Lesser known races 2025 edition

[repre]

Fair play to Waerenskjold for staying away this year on ethical grounds.

Love scandinavian people. They get it

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Het majestueuze paard uit Kortrijk looked faster towards the end of last season to me, but we will see, I think he's less reliant on his leadouts, some of those messy, isolated Giro sprints he was so impressive in.

They didn't have a Flemish option on google translate, wtf, the disrespect.

Merlier was born in Kortrijk, but in Belgium we don't consider him a "Kortrijkzaan". Nearly everyone in a radius of 40km from Kortrijk will be born there. Merlier has lived his entire life in Wortegem-Petegem if I recall correctly. That however doesn't roll of the tongue that well.

Also Flemish is a dialect of Dutch and not an official language hence why there is no option on Google. It would also be too complicated since there are about 340 regional variants of said dialect.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

They didn't have a Flemish option on google translate, wtf, the disrespect.

There should be an Ilmaestro option.

 

[Rockestar_33]

Of course he is. Merlier has dusted Philipsen ALMOST every time they sprinter (fairly) against each other last year. It was like 7-3 or something. Not saying he is clearly the better sprinter (even I tend towards that right now), but most people agree he is the fastest.

They're the two best in the world but I have Philipsen ahead. In fairness quickest doesn't necessarily mean best but they're both lightning.

 

[yaco]

Fair play to Waerenskjold for staying away this year on ethical grounds.

Except he has been at two previous editions which makes no sense at all.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Except he has been at two previous editions which makes no sense at all.

It makes perfect sense. People are inclined and allowed to change their stance on any situation, whenever, wherever.

 

[Keldergoat]

Except he has been at two previous editions which makes no sense at all.

If someone makes a morally right and courageous move, you can be a *** about the fact that he didn't make that move in the past, or you can praise the move that he changed his mind. Kuddos to Waerenskjold.

 

[armchairclimber]

Except he has been at two previous editions which makes no sense at all.

The fact that it is a race where he has a history of winning makes it even more commendable.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Any risk of wind and echelons in the last 40-45 km before the climb starts in Saudi today?

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Any risk of wind and echelons in the last 40-45 km before the climb starts in Saudi today?

Not if we are to believe the live ticker over at Procyclingstats:
"The wind speed is 3 kilometer p/hour (light air), direction South-East."

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Woke up and tuned in just in time to see the wall of sand climb, not really familiar with the riders in the current break. But climb about to begin and peloton is 1 minute back...

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Break caught and now the real fun starts with 10km left to go

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

I know of 2 Belgian riders (one on Intermarché and one on Lotto) who have a clause in their contract stating they don't want to race in certain Middle-Eastern countries and/or China.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Pidcock going at the front from the bottom like Pantani on Alpe, think Dunbar has the rope to win today

 

[SafeBet]

Pidcock unleashed.

 

[Didinho]

Brutal percentages again. Tom is gone.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Pidcock unleashed.

Not sure what I was expecting of him in terms of climbing but he looks really good!

 

[Tim Cahill]

Seen Hatherly before a bit watching off-road casually, a great rider but not necessarily who you would think of signing to WT on the road at 28, looks like great job to whoever sorted that out.

 

[YavorD]

So Pidcock needed only 5 days in Q36.5 to equal the amount of wins he got for 2 years in Ineos.

I can't wait to see him him improve massively only to prove that Ineos are graveyard.

 

[ingsve]

Kulset with maybe the climb of his life so far.

 

[Tim Cahill]

They can catch Pidcock on the flat maybe if they don't start clowning about

 

[Tim Cahill]

Nvm clowning about in occurrence

 

[SafeBet]

Wow Pericas is there with Majka.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Pericas not far off at the tender age of 4 years old, get that young man a lollipop!

 

[Tim Cahill]

Dunbar lost them this race when he tried attacking and solo bridging a 30 second gap for no reason when he's 1.30 down.