the Tour de France. With 4162m of climbing, this is a tough day in the saddle. Weather Another hot day, but temperatures are down a bit thanks to being in the mountains. The Climbs First up is the Nufenenpass, which goes all the way up to 2410m above sea level. It’s not the hardest climb in the world, but the altitude will make it harder than the numbers suggest....

Ambri > Novazzano 190.5km I’ve been looking forward to this one, I’m a sucker for a well-crafted lap circuit. It contains some of the circuit used back in the 2009 worlds, that year Cadel Evans took home the win for Australia. It’s another day that suits quite a few riders, but you need punch to win this one. Weather The temperature continues to increase, now we’re talking about 33 degrees, which is roasting hot. Not all the riders can cope with this heat, but at least those here should now be getting used to it. The Circuit It’s beautiful, isn’t...

Grenchen > Brunnen 192.2km A day where if you simply look at the altitude gain you could end up with the wrong conclusion.  We have just over 2000m of climbing, the easiest stage in the race, but it’s unlikely to be a day for the sprinters. It’s all to do with the placement of the climb, the organisers have been devilish. Weather The heatwave in central Europe is starting to kick in, temperatures will get up to 30 degrees. The Climb As you can see, the full climb is 4.7km at 6.3%, but the opening 3.5km averages 8%, with a few...