Lesser known races 2025 edition

[Tricycle Rider]

Congrats Christen, nice win for Q36.5!

Old Nairo came in 6th, I'm so giddy I could crap myself!

 

[Tim Cahill]

180 UCI points!!!

 

[Netserk]

180 UCI points, not bad.

Chinastan: 180p
Q36.5: 125p
Ag2r: 105p
UAE: 90p (+McNulty)
Movistar: 40p

 

[Squire]

Fabio Christen sprint win incoming. Especially if UAE trust in Del Toro's sprint. Also think APP should be faster than Del Toro.

Easiest call of the year so far.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Is UAE washed?

 

[Samamba]

At this rate they will actually make the top 18, but I think Murcia (and Asian Champ tonight) was probably one of the last races where it was this easy to score big. They go with a very good team to the Var races, but French teams will be strong there too. Henok will score +100 in Rwanda, but after that it's probably only Laigueglia where they can score big "easily" (it's .Pro and not stacked this year).

 

[tobydawq]

Is UAE washed?

Unlikely but one can hope other teams are catching up. Pogi will probably show us what's what next week, though.

In other news; Q36.5 now have as many wins in 2025 as they did in 2024.

 

[scribers]

Q36 riding a wave

 

[Salvarani]

Astana hilarious

 

[Samamba]

Scaroni isn't that fast.

Significantly faster than a Wellens who's dead and rode in front for the last 50kms. It's tactically perfectly normal that Wellens needs a breather there and doesn't start cooperating immediately. I don't think they should've been that passive after they got caught tho and McNulty getting dropped in that descent didn't help either. in the end they just weren't good enough. Disappointing on the climb apart from Wellens.

 

[Netserk]

Significantly faster than a Wellens who's dead and rode in front for the last 50kms. It's tactically perfectly normal that you don't go for that. I don't think they should've been that passive after they got caught tho and McNulty getting dropped in that descent didn't help either. in the end they just weren't good enough. Disappointing on the climb apart from Wellens.

It's still better to work with him at first and then stop with 3 km to go. That way you also better allow your teammates to move in the group behind.

 

[Samamba]

It's still better to work with him at first and then stop with 3 km to go. That way you also better allow your teammates to move in the group behind.

Wellens was about to drop just before the climb flattened off, he was on the limit. Perfectly normal to want to catch a breath first when you've been at the front for 50km. We're discussing details in the heat of the moment when riders don't even realize what the correct situation is probably. Only reason Wellens should keep riding there immediately knowing there's 3 (probably didn't know McNulty got dropped) teammates behind is if he knows for sure he can beat him, which obviously was not the case. Just easy to say after the race when you see them fail afterwards.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Astana hilarious

Vino approves!

 

[Rob5091]

For Vino it was misssion accomplished and the team talk on the UAE bus would be interesting to listen to. Ivan at Q36.5 will be glad too of course.

 

[Rob5091]

Don't touch that dial, as there's more sporting entertainment on Sunday in Spain and Portugal!
Sunday's Clasica de Almeria (1.pro) 189.1 km from Puebla de vicar to Roquetas de Mar, start at 11.50 CET TV from 14.30
startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/clasica-de-almeria/2025/startlist

roadbook at https://clasicadealmeria.net/2018/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Libro-de-Ruta-Clásica-de-Almería-2025.pdf

History says a sprint finish but who knows?! 1.pro means 200 UCI points for the winner.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Don't touch that dial, as there's more sporting entertainment on Sunday in Spain and Portugal!
Sunday's Clasica de Almeria (1.pro) 189.1 km from Puebla de vicar to Roquetas de Mar, start at 11.50 CET TV from 14.30
startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/clasica-de-almeria/2025/startlist

roadbook at https://clasicadealmeria.net/2018/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Libro-de-Ruta-Clásica-de-Almería-2025.pdf

History says a sprint finish but who knows?! 1.pro means 200 UCI points for the winner.

Nairo is on the startlist, so you know I'll be there for it. (Also De Lie and Demare, should be fun!)

 

[Rob5091]

Meanwhile in Portugal, we have on Sunday, Figueira Champions Classic, 192.7 km, from Figueira s da Foz and back again, start at 13.30 CET, TV from 16.30 CET (NB! Portugal 1 hour after Spain)
startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/figueira-champions-classic/2025/startlist
roadbook at https://www.figueirachampionsclassic.com/assets/img/percurso/roadbook_percursofile_1736851837.pdf

More info at https://www.figueirachampionsclassic.com/assets/img/percurso/livro_percursofile_1739273071.pdf

Laps of circuits and big hopes of a Portugese winner of course! 200 UCI points for the winner.

 

[KZD]

great start of the season for Q36.5

 

[yaco]

Don't touch that dial, as there's more sporting entertainment on Sunday in Spain and Portugal!
Sunday's Clasica de Almeria (1.pro) 189.1 km from Puebla de vicar to Roquetas de Mar, start at 11.50 CET TV from 14.30
startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/clasica-de-almeria/2025/startlist

roadbook at https://clasicadealmeria.net/2018/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Libro-de-Ruta-Clásica-de-Almería-2025.pdf

History says a sprint finish but who knows?! 1.pro means 200 UCI points for the winner.

This is usually one of the most boring races of the year. They've previously had hills in the first half of the race which can reduce the peleton.

 

[hayneplane]

This is usually one of the most boring races of the year. They've previously had hills in the first half of the race which can reduce the peleton.

Have to agree. Usually very passively raced as though the entire peloton reached an entente cordiale to just pootle along and let it be resolved by a mass sprint.

 

[tobydawq]

Have to agree. Usually very passively raced as though the entire peloton reached an entente cordiale to just pootle along and let it be resolved by a mass sprint.

And it even now collides with the UAE Tour where all the good sprinters will be...

 

[Samamba]

3 UCI POINTS FOR THE GOAD FAUSTO MASNADA @Ilmaestro99 !!!!

In all seriousness. His best result in Europe since 2023.

 

[Samamba]

And it even now collides with the UAE Tour where all the good sprinters will be...

Yeah it got *** by the UAE move. Might be the worst European .Pro race of the year. No wind, so guaranteed sprint without any top sprinter.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

In all seriousness. His best result in Europe since 2023.

He is back 😍

 

[hayneplane]

And it even now collides with the UAE Tour where all the good sprinters will be...

Looking at the startlist it should be an easy win for Arnaud De Lie.