Category: Previews

Camaiore > Follonica 209.7km The second stage is the first opportunity for the fast men with a sprint finish in Follonica. Ineos are in control of the leader’s jersey, they’ll do much of the chasing of the break, but they’ll also get help from the sprint teams, we have three big ones here. Weather Cloudy...

Dampierre-en-Burly > Dampierre-en-Burly 32.1km TTT It’s time trial day. Weather Grey, cold, but it should stay dry. The wind should be consistent for all as there’s only 1h3m between the first and last team setting off. Route Very few corners to deal with, that makes life so much easier for the riders. Tactics Much has...

Lido di Camaiore > Lido di Camaiore 11.5km The race starts with an 11.5km ITT, one that should be familiar to you. It’s a little shorter than last year, but it’s on the same road that’s used every year.  Start, turn right, down to the bottom of the road, U-turn, back to the finish.  Weather...

Bazainville > Fontainebleau 163.5km One of those Paris-Nice stages where everyone is nervously checking the weather forecast. If the wind blows, it will be in pieces, but if not then we’re in for a big sprint. Weather Cold and the wind will be a steady 17km/h, which might not be strong enough for proper chaos....

With Paris-Nice getting lots of attention, you’d be forgiven about missing Tirreno-Adriatico, but not by me! The top two GC riders in the world might be in France, but there’s plenty of talent at this race, and it now looks wide open. The route contains no surprises, it’s a classic Tirreno route. Please note, the...

La Verrière > La Verrière 169.3km The opening stage of the race falls into the “interesting” category. There’s a wall climb with 20km to go, and a little kicker with just 7km to go, which has 6, 4 and 2 seconds for the first three over the crest. In a race where bonus seconds could...

When deciding on the route for this year’s Paris-Nice, the organisers went a wee walk down the local park. One of them brought the carry oot (alcohol), another some weed, and they even managed to find some magic mushrooms along the way. After a very long night, they decided on a 32km TTT, but the...

Siena > Siena 183.7km The white roads of Siena are calling. Unfortunately, what was meant to be the first big showdown between Pogačar, Van Aert, van der Poel and Alaphilippe isn’t going to happen, Pogačar’s off to Paris-Nice and Van Aert is waiting for Tirreno before starting his season. I can’t help but be disappointed,...

Laigueglia > Laigueglia 201.0km The period of cold and windy conditions in most of Europe continues, this is going to be a “different” edition of Trofeo Laigueglia. Weather Freezing cold, maybe some snow and very strong wind. Lots of riders will take one look out of the window and hope the race gets shortened! Lap...

Quaregnon > Dour 206.6km With the excitement of the opening weekend still sitting in my brain, the riders bounce straight into another cobbled race, it’s the 55th edition of Le Samyn. Okay, it’s not as prestigious as Omloop or Kuurne, but this one is for the hipsters. The route is very similar to last year, just...