Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: 'President Can't Swim.' - Lyndon B. Johnson
Les Woodland's book Cycling's 50 Triumphs and Tragedies: The rise and fall of bicycle racing's champions is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- November 16: Trofee Hamme-Flandriencross
- December 14: World Cup Namur
- December 23: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
- December 26: World Cup Gavere
- December 29: Trofee Loenhout-Azencross
- December 30: Superprestige Diegem
- January 1: GP Sven Nys
Latest completed racing:
- November 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 26: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Guangxi
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Holland
- October 19: Veneto Classic
- October 19: Japan Cup
- October 19: Chrono des Nations
- October 15: Giro del Veneto
- October 12: Paris-Tours
- October 11: Il Lombardia
- October 9: Gran Piemonte
- October 7: Binche-Chimay-Binche
- October 7: Tre Valli Varesine
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Here’s the team’s news:
Michael Matthews has committed his future to Team Jayco AlUla by penning a new deal through the end of the 2027 season.
The eight-time Grand Tour stage winner has spent the majority of his professional career in the GreenEDGE Cycling setup having returned to the squad for the 2021 season.
The 35-year-old added to his Tour de France wins tally with the team in 2022 as well making it a hattrick of victories at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec last season, alongside a host of standout results in Monuments and one-day classics.
‘Bling’ endured a tough 2025 season after being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in June, but now recovered and back racing, the Australian is excited to continue his journey with Team Jayco AlUla in 2026 and beyond.
A happy Michael Matthews wins the 2025 Eschborn-Frankfurt.
Michael Matthews:
“I’m super happy, I think after the problems I had during the summer this year it made me appreciate the team, my life, the way it is and the last years I’ve had in cycling. I still feel like I’m 25 years old, so I’m excited to continue this journey with Team Jayco AlUla and my own cycling career.
"I really feel like I’m getting better and better, so I’m really looking forward to another two years with the team and seeing what we can achieve together. Hopefully I can achieve those goals that I’ve been looking for in my career along with the team. I’m just really excited to see what these next two years bring and just appreciate every moment.”
Brent Copeland:
“Michael has proven time and time again what he’s capable of in the biggest races and we’re happy to see him continue with us next season. He’s had a difficult 2025 season, as we know, but the way he has returned to racing and the dedication he has shown to get back to the top proves what type of rider he is.
"He’s a true professional and an asset to the team. He still has some big goals in the sport and we’re looking forward to working with him and achieving them together.”
Key Results:
1st Eschborn-Frankfurt (2025)
1st Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec (2024)
2nd Milano-Sanremo (2024)
1st Giro d’Italia stage (2023)
1st Tour de France stage (2022)
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Here’s the team’s update:
Belgian rider Arjen Livyns will join the XDS Astana Team starting from the 2026 season. The rider and the team have signed a one-year agreement.
The 31-year-old cyclist specializes in the Northern Classics, where he usually supports his team leader. Among Livyns’ best individual results in 2025 are 4th place in the road race of the Belgian National Championships and 8th place at Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Arjen Livyns
“I want to thank the team for this opportunity – I’m truly excited to join XDS Astana Team. It was important for me to continue my career in a strong and well-established project with a rich history, where I can perform at my best and share the experience I’ve gained. I hope to be a valuable asset for the team in the Northern Classics and other major WorldTour races. The big Classics and Grand Tours are the reason I became a professional cyclist, and now, together with the team, I want to achieve success in these races. I’m really looking forward to joining my new teammates”, – said Arjen Livyns.
“We already have a good roster for the Northern Classics, and this year we achieved some strong results both in the WorldTour and ProSeries races. We were looking to strengthen the squad, particularly in supporting our leaders, and Arjen Livyns fits that role perfectly – he has extensive experience in the Classics and in working for his team leaders. I’m confident Arjen will quickly integrate into the team and help XDS Astana Team further improve its results in the Belgian and French Classics next season”, – said Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of XDS Astana Team.
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Here’s the team’s news:
Team Bahrain Victorious is pleased to announce the return of former Swiss rider Enrico Gasparotto to the team, this time in the role of Sports Director from the 2026 season.
Gasparotto spent two seasons with Bahrain Victorious as a rider during the team’s formative years in 2017 and 2018, bringing experience and leadership to the squad in its early days. After retiring from professional cycling in 2020, he transitioned into sports management and most recently served as Sports Director with Red Bull BORA Hansgrohe, where he played a key role in guiding some of the world’s top riders.Now, Gasparotto returns to Bahrain Victorious with renewed passion and a wealth of experience to share.
Enrico Gasparotto wins the 2016 Amstel Gold Race.
“I was part of the team when it was founded, and we visited the Kingdom of Bahrain where we had a unique and unforgettable experience,” said Gasparotto. “I have fond memories and I’m excited to be coming back in my new role. I’m grateful for this opportunity and the trust from Managing Director Milan Eržen. The team has come a long way since I was racing, and there are many new faces, which will make this next adventure even more interesting. I’m ready for this new chapter and hope I can bring my enthusiasm and passion for the sport to help the riders and the team achieve its goals.”
Managing Director Milan Eržen added:
“I’ve always had a great relationship with Gaspa, and we’re delighted to bring him back to the team. He was part of our story from the beginning, and his knowledge, energy, and experience will be invaluable in helping our riders achieve great things in the seasons ahead.”
Gasparotto joins a growing group of seasoned Sports Directors as Bahrain Victorious continues to strengthen its technical and performance staff ahead of the 2026 season.
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