Terneuzen > Schoten 205km The sprinter’s classic. Merlier is going for three in a row, something only Marcel Kittel has managed to do in the history of this race. 

Fontevraud-l’Abbaye > Vertou 187km The opening stage of the 4-day race looks like one for the sprinters. 

Pamplona-Iruña > Lekunberri 165km After a brilliant ITT, the race heads for the hills. The finale features the climb, San Miguel de Aralar, one of the hardest hills in this year’s race. Paul Seixas has an enormous lead over his rivals, I was hoping for the gaps to be smaller, but the young Frenchman wasn’t in the mood to mess about. All eyes will be on him for the rest of the week.

Mouscron > Mouscron 125km Just the 6th edition of this race, it was won by Susanne Andersen in 2025. This year, the startlist isn’t the strongest, Uno-X and Lidl-Trek are the only world tour teams here, with Lotto and VolkerWessels the only pro teams, the rest are conti or devo squads. 

Bilbao > Bilbao 13.8km ITT The race kicks off with a tough ITT in Bilbao. The exact same route was used back in 2021, Primož Roglič won the stage in a time of 17:17, 2 seconds faster than Brandon McNulty. Will Primož be able to roll back the clock or will one of the uber-talented youngsters take the win?

The 65th edition of this amazing race, one of the best one-week races on the calendar. This year, the organisers have gone crazy, it’s the hardest route I can remember, this is going to be epic. On the startlist, we don’t have Pogačar or Vingegaard, but Seixas is here, the youngster will be trying to win his first ever world tour stage race. Trying to stop him will be Ayuso, Roglič and Del Toro. I cannot wait.

Oudenaarde > Oudenaarde 164km The 24th edition of the women’s race, will Lotte Kopecky continue to dominate on home roads? The Belgian has won 3 out of the last 4 editions, she’s very hard to beat here, but the climbers will sense an opportunity to claim the crown. Longo Borghini did win in 2024, but neither Vollering, Ferrand-Prévot or Reusser have won this race before.

Eijsden > Eijsden 196km The 51st edition of the race, one which suits the punchy riders in the peloton. It’s a demanding day on the outskirts of Maastricht, one that normally produces an exciting race.

Estella-Lizarra > Estella-Lizarra 206km A race I really like, a lovely starter before the main course of Itzulia. Incredibly punchy finish and a supersonic descent down to the finishing line, but there’s always a chance of the race splitting up before the big finale.

Antwerpen > Oudenaarde 279km In my opinion, the best race of the year. I know a lot of people can’t see past Paris-Roubaix, but the mix of climbs and cobbles makes this my number 1. Over the years I’ve seen some incredible battles on these roads, and some terrible bits of luck. I firmly believe Oli Naesen would have won in 2017 if it hadn’t been for a spectator’s jacket, and I think a motorbike stopped Alaphilippe from winning in 2020. The race was always seen as too difficult for the GC riders, but Tadej Pogačar changed all that. The...