Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, August 17, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more. - William Cowper
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Current Racing:
- August 17: Hamburg Cyclassics
- August 17: La Polynormande
Upcoming racing:
- Augusty 19 - 22: Tour du Limousin
- August 20 - 24: Renewi Tour
Latest completed racing:
- August 12 - 16: Tour of Denmark
- August 15: Circuit Franco-Belge
- August 4 - 10: Tour of Poland
- August 7 - 10: Arctic Race of Norway
- August 5 - 9: Vuelta a Burgos
- August 6 - 8: Tour de l'Ain
- August 3: Circuito de Getxo
- August 2: San Sebastian Classic
- July 26 - July 30: Tour de Wallonie
- July 27: Vuelta a Castilla y Leon
- July 5 - 27: Tour de France
We posted the report from GC winner Mads Pedersen's Team Lidl-Trek with the results.
Here's the report from Axel Zingle's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
Axel Zingle once again showed himself at the front in the final stage of the Tour of Denmark. The 26-year-old rider managed to stay with the best in the tough finale, before having to concede in the sprint to Mads Pedersen, who also secured the overall victory.
In the closing stage of the Tour of Denmark, nine riders quickly formed the traditional early breakaway. The leading group built up a solid advantage of more than three minutes, but was caught by the peloton with 21 kilometers to go, where the black-and-yellow formation made its presence felt at the front.
On the demanding local finishing circuits, Zingle demonstrated his strong legs by keeping up with the best on the uphill sections. The Frenchman rode to the line with four other riders, including Pedersen. In the sprint, Zingle narrowly missed out on the win, ending the Tour of Denmark with a second place.
Mads Pedersen wins the stage. Axel Zingle (in yellow jersey) was certainly in the hunt.
“We knew we had a great opportunity with Axel today,” reflected sports director Maarten Wynants. “Together with other teams we controlled the stage well and made sure Axel was positioned close to Pedersen. In the finale Axel did everything he could, but the strongest rider won. The performances over the past few days certainly give confidence for the upcoming races.”
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And here's the Tour of Denmark stage five report from Mirco Maestri's Team Polti-VisitMalta:
Mirco Maestri was the team’s best rider on the fifth and final stage, with Tonelli demonstrating great physical condition for the upcoming races and Peñalver giving the team a leading role in the sprints.
Mirco Maestri at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
Team Polti VisitMalta bids farewell to Denmark with Mirco Maestri’s ninth-place finish on the final stage. This position adds to Manuel Peñalver’s fight in the sprint on the second stage, where he was unsettled and unable to achieve a strong position. Tonelli’s strong performance, as well as the attitude of Fran Muñoz, Gabriele Raccagni, stagiaire Giovanni Bortoluzzi and Maltese rider Aidan Buttigieg, all managed to complete the demanding competition trying to show their best every stage.
Giovanni Ellena: “It’s important to close out the races with a good result. All the high-level work we’ve done will undoubtedly help us achieve our next goals. I’m impressed with Maestri’s performance today, but also with Tonelli’s excellent form.”
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Here’s the update from Meeus’ Team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe:
Jordi Meeus won the last big city sprint on the WorldTour calendar in Copenhagen. Now the Belgian wants to go one better in Hamburg. He was fourth a year ago.
"Last year I hesitated a little in the sprint. I already had the feeling that I could have been on the podium," Jordi recalls of his premiere at the Cyclassics in Hamburg. But it should work out at the second attempt.
And even with the big one. "The goal is to win in Hamburg," he says straightforwardly. "Let's see if we can realise that. The form is quite good. I had a quiet week after the Tour de France and I've been back in training for a week and a half."
Jordi Meeus after stage 6 of the 2025 Tour of Switzerland. Sirotti photo
The runner-up of the 17th stage of the Tour in Valence has received "good signals from his legs in those training sessions. In the race there is always a small question mark behind the legs, but I am optimistic."
The fact that the course has become a little more difficult this year hardly bothers the 27-year-old. "I hope that I can survive the Waseberg, even if we have to go over it twice more this year," he says, optimistic that he will be able to cross the 800-metre-long climb, which has an average gradient of a good eight per cent and is permanently in double figures on the second half, with the race leader.
"I'm in good spirits because we also have a strong team at the start," says Jordi. Alongside him, Filip Maciejuk, Ryan Mullen, Laurence Pithie, Mick van Dijke, Danny van Poppel and Ben Zwiehoff will be racing for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe at the Cyclassics in Hamburg.
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Girmay’s Intermarché-Wanty team posted this:
Biniam Girmay has been named the newest National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This prestigious appointment, celebrated at a ceremony in Hakose (Eritrea) on Tuesday 12th of August 2025, recognizes Ghirmay’s status as a global sports icon and his commitment to advocating for climate action and youth empowerment.
Binia Girmay winning Gent-Wevelgem in 2022.
Since the start of his professional cycling career in 2020, the 25-year-old Eritrean has consistently demonstrated the power of sport to inspire and create positive change. His historic achievements on the world stage, including winning Ghent-Wevelgem 2022, a stage in the Giro d’Italia 2022 and three stages and the green jersey in the Tour de France 2024, have brought international attention to Eritrea and the African continent. Beyond his athletic prowess, Girmay’s new role will see him champion initiatives that address critical environmental challenges and empower young people.
"I am deeply honored to accept this appointment as UNDP Eritrea's Goodwill Ambassador. This is not just a personal honor, but a profound responsibility. As UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, I will strive to use my influence for the greater good, advocating for climate action and supporting Eritrea's sustainable development on the African continent and beyond." - Biniam Girmay
About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org.
UNDP appoints prominent individuals from diverse fields—such as sports, film, music, and literature—as Goodwill Ambassadors to spotlight critical global issues and mobilise support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These ambassadors use their platforms to raise awareness on poverty, climate change, gender equality, and human rights, helping to inspire action and amplify UNDP’s development philosophy.
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