Category: Previews

The bunch head to Valencia for some much-needed sunshine. With most teams spending long hours at team camps in the area, the roads are well known to the pro peloton. This year’s edition of the race is very difficult, there’s not much hope for those who don’t climb very well. The opening stage is the...

Al Manshiyah > Abu Rakah 159.4km It’s the same finishing town as last year’s 2nd stage but it’s not the same finish. On first look, it’s easier than the finish where Buitrago won just one year ago. Weather Sunny, but cooler than in previous days with temperatures struggling to get above 15 degrees. The wind will...

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...