Challenge Mallorca 2025 (January 29 - February 2)

[Devil's Elbow]

Welcome to the once and former start of the European season. It feels weird that there have been two race threads already this year...

Wednesday, January 29: Trofeo Calvià (149.6k)
As has been the case since 2021, the series starts with a saw-toothed race named after but finishing one town over from Calvià, in the west of the island. The route is almost the usual, only with the lap around Coll de Sóller being run in the opposite direction.

Startlist

Starts at: 12:20
Finishes at: 15:58- 16:10
Broadcast: 14:30 - 16:30

Spoiler: Climbs

Coll des Cocons:

Coll des Tords:

Coll des Grau:

Coll den Claret (first ascent; final 5.0k only):

Coll den Bleda:

Coll de Sóller:

Coll den Claret (second ascent):

Torre del Verger:

Es Grau + Coll de sa Gramola:

Coll de sa Coma + Coll de n'Esteve:

Thursday, January 30: Trofeo Ses Salines - Colònia de Sant Jordi (184.5k)
Sprint number one of two. I'm a bit worried about how fast this finale looks - trending downhill and absolutely nothing to slow down or stretch out the peloton, hopefully it will be fine...

Startlist

Starts at: 11:55
Finishes at: 16:01 - 16:12
Broadcast: 14:30 - 16:30

Friday, January 31: Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (151.3k)
What have they done to the route?! Usually, this is a climber's affair, but even though the finish is right at the bottom of the road to Puig Major the final 30k are entirely flat save for the short HTF. Also, the breakaway formation will be on a descent, so don't tell me it's for safety purposes...

Startlist

Starts at: 12:25
Finishes at: 16:01 - 16:11
Broadcast: 14:30 - 16:30

Spoiler: Climbs

Coll Sa Batalla + Coll Puig Major:

Coll de Sóller (same side as on Wednesday):

Finish (on incredibly narrow roads through the town centre with 4 sharp turns in the final 250 metres, this one is about positioning more than anything else):

Saturday, February 1st: Trofeo Andratx - Mirador d'Es Colomer (Pollença) (151.5k)
Same finale as in 2023 (and before that, 2021 and 2015) - only probably with slightly less impactful weather this time round.

Startlist

Starts at: 12:25
Finishes at: 16:01 - 16:12
Broadcast: 14:30 - 16:30

Spoiler: Climbs

Coll de sa Coma + Coll de n'Esteve:

Es Camp de Mar:

Coll de sa Gramola:

Coll des Grau:

Coll den Claret:

Coll den Bleda:

Coll Puig Major:

Mirador d'Es Colomer (only the first 3.65k):

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Sunday, February 2: Trofeo Palma (149.9k)
As always, the final race is a sprint in the island's capital.

Startlist

Starts at: 10:45
Finishes at: 14:04 - 14:14
Broadcast: 12:30 - 14:30

Spoiler: Climbs

Subida Randa (first 2.9k only):

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I was just about to ask in the lesser known races thread if anyone, aka you, was working on a thread or some previews, but your magic worked faster than my brain and fingers.

 

[Rob5091]

Thanks for the thread and stickied too! (if only it was so efficient everywhere!)

 

[Rob5091]

The desperate race for UCI points continues! Cofidis will be getting nervy and Hirschi going to Tudor has altered things. Astana will of course get as many as possible into the top 10. Uno-X is the other team to watch.
This was the last update on the UCI's world tour points -
https://inrng.com/2024/10/promotion-relegation-update-2024/#more-45224

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Theodor Clemmensen pro debut today, Paul Fietzke tomorrow.

 

[RedheadDane]

Theodor Clemmensen pro debut today, Paul Fietzke tomorrow.

Lorenzo Finn Friday.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

These are typically quite entertaining races. Oh, and they always get some extra attention from the CQ Game community because of the many points available. Let's see if Intermarche super peaks for these races once again.

Morgado ftw today.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

This was the last update on the UCI's world tour points -
https://inrng.com/2024/10/promotion-relegation-update-2024/#more-45224

Firstcycling has a nice overview/dashboard here.

Hard to see how UAE should not win with Morgado and Christen. But ok, Hirschi and Scaroni outdid them in the Valencia 1969, and maybe it's going to be the same again today?

 

[pelotonIQ]

Low tier race, mostly prospects, old dusted pros at the end of their careers and an American crit race team. Will be interesting to see how the crit race team performs in an European race.

 

[Berniece]

I'm a bit disappointed in the startlist of the first race.
Last year we had Vlasov, Van Wilder, McNulty, Van Eetvelt, Costa, Soler.
This year it's Hirschi, Ulissi, Aranburu, with some appealing youngsters (Christen and Morgado)

 

[Coffeeplanter]

I fail to see how the inclusion of Van Wilder and Soler would be the difference between poor/disappointing and wow. Startlist looks of roughly the same level to me.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I'm a bit disappointed in the startlist of the first race.
Last year we had Vlasov, Van Wilder, McNulty, Van Eetvelt, Costa, Soler.
This year it's Hirschi, Ulissi, Aranburu, with some appealing youngsters (Christen and Morgado)

I don't think you can complain too much the start list, it's January and there are plenty of exciting riders.

My pick today - Roger adria

 

[Tim Cahill]

Just look at that Astana team, wall to wall cycling.

The deadly Scaroni, Champoussin, Velasco, Charmig quartet continuing their hunt for points from last week joined by spiritual leader Ulissi for his debut and exciting youngsters Toneatti and Darren Van Bekkum. The sprints for top 20 placings will be intense.

EDIT: I have been reliably informed by Daniel Frereienrebe's twitter account that Vino has hired a best in class Data Scientist, a top mind from silicon valley, to pinpoint the right races to target.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884526665457402327

 

[search]

I'm a bit disappointed in the startlist of the first race.
Last year we had Vlasov, Van Wilder, McNulty, Van Eetvelt, Costa, Soler.
This year it's Hirschi, Ulissi, Aranburu, with some appealing youngsters (Christen and Morgado)

Costa is back again as well

 

[Samamba]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884526665457402327

Why are we acting like this is some special thing that no one else does lmao?
Astana was just incredibly dumb the past few seasons. You don't need to be smart to tell them which races they need to ride to maximize points.

 

[Rob5091]

Why are we acting like this is some special thing that no one else does lmao?
Astana was just incredibly dumb the past few seasons. You don't need to be smart to tell them which races they need to ride to maximize points.

Vino needs someone to blame if it all goes wrong. Interesting to know they went after Ayuso & Vlasov.

 

[Rob5091]

Blowy day today according to PCS. Altogether too after 75 km done.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Nairoman for the win today!

 

[Potomac]

9 Americans riding today.

I've heard of at least two of them

 

[Potomac]

It finally feels like the season started.
I watched every stage of theTDU, but it didn't feel the same.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Rouler Nairo actually looking sharp on the pedals, attacking on his own now!

 

[Potomac]

I believe Blythe said something like "You almost have to treat this like it is a one day race."

 

[Tim Cahill]

Nvm he's looking behind sitting on after a single acceleration

 

[Tricycle Rider]

9 Americans riding today.

I've heard of at least two of them

Sean Quinn and...

I've only heard of him but my mind is like a sieve for riders' names. (Unless they're shown on TV a lot or are fairly accomplished.)