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Riders disqualified in Tour de Guadaloupe incident
Two Dutch riders were disqualified from the UCI 2.2-rated Tour de Guadaloupe on Sunday after they were dropped while racing on a circuit but then hid among several cars and rejoined the peloton.
Unfortunately for Tenniglo Niels and Huub Van Kapel, they were seen by multiple people, some of whom captured the incident on video. Commissaires were made aware of their attempt to cheat and the riders were kicked out of the race.
Kooij wins the opening stage of the Tour of Poland
Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) navigated a messy finish to win the opening stage of the Tour of Poland just ahead of Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quick-Step).
There was a considerable amount of shoulder-rubbing in the peloton as riders made their way through the final few kilometers, and several riders went down in a crash just inside the last 2 km. With all the top sprinters still in play, however, the stage still came down to the expected bunch kick. Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek) tried to go long in the sprint but he was swamped by other fast finishers, with Kooij hitting the front and staying there ahead of Magnier and Jensen Plowright (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
Del Toro leads UAE one-two ahead of Ayuso at Circuito de Getxo
Isaac Del Toro has continued his extraordinary 2025 season with victory at the 1.1-ranked Circuito de Getxo, rallying 24 hours after being bested by Giulio Ciccone at the Clasica San Sebastián.
As the 22-year-old Mexican soloed to victory after an attack 16km out, his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Juan Ayuso formed part of the chase group, before accelerating into the finish to beat Alex Aranburu (Cofidis) to second place 20 seconds after the Giro d'Italia runner-up.
This marks Del Toro's eighth win of 2025, bringing his total tally up to 11, including a stage of the Giro where he finished second overall, after which he dominated the Tour of Austria with three consecutive stage wins and the GC title. He will next line up at the Vuelta a Burgos (5-9 August), while Juan Ayuso is slated to start his second Grand Tour of the season in Spain later this month.
Brief results:
Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:59:10
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +0:20
Alex Aranburu (Cofidis) "
Eduard Prades (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) +0:23
Pau Miquel (Equipo Kern Pharma) "
Dygert's chronic leg issue and a head cold lead to DNS on last day of the Tour
Chloe Dygert came into the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift as a key support rider for the Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto team of reigning champion Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, but after finishing just 11 seconds inside the time cut on Saturday's Queen Stage, the two-time TT world champion opted not to start stage 9.
"It's always a bummer, I think, when there's contemplations of starting or not," Dygert said on the morning of the final stage. She went on to explain that the lasting effects of her horrific crash at the 2020 World Championships were the cause of her troubles once again, her significant discomfort captured in a video that circulated after stage 8. "Whenever it comes to my leg, there's just a clear line, and once that's passed, there's just ... I have to stop. You know, with some other medical problems, other things, it's fine to push through, but with my leg there's just, there's a line and that was crossed yesterday."
The 28-year-old American went on to explain that she's also been struggling with a head cold that made finishing stage 8 all the more difficult, so she'll go home to recover now before resetting for her upcoming goals for 2025.
"There's still a lot to do this season, and we can't risk it, so it was a smart decision and it's something that I can actually be content with – not starting today."
Dygert is just one of the 28 dropouts (so far) before the final stage of an attritional Tour got underway, UAE Team ADQ and Uno-X Mobility down to just three and two riders apiece.
Rafał Majka announces his retirement
Rafał Majka has announced via Instagram reel that he will retire at the end of the 2025 season, bringing to an end 15 years in the pro peloton, including five as a key domestique in some of Tadej Pogačar's biggest victories with UAE Team Emirates.
Majka turned pro in 2011 with Saxo Bank-Sungard, which later became the famed Tinkoff team, where the Polish climber achieved his biggest personal results, including third at the Vuelta a España in 2015, three Tour de France stage wins and two polka-dot jerseys in 2014 and '16. After four years at Bora-Hansgrohe, Majka moved over to UAE and became integral as Pogačar's helper in the mountains, capping off the partnership at the 2024 Giro d'Italia.
The newly crowned Polish national champion will make his final appearance at his home stage race next week as leader of UAE Team Emirates-XRG. It's not yet known where Majka is likely to take his final bow, but he rarely steers clear of the late-season Italian one-days, so Il Lombardia – which he's only missed once since 2011 – is a good bet.
Ciccone out-lasts UAE duo to win San Sebastian solo
Giulio Ciccone has returned to racing with a bang almost three months after withdrawing from the Giro d'Italia following a heavy crash, soloing to a brilliant victory at the WorldTour one-day Clasica San Sebastian.
The Italian had followed a move by Giro runner-up Isaac Del Toro on the Erlaitz climb 43 km from the finish. The pair held off an elite chase group containing Primož Roglič, Luke Plapp, Christian Scaroni, Maxim Van Gils and 2021 winner Neilson Powless among others, until the final climb of the Murgil Tontorra where Del Toro began to fade, leaving the way clear for teammate Jan Christen to attack out of the group now just 10 seconds back.
Before Christen could make contact, Ciccone pushed on and was able to keep the Swiss powerhouse at bay on the descent and run back into town for the biggest one-day victory of the Italian's career. Christen held on to take second, and Maxim Van Gils won the skirmish for third from the remains of the group.
Landa will make his comeback at the Vuelta a Burgos
Three months after crashing hard on the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia, fracturing a vertebra, Mikel Landa will make his return to racing at the Vuelta a Burgos (5-9 August) as he builds towards anticipated leadership at the Vuelta a España.
"I’m a little bit nervous, as it’s been a long time since my last race," Landa was quoted in the Soudal-QuickStep team announcement. "I am happy to pin on a number again, but at the same time, I don’t know what to expect because it’s my first race in three months and the injury I had was a difficult one. It will be an important test to see if I can ease back to racing. The plan is to just take it day by day and enjoy the race without any expectations."
The 35-year-old signed a contract extension through 2026 just days before the Giro where he was set to lead Soudal-QuickStep before going on to help Remco Evenepoel at the Tour de France, two goals that were derailed by his injury.
Attila Valter is heading to Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious announced the signing of Hungarian all-rounder Attila Valter on Friday. The 27-year-old is joining the team on a three-year contract after spending the past two seasons with Visma-Lease a Bike.
"Over the next two years, we see him playing a crucial role in the mountains – supporting our GC leaders while also having the freedom to chase his own results," said team boss Milan Eržen in a statement.
Soudal-Quick-Step signs Jasper Stuyven
More than a decade after he turned pro with the organization now known as Lidl-Trek, Jasper Stuyven is headed for a change of scenery. After months of rumors, Soudal-Quick-Step has confirmed that the 2021 Milan-San Remo winner is joining the team on a three-year deal.
“I won a Monument and a couple of cobbled Classics in my career, but if there is one race that remains a goal, it is Paris-Roubaix," Stuyven said via a press release. "That, and winning a stage at the Tour de France."
The Belgian's arrival will bring a much-needed boost to Quick-Step's once-mighty Classics squad, likely amid a broader transition back to focusing on the one-day races with Grand Tour star Remco Evenepoel widely expected to transfer to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
New South Korea and US venues added for 2026 MTB World Series
Beginning next year, the opening round of UCI World Cup mountain bike racing will take place in South Korea. For the first time, an Asian nation will host the season kickoff, with the Race of South Korea in Yongpyong, featuring Olympic (XCO) and Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cups, as well as the first Downhill (DHI) World Cup on the continent in 25 years. Additionally, Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, will host a new event in the World Cup's North American leg, featuring XCC and XCO. Official event dates for these new locations, along with the rest of the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Declercq confirms that he will call it a career at the end of the season
Tim Declercq (Lidl-Trek) said on Instagram on Thursday that the 2025 season would be his last.
"Cycling has given me more than I could ever have imagined — unforgettable memories, incredible highs and lows, and friendships that will last a lifetime," the 36-year-old Belgian said.
After turning pro with Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise back in 2012, Declercq joined the Quick-Step organization in 2017. Over his lengthy stint there, he carved out a niche as a reliable domestique, earning himself a nickname – "the Tractor" – with his penchant for taking long pulls at the front of the bunch. He took his talents to Lidl-Trek last year, and after two seasons of supporting the likes of Mads Pedersen, he will call it a career. [Instagram]
Trek’s new Domane+ ALR electric road bike
There’s been a recent flurry of new aluminium bike releases, and Trek has added another into the ring with the Domane+ ALR. Trek claims the new frame, and soon all of its aluminium bikes, will be manufactured from aluminium that’s partially recycled, sourced from facilities powered by renewable energy, or both.
This e-road bike utilises TQ’s new HPR60 motor that offers 60 Nm of torque, a fast 28 mph maximum assist (in the USA, 25km/ph for most other markets), and a claimed 60-mile (96 km) range, which can be increased via optional range extender batteries.
The bike retains the Domane’s endurance road geometry, clearance for 40 mm tyres, and mounts for racks/fenders. Regional pricing details can be found at TrekBikes.com.
Standert introduces Kieswerk alloy gravel bike
Berlin-based Standert has launched the Kieswerk, a new adventure-oriented aluminium gravel bike. It's got clearance for 50 mm tyres, full internal routing, and UDH, as well as a plethora of mounts for bottles, racks, and mudguards.
The Kieswerk only comes in two builds with no frame-only option: Shimano GRX600 (€2,450) and SRAM Apex AXS (€3,250) – and three colours. [standert.de]
Corbin Strong wins the overall title at the Tour de Wallonie
Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) is not often a general classification contender, but the fast-finishing New Zealander topped the final standings at the Tour de Wallonie on Wednesday after a consistent performance through five days of racing in the French-speaking part of Belgium.
The 25-year-old won the opening stage and then finished inside the top 10 each day thereafter to secure both the general and points classifications in the UCI 2.Pro-rated race. Clément Izquierdo (Cofidis) nabbed the fifth and final stage ahead of Strong and Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar), while the overall podium was rounded out by Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) and Oliver Knight (Cofidis).
Garmin has posted a strong second quarter, reporting a 20% increase in overall revenue to US$1.81 billion. The company’s fitness division, which includes cycling computers, wearables, and smart training tools, saw a 41% jump in revenue year-on-year, reaching US$605 million between April and June 2025. Garmin attributed the growth to continued demand for its "advanced wearables".
Alongside its Q2 earnings report, Garmin announced the acquisition of Dutch-based Mylaps, a company specialising in race timing tech across cycling, running, motorsports, and equestrian events. Mylaps employs more than 200 staff globally, and Garmin said the acquisition brings real-time tracking and performance analysis tools to its "passionate customers".
Off the back of the strong results, Garmin has also raised its full-year revenue forecast to US$7.1 billion, up from a previous estimate of US$6.85 billion.
Ellen van Dijk will retire at the end of 2025
After a 20-year pro career that has seen her win three World Time Trial Championships and the Tour of Flanders, peloton stalwart Ellen van Dijk will retire at the end of the 2025 season.
Van Dijk announced the news on De Avondetappe, the Tour de France talk show on Dutch NOS television. "I see riders in the peloton who are 19 years old," said Van Dijk, noting she's twice their age (Van Dijk turns 38 in February). "A whole new generation has emerged." Van Dijk added that only two other riders – Marianne Vos and Anna van der Breggen – have been racing professionally as long as she has. In her career, Van Dijk has seen and helped bring about a remarkable transformation in women's racing, including the debut of the Women's WorldTour, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and rising professionalism. In 2023, she stepped away from the sport for a season for her pregnancy and birth of her child, with the full support of her Lidl-Trek team.
Van Dijk turned pro in 2006 and has spent most of her career racing for the best teams in the sport, including HTC-Highroad, Boels-Dolmans (now SD Worx-ProTime) and for the last seven seasons at Lidl-Trek. While her palmarès of 70 pro road wins includes overall stage race wins and Classics, she is best known for her abilities against the clock. In addition to her three individual TT world titles, Van Dijk was part of four teams that won the short-lived World Championship Team Time Trial event that was held from 2012-2018. An accomplished track racer, she also won a World Championship in the scratch race in 2008 and held the World Hour Record (49.254 km) before Vittoria Bussi set a new mark 17 months later. [NOS]
Kevin Vauquelin fractures leg in accident at home
Kevin Vauquelin has sustained a leg injury just days after finishing seventh overall at the 2025 Tour de France.
The Arkéa–B&B Hotels rider fractured the distal end of his fibula in what the team described as a domestic accident. Vauquelin clarified on social media that the incident occurred while he was walking downstairs with a suitcase.
No timeline has been provided for his return to racing.
Rolf Aldag exits Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe
“Fresh impetus and a new direction” is how Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe has framed the surprise departure of head sports director Rolf Aldag, just days after the team landed its first Tour de France podium with Florian Lipowitz.
Aldag, who joined the team in 2022, helped steer it to some of its biggest successes: Jai Hindley’s Giro d’Italia win, prior to Red Bull coming on as co-title sponsor, and Primož Roglič’s 2024 Vuelta triumph. But the team has failed to make the broader impact, particularly at the Tour de France and in major one-days, that was promised when Red Bull came on board in June of last year.
“Now is the right time for both parties to pursue new challenges,” Aldag said, citing the team’s Tour success as a natural endpoint.
“We celebrated major victories – always with a clear vision. I’m proud of what we achieved as a team.”
CEO Ralph Denk echoed the sentiment, praising Aldag for guiding the team through a structural and strategic overhaul.
"This chapter ends now that we have achieved our objectives, but the path we walked together has left its mark," Denk said in the release. "Rolf was instrumental in shaping our team – it was a period defined by determination and a deep passion for cycling. We look back on these years with great respect and gratitude and sincerely wish Rolf all the best in whatever lies ahead. For the next chapter of our story, we have jointly decided to bring in fresh impetus and take a new direction.”
Shimano reports mixed first-half results
Shimano reported an 11.6% rise in first-half sales from its bicycle components division, but a downturn in profits. From January to June, Shimano's component sales were 18.1 billion yen (US$1.2 billion), spurred by a 43% growth in Europe. However, the division's overall operating income simultaneously slipped 2.9% year-on-year to US$158 million.
And while the European sales grew, the company said demand in the US remained softer due to cautious consumer spending and ongoing trade uncertainty. In China, Shimano's sales dropped 32.8%, which the company said was due to the lacklustre economic recovery and high inventory levels in the region.
In light of the first-half results, combined with rising non-operating expenses – including significant foreign exchange losses – Shimano lowered its profit expectations for 2025 by 15.7%.
Demi Vollering will start stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
"Further medical examinations and a second concussion protocol Demi Vollering underwent this morning with the team doctor ruled out the risk of concussion," read a statement from FDJ-Suez on Tuesday morning. "With the support of FDJ-Suez team, Demi Vollering is determined to take part in today's stage. The team remains vigilant and will further follow her situation during the efforts (warming up and race)."
The condition of the 2023 Tour champion was unknown following Monday's stage. Due to the technical finale, GC times were taken at the 5 km to go mark, which meant Vollering was able to take her time getting back on her bike. She rode to the finish line flanked by two teammates and was able to cool down on the trainer before getting on the team bus. The team performed an initial check at the hotel after the stage, but, along with Vollering, opted not to go to a hospital.
Pogačar says he might start thinking about retirement after 2028
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) discussed his future and even touched on retirement in an interview with L'Equipe over the weekend.
"I don’t plan too far ahead – I still have a long contract [until 2030]," he said, responding to a question about when he sees himself calling it a career. "I don’t think I’ll stop right away, but I also don’t see myself continuing too long. The Los Angeles Olympics [2028] are a goal of mine – that’s three years away. So I might start thinking about retirement after that. But if I keep riding like this, with such a strong team and good support … I don’t focus much on my future. I try to enjoy the moment."
After Sunday, Pogačar counts four Tour de France Tour titles on his career palmares, and he did suggest that he plans to be back to hunt a fifth in 2026.
"The Tour is the biggest cycling race in the world. But it also brings a lot of stress to riders. I’d like to skip it one year to try other races, but I know that’s hard to do," he said. "So yes, you’ll see me at the start of the Tour next year to defend my title – very likely." [L'Equipe]
Intense Cycles pulls out of UK and EU markets
Intense Cycles has announced it will cease operations in the UK and the EU, quoting continued economic pressures across the global cycling industry. The decision is effective immediately, with no further distribution of new bikes to the region.
The US-based mountain bike brand said the move would allow it to refocus efforts on its core North American market. In a statement, Intense assured customers that warranty support and spare parts will continue to be handled through the company’s US warehouse, and described the move as a "temporary shift" with plans to return to international markets in the future, "stronger and better positioned."
Elisa Longo Borghini out of the Tour de France Femmes
Elisa Longo Borghini is out of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The two-time Giro d'Italia winner abandoned ahead of the third stage due to a gastrointestinal infection, according to her team.
"After fighting through the first two stages, her condition worsened and, together with the team, she made the tough decision to withdraw," UAE Team ADQ wrote on Instagram.
With the abandonment, Longo Borghini's bad luck with the French race continues.
"First of all, if I start and finish the Tour, it's going to be a success because my history in the Tour de France is pretty tragic," the Italian champion said before the start of stage 1. "Last year, I could not even start because I crashed out before the start, in 2023, I couldn't finish because of an infection, so I will be very happy to finish it."
With any luck, 2026 will be Longo Borghini's year at the Tour. Get better soon, Elisa!
Pidcock and Rissveds take European MTB titles
Tom Pidcock has raced to his second career continental title at the European Championships in Melgaço, Portugal, and Jenny Rissveds doubled up with short-track and XCO titles among the elite women, taking over the title from Puck Pieterse who is racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Pidcock had a hard race on his hands having started from the back. Compatriot Charlie Aldridge meanwhile was having another great race in what has been a brilliant season for the Cannondale rider, with Filippo Colombo also showing top form. Pidcock finally surpassed Aldridge in the fifth of eight laps to go solo, and the pair secured a British one-two, with Denmark's Simon Andreassen snatching third from Colombo.
As for Rissveds, the 31-year-old Swede was dominant from the start, leaving the field behind in the very first lap and riding alone for almost an hour and a half. Evie Richards finished second 1:19 after Rissveds, with Nicole Koller a further 26 seconds down in third.
Women's XCO top 5
Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) 01:21:47
Evie Richards (Great Britain) +01:18
Nicole Koller (Switzerland) +01:45
Martina Berta (Italy) +03:22
Linda Indergard (Switzerland) +04:09
Men's XCO top 5
Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) 01:21:02
Charlie Aldridge (Great Britain) +00:37
Simon Andreassen (Denmark) +01:15
Filippo Colombo (Switzerland) "
Fabio Püntener (Switzerland) +01:21
Tour de France general classification to be neutralised 50 km from end of stage 21
About 100 km from the end of the 2025 Tour de France, news broke that the general classification times would be taken at the fourth passage of the finish line, 50.3 km from the finish, due to the forecast rain that was already falling on the riders about to pass the Palace of Versailles.
The final stage of the 2025 Tour was always set to be more complicated than a typical Paris finale given its three visits to the Butte Montmartre. The addition not only opened up the kind of rider capable of winning on the Champs-Élysées, but threw doubt into the GC race with the chance of time being taken or lost on the more-than-usually technical run-in.
Healy wins Super Combativity Award at the Tour after jury and public vote
Ben Healy has been awarded the prize for most combative rider at the 2025 Tour de France, capping off a terrific race for the Irishman and his team EF Education-EasyPost. The award is decided from a shortlist of nine riders by a combination of public vote and the race jury. Uno-X Mobility's Jonas Abrahamsen won the public vote on social media, but the jury swung it in favour of Healy, the only rider to have won the combativity award on three stages.
In only his second Tour, Healy got the ball rolling in week one with an emphatic stage 6 victory after soloing away from the breakaway. He got in the break again on stage 10 when he finished third, but did enough to take over the yellow jersey just before the first rest day. He lost it to Pogačar on the Hautacam two days later, but from there saw a chance to test himself in the general classification. Three further top-10 finishes, including from the breakaway on Mont Ventoux, helped him establish ninth overall by the final weekend.
Healy's fantastic Tour will now end with a coveted visit to the final ceremonial podium in Paris this evening.
Danny Stam critical of Lotte Kopecky after Tour stage 1 'setback'
SD Worx-Protime sports director Danny Stam has spoken critically of his rider Lotte Kopecky after the world champion struggled on stage 1 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift – a stage that, on paper, should have suited her.
“I haven't spoken to her yet, but Lotte certainly wasn't good enough," Stam told VTM after the stage. "The team completely sacrificed themselves for her, and if she's not there in the end, you can make all sorts of excuses, but the strongest team wins.”
Kopecky finished more than a minute down on stage winner Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) on the opening stage to Plumelec, on a short finishing climb where she would normally be a contender. Stam suggested that Kopecky didn't tell the team she was struggling.
“We still have to analyze it all," Stam said. "Normally, Lotte indicates at such times that she's not good enough, so we can draw a different card. She didn't do that this time.”
Kopecky avoided speaking to the press after stage 1, and again at the start of stage 2 in Brest. Kopecky has had a challenging season, battling a knee injury earlier in the year and a back injury more recently. It's not yet clear whether Kopecky's back is still bothering her at the Tour.
Charlotte Kool did not start Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stage 2
The first stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift may have been less than 80 km in length, but it's already taken a toll. After a fast and hectic opening stage, Charlotte Kool, winner of the first two stages of the 2024 Tour, did not start on Sunday. The PicNic PostNL rider crashed heavily in the Baloise Ladies Tour a week before the Tour's Grand Depart in Vannes, and although she was hoping she would be able to fight for another Tour stage victory, she will not contest the two sprint stages to come.
"Coming back and recovering from her crash in the Baloise Ladies Tour, Charlotte Kool was feeling better, felt good on the bike and could start yesterday’s opening stage in Vannes," a release from Picnic PostNL stated. "However, after a hard opening stage and having to push on the pedals, she found herself not able to respond the way she would have liked. Not feeling 100 per cent this morning, and after consultation with Team Picnic PostNL’s medical staff, Kool will not start stage two of the race."
UCI commissaires jury punishes its own driver at Tour de France
A bizarre scene unfolded Friday at the Tour de France as one of the distinctive red cars of the race organization was involved in a dangerous situation as it overtook riders on the descent off the Col du Pre.
The car, which carried race director Christian Prudhomme and the head of the UCI's commissaires jury, nearly crashed several riders including Arkéa-B&B Hotels leader Kévin Vauquelin as the group sought to regain contact with the main peloton on the descent after the climb. No penalties were initially levied but, a day after the infraction, the UCI jury belatedly assessed a 500 Swiss Franc fine and a yellow card against the driver, Ismael Mottier.
Spectator who invaded the stage 17 finale gets suspended prison sentence
The spectator-cum-prankster who invaded the finishing straight on stage 17 just before Jonathan Milan led home the reduced sprint has been handed a €500 fine and an eight-month suspended prison sentence.
The man, whose Decathlon-AG2R fan t-shirt was printed with his Instagram handle 'sosogalerian17' – where he's posted previous sport invasion antics – spent 36 hours in police custody after clambering over the barriers with his bike a few hundred metres from the finish line in a rain-soaked Valence. He was swiftly brought to hand by ASO employees and apprehended by police.
His exact motivations for doing so remain unclear. [Wielerflits]
