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Tour of Northern Europe - Discussion
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 14-01-2026 02:00
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3989
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Since it is a while since the PT boys had anything and the race was done I figured I would start a few days earlier than scheduled.
Welcome to the 2025 Tour of Northern Europe. We are in the second year of the new route, last year the cobbles on Stage 3 proved decisive and Gerts was a strong enough climber to survive the the two hilly stages (6&7) and dethrone the TT riders who had dominated most of the prior 5 years. Could the balance shift again this year?
In addition to the stages mentioned above. the race features a 14k TT about half of which is cobbled, and 3 stages for the sprinters.
Last year’s winner  Gerts is back and although he is aging a little he still has a really strong set of skills for this race. The only other winner back is 2021 champion  Wirtgen. He suffered on the cobbles last year but will hope keep things closer this year. Interestingly his rival  Dunbar is also here, perhaps those two teams will try and neutralize the cobbled stage.
We will look at 3 groups of GC contenders, centered around those strong in each main discipline (TT, HI, CO). Before we go there, there are 3 riders who don’t stand out in any one of those categories but are strong enough in all of them to be a threat in the race. Two of these names are two of the best known all-rounders in the peloton in  Pidcock and  Malecki. Pidcock won Benelux in 2023 and finished 5th here last year while Malecki was 14th last year.  Louvel is not as strong as those two but he is better in the cobbles and the TT so if he can hang on in the hills he could be a player here as well.
| Rider | FL | HI | TT | CO | RS | ST | | Pidcock | 78 | 76 | 72 | 74 | 78 | 75 | | Malecki | 73 | 76 | 70 | 73 | 75 | 71 | | Louvel | 77 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 78 | 75 |
Now on to the first of the 3 main groups, TTers who can survive the hills and also ride the cobbles.
There are 25 riders with a TT value greater than 75. Of these the 11 listed below have 134 or higher combined HI and CO. Why 134 you say. Because otherwise Dunbar misses the cut. Other than Wirtgen and Dunbar the most notable names in this group are  Anderberg and  Gamper who are two of the top cobblers in the race and also strong in the TT. For both of them the challenge will come in the hills.
Most of the rest are decent time trialists who are reasonable on either the cobbles or the hills. Three riders are pretty solid in both - Kung,  Cavagna, and  Van Baarle. These 3 have all thrived in this race and/or the Benelux Tour in the past, although none of them did that well last year.
| Rider | FL | HI | TT | CO | RS | ST | | Wirtgen | 73 | 75 | 84 | 65 | 75 | 76 | | Dunbar | 69 | 76 | 82 | 58 | 77 | 74 |  Herregodts | 73 | 75 | 79 | 65 | 78 | 74 | | Kiriakidis | 68 | 73 | 78 | 62 | 73 | 72 | | Kung | 73 | 73 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 74 | | Siddikov | 75 | 65 | 77 | 70 | 75 | 76 | | Anderberg | 78 | 69 | 76 | 82 | 76 | 77 | | Gamper | 77 | 67 | 76 | 80 | 77 | 77 | | Lampawog | 76 | 68 | 76 | 76 | 75 | 76 | | Cavagna | 77 | 74 | 76 | 73 | 74 | 75 | | Van Baarle | 75 | 71 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 76 |
The second group of contenders are those who will look to thrive in the hills on the last two stages. A similar approach is applied here, the 27 riders with over 75 Hill were further narrowed based on TT+CO greater than 134. 7 names meet this criteria but Dunbar, Malecki and Pidcock have all been covered, leaving just 4 new names:
| Rider | FL | HI | TT | CO | RS | ST |  Schmid | 72 | 79 | 68 | 69 | 78 | 73 |  Van Dijke | 69 | 78 | 71 | 67 | 75 | 74 | | Aleotti | 74 | 78 | 74 | 62 | 77 | 78 | | Gerts | 76 | 77 | 66 | 81 | 79 | 75 |
The defending champion’s name leaps out on this list. Aleotti also has form, he finished 8th last year. Schmid also looked like he should have been strong last year but his team had some trouble deciding on their leader.
There are a number of other very strong puncheurs on the startlist but they are all at best mediocre on the TT and Cobbles but if the last two stages are selective, they could thrive in the GC. Names in this group include  McCarthy,  Skujins, Kinoshita,  Müller, and Buchmann. But the biggest name fitting this category is  Vansevenant, as he reignites his rivalry with Pidcock. Last year he bested his rival, finishing 4th here.
There are more competent cobblers in the race than the other two categories, with 36 riders being above 75 cobbles so the cut off was set 1 higher reducing the count to 26. Of those, 16 have at least 134 HI+TT. We have already covered Anderberg, Gamper and Gerts leaving 13 new names in this list. Many of the remainder are traditional cobblers with solid ability in the hills and average to weak TT skills. The best all-rounders are probably  Van Hooydonck and  Per, the latter finished 3rd overall last year.  Pedersen is the best cobbler but a little weaker in the hills than the rest. If the TT plays a big role, then Stavrakakis might have an advantage.
| Rider | FL | HI | TT | CO | RS | ST |  Pedersen | 77 | 69 | 69 | 83 | 80 | 78 |  Per | 79 | 70 | 72 | 82 | 75 | 74 | | Van Hooydonck | 73 | 71 | 72 | 82 | 74 | 75 | | Zepuntke | 72 | 69 | 65 | 82 | 72 | 79 |  Siric | 78 | 71 | 65 | 80 | 80 | 77 | | Tiller | 74 | 70 | 67 | 79 | 75 | 76 | | Vermeersch | 78 | 69 | 70 | 78 | 77 | 76 | | Menten | 72 | 73 | 67 | 77 | 76 | 75 | | Meiler | 74 | 74 | 64 | 77 | 70 | 72 | | Salzmann | 73 | 71 | 64 | 77 | 76 | 77 | | Stavrakakis | 76 | 68 | 75 | 77 | 70 | 74 | | Stokbro | 75 | 69 | 66 | 77 | 73 | 75 | | Bohli | 74 | 68 | 70 | 77 | 75 | 79 |
There are also 3 stages for the sprinters and a chance to wear the leader’s jersey. But the sprint field isn’t that deep for a PT race.  Cullaigh, Farantakis, and Philipsen are the big names on the list. All bring solid leadouts. Vermeersch and Pedersen are unusual here, both could be competitive in the GC so bonus seconds in a sprint would be a nice add on.
| Rider | FL | SP | AC | RS | | Cullaigh | 74 | 82 | 81 | 70 | | Farantakis | 74 | 82 | 80 | 72 | | Philipsen | 74 | 81 | 80 | 70 | | Hsu | 75 | 80 | 79 | 70 | | Groves | 75 | 80 | 79 | 73 | | Kragh Andersen | 76 | 80 | 75 | 72 | | Minali | 73 | 79 | 79 | 74 | | Kooij | 75 | 78 | 79 | 73 | | Prasad | 74 | 78 | 79 | 74 | | Vermeersch | 78 | 78 | 77 | 77 | | Pedersen | 77 | 78 | 77 | 80 | | Mareczko | 74 | 78 | 77 | 73 | | Bauhaus | 74 | 78 | 75 | 65 |
A full field of 24 teams and 192 riders takes to the start.
Startlist
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 14-01-2026 04:07
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16632
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 14138.70
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Thanks for the preview Ulrich!
We're all in on a cobbles heavy GC here, just like last year. We know the likelihood of that is relatively low, but there's just no other way we score well as we don't have anyone else suited to this type of race. Per will have to attack to make the difference long range here to have any GC chances. The cobbles might not be hard enough in this engine, but we'll see!
Beyond that, a few chances for AKA to make an impact! That's always fun.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| SotD |
Posted on 14-01-2026 05:21
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World Champion
Posts: 12703
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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We don’t know what to expect here, so we have a little bit of everything present.
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| redordead |
Posted on 14-01-2026 07:10
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Team Leader
Posts: 5561
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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This is the only chance I have to score points in the month of May. No pressure.
Thanks for the preview.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| roturn |
Posted on 14-01-2026 07:42
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Team Manager
Posts: 22059
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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The yearly gamble between Vansevenant and Van Hooydonck. Last year it worked well for both, let`s hope for the best again.
Need a good performance here. |
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 14-01-2026 08:28
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Sprinter
Posts: 1911
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Thanks for the extensive preview, Ulrich!
We won't score any points here, but with Louvel, Küng and Zepuntke we have decent enough options for all the crucial stages (and the GC) to hopefully make it a fun race as well as a good test for the Benelux Challenge later in the season. And we wouldn't mind if someone like Costiou or Lapeira could join the breaks in the flat stages as well.
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 14-01-2026 12:07
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3871
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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A team of domestiques and talents for us, so hopefully a bit of action in the breakaway. Also hoping Zepuntke can show something nice here.
Thanks for the great preview, Ulrich!
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| knockout |
Posted on 14-01-2026 12:22
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8288
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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Im really looking forward to see how this plays out. Ive debated long with myself on how to approach this and i decided to leave Ovsyannikov home and focus on Herregodts. I really believe he could finish top 5 if he survives the cobbled stage which is not unreasonable to me. But he could also finish outside the top 50 and it wouldnt be a huge shock. The volatility is huge. So i hope that Neilands and the rouleurs can drag him over the cobblers and help him out as good as possible.
Wirtgen and Dunbar here is a bummer. 
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-01-2026 11:00
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| ember |
Posted on 14-01-2026 12:23
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Team Leader
Posts: 7108
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
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Thank you for the preview, UU 
Hyped! Last season was a failure in terms of Anderberg’s GC quest here, as he wasn’t part of the riders gaining huge time on the cobbles. Fingers crossed his training can make an impact here, to make him a real threat for the GC. At least on paper, he should be in a brilliant GC position after the cobbles stage and the cobbled TT. At least it feels very realistic to have yellow on his shoulders when we get to the hills. If that can be achieved, I’m hoping the jersey makes it so that he is treated as a GC rider and fights for a good GC. If he isn’t high up on the GC, I fear we get hilly stages similar to last season for Anderberg, where he isn’t doing much/fighting for anything.
Fingers crossed we get a race for the cobblers! Should be a fun one to follow whoever rider types get preferential AI treatment, but obviously cheering for the cobblers |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 14-01-2026 21:47
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World Champion
Posts: 11640
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1120.00
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Really need this to go very well unfortunately. Not sure it will happen, as others have said who knows what will happen with a new PCM version here, and the top hybrid TTers are here which just sucks as knockout says Thanks for a great preview UU
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
1x  x1
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| SotD |
Posted on 15-01-2026 05:08
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World Champion
Posts: 12703
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Great start! It’s always a difficult thing in terms of GC, as it might mean the entire team will drop at one point.
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| ember |
Posted on 15-01-2026 06:38
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Team Leader
Posts: 7108
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
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Thank you for the report, UU.
Prasad and even the team trying was cool to see. Fingers crossed we can be safe for another flat stage, and then let the fun stuff begin
Congratulations on the win, SotD! Winning the first stage in a stage race with a sprinter is always slightly more special than a random stage mid-race, I feel  |
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| redordead |
Posted on 15-01-2026 07:29
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Team Leader
Posts: 5561
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Couldn't have asked for more than this. It looks like Siric as the last man for Philipsen has a chance of working. That gives me some hope since I'll be utilising this combo in a couple more races.
2nd place is more than fine as the 3rd best sprinter. Congrats SotD, Farantakis is awesome this season.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 15-01-2026 07:53
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Sprinter
Posts: 1911
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Congratulations SotD! And thanks to Ulrich for starting this early so not only CT has all the fun (at least when my riders finally start doing something, although this stage didn't have much to offer for us anyway)!
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 15-01-2026 08:23
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World Champion
Posts: 13614
Joined: 05-08-2008
PCM$: 400.00
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Kind of weird we tried to set up a train for Kooij there. We definitely don't have the guys for that here.
Gerts finally won this race last year. It would be amazing if he could even podium let alone win it again. But, as always, anything could happen here.
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| Bikex |
Posted on 15-01-2026 09:37
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Team Leader
Posts: 7403
Joined: 25-08-2012
PCM$: 600.00
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Nice to see a King Power train but seems like Hsu ended up being boxed in behind his leadout |
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| knockout |
Posted on 15-01-2026 09:38
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8288
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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Not sure why we were so active in the chase. Dont think it was our job but dont hate it too much either to make sure no strong group gets away.
Bauhaus with a good positioning on a good wheel today but didnt end up with strong enough legs. But the effort was there and thats the most important thing for me.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 15-01-2026 10:06
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World Champion
Posts: 11640
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1120.00
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knockout wrote:
Not sure why we were so active in the chase. Dont think it was our job but dont hate it too much either to make sure no strong group gets away.
Bauhaus with a good positioning on a good wheel today but didnt end up with strong enough legs. But the effort was there and thats the most important thing for me.
Same but about Vermeersch.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
1x x1
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 16-01-2026 03:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16632
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 14138.70
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Thanks for the report! Definitely happy with that start from AKA. A top 5 and being attentive and well placed is all I can ask for.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 16-01-2026 06:59
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Domestique
Posts: 703
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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Thanks for the report too.
And actually something I can comment on  I am pleased to see Stalberg even get into the sprint here with a strong field. P14 doesnt look spectacular but I am happy about this and this deserved him for now at least P1 in U25. So this, and results like this, are highlights for us during our season.
Congrats to the "real winner" of the stage too
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Tour of Northern Europe 
