Category: Previews

Bergamo > Como 252.5km Well then, the season is just about done, but we’ve still got a monument to fight for. I love this point in the year, most of the bunch have no idea how their legs will react after a long and demanding season. This year we’ve got a change of route with...

Busto Arsizio > Varese 194.6km If you ask watchers of the sport which race is the hardest of the season, no one will mention Tre Valli Varesine, but it is. In terms of TSS, this is one of the most challenging races on the calendar, I’ve been told this by several current riders in the...

Carpi > San Luca 198.0km It’s the 105th edition of Giro dell’Emilia, a beautiful race in Bologna. This year the race follows a familiar route, with the hard climb of Medelana before hitting the lap circuit and five ascents of the San Luca climb. As usual, the race will be very selective and the strongest on...

Helensburgh > Wollongong 164.3km The women’s road race promises to be a fascinating event. Last year, Italy ended the Dutch stranglehold on the rainbow jersey, and they once again look like the strongest teams in the race. We’ve now seen Mount Pleasant, but this is the first time we get to see Mount Keira. We...

Wollongong > Wollongong 170km Unlike in the elite races, the under 23 men don’t have to climb Mount Keira, it’s straight onto the lap circuit and ten times round. That makes it 170km and 2541m of climbing, so not the hardest race in the world, but the climbs should still ensure it’s a selective day....

Helensburgh > Wollongong 267.2km The most important race of the year, the big one, the one where you get a special jersey for winning! After being starved of world tour racing for a couple of years, Australia will be delighted to see the best riders in the world back on their shores, and they’ve delivered...

Wollongong > Wollongong 34.4.km ITT Men and women have the same route and distance, that’s the headline news ahead of the time trial world championship. The lap circuit, which is done twice, will become very familiar over the next week, the road race always uses these roads but has an extra section that isn’t included...

Brakel > Haacht 199.9km The racing continues in Belgium with the 12th edition of the Primus Classic. It’s a race with a little bit of everything, one that can be won by different types of riders. Weather Wet, windy, and quite cold for this time of year. This will significantly increase the difficulty of the race....

Blegny > Citadelle de Namur 199.8km After the fun of Canada, it’s time to head back to Belgium. The finish returns to the traditional one, I can’t actually remember why they took a different route up to the citadelle last year, I think it was due to roadworks. Weather Thunderstorms are predicted, so it could...

Montréal > Montréal 224.9km GP Montréal is a race I like; the hilly circuit guarantees exciting racing and I’m looking forward to a cracker of a race. It starts late afternoon over in Europe, so I can watch the early stages with my Sunday roast, before moving beside the fire with a bottle of wine...