Author: cyclingmole

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...