Cartagena > Lorca 154km Well then, Visma did go for Van Aert, but it really didn’t work out. After burning through all their men, Van Aert struggled to get a good position and Tronchon took a great win. Stage 11 is another one for the fast men, will Visma go back to Brennan or stick with Vam Aert?

Lincoln > Lincoln 188km Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain has a brilliant finish, a proper punchy effort. 

The 22nd Tour of Britain, my home race. This year, it’s been cut to 5 stages, hopefully we get to see some attacking racing.

Alcaraz > Elche de la Sierra 185km The dust has settled on a seismic first week of the race. Pogačar was at his dominant best, Brennan is back to looking like a superstar and then Pogačar crashes out of the race, propelling Mas into red. The Spaniard responded by winning Sunday’s stage in outstanding fashion, but the GC fight is still very much alive, but those boys can rest up until Thursday. The second week kicks off with a breakaway/sprint stage, it looks hard to hold together for a sprint.

La Vila Joiosa/Villajoyosa > Alto de Aitana. Costa Blanca 188km Today was a terrible day for the race, Pogačar crashing hard and having to abandon. Cycling is a brutal sport, there’s no time to wait around, the race continues and the battle for red is now on. The first week ends with a huge day of climbing starting in Benidorm. 5164m of altitude gain makes it one of the most demanding stages of the year, a day where we’ll see who’s going to be in the fight for the podium in Granada. 

Plouay > Plouay 228km The 90th edition of this beautiful race. If you read my women’s preview, you’ll know that Côte de Ty Marrec is back in the lap circuit for the first time since 2019, returning to the classic route. Back in 2019, a three-man group got away in the finale and Sep Vanmarcke jumped with 1km to go to beat Tiesj Benoot and Jack Haig. 

Puçol > Xeraco 172km Day 8 and another opportunity for the sprinters. This should be the biggest bunch sprint so far.

Plouay > Plouay 172km The route change klaxon is going off. Côte de Ty Marrec is back in the race for the first time since 2019, it will certainly spice up the lap circuit and give attackers a chance of upsetting those wanting a sprint. Mischa Bredewold has won this race three times in a row, can anyone stop her making it four?

Vall d’Alba > Aramón Valdelinares 150km Well then, Enric Mas finds the legs he had in the Autumn of 2022, when Pogačar couldn’t drop him in Il Lombardia. It was great to see the Spaniard back to his very best, but ultimately, Pogačar took another win. Stage 7 is one which will interest the breakaway riders, but will UAE let a stage win pass them by?

Alcossebre > Castelló 178km Day 6 and another chance for Pogačar to continue his dominance.