Lesser known races 2025 edition

[RedheadDane]

But then again, it is pretty terrifying to read "You shall all be  punished!" in your signature.

I am just not sure we can believe you.

You don't believe that I'll make puns at any chance I get?
Have you met me?
Actually, no you haven't... unless you're under my couch, in which case; GET OUT!

 

[SafeBet]

So you're saying there is hope for fausto...

Yes exactly as there was hope for Moser, Rosa, Moscon, Piccolo...

 

[Devil's Elbow]

The Fancellu glowup at UKYO is also continuing in force, after Malucelli, Carboni and Pesenti last year that's the fourth rider they prove the European teams were wrong to give up on and presumably also the fourth rider who immediately gets snapped up the next winter. Would be cool to see them go pro at some point, they're clearly doing something right.

 

[Onizuka999]

Torres +11"
Williams +7'10"

 

[Filippo_3467]

Think Brenner should win this. The longer mountains should be too hard for Covi. Bennett of course is also in a good position. Maybe one of the conti italians (pun inteded). Meintjes and Zimmermann didn't look too good.

 

[KZD]

Good to see Covi winning again, Ivo's leadout was impressive.

 

[Offline]

Good to see Covi winning again, Ivo's leadout was impressive.

Agree! Also Herregodts before Ivo was impressive

 

[search]

In Abruzzo, the first climb is 4k at 10% today, but it'll likely come a bit early to cause much damage. Could be another finish for the punchy guys, although longer than yesterday.

 

[search]

There's also the 1.1 Ronde van Limburg today, but it usually doesn't live up to the look of the profile:

Star rating from local press (HBvL):

***** Moschetti
**** Girmay, Fretin
*** Theuns, Aniolkowski, Menten
** Kubis, del Grosso, Teutenberg, Dehairs
* Kielich, Philipsen, Viviani, Nizzolo, Tesson

 

[SafeBet]

Think Brenner should win this. The longer mountains should be too hard for Covi. Bennett of course is also in a good position. Maybe one of the conti italians (pun inteded). Meintjes and Zimmermann didn't look too good.

Pablo Torres.
He looked good last year as a domestique here and I believe is free to do his own race.

 

[search]

in local press, Brenner said that he is back in good shape, has full team support, and aims for a Top 10. No idea if he had a look at the competition before, though .

 

[Cycling111]

Pablo Torres.
He looked good last year as a domestique here and I believe is free to do his own race.

I don't know if Pablo Torres is ready to lead a professional race.

In the other races he's competed this year, has been seen as a good domestique, but far from being able to challenge for victory against pro riders.

Although there are few top-level riders here. It would be an opportunity.
There are the ones you mentioned, and Mentjes, who doesn't seem in great shape.
The other riders are U23 like him.

 

[Red Rick]

Pablo Torres.
He looked good last year as a domestique here and I believe is free to do his own race.

He's been tracking quite far behind UAE's 19 year old debutants from other years

 

[Cycling111]

He's been tracking quite far behind UAE's 19 year old debutants from other years

I think the same, although it must be said that he´s domestique from the beginning.
We'll have to see him with the role of leader.

But, not even Seixas has achieved his first victory. Widar has also had some good performances, but winning is very difficult.

The only reason I don't rule out Torres winning here a stage is because the competition is really weak, with last year's competition or other races this year I would rule it out.
Like Covi, he´s far from winning any race, and here he has achieved it due to poor competition.

 

[YavorD]

He's been tracking quite far behind UAE's 19 year old debutants from other years

He's been behind other teams 19 (and 18) years old debutants as well.
All of Brennan, Seixas, Widar and AW Philipsen have been more impressive. Let's say that Nordhagen is on par with him.

 

[Cycling111]

He's been behind other teams 19 (and 18) years old debutants as well.
All of Brennan, Seixas, Widar and AW Philipsen have been more impressive. Let's say that Nordhagen is on par with him.

Nordhagen has been worse, due to illness or whatever the reason. Torres, as a domestique has looked good.

 

[YavorD]

I stay corrected.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

He's been tracking quite far behind UAE's 19 year old debutants from other years

Been a surprisingly poor start for last year's main espoir climbers in general. Nordhagen has done nothing (although that's at least in part due to illness) and neither Torres nor Widar has really shown any signs of improvement compared to last year. By contrast, Bisiaux was getting whipped by all three last year yet seems to be adapting to this level more easily.

 

[Samamba]

Been a surprisingly poor start for last year's main espoir climbers in general. Nordhagen has done nothing (although that's at least in part due to illness) and neither Torres nor Widar has really shown any signs of improvement compared to last year. By contrast, Bisiaux was getting whipped by all three last year yet seems to be adapting to this level more easily.

Widar was the 4th best climber, behind Scaroni, Martinez and Buitrago, in Alpes Maritimes after 1 week of proper training. He was also one of the better climbers in Coppi e Bartali and almost won a stage. A stage he was 17th in last season. Wdym no signs of improvement? He was also way better in Circuit des Ardennes than last year, but it was too controlled to win it. Obviously when you make a huge step one year, you're not gonna make another one the year after, that doesn't mean there isn't any improvement.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I would also consider Rondel for Abruzzo GC if he doesn‘t have to sacrifice himself for Brenner on the MTF although his development has really slowed down.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Abruzzo: 2 hopeful italians in front with 1min and 50km to go. Climb coming up.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Why is Louis Meintjes well-positioned? Is that allowed?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Oh, David de la Cruz was 8th at Tirreno by the way, he has a good chance of winning here.

 

[Netserk]

Nice of Q36.5 to open the race here.

 

[Cycling111]

De la Cruz and George Bennet.
It won't be a repeat of 2019 😅