Category: Previews

Vitoria-Gasteiz > San Sebastian-Donostia 209km When I first saw this stage, I thought it was one for the breakaway, but I’ve changed my mind. This is a day where the teams of climbing sprinters will control the morning attack and try to set up a reduced sprint. You might look at the Jaizkibel and think,...

Bilbao > Bilbao 182km It’s time to get the 2023 Tour de France started. The peloton is in the Basque Country, a place where people are fanatical about their cycling. The crowds will be immense, the atmosphere electric, and the racing should match it. There’s no boring sprint or TT to start with, we’re straight...

The biggest race of the year is fast approaching. Last year, we were treated to one of the best Tours in living memory, hopefully it’s not too greedy to expect another. The organisers have done their bit, the route looks amazing, now it’s over to the riders to do their thing.  My God, I don’t...

Cassel > Cassel 223km The organisers have come up with a beauty of a circuit for the French road race title. Over 220km in length and more than 4200m of climbing is a huge day out for the riders. The race features laps around Cassel, you should be familiar with the town from the Queen...

San Lorenzo de El Escorial > San Lorenzo de El Escorial 189km 3177m of climbing over 189km means this falls into the easy category compared to some of the other road races this weekend. The riders head out for a big loop, before two laps of a smaller circuit.  Weather Roasting hot, temperatures will be...

Roeselare > Roeselare 231km 231km is a long day in the saddle, but this is a race that should end in a sprint. Okay, they climb the Kemmelberg three times, but there’s 142km still to go from the top of the last ascent, and it’s the “easier” side of the Kemmel. Most teams arrive here...

Saltburn > Saltburn 186km The British road race takes place in the north-east of England, not too far from Middlesbrough, on what is one of the most demanding circuits you’re going to see this weekend. 186km in length, with 4037m of climbing, this is going to be a very hard race.  Weather Cloudy sun and...

Ponte Arche > Ponte Arche 226km The Italian road race takes place close to Trento, up in the north of the country. The riders cover about 80km before hitting the lap circuit, and there’s eight times up the climb. 226km is a long race, and 4000m of climbing will test those who aren’t climbing well....

St.Gallen / St.Gallen 26km ITT The race ends with a 26km ITT which has 401m of climbing.  By no means is it flat, the route is full of little kickers, which will make it hard for riders to settle into a rhythm. The GC is tight, Skjelmose leads Gall by 8 seconds, Ayuso is at...

Tübach > Weinfelden 185km I’ve struggled to write this preview. Finding the right words to describe such a terrible tragedy is very difficult.  I knew Gino Mäder a little bit, we exchanged a few messages over the last couple of years. He messaged me just after being pipped on the line by Primož Roglič in...