Your Thursday cycling news roundup, featuring key Vuelta updates and analysis, plus Canadian & Slovenian Worlds teams, upcoming under-the-radar races — and a peek into Geraint Thomas’ mindset as he heads into retirement.
TOP STORY:
- Vingegaard Appears Vulnerable — but a Shortened Time Trial Should Save his Red Jersey
Race News:
- Victor Campaenerts out of Vuelta with Illness
- Slovenia Sending Powerhouse Squad to Worlds
- Cycling Canada Announces Worlds Team
- Monaco’s BEKING Slated to Return this November
- 2025 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships p/b Vittoria Tires Come to Minnesota
Rider and Team News:
- Movistar to Add García Pierna
- Another Key Signing for Q36.5: Aimé De Gendt
- Mattia Cattaneo to Join Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe
- Experienced Armirail Strengthens Team Visma | Lease a Bike
- EF Education-Oatly Signs Alice Towers for 2026 Season
- What Can We Learn From…Geraint Thomas’ Twitter Feed?
Vingegaard Appears Vulnerable — but a Shortened Time Trial May Save his Red Jersey
The three stages since our last EuroTrash promised movement among the Vuelta’s GC favorites, but instead Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease A Bike) eked out just two additional seconds over Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), while Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) and Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) fought a second-tier skirmish for the remaining podium spot.
Heading into the Stage 18 time trial, Vingegaard holds a 50-second lead over Almeida, and at time has looked vulnerable, allowing gaps to form as various rivals attacked on some of cycling’s steepest slopes. Meanwhile, just 36 seconds separate Pidcock and Hindley, who has spent much of the last week driving the pace, hoping to extract time from his steep-climb specializing rival.
News that Thursday’s time trial would be shortened to ensure riders’ safety amid pro-Palestinian protests, then, appears to be good news for Vingegaard and Pidcock: At just 12.2 flat kilometers, the stage is likely far too short to exact significant margins; notwithstanding the possibility of mishaps — always a possibility in a bike race, and especially in this rather fraught Vuelta — we likely have our final podium: Vingegaard, then Almeida, then Pidcock.
Stages 15-17 unfolded like dramatic acts, each with a distinct theme:
Stage 15 – Chaos Meets the Sprint
On September 7, stage 15 from A Veiga/Vegadeo to Monforte de Lemos had everything: a breakaway, a sprint, and a moment of real danger. A pro-Palestinian protester carrying a flag dashed toward the peloton, triggering a crash that involved Movistar’s Javier Romo and Edward Planckaert. Romo later rejoined, though visibly shaken. Amid the disarray, a phenomenally strong and resilient Mads Pedersen sprinted clear from the breakaway to seize victory—his 11th Grand Tour stage win, fourth at La Vuelta, though his first this year—while overall leader Jonas Vingegaard held firm atop the general classification. The episode foreshadowed the protest-tinged tension yet to come.
Stage 16 – Protesters Alter the Race
Just two days later, stage 16 was abruptly cut short. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the route 8 km from the finish at Castro de Herville, forcing organizers to declare a winner at the improvised line before the final climb. It resulted in Egan Bernal clinching his first Grand Tour stage win since his serious crash in 2022, outsprinting Mikel Landa from a breakaway that had featured 17 riders. Jonas Vingegaard again retained the red jersey, still ahead of Almeida, with Tom Pidcock third overall.
Stage 16 may have been the second time that protests neutralized Pidcock’s ambitions, as the British rider, famed for his descending skills and audacity, sought to gain time on this rivals on the final descent. But the announcement that the stage would be shortened had took the air out of the GC contenders’ riding, and he crossed the line with his closest rivals, including Jai Hindley, sitting close behind in fourth place.
Stage 17 – White Jersey Breakthrough amid Strategy and Stalemate
Stage 17 delivered the moment of pure racing clarity the peloton craves. On the wind-baked slopes of Alto de El Morredero, 21-year-old Giulio Pellizzari—wearing the White Jersey for the best young rider—launched a perfectly timed attack and claimed his first Grand Tour stage win. Second went to Tom Pidcock, who tactically bolstered his bid for a podium spot, while Jai Hindley took third.
The current podium three—Vingegaard, Almeida, Pidcock—remained in their respective spots. Vingegaard extended his GC lead slightly to about 50 seconds over Almeida, with Pidcock holding fast in third. Tactical neutrality dominated—no one struck, no one cracked—though we may have been treated to a glimpse of the future, as it was the young Pellizzari who seized both opportunity and the day.
Is Pellizzari telling us all just to hang loose?
Shortened Time Trial Likely Protects the Status Quo
Originally this section was to be headlined “It All Comes Down to Decisive Stage 18 Time Trial”. But it’s unlikely that just 12 kilometers will prove decisive — that even an Evenepoel or a Ganna, let alone Almeida, could claw four seconds per kilometer from Vingegaard. Considering that even a climb like the Angliru yielded small time differences, it seems that the margins earned by Vingegaard and Visma early in the Vuelta — including a handful of time bonuses — will prove to be the differences that made the difference.
This will probably be the scene in Madrid as well.
For stage-by-stage accounts since our last EuroTrash, check out the following PEZ stories:
RACE NEWS
Victor Campaenerts out of Vuelta with Illness
Trusted support rider Victor Campenaerts will no longer shepherd Jonas Vingegaard through the lower slopes of the Vuelta: the experienced Belgian rider from Visma | Lease a Bike fell ill during the second rest day, and after consulting with his team’s medical staff, determined that he will not continue racing.
“I’m very disappointed that I can’t help Jonas Vingegaard carry the red jersey to Madrid,” Campenaerts said. “Before I got sick, I felt great and was able to do my job for the team. Now I’ll have to support him from home.”
Campenaerts is Visma’s second support rider to leave the race. Axel Zingle dropped out early in the race; Vingegaard is left with just five domestiques for the remaining stages.
Slovenia Sending Powerhouse Squad to Worlds
Slovenia plans to send an elite representation to the World Championship Road Race in Rwands later this month, including Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, Matej Mohoric , Domen Novak, and Luka Mezgec.
Several nations will send depleted teams: Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands), Jonas Vingegaard and Mads Pedersen (Denmark), and Wout van Aert (Belgium) will all miss the race. Slovenia, however, will field this strong squad, supporting Ddfending champion Taej Pogacar.
Unlike last summer’s Paris Olympics, the G.O.A.T. isn’t sitting out this race in protest: his fiancée Urška Žigart is Slovenia’s sole representative in the women’s road race.
Cycling Canada Announces Worlds Team
Cycling Canada has announced its team for the UCI Road Cycling World Championships. Isabella Holmgren and her U23 women’s teammates will compete in the first-ever edition of stand-alone U23 women’s race and in the Junior category, the Canadian women enter as the top-ranked nation, for the first time in history.
In the Elite women’s race, Canada is sending Magdeleine Vallières Mill, who is looking to build on a stand-out 14th place in Zurich last year. Rounding out the team are Olympic and World Championship veterans Alison Jackson and Olivia Baril, and World Championship first-timers Nadia Gontova, Émilie Fortin and Laury Millette.
In the Elite men’s race, Michael Leonard hopes to build on his strong time trial performances competing alongside Elite Road World Championships debutant, Laurent Gervais.
Elite Women
Alison Jackson
Émilie Fortin
Laury Milette
Magdeleine Vallières Mill
Nadia Gontova
Olivia Baril
Elite Men
Laurent Gervais
Michael Leonard
U23 Women
Anabelle Thomas
Ava Holmgren
Isabella Holmgren
Jazmine Lavergne
Jenaya Francis
U23 Men
Jérôme Gauthier
Jonas Walton
Luke Valenti
Samuel Couture
Junior Women
Abigaël Fortier
Élodie Malois
Raphaëlle Houde
Rafaëlle Carrier
Sidney Swierenga
Junior Men
Antoine Bergeron
Ben Morin
Hubert Lamothe
Monty Rigby
Monaco’s BEKING Slated to Return this November
The 2024 edition of BEKING featured some big names.
The fifth edition of BEKING will take place in Monaco on November 23, offering racing as well as charitable fundraising, general participation events and a focus on sustainable mobility and building a better future for future generations.
“Reaching the fifth edition feels truly inspiring,” says pro cyclist Matteo Trentin. “Then I look back and reflect on how it all started, how far we’ve come, and the incredible commitment of my colleagues and the companies that have believed in and supported the project from the outset, establishing it as a fixture in the racing calendar. We race all over the world for a living, but BEKING is different. Here, we ride with a purpose: the ambition to build something lasting for the next generation and for the planet.”
As with the event’s core mission from the very beginning, the focus of BEKING 2025 will once again be on children. A rich programme of pre-event activities involving schools, workshops and educational initiatives will enable children to experience cycling first-hand.
2025 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships p/b Vittoria Tires Come to Minnesota
Gravel Nationals p/b Vittoria Tires will take place in La Crescent, Minnesota, on September 20. The event will feature a $20,000 prize purse for elite riders. The event will kick off with an expo on Friday and conclude on Saturday with the championship events and the awards ceremony at Applefest to follow.
Event Schedule:
Friday: Event Expo (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Saturday: Gravel Races
7:00 AM – Men’s Elite / Open 19+
7:15 AM – Women’s Elite / Open 19+
7:45 AM – Non-Binary, Men and Women Singlespeed, 19-34, 35-39, 40- 44, 45-49
8:00 AM – Men and Women 15-16, 17-18
8:05 AM – Men and Women 50-54, 55-59, 60-64
8:20 AM – Para BVI, Para C3-5
8:25 AM – Men and Women 65-69, 70-74, 75+
8:40 AM – Men and Women 11-12, 13-14
8:45 AM – Para C1-2, H3-5
Saturday: Event Expo (all day); Awards Ceremony (5:00 PM – King Apple Tent, Applefest Fest Grounds)
General Information:
The public is encouraged to attend. Racing will start in downtown La Crescent on Saturday morning. The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday evening in the King Apple Tent, located on the Applefest Fest Grounds. An Applefest button is required to enter the King Apple Tent. Applefest buttons can be purchased here. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select the “La Crescent Apple Festival Button” merchandise option.
Additional spectator information can be found here.
RIDER & TEAM NEWS
Movistar to Add García Pierna
Movistar Team will add Raúl García Pierna, who will compete in the colors of the Telefónica squad starting in 2026 and through the 2028 season. The rider from Tres Cantos faces a new challenge in his sporting career and expressed his satisfaction after the deal was confirmed:
“Signing with Movistar Team is something truly exciting. It’s the only WorldTour team in Spain and has a long history with incredible riders who have raced here, so I’m really thrilled.”
With this signing, Movistar Team strengthens its commitment to Spanish talent and secures the presence of a highly promising rider on its roster for the coming seasons.
Another Key Signing for Q36.5: Aimé De Gendt
Aimé De Gendt will the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, marking another key addition as the team continues its campaign to race at pro cycling’s highest level.
The Belgian De Gendt, 31-years old, brings a wealth of experience to the team after having already been a professional rider for ten years. He is the only remaining De Gendt (not related to Thomas) in the pro peloton now.
“This year everything came together,” Aimé De Gendt said. “I had a good classics season, the team needed some reinforcements there and I have known Kurt [Bogaerts] for many years now. The team appeals to me in how they manage to progress each and every year. The team looks great with good equipment and structure. I hope to contribute to further growth.”
Having been part of the pro peloton for a decade, his heart is in the Classics. He has been a constant factor in all of them in the past years. He loves the climbs and the cobbles with La Houppe as favorite.His favorite races are the Ronde van Vlaanderen which passes by his house every other year, and the Classics’ season opener Omloop het Nieuwsblad. This year De Gendt scored a seventh place in E3 Harelbeke. With Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team he hopes to progress even more.
Mattia Cattaneo to Join Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe
Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe is strengthening its roster for the coming season with an experienced all-rounder: Mattia Cattaneo will join the team. The 34-year-old Italian brings a wealth of experience and will be a valuable addition to the team’s ambitions – both in stage races and in demanding one-day classics.
With Cattaneo, Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe secures another strong signing for the new season. The Italian is about to begin his 14th year in the pro ranks and has competed in just as many Grand Tours. Known as a powerful rider, the Lombard also showcases his strength in time trials and challenging one-day races.
Cattaneo says: “I’m very happy to be joining Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and starting to race. I’d like to thank the team for giving me this opportunity. I’ll do my best to support the team leaders, and I’m convinced that my contribution can be valuable for the team.”
EF Education-Oatly Signs Alice Towers for 2026 Season
EF Education-Oatly has announced the signing of British rider Alice Towers. At just 22, Towers has already established herself as a rising talent, highlighted by her solo victory at the 2022 British Road Championships and a top-ten finish at this year’s Tour Down Under. She has also played a key role in her teammates’ successes at the Tour de France Femmes, the RideLondon Classique, and other major races.
Towers excels in both stage races and one-day events, particularly the Ardennes classics. She describes her relaxed mindset and strength in challenging conditions as key assets, and she is eager to embrace more leadership opportunities.
General manager Esra Tromp praised Towers’ ambition and potential, noting her ability to read races and her grit to succeed. EF Education-Oatly looks forward to supporting her development as she takes the next step in her career.
What Can We Learn From…Geraint Thomas’ Twitter Feed?
There’s already much to learn about Geraint Thomas from his well-listened to podcast, Watts Occuring. But we thought we might collect some slightly less varnished information from his Twitter account — namely, an answer to the question: Is his retirement final?
The answer: most definitely. Certainly we could have concluded this from the way he’s ridden this season’s races: largely defensively, rarely pursuing victory. But athletes who have tasted greatness often have trouble fading into retirement — but Thomas’ Twitter feed suggests he’s moving into his next phase comfortably.
A pinned post depicts him riding around l’Arc de Triomphe in the final stage of the Tour de France, but the next several posts chronicle his farewell tour — also known as the Tour of Britain — culminating in his popping a champagne cork, even though he was far from the victory stand.
Clearly “G” has accepted that he’s moving on from the pro peloton.
The post EUROTRASH: Shortened Time Trial Should Save Vingegaard’s Vuelta appeared first on PezCycling News.
