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Friday, August 1, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
The depressing thing about tennis is no matter how good I get, I’ll never be as good as a wall. – Mitch Hedberg
Bill & Carol McGann’s book The Story of the 2024 Tour de France: The Happy Warrior Triumphs is available print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- August 2: San Sebastian Classic
- August 4 - 10: Tour of Poland
Latest completed racing:
- July 26 - July 30: Tour de Wallonie
- July 27: Vuelta a Castilla y Leon
- July 5 - 27: Tour de France
- June 21 - 29: Most national road championships
- June 24: Giro dell'Appennino
- June 15 - 22: Tour de Suisse
- June 18 - 22: Baloise Belgium Tour
Here’s the team’s announcement:
We are pleased to announce that Nick Zukowsky has extended his contract with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The Canadian, who went from freestyle skiing and mountain biking to road racing, has been one of the pillars of the team since joining in 2023.
“This is my third year with the team,” Zukowsky states. “It has been growing really quickly and it’s been incredible to see. It’s not easy to build a professional team up from the start but we showed we belong where we are now and it’s great fun to be part of that process.
"This year has been a big step up for the team with Tom coming over. For me the job changed to – on paper – an ‘easy job’ and that is protect Tom so he has the best shot at winning races. Sometimes it’s about positioning early on, or maybe later in the race, or chasing breakaways. It’s very diverse and I really enjoy this new role but it’s been a steep learning curve.”
Nick Zukowsky after stage 3 of the 2023 Tour of Switzerland.
Despite taking a different path to the sport and arriving later than other members of the peloton, Nick has already achieved top results by winning the Canadian national championships in 2023.
“In the next years I want to continue in my role and also take my chances when they come,” Zukowsky continued. “I am not a super freak talent like some guys out there and just very all-round. I want to take my chances in an opportunistic move and race aggressively with the team.
"I want to get the best out of myself and at Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team I have a great environment to do so. We have some of the best resources in the cycling world: amazing coaches, amazing nutritionists: just amazing and professional staff in general. I have all the tools I need to be my best so I just want to make the most of it in the next two seasons.”
General manager Doug Ryder is also pleased to keep the affable Canadian on the team. Zukowsky is a rider who brings consistency, professionalism and a fantastic team spirit to the team.
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“Nick is always ready to support both his teammates and the staff. This year, he really stepped up around Tom Pidcock, showing leadership and forming a strong connection. He tackled a much tougher race program than the previous year and was doing exceptionally well until an unfortunate crash and broken collarbone cut short his first Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia after just four stages.
Nick is a rider who does well on a variety of terrains: from Flemish-style Classics to Ardennes terrain and demanding stage races.
“At just 27 years old, he continues to develop each season, and we believe his best racing is still ahead of him,” Ryder continued. “As a Canadian rider with strong European experience, Nick plays a key role in our international identity and rider development pathway.
He’s been with us since the very beginning of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in 2023, and we’re excited to see him back in our colors through 2026 and hopefully in the Canadian champion’s jersey again soon.”
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Ellen van Dijk’s Team Lidl-Trek posted this:
Ellen van Dijk has been a key figure in women’s cycling for twenty years. As a multiple-time world champion and one of the most experienced riders in the peloton, she has learned many important lessons. She has pushed her limits and grown both as an athlete and as a person. What are the five most valuable lessons she has learned? Ellen shares her insights and looks ahead to the future.
1. Perseverance: Success takes time
When Ellen looks back on her career, one moment stands out the most. Her second time trial world title in 2021, eight years after her first. “That was a very emotional moment for me. Many times, I was close but just could not win. Second, third, always missing out. When I finally won again, it was a huge relief and a reward for all the hard work.”
That victory taught her an important lesson. Success does not always come right away. “In sport and in life, things do not always happen when you want them to. But if you keep believing and working hard, great things can still happen.”
Ellen van Dijk winning the 2021 European road championships.
2. Embracing imperfection: Learning to let go
As a young rider, Ellen wanted to control every detail. Every training session and every meal had to be perfect. But over time, she realized that was not the best way. “My partner Benjamin taught me that I do not need to do everything 100% perfectly. If you do 80% well and accept that some things will not go as planned, you will go much further than if you get stuck trying to make everything perfect.”
This mindset helped her race with more confidence and less stress. “You need to stay flexible and learn to handle setbacks. This way, you improve and enjoy the sport more.”
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3. Team spirit: Winning together
Cycling may seem like an individual sport, but Ellen believes a strong team is essential. “When you feel comfortable and valued in a team, something special happens. You push each other to perform at your best. I feel that most in team time trials. It is my favourite discipline. Winning together as a team is an amazing feeling.”
Over the years, Ellen has taken on a leadership role in her teams. “I try to share my experience with younger riders and help them grow. Cycling is not just about riding fast. It is about teamwork, tactics, and knowing how to use your energy wisely. A strong team spirit can make a big difference.”
4. The importance of a good work-life balance
“Being a professional cyclist is not just a job. It is a lifestyle,” Ellen says. “Everything in my life is connected to cycling. It is a 24/7 commitment, but because I love it, it feels natural.”
Since becoming a mother, Ellen has learned the value of balance. “My family and friends are the foundation of everything. When that foundation is strong, I can perform at my best. Over the years, I have learned that having a strong personal support system is key to success in cycling.”
She also credits the team for helping her continue racing as a mother. “I thought I would have to stop when I became a mother, but thanks to Lidl-Trek, I was able to keep racing while balancing family life. That support has been invaluable.”
5. Success does not guarantee happiness
In 2013, Ellen became world time trial champion for the first time. It was the biggest achievement of her career, but it did not bring her the happiness she expected. “I always thought success would make me happy, but I learned that is not true. What truly makes me happy is doing what I love with passion. The process, the progress, and the daily motivation to improve are what bring real satisfaction.”
This is something she wants younger riders to understand. “Do not focus only on one goal or one victory. Enjoy the journey. Work hard, stay true to yourself, and find what really excites you in the sport.”
The future: Continuing the journey
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