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Lara Gillespie celebrates birthday with back-to-back wins at Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa

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Mathew Mitchell
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Lara Gillespie secured a consecutive victory at the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, storming to a triumphant win in the third stage of the race. The Irish national champion, who celebrated her 23rd birthday today, dazzled with a superb sprint finish, bolstered by an impeccable team effort. Gillespie’s teammate, Karolina Kumiega of UAE Team ADQ, took a commendable second place, with Federica Venturelli finishing fourth.

“This is the best birthday present ever,” Gillespie beamed after her victory. “Today we executed the plan perfectly. My teammates were phenomenal, controlling the race all day and setting me up flawlessly for the final sprint. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

The race unfolded without much drama as the UAE Development Team dominated the proceedings. Their strategic control prevented any successful breakaway attempts, with Kunz, Pellegrini, Piergiovanni, and Venturelli maintaining a high pace at the front of the peloton. The final sprint was a showcase of Gillespie’s superiority, underlined by the perfect leadout from her team.

Karolina Kumiega, who finished 2nd, also shared her satisfaction with the team’s performance. “It was a great day for us. The teamwork was perfect, and it’s thrilling to see our plan come together so well,” she said.

The sports directors of the UAE Development Team, Davide Gani and Giuseppe Lanzoni, expressed their contentment with the team’s performance and their growth throughout the race. “Being the favourite can sometimes lead to distractions and risks, but we’re delighted with the girls’ growth. In the upcoming stages, which feature some climbs, defending Lara’s lead won’t be easy, but we are committed to winning,” they explained.

The race, which has now moved to Puglia and will conclude on Tuesday in Barletta, was a straightforward affair for much of its duration. The initial part saw an attack from Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who led over the first categorised climb in Spinazzola. However, her effort gradually waned and she was reeled back by the peloton, which remained compact until the final sprint.

Gillespie’s consecutive stage wins after also winning yesterday’s stage have solidified her position as the race leader, and she also leads the points classification. Her teammate, Federica Venturelli, holds the white jersey as the best young rider, while Elisa Valtulini (Bepink-Bongioanni) wears the green jersey as the queen of the mountains.

2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 3 result

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Grace Brown claims thrilling victory at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes

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Mathew Mitchell
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In a nail-biting finale to the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, Grace Brown secured a dramatic victory, edging out Elisa Longo Borghini and Demi Vollering in a fiercely contested sprint. The Australian rider’s triumph marked a significant achievement in the career of Brown after previously finishing second twice in recent years.

The women’s peloton faced a gruelling 152.9km route featuring 10 challenging climbs, including the pivotal Côte de la Redoute, Côte des Forges, and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. The race unfolded under the same cold conditions as the men’s event, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the day.

Early in the race, Sarah Gigante broke away on the Côte de Saint-Roch with over 133km to go, building a significant lead. However, her efforts were reeled in after a strong chase by Elise Chabbey and a select group including Brown, Kim Cadzow, and several others. This powerful breakaway caught Gigante just past the midway point, setting the stage for the critical climbs to come.

As the race hit the Côte de la Redoute, the lead group fractured, with Chabbey, Brown, and Cadzow pushing ahead. Behind them, the peloton lagged, initially struggling to close a widening gap. However, as the race approached its climax, the chasers organised, dramatically reducing the lead on the final climb of the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons.

It was on this last ascent that Longo Borghini launched a decisive attack, quickly followed by Vollering and Flèche Wallonne winner Kasia Niewiadoma. The trio worked feverishly to bridge to the front-runners, finally making contact with less than 10km to go. In the ensuing tactical battle, Niewiadoma and Longo Borghini made several attempts to break clear, but it was Brown who had the final say.

After overcoming a minor mishap in a late corner, Brown reeled in her competitors again in the last kilometre. Despite the chaos, she launched a powerful sprint to overtake Longo Borghini and claim the victory, leaving Vollering to settle for third place.

Reflecting on her win, Brown shared her elation and relief, “It was an incredible day. Starting from the Côte de Stockeu, I knew I wanted to be in that break. We worked really well together. The climbs were pushing me to my limit, but after surviving the Roche aux Faucons, I knew it was on.”

The race, famous for its strategic depth and the physical demands it places on riders, lived up to its reputation, delivering a day full of suspense and tactical racing. Brown’s long-awaited victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, after two previous second places, was a testament to her resilience in one of cycling’s most challenging races.

2024 Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes result

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Live: 2024 Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes

By
Mathew Mitchell
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Liege - Bastogne - Liege Femmes 2022
Annemiek van Vleuten. 2022 women's Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Bastogne - Liège, 24.4.2022.

The women’s Liège Bastogne Liège or Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes doesn’t quite have the long storied history of the men’s race. Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes was only created in 2017 to finally give the women’s peloton the full Ardennes week experience with a triple-header. The women’s peloton doesn’t start from Liège but begins at Bastogne and works their way back up to Liège instead. That means nearly all of the major climbs are included in the route.

Those climbs include the Côte de Stockeu, Côte de la Redoute, Côte des Forges and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. The last couple in particular might see race-winning moves launched before the fast run-in descent back to Liège.

Race Preview can be found here.

Live Coverage

The race starts at 12:35pm but won’t be live until 4pm (Around 35km to go)

Live on Eurosport/Discovery across Europe
Peacock in USA
FloBikes in Canada
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All times in BST

Live Race Updates

Lara Gillespie solos to victory in Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0

Lara Gillespie celebrated an emphatic win in the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, delivering a stunning solo performance to take the stage from Montefalcione to Torre del Greco. The Irish rider, who turns 23 tomorrow, distanced herself from the peloton after a decisive move on a descent following the second QoM point of the day, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor. After finishing 2nd the stage before, Gillespie went one better in winning today.

Gillespie’s breakaway came relatively early in the race and she managed to sustain her lead, arriving at the finish with her arms raised in triumph. This marked a significant victory as it also propelled her into the overall lead, donning the leader’s jersey. “Now, with the whole team, we will defend this lead with all our strength until the last,” Gillespie stated, reflecting her commitment to maintaining her position at the forefront of the race.

Her teammate, Federica Venturelli, followed in second place, making it a successful day for the UAE Development team. Yesterday’s winner Gaida Borghesi finished 3rd. Venturelli also secured the white jersey as the leading young rider, while the green mountain jersey went to Elisa Valturini of Bepink Bongioanni.

Gillespie was particularly pleased with her performance, noting, “After the second mountain prize, I attacked and created a gap. It was a long way, but I pushed, putting all the energy I had into my body. I didn’t think I would create such a gap, I am very satisfied.”

The race was not only a physical challenge but also a strategic triumph for Gillespie, whose efforts were praised by Torre del Greco’s mayor, Luigi Mennella. He thanked the participants and spectators for showcasing the city positively, linking sporting success with regional promotion. “We have shown the beautiful face of the city. Sport is competition but also a promotion for the territory. After international cycling, we will host other sporting events that will highlight our area,” Mennella commented.

The Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa now moves to Puglia, with the next stage starting and finishing in Barletta, promising another spectacular day of racing. As the peloton looks forward to the challenges ahead, Gillespie and her team will be aiming to protect their lead in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested tour.

2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 2 result

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Sofie van Rooijen secures Dutch victory in challenging EPZ Omloop van Borsele

By
Mathew Mitchell
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Sofie van Rooijen 2024 Omloop van Borsele
Sofie van Rooijen 2024 Omloop van Borsele

Sofie van Rooijen triumphed in the EPZ Omloop van Borsele, showcasing remarkable resilience and strategy. The VolkerWessels rider, who had previously finished second in the 2022 edition of this race, managed to outpace her rivals in a dramatic final sprint. This victory marks a significant turnaround from her 111th-place finish last year, highlighting her return to top form this season.

The race began under dramatic circumstances with a significant crash shortly after the start, leading to a temporary halt. Once racing resumed, the peloton was quickly fragmented by strong winds, setting the stage for a decisive breakaway. A select group of thirteen riders, including former French champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot, initially moved clear. Despite several attacks, including a notable effort by Cordon-Ragot, it was Van Rooijen, along with Elynor Bäckstedt, Daria Pikulik, and Alice Wood, who ultimately forged ahead with a more successful break.

In the closing kilometres, this quartet worked well together, setting up a sprint finish in which Van Rooijen proved the strongest. She convincingly claimed victory ahead of Poland’s Pikulik and Bäckstedt, with a fatigued Cordon-Ragot crossing the line a few seconds later in fourth place.

Sofie van Rooijen
(Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency)

Reflecting on her win, Van Rooijen shared her excitement and strategic insights from the race. “I don’t know when I launched the sprint, but I certainly started from a distance,” she said. “I managed to resist the return of my immediate rivals by gritting my teeth. I’m happy, I knew I had to give everything to cross the finish line first, but I felt good.”

This victory marks Van Rooijen’s second win of the season, following her success at the Drentse Acht van Westerveld, underlining her form in 2024. She’s out of contract at the end of this season and should start to get offers from Women’s WorldTour teams now she has a pair of UCI victories under her belt.

2024 Omloop van Borsele result

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Main photo credit: Omroep Zeeland

Remco Evenepoel targets June return from crash ahead of Tour de France and Paris Olympics

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0

Two-time world champion Remco Evenepoel is set for a return to racing in June following a severe crash in Spain during the Tour of Basque Country, where he suffered a broken collarbone and shoulder blade. The Belgian cyclist required surgery due to the injuries sustained while descending, but he is optimistic about his recovery and upcoming competitions.

Evenepoel, in a broadcast interview by his team Soudal–Quick-Step, outlined his rehabilitation plans which include high-altitude training ahead of his planned competitive comeback. He aims to return at the Critérium du Dauphiné in France from June 2-9, or possibly the following week at the Tour de Suisse.

Looking ahead, Evenepoel is set to make his debut in the Tour de France on June 29, followed by competing in both the time trial and road race events at the Paris Olympics, scheduled for consecutive Saturdays — July 27 and August 3. Reflecting on the upcoming challenges, he noted, “It’s going to be something special. Especially the Tour,” acknowledging the logistical ease of competing in France for both the Tour and the Olympics compared to the travel demands associated with the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Evenepoel also shared insights from his recent downtime, which coincided with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, allowing him quality time with his wife, Oumi Rayane, and her family. He remarked on the timing of his injury, considering it fortunate in the broader scope of his season’s ambitions. “That was a very beautiful day,” he commented on the family celebrations, adding, “It’s better to have the injury now than in a couple of weeks. It’s a bit of luck in my bad luck.”

The recovery and anticipated return of Evenepoel are closely watched as he aims to add Tour de France and Olympic successes to his impressive palmarès, which includes victories in the time trial world championship last year and the road race in 2022. His previous performances at the Olympics in Japan, where he placed ninth in the time trial, underscore his potential to excel in this year’s events in Paris.

Main photo credit: Getty

Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes 2024 Race Preview

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0
LIEGE, BELGIUM - APRIL 23: Demi Vollering of The Netherlands and Team SD Worx celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 7th Liege - Bastogne - Liege 2023, Women's Elite a 142.8km one day race from Bastogne to Liège / #UCIWWT / on April 23, 2023 in Liège, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes History

The women’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, now also known as Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, is relatively new to the women’s cycling calendar, with its inaugural race only dating back to 2017. Anna van der Breggen made a spectacular start to the event, clinching victories in both the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the same week during the first two editions – a rare feat that echoes the achievements of only seven men in the history of these Ardennes Classics. The Dutch cyclists have largely led the field, with van der Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten, and Demi Vollering each securing victories, the only exception being Lizzie Deignan’s triumph in 2020.

Recent editions have seen changes aligning the race more closely with its male counterpart, including moving the finish line from Ans to Liège and eliminating the Côte de Saint-Nicolas from the closing segments. These adjustments have elevated the importance of the Roche-aux-Faucons climb as a crucial point for creating late race splits, with the subsequent downhill run to the finish making it exceptionally challenging for any distanced riders to regain the lead. In 2020, Lizzie Deignan notably defied this pattern by launching a bold attack on the Côte de la Redoute and successfully holding off the chasing pack to the finish.

In 2023, Demi Vollering added another significant victory to her impressive resume by winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes. Vollering attacked the Roche aux Faucons climb and got a gap with rival Elisa Longo Borghini that lasted to the finish. In the final metres, Vollering outsprinted the Italian to complete her Ardennes Triple and therefore the first rider to win both Fleche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the same season since 2017.

Previous Winners

2023
Demi Vollering
2022
Annemiek van Vleuten
2021
Demi Vollering

Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes 2024 Profile

2024_Liege_Bastogne_Liege_Femmes_Profile

TV Coverage

Sunday 21st April 2024

Live on Eurosport/Discovery across Europe
Peacock in USA 
FloBikes in Canada

15:55-17:15
All times in BST

Twitter:#LBLwomen

Startlist: FirstCycling

Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes 2024 Contenders

The first win of the season is still eluding Demi Vollering as it was another 2nd place mid-week at Fleche Wallonne. She’s still riding strong but the gap from Vollering to her rivals has definitely closed at this point of the year at least. Gone are hopes for a repeat of the Ardennes Triple but there’s a chance for her to rescue her Spring in a similar fashion to 2021 where she took Liège Bastogne Liège as her first win of the season. The flat finish here should suit her more than other major race favourites. Teammate Lotte Kopecky seems to be starting to get over her big form peak and after winning Paris Roubaix Femmes is in domestique mode too. It’s her first edition of Liège Bastogne Liège as she looks to see if she can be an Ardennes favourite as well as everywhere else in the season. If she’s there at the end, she might fancy a sneaky win over Vollering.

Lidl-Trek certainly has plenty of strong previous results from its riders here this weekend, but zero previous wins on the other hand. Elisa Longo Borghini nearly always goes well at this one and has finishes of 2nd and 3rd in the last 3 editions. Her form at the moment continues to be strong with a podium at Fleche Wallonne continuing a run of 5 straight top-6 results. She is going to be a podium contender once more this year. Her support comes from the likes of Gaia Realini who was 7th here last year but suffered big time mid-week, effectively getting frozen out of contention. There were high hopes for Shirin van Anrooij coming into Ardennes week but it hasn’t worked for her so far after 12th at Amstel and 39th at Fleche Wallonne. She’s surprisingly the only Lidl-Trek rider here without a previous Liège Bastogne Liège top-10 result. Ellen van Dijk has previously been 3rd, 4th and 5th here but hasn’t raced it since 2020. Lucinda Brand has a best of 5th in 2019 and Amanda Spratt was 2nd in 2018. That trio are going to prove to be a very elite set of domestiques here.

Kasia Niewiadoma finally finally got herself a road win for the first time in early 5 years at Fleche Wallonne. Getting that monkey off her back will do the Pole a world of good and good see her double-up this weekend as well. The issue may be her sprint on the flat against other riders, which whilst not too bad is unlikely to see her beat say Demi Vollering and probably not Longo Borghini. She’s a perennial top-10 finisher at Liège Bastogne Liège but without a win. Elise Chabbey was 5th here last season and a strong climb should put her into some strong contention again. She’s in solid form so far in 2024, just quietly racking up results like 8th at Strade Bianche and 11th at Paris Roubaix Femmes. Soraya Paladin often does well here too, where her fast finish after a hilly race comes in handy. She’s usually one of the best finishers from the chasing group, which saw her finish 9th last year and her best is 4th in 2019.

Marianne Vos
Marianne Vos

Both of the main riders for Visma | Lease a Bike have the best finishes at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes of 4th place. Marianne Vos got hers back in 2020 but looks to be in the form to be a threat at the finish line again this year. Riejanne Markus got hers last season in what was a good sprint in the chasing group behind the lead pair. She’s been ok so far in 2024 with 7th at Strade Bianche and 5th in GC at Tour de Normandie Feminin too. She is going for this one though in her message from the team. For Vos, it represents another chance to add a missing race to her palmares in a season where her worst result is 11th. She has the potential to win this if she climbs well enough.

For AG Insurance-Soudal, this is very much an Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio race. The South African has finished in the top-10 in 4 editions over the years and will have free rein to go for it again this year. She was a bit off in 19th last year but before then took 4th in what was an unhappy finish with Demi Vollering when both were SD Worx riders. She can certainly ensure she climbs well enough to be in the front group and whilst we’ve seen her win sprints in recent years it still feels like a weaker area than her rivals.

Neither Olivia Baril nor Claire Steels has a particularly good result at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes, which probably doesn’t bode too well for Movistar’s chances. Baril did get a decent enough result at Fleche Wallonne this in mid-week, finishing 14th on the cold Mur de Huy. Claire Steels is still working her way back from the broken vertebrae suffered in the UAE Tour Women but in good form, she should be a contender on these climbs.

Ane Santesteban has been steadily improving year on year at this one, with a best result of 12th achieved last season. The Spanish rider will be looking ahead to next month’s glut of races at home but has gone well in the last week with 6th at GP Féminin de Chambéry and 10th at Fleche Wallonne. The latter was her first top-10 result in Huy and she could break that barrier here too.

Juliette Labous
Juliette Labous

Juliette Labous is a consistent finisher here, usually just a tiny bit outside of the top-10 but does have a best of 8th in 2020. The French rider is a strong climber but does better on longer climbs rather than the slightly more punchier efforts required here. Her form is good though after 7th at Fleche Wallonne and she is building up to Spain month nicely.

Another rider to get frozen out of contention mid-week, Mavi Garcia fell behind relatively early and was DNF in the end in Huy. The Spanish rider didn’t take to the cold well and that’s a consideration for this weekend as well. She’s never finished higher than 13th and a limited sprint will always make it tough to finish truly high up. Like Labous though, Garcia will also be looking ahead to May.

Silvia Persico should be UAE Team ADQ’s best chance of a result here but was only 42nd in her first edition of Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes last season. She’s blown hot and cold so far this Spring with good results of 7th and 8th at the Tour of Flanders and Trofeo Alfredo Binda mixed in with days where she’s gone missing like 70th at Amstel last weekend. Teammate Erica Magnaldi has done well here in the past and could be a top-15 finisher once more this year.

It’s tough to unpick who the leader might be for FDJ-Suez this year. Marta Cavalli feels like a good shout after finishing 9th in Fleche Wallonne this week for her best result of 2024 so far and was 6th here in her golden 2022 Ardennes Classics campaign. Evita Muzic has been improving each year at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes and comes into this one with 4th in Huy, 2nd at GP Féminin de Chambéry, 9th at Binda and 10th Strade Bianche. She has a chance to build on those results here and finish the Spring in style. Grace Brown is the rider with the best history at this race though, the Aussie has a pair of 2nd places from 2020 and 2022. She might’ve caught Deignan in 2020 if the race was a few kilometres longer and in 2022 she was the best of the rest as Van Vleuten won solo. You also can’t discount Amber Kraak whose best result here is only 22nd but she’s on a run of 5th at Roubaix, 6th at Brabantse Pijl and 8th at Amstel Gold.

Yara Kastelijn
Yara Kastelijn

Neither Yara Kastelijn nor Pauliena Rooijakkers have cracked the top-10 here for Fenix-Deceuninck but have come close. Kastelijn’s best is 18th from last season and Rooijakkers was 11th in 2022. Kastelijn has been very solid throughout the Spring, maybe missing a big standout result always in and around the bottom of the top-10. That’s especially impressive with other mouths to feed like Puck Pieterse and Christina Schweinberger in some of those races. Pauliena Rooijakkers had a big day out at Fleche Wallonne. She secured 6th on the Mur de Huy despite riding in a bit of a chasse patate break move with Grace Brown for an hour before eventually reaching the front of the race only to be caught by the bunch as it sped up. Sprints and descents will be an issue but there’s no faulting her climbing at the moment.

Veronica Ewers didn’t get a result of note at Fleche Wallonne in the end thanks to a late crash. It looked like she’d just got squeezed on the grass verge and unfortunately went down. With that result not reflective of where she’s at, this is a last chance to impress before the Spanish races she excels in start to come around.

Ceratizit WNT’s Cédrine Kerbaol is just starting to come good again after 5th place at GP Féminin de Chambéry last weekend. The French rider started the season well with victory at Vuelta CV Feminas before just tailing off slightly after that. She’s strong enough to challenge in the same fashion as Grace Brown in previous seasons.

Uno-X probably doesn’t have a major contender at this one but the trio of Katrine Aalerud, Solbjørk Minke Anderson and Simone Boilard can all still do very nicely. Aalerud was 9th here in 2020 and had a good Fleche Wallonne where the Norwegian finished 14th. Anderson might just be tailing off at the end of Spring compared to where she was a month or so ago but the climbing here should suit her if she has the legs. Finally, Boilard generally goes well everywhere and has results of 14th and 21st in the Ardennes Week so far.

Liège Bastogne Liège 2024 Outsiders

Eline Jansen
Eline Jansen

Eline Jansen has been quietly notching up some solid results at the WWT level this week. 28th in both Fleche Wallonne and Amstel Gold, there is the potential for a similar or even better finish for the Dutch rider. She’s got a good kick for the line too so whichever group she ends up in at the end she’s likely to finish near the front of it. Teammate Margot Vanpachtenbeke has shown flashes again this season with 10th at Brabantse Pijl and 11th at Gent Wevelgem. She tends to do less well in the hilly WWT races as a rule but there’s potential for more.

Julie Bego should be leading the charge for Cofidis but has been a little bit quieter in the Ardennes races but previously had the likes of 11th at Brabantse Pijl and 4th in Trofeo Oro in Euro to her name. The first-year elite is still finding her feet but it’s impressive she’s already considered one to watch out for.

Arkea B&B Hotels’ Lotte Claes is a very solid non-WWT race climber with some good results this year in the top-20 at lower-level races. The Belgian can certainly put in a stint on the climbs at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes but maybe not get a really high result. 

Marion Bunel is another who struggled in the conditions at Fleche Wallonne. The French rider for St Michel-Mavic-Auber93 ended up being a DNF in a race that she could do very well in with the Mur de Huy finish. She should be ok on the climbs here provided the conditions are a tiny bit better.

Top 3 Prediction

  • Demi Vollering
  • Elisa Longo Borghini
  • Kasia Niewiadoma

Giada Borghesi clinches opening stage of Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0

Giada Borghesi stormed to victory on the inaugural stage of the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, showcasing her sprinting skills over a demanding route from Frattamaggiore to Terzigno. At just 22 years old, Borghesi outpaced Lara Gillespie and Federica Venturelli in a compelling finish, securing not only the stage win but also the coveted first leader’s jersey.

The race concluded on the third category mountain grand prix at 195 metres above sea level, where Borghesi proved too strong for Lara Gillespie and Francesca Venturelli, who completed the podium. Today’s victory sets the stage for the second leg of the race, which promises another challenging day from Montefalcione to Torre del Greco over 103.6 kilometres.

Reflecting on her performance, Borghesi shared her satisfaction and determination to hold onto the leader’s jersey. “I don’t know when I launched the sprint, but I certainly started from a distance,” Borghesi stated. “I managed to resist the return of my immediate rivals by gritting my teeth. I’m happy, I knew I had to give everything to cross the finish line first, but I felt good.”

The day was marked by challenging conditions that tested all riders, with two other mountain prizes before the final climb at Terzigno. Beatrice Rossato and Elisa Valtulini claimed these earlier climbs at Monteforte Irpino and Forino respectively, adding to the day’s competitive spirit.

Looking ahead, Borghesi remains cautious yet optimistic about her chances of extending her lead. “I know it’s not easy,” she concluded, “but I’ll try until the end. To take the jersey from me, the others will have to work really hard.”

With the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa only just beginning, Borghesi’s early show of strength will surely make her a marked rider in the stages to come, as her rivals look to challenge her lead in the picturesque yet punishing routes of Campania.

2024 Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 1 result

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Main photo credit: Flaviano Ossola

Ruth Edwards commits to Human Powered Health through 2026

By
Mathew Mitchell
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HAHNDORF, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Ruth Edwards of The United States and Team Human Powered Health prior to the 8th Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2024, Stage 1 a 93.9km stage from Hahndorf to Campbelltown / #UCIWWT / on January 12, 2024 in Campbelltown, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Ruth Edwards has reaffirmed her commitment to Human Powered Health, signing a contract extension that will keep her with the team until the end of the 2026 season. This decision comes on the back of a series of commendable performances, including a podium finish at the Trofeo Oro in Euro and a strong showing in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, where she finished fourth.

Speaking on her experiences and future ambitions, Edwards expressed a deep appreciation for her team’s support, particularly during a challenging spring marred by crashes and illness. “The level of care and support I receive here while striving to improve in a motivating environment is unparalleled. I couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said.

Despite a tough season, her decision to extend her stay is a testament to her belief in the team’s direction and her desire to continue competing at the highest levels of cycling. “It’s been a rough spring, but feeling nothing but support from Human Powered Health is very inspiring to me,” Edwards stated.

2024-Trofeo-Oro-in-Euro-Podium-Swinkels-Longo-Borghini-Edwards
2024 Trofeo Oro in Euro podium (l-r: Karlijn Swinkels, Elisa Longo Borghini, Ruth Edwards)

Looking ahead, Edwards is set to lead her team in the upcoming Vuelta España Femenina by Carrefour.es, reflecting her pivotal role in stage racing for her team. Her goals remain clear as she aims to push herself to the best of her abilities, hoping to secure strong results against the best in the sport.

This renewal is part of a broader strategy by Human Powered Health, which has been focusing on building a competitive women’s team. General Manager Ro De Jonckere commented on the extensions, “We are very happy with these contract renewals through 2026, as they fit perfectly in our strategy of building a top-tier women’s team over the next few years.”

Edwards and her teammates, including recently signed Daria and Wiktoria Pikulik along with Lilly Williams, who have also secured extensions this spring, will be back in action this Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, ready to take on one of cycling’s most challenging races.

Main photo credit: Getty

Riders to Look Out for at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2024

By
Mathew Mitchell
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Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates pictured in action during the 'E3 Saxo Bank Classic' one day cycling race, 204,1km from and to Harelbeke on March 24, 2023. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS / various sources / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, affectionately known as “La Doyenne” due to its status as the oldest of the cycling classics, is a formidable challenge characterised by relentless climbs and strategic depth. With iconic ascents like La Redoute and Roche-aux-Faucons, Liège-Bastogne-Liège tests the riders’ endurance and tactical savvy. Legends such as, the 5-time winner Eddy Merckx, 4-time winners Moreno Argentin and Alejandro Valverde and more recently Tadej Pogacar, who won in 2021, have triumphed here, making it a race where true men’s cycling greats are made. As we approach the 2024 edition, let’s explore five riders whose recent performances and historical success suggest they could make a significant impact.

Tadej Pogacar

Tadej Pogacar, the 2021 winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, returns to the race with high expectations after a season highlighted by victories at Strade Bianche and Volta Catalunya in 2024. Although he did not finish last year’s edition, his current form and previous success on this course indicate he is a prime contender. Pogacar’s remarkable climbing ability and resilience, combined with his recent wins in other challenging races, position him well to tackle the demanding climbs and strategic demands of Liège.

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Tom Pidcock

Tom Pidcock, coming off a recent victory at the Amstel Gold Race, is in excellent form as he approaches Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he finished second last season. His proven capability on similar terrain and his knack for timing his efforts effectively make him a formidable contender this year. Pidcock’s all-around skill set, including strong climbing and strategic race execution, suggests he could very well improve on his impressive result from the previous year and possibly vie for the top step on the podium.

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David Gaudu

David Gaudu, who secured third place in the 2021 edition of this race, has shown he’s in top form this season with a recent victory at the Tour de Jura (1.1). His consistency in performing well in tough races, combined with his exceptional climbing skills, makes him a strong candidate to contend for a top spot at Liège-Bastogne-Liège once again. Gaudu’s ability to handle the race’s late climbs could be crucial in his quest for another podium finish or better.

Marc Hirschi

Marc Hirschi has a track record of success at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with a second-place finish in 2020 and consistent top-10 placements in subsequent editions. His aggressive racing style and strong performance on steep climbs align well with the race’s profile. Hirschi’s experience and proven ability on this course set him up as a serious contender, potentially ready to challenge for the win and add another top result to his Liège-Bastogne-Liège achievements.

Benoit Cosnefroy

Benoit Cosnefroy

Benoit Cosnefroy, coming into Liège-Bastogne-Liège with momentum from a win at Brabantse Pijl and a fourth-place finish at Fleche Wallonne this season, is showing signs of top form. Despite his best previous result at this race being only 18th, his current season’s performances indicate he is ready to significantly improve on that. Cosnefroy’s strength on hilly courses and recent results in the Ardennes classics suggest he could be a surprise package in this year’s race, challenging for a career-best finish.

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