Montesson > Bellegarde 184km Every year, this stage is one where the wind can cause havoc as the riders head south from Paris, usually on countryside roads. This year is the same, but will the weather play ball?

Lido di Camaiore > Lido di Camaiore 11.5km ITT The race begins with the usual ITT in Lido di Camaiore. The organisers continue to tinker with the start and finish locations, it means this TT is 11.5km in length compared with 10km last year, it’s back to the distance it was in 2023. The riders turn right just after they come down the start ramp, then it’s up to the top of the road and the intermediate check at 4.96km, then it’s a U-turn and straight down to the finish. 

The easiest Tirreno route I’ve seen for many a year, but I’m still hopeful of exciting racing. There might only be 1 GC day, but some of the other stages should see plenty of attacking. Jonathan Milan is here to try and continue his excellent start to the season, Ayuso is looking very strong in terms of the GC and then there’s Mathieu van der Poel, who’ll continue to do Mathieu van der Poel things.

Le Perray-en-Yvelines > Le Perray-en-Yvelines 156km The opening stage is a typical PN opening stage, a lap circuit on the outskirts of Paris, one that sprinters will be slightly concerned about. It could end in a big sprint, reduced sprint, or attackers might take the win.

It’s the 83rd edition of this beautiful race. Last year was another great edition, Matteo Jorgenson took an incredible win, and he’s back to try and defend his title. In what looks like a strange move, Visma also bring Jonas Vingegaard, most people would have thought one of them would have gone to Tirreno. The race is the usual mix of stages, but they’ve tinkered with final stage, more of that below. For most people (me included), it’s the first proper stage race of the season.

Siena > Siena 213km There’s been a couple of tweaks to the route, but from Monte Sante Maria it’s the same as last year. Remember, the organisers changed the finale in 2024, adding a little loop, meaning twice through Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe. This not only increased the altitude gain to over 4000m, but it also increased the distance of the race too. 213km and over 4000m of climbing is a very hard race, and that’s not even considering the 71km of white road. This brutality was reflected in last year’s top 10, most of them staggered home behind...

Laigueglia > Laigueglia 202km Welcome to Italy, quite a few of these riders will be here for a good few weeks. It’s the 62nd edition of this race, and the organisers have stuck with the route which has been used for a long time. 4 times up Colla Micheri will decide the race. 

Quaregnon > Dour 199km The classics season is now off and running and we’ve got some midweek cobble action. Often seen as one for the hipsters, Le Samyn is a cracking little race. It doesn’t always attract the “big” teams, which is one of the reasons why the list of previous winners looks eclectic. 

Kortrijk > Kuurne 196km After the fun of Omloop, the riders head for Kuurne. Most of the best sprinters in the world are here, but in the last five editions, there’s only been one sprint finish, that was when Jakobsen won in 2022. With so many teams wanting a bunch sprint, I wonder what will happen this year.

Betanzos > Santiago de Compostela 168km The final stage of what’s been an excellent race. Magnus Cort will sense a chance of taking his third win of the week, and there’s gravel sectors for those that like that type of thing.