Lesser known races 2025 edition

[DJ Sprtsch]

If I was a betting person I would put a tenner on Abner Gonzalez.

 

[Berniece]

I was thinking the opposite is more likely, but who knows . Majka's injury (of whatever scale) may help, but isn't the climb also too hard for him?

I can also definitely see him completely fail. Just mean that if he's in decent shape he should win this. But if he didn't train wel...

You think the climb is too hard for Pidcock? In this field it really shouldn't be. He's a featherweight, and showed to be able to climb well in TDF.

 

[search]

You think the climb is too hard for Pidcock? In this field it really shouldn't be. He's a featherweight, and showed to be able to climb well in TDF.

I don't really recall any strong stage race performances on steep climbs, but sure, on paper it normally should suit him. May come down to what level Dunbar turns up with for their home race.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

I don't really recall any strong stage race performances on steep climbs, but sure, on paper it normally should suit him.

Well, I guess one doesnt get to do many races on these super steep climbs, so the data set is small. I guess it is completely different with short steep climbs like this and long steep climbs, but Pidcock was very good on Puy de Dome, and the last 5 km there are also around 11% or so.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

I don't really recall any strong stage race performances on steep climbs, but sure, on paper it normally should suit him. May come down to what level Dunbar turns up with for their home race.

There's also the steep Algarve finish from last year.
2.5km - 9.8%, where Pidcock finished third after Martinez and Remco.

 

[tobydawq]

Have they removed a lap from the parcours??

 

[Tim Cahill]

What's going on here, what a faff.

 

[tobydawq]

What good is that going to do?

 

[Tim Cahill]

Chopping off a lap because of a slightly rough section of road

 

[Berniece]

So they are basically in the last few kilometers?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Commentators mention that Tim Merlier, who will be no fan of steep climbs, is the riders' representative for "extreme conditions" . Half an hour later, race in chaos because of rough road surfaces which have been rough for years, presumably.

 

[tobydawq]

Chopping off a lap because of a slightly rough section of road

I think it's the same on the downhill which is probably the issue. And maybe it does make sense to neutralise the race until the bottom and then let them race up the final climb instead of letting them have a lap more with a third time on the descent where there could have been plenty of groups and action.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

So what is new today about the road conditions? I assume nothing. Who passed the course as fit for racing, and why are they and the commissaires not working to the same rules?

 

[Highlander]

Are they racing any more or just riding together to the finish line?

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Are they racing any more or just riding together to the finish line?

I think its only the downhill that is neutralized?
It didnt seem to be anything wrong with the climb?

 

[Highlander]

I'm not on the road, so I can't judge for sure but this looks like a decent surface from the TV pictures, so I have no idea what they are doing.

 

[tobydawq]

Are they racing any more or just riding together to the finish line?

They'll obviously race the final 5 kms.

 

[Berniece]

I think its only the downhill that is neutralized?
It didnt seem to be anything wrong with the climb?

Commentators seem to think they are still going to race on the climb, but they aren't sure themselves

 

[tobydawq]

I'm not on the road, so I can't judge for sure but this looks like a decent surface from the TV pictures, so I have no idea what they are doing.

It definitely doesn't...

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

but this looks like a decent surface from the TV pictures

It definitely doesn't...

It did until it didnt anymore

 

[Divergence]

Yes, obviously much more dangerous than the dive bombing and sprinting that happened yesterday.

 

[Tim Cahill]

I think it's more one of those 'early season/smaller race so lets not take the chance' neutralisations like Gran Camino, looked much worse on the uphill than it does on the down, but it is a bit shakey.

 

[Berniece]

How much time are Reynders and Raccani getting?

 

[Tim Cahill]

What was the gap when it got pulled? 50 seconds? Be funny if they won now, but it's a hard ass climb.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Raccani is a pretty good climber