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We started running cycling trips in 2003 at the Tour de France. Our staff and guides are keen and accomplished cyclists with a wealth of experience in pro-cycling.

We focus on trips for small groups

and pride ourselves on taking you on quality and interesting rides.

David McKenzie

During his 9 year career, David McKenzie won a stage of the 2000 Giro d’Italia as well as the Australian National Road Championship.  Since retiring at the end of 2005 he has worked as an expert analyst and commentator for Australian TV Broadcaster SBS, whilst also working as a cycling coach back home in Australia.  David is also present on the "speaking tour" and is available for corporate and speeches and MC roles.

David traveled extensively during his Pro cycling career on various teams from Europe to Asia via the USA, but during much of his career he based himself out of Ghent Belgium, he also lived in Italy for many years and lived in Toulouse, France.  David is a very easy going person who loves a good Belgian beer and is a great story teller.  Needless to say the evenings can be fascinating and quite humorous.

Siméon Green

"Sim" Green has been racing around the world for decades.

He started racing Mountain bikes in Europe and America, but has spent the majority of his career racing the UCI Continental Tour on the road, with an emphasis on Europe and Africa.  Although he has placed well in regional and National championships as well as having been at the forefront of some smaller stage races, Sim's strongest attributes have been in the support of others in long distance pro stage races and National Tours.

Originally from France, Educated in the UK but with a Languages and Litterature degree from French University Champollion; Sim has also lived in the USA, Australia and Greece.  Sim is fluent in French and English and loves to travel.

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Jason - director.

From formative years to my forties, there has always been bikes and cycling in my life. Repairing old Grifters, borrowing mum’s shopper to racing modern carbon fibre high speed machines, I’ve tinkered and played with them all. From that first adventure with a mate travelling on the train from home to the big smoke, fresh faced 14yo’s and our bikes tearing up and down Oxford St, whizzing round Trafalgar Sq and racing up the famous red asphalt of Pall Mall I knew then there is no other form of travel that could bring so much adventure and excitement. Since those days a lot has happened both on and off two wheels but sport and the humble bicycle has always been the one constant through my life.

For most of it, I have been involved and participated in competitive swimming, cycling and running events across the south of England and even some unexpected success has come when crowned regional champion of a sprint triathlon series - ok, it’s not exactly team GB or the Olympics but i’ll take it.

I have traveled and cycled through most nations of Europe and even a brief sojourn into North Africa and recently South Africa competing in the pro-am Cape Argus (Cavendish came 2nd...not to me btw).Now I enjoy watching my two daughters grow to enjoy the outdoors and participate in sports and all without too much coaching interference from their dad (well, maybe a bit).

My passion for the outdoors and cycling really took off when beginning work for an outdoor adventure challenge company which took me to a new level of travel and exploring the world of adventure cycling. Organising and leading cycle tours and events right across Europe for charities and corporates, I soon learnt anything, and I mean absolutely anything is achievable when you put your mind to it. Inspired by my peers but mostly by the people participating who were not seasoned adventurers or cyclists but doing it because they believed they could it was nothing like anything I’d seen or experienced before...I knew this was the industry and lifestyle for me.

Since then I’ve not looked back, now with European Cycling Tours and also qualified as a Personal Trainer I’m able to give more in depth guidance and advice on training and welfare as well as delivering first class tour cycling organisation and events to help you succeed in your next cycle challenge / adventure. Along with myself and the massively knowledgeable team here at ECT we aim to bring you the experience of a lifetime that you are seeking all the safe hands of professionals. Contact us today for a chat and find out how we can help you achieve your dream.

Long serving ECT crew member, Paul, Is probably the most knowledgeable support crew member you will ever chance upon. He was there in the year clunk, for the beginnings of Mountain Biking, when he raced to a professional level around the world. He has worked in bicycle design and manufacture, as well as getting involved in designing Mountain Bike courses, teaching mountain biking skills and even publishing a how to ride skills book! ...What Paul doesn't know about bikes isn't worth knowing! He has worked with various cycle adventure organisations for several years on cycling events of all nature from single day sportive's to 1000km epic adventure rides right across Europe in just about every nation you can mention, not to forget of course plenty of miles in his 'home' country of New Zealand!

Now an integral part of the ECT team, a talented cyclist, Oli is however relatively new to cycling compared with rest of the team. He spent most of his teens and a good proportion of his twenties as a runner, competing in many marathons and half marathons across the UK and Ireland. After a long knee injury Ollie decided to take a shot at cycling as a form of functional rehabilitation and the flame was lit and has never looked back! When at home, Ollie works full time as a fireman and will always been found outside whether it's cycling, running, snowboarding or hiking whatever the weather. Hid sharp sense of humour will be sure to keep you smiling and his safety skills will be sure you're in safe hands all the to the end.

After twelve years in the army James’s admin and ability to think ahead of the current situation are second to none! A keen cyclist, runner and triathlete, he can also be found enjoying the great outdoors come rain or shine all year round, as well as favorites, surfing and trekking and he holds a BASI Silver qualification, JSMEL qualification and has tried his hand at Rock climbing, Canoeing , windsurfing and has sailed extensively in his youth.

On the bike he has ridden with Garmin Cervelo, Garmin sharp and Cannondale Garmin for a bit of fun and the Katusha pro team during their practice ride of the 2015 La Vuelta team time trial, his favorite cyclist is Nathan hass of Team Dimension Data, having ridden with him a couple of times, he found him to be very down to earth, and not too dissimilar to himself.

Not an out and out mountain biker, he has competed in the 24hr Mountain mayhem, and a 14-year- old son following in his father’s footstep who is a keen mountain biker too.

Always looking for a challenge he has trekked in the Sahara, cycled up Mont Ventoux and completed two stages of La Vuelta including riding up the Ermita del Alba with the final three kilometers touching 30%, it’s not something he wants to repeat very often.

Although not the fastest on the bike by his own admission he has ridden several 100+ mile rides and in 2016 has a target of a single ride of 200+ miles in a day, he gets much more enjoyment from spending 8/9 hours in the saddle than just going out for an hour or so, especially if the sun is shining.

Growing up in rural Dorset a bike was the only realistic for of transport (apart from mum’s taxi) when I was young. Alas when I learnt to drive the bike fell by the wayside. Leap forward a couple of years and it is all reversed. The only way to travel is by bike! I started on a mountain bike when I rediscovered my love of cycling, cross country mainly, exploring the local highways and byways. Inevitably I succumbed to the dark side as I saw it and purchased a road bike. Why did I not do this earlier? As well as leading local group rides on both mountain and road bike, I've had the pleasure of working with ECT leading and supporting cyclists over 2000km through no less than 5 nations across Europe on epic cycling challenges. Away from cycling I am a fully qualified fitness instructor and regularly take spinning classes at my local sports centre.

Jim is a 45 yo, father of two boys, Personal Trainer and British Cycling coach. Some of Jim’s achievements include: BMX champ as a teenager, kart racing champ in the 1990’s, competitive Mtb racer since 2005, 1st home on the South West c2c on all three years he entered, 2017 southern off-road Duathlon Vets champion. Jim’s passion for cycling is unparalleled and will always have the time to spend with you discussing all things in cycling adventure.

Former Jnr Road Racer and Mountain bike convert...Giles was the founder of the UK’s largest Mountain Bike Stunt Team, MAD back in 1996. He's been all over the word with his Bike shows and loves watching people pull a wheelie or two! (he still blames Paul Hinton!). He’s owned and run three bike shops and has a background as a MTB mechanic. He was involved with the original Pedal to Paris bike rides for 4 years on the trot, working as support mechanic and back up crew. Giles has worked in the bike industry for over 25 years, and in 2017 sold his MAD business to pursue a new career as a Paramedic. When not cycling, he keeps himself in shape running and regularly competes at events from 5km to Ultra distance, he has run four marathons, including London (twice!), Giles is chairman of two running clubs and is a Parkrun Event Director. Giles is also a fully qualified paragliding pilot and when he’s not busy crashing it, gets some airtime now and then! Giles motto is- KIIYP! ...Just ask him!

I have been guiding cycle tours for over five years all over the uk and Europe and love to be riding, exploring new places, discovering new cultures and riding the best roads Europe have to offer always with a smile on my face.

The mountains of Europe are really where I feel most at home on a bike beautiful scenery, magnificent roads, clean air, ice cold lager and blue skies - perfect!!! I look forward to riding with you on a ECT ride in the future.

An avid cyclist from a young age with a passion for bicycles of all types, I have developed not only my cycling and leadership skills, but also some awesome mechanic skills. Not always orthodox but 95% successful at getting you back on the road to complete the day’s route.

Having spent the last five years pursuing a career in outdoor pursuits and cycling, I have managed to rack up a suitable list of itineraries which I have both supported and ridden. Including Trans-European trips such as the epic Trans-Alp Munich to Venice, to the staple London-to-Paris trips (3 and 4 day itineraries), I have participated and completed many of them too.

Being a person with a strong sense of duty, I will do whatever I am able to help my group to achieve and finish the challenge. Having earned the title ‘The Motivator’ with many of my repeat trip customers, I will get you there, every time!

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Home > Destinations > EUROVELO > EuroVelo 2

Our stays on EuroVelo 2

Welcome to eurovelo 2, the capitals route..

This route links Galway in Ireland to Moscow in Russia, passing through several major European capitals such as Dublin, London, Berlin and Warsaw.

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The EuroVelo 2, the Capitals Route

EuroVelo 2, the Capitals Route , is an emblematic cycling route that crosses the heart of Europe, linking the historic capitals of several countries. Covering almost 5,000 kilometers through varied and picturesque landscapes, this cycling route offers an incomparable experience for cycling enthusiasts and travelers eager to discover Europe’s cultural and natural heritage.

The start of this epic journey begins in the heart of  Ireland’s splendid and varied landscape , in Galway, where the cobbled streets still echo with the haunting melodies of traditional Irish music. From the very first kilometers, we’re plunged into an adventure that takes us from verdant plains to majestic mountains, ending in the capital Dublin, where history and culture mingle in the capital’s bustling streets.

Crossing the picturesque charms of England , you’ll discover English villages and the majestic mansions of earls and dukes. In London, the first of the great capitals on this route, cosmopolitan atmosphere mingles with millennia of history, offering a multitude of cultural and architectural attractions to explore.

From here, the route continues through the heart of continental Europe, passing through the Netherlands and crossing the famous canals of Amsterdam, a city renowned for its cultural dynamism and distinctive architecture. Then it’s on to Germany, its vast forests and charming medieval towns dotting the route. In Berlin, Germany’s capital of contrasts, the tumultuous history of the 20th century can be seen in every street and restored building.

EuroVelo 2 then crosses the Polish border, where vast plains and historic towns bear witness to the country’s former grandeur. In Warsaw, the Polish capital carefully rebuilt after the Second World War, you can discover the fascinating blend of modernity and tradition. Next, the route leads through the Baltic States, where vast stretches of forest and rocky coasts offer breathtaking scenery.

Finally, EuroVelo 2 reaches its climax in Moscow, Russia, the last of the major capitals on this route. Here, majestic imperial palaces and wide boulevards bear witness to the rich past of this mythical city.

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10 great long-distance cycle routes in Europe: readers’ tips

Whether it’s a few days pootling along the Normandy coast or an epic 1,800km ride from Canterbury to Rome, our readers’ continental bike trips will inspire you

Winning tip: Passau, Germany, to Vienna

For a one-week first cycle tour, I’d recommend flying to Linz then catching the train over the German border to Passau, a beautiful city where the rivers Inn, Danube and Ils meet. Rent bikes from Matthias Drasch at Fahrrad-Klinik and pedal off along traffic-free paths beside the Danube. Esterbauer publishes a guide in English for this classic route: maps are excellent, with accommodation listings and places of interest along the way, like Melk and the Austrian vine and fruit growing areas. Fahrrad-Klinik has an arrangement with a hotel on outskirts of Vienna where you leave the bikes. Spend a day or so in Vienna before catching the train back to Linz and flying home. Philip Moore

Via Francigena: the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome

In AD990 Archbishop Sigeric walked the 1,800km from Canterbury to Rome to collect his pallium (his “stole” of office) from the pope. On the return journey he helpfully recorded his overnight stops – all 80 of them – which form the basis of today’s Via Francigena . Much less well-known than other pilgrimages, like the Camino de Santiago, this route is still taken by more than 1,000 people each year. Cycling it over 20 days is perfectly feasible – I did it in June this year – but be aware it involves crossing the Alps (the 2,469-metre Saint Bernard Pass) and the Apennines (the Passo della Cisa at 1,041 metres). Pilgrim accommodation (€10 a night on average) is sparse in France but much more common in Italy. More information at csj.org.uk . viefrancigene.org ericonabike

Cycling the River Loire, France

We did the first section of the EuroVelo 6 route from Orleans to Nantes. We took our bikes over on the car and parked in Nantes using the ZenPark app. We then took a train to Orleans – it has a special bicycle carriage – and started our ride back to Nantes. The route is well-signposted and uses a mix of dedicated cycle paths and minor roads. It works its way along the river and the scenery is stunning. The route is flat but there are worthwhile diversions inland – involving moderate hills – to visit chateaux. There is plenty of good accommodation (B&Bs, small hotels) along the route: we pre-booked it all online. Nantes is a great place to finish as it has Les Machines de L’Île and the amazing giant mechanical elephant. We covered about 400km over two weeks. Andrew Spencer

Romantic Road, southern Germany

This is a wonderful 440km cycle ride through peaceful countryside and the beautiful walled medieval towns of Nördlingen and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The route also passes through the larger town of Augsburg. Towards the end of the ride, with the Alps in the distance, there is the amazing scene of Neuschwanstein castle in its mountain. The Europabus coach service offers transport for cyclists and their bikes (reservations advisable), as well as offering short packages for cycling tours. It is, however, easy to organise yourself, as most German train stations have bike hire places, and it is easy to get to the start and from the finish by train. Jennie Parsons

Beautiful (almost) traffic-free ride to Berlin

Get the ferry to the Hook of Holland or Rotterdam and pick up the Eurovelo 2 cycle trail, also called the Capitals Route. It takes you across the Netherlands and Germany to Berlin (then on to Moscow if you wish). The route is so well-signposted that you rarely have to look at the map (except to find a campsite or hostel, which are handily marked on the route book, which can be ordered from the website for a donation), and it feels a bit like a treasure hunt looking out for the next signpost. You are taken along small, well-paved paths through forests and rambling countryside, with delicious food and beer and friendly people along the way. It’s long enough to be a real challenge (it took me two weeks) but also flat and smooth enough to not feel overwhelming. Rj Hahn

The sublime road to the Croatian coast

The beauty of cycle touring is that you see amazing things while you are in motion. Watching a landscape shift as you pedal round it is a fantastic feeling, and occasionally you stumble upon a path that makes your heart thump. For me, that was the D25 road from Gospić to Karlobag, in Croatia. It takes you from the leafy interior along 24km of gradual climbing up through a mountain pass. Yes, it is gruelling but, if you stick to bottom gear, put your head down and ride it out, you will be rewarded.

After a few hours of solid uphill, the enclosed pass suddenly opens out and you enjoy a calf stretch as you free wheel through the village of Baške Oštarije. You are at the top of the mountain ridge. The road goes into a tunnel and on the other side is an entirely new world. I could see a dozen rocky islands in the glistening Adriatic Sea – the first sea I had seen for 60 days of cycling. To see so far and so unexpectedly, I thought I had jumped into Google Earth.

The remainder of the journey was a 1,000-metre descent, full of hairpin bends you only see on car adverts. The main danger was keeping an eye on the road while such an incredible view was in front of me. This journey kept me buzzing for days and is the best afternoon of cycling I have ever had. Alexander Lewis-Jones

Ride the Amalfi coast

Our family cycling holiday around the Amalfi coast was a great way to enjoy the amazing scenery and gave us the flexibility to stop and see loads of beautiful spots both on the coast and in the hills and forests. In fact, most tourists were stuck in cars in traffic jams as we rode past them. For €30 a day we rented excellent bikes from cyclingamalfi.com – they have a choice of trekkers or e-bikes including locks, helmets, kits and panniers and give advice on routes, too. funinfinland

The Giro d’Italia

At the age of 50, I realised my dream of completing a leg of the famous Giro d’Italia cycle race last spring when I biked from Milan to Sanremo. I hired a bike from Bici Rossignoli in Milan. The 200-mile trip did take me four days at 70 miles a day, stopping off at excellent youth hostels in Genoa then in Finale Ligure on the coast. Coming back, I took advantage of Trenitalia’s take your bike onboard service from €3.50 a day. TheCapeCruiser

Through French countryside to Paris

It may not be a long distance for some but the 127 miles from Dieppe to Paris provide a beautiful few days’ cycling. The most famous route is the Avenue Verte, but the best route has been pioneered by Donald Hirsch .

The early miles of the route meander through little French villages, over rolling downs and past fields of wheat and corn. The roads are quiet, and there are just enough hills to keep it interesting but not exhausting. Donald’s website contains links to cycle-friendly accommodation.

As you near Paris, unlike the Avenue Verte, this route takes you through a series of royal hunting forests to avoid the traffic. After 120 miles of villages, fields, and hunting forests, you enter Parc St Cloud. It’s an area of woodland just after Versailles, traffic-free, long and straight, and bordered by tall trees. Then, you see that the road opens out to a paved area, fountains, and something beyond.

Donald’s route takes you to the left, so you never see what’s at the end of the road. But it’s worth cycling on to investigate. You find yourself on a cliff, with all of Paris stretched out in front of you. It will leave you breathless from the view, not the exertion. FrancesValdes

Baie de Somme, Picardie, France

If you’re looking for an introduction to cycle touring (or your partner isn’t as keen as you) the 100-mile Baie de Somme route is the perfect way to explore this underrated region. The cycling is easy throughout and a self-guided route with Belle France (£895pp half-board) is easy to follow with comprehensive maps and notes. We took our own bikes, though bike hire (or even e-bikes) can be included. Rob Fearn

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EuroVelo 2 Capitals Route

While ECF and National EuroVelo Coordination Centers and Coordinators (NECC/Cs) make every effort to ensure the tracks and their levels of development are both current and accurate, errors or outdated information can occur. The user is fully responsible for his or her own safety when making use of the tracks and for following national traffic rules and signing. Please download and read the complete disclaimer before using the tracks.

Dublin, London, Berlin, Warsaw, Minsk and Moscow: six compelling but different cities that are united by the 5,000 km long Capital Route. You can either start in the welcoming atmosphere of Ireland’s Pubs or with a photo at the awe-inspiring Red Square in Moscow. In between you can combine first class dining, partying and culture in the capitals and other cities along the route, with beautiful scenery such as the untouched Białowieża Forest between Poland and Belarus, or Snowdonia National Park in the UK.

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Birgit aka RawCandyRides explored 41 countries so far – by bike, of course. This autumn, she was on a cycling loop on EuroVelo routes in northern and central Europe and she reported from it with a short series on EuroVelo.com!

Over 2,000 km of newly developed EuroVelo routes to explore!

For the second year in a row, the EuroVelo Route Development Status Report gives an overview of development levels across the network. Among this year’s highlights: over 2,000 new kilometres of EuroVelo routes were developed and there are 35,000 km of EuroVelo signs to follow in 24 countries!

The Białowieża Forest: a giant from the past on EuroVelo 2 – Capitals Route

Old-growth forests, or ancient woodlands as they are called in the UK, are becoming rarer and rarer in Europe. These forests have never been significantly disturbed by human activity and they have unique ecological features. Unfortunately, deforestation has tragically ridded Europe of many of its o…

Take Time to Discover London on the Capitals Route

Blogger Jei V. Bi explored EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route in London earlier this year and sent us a story of the journey, showing that EuroVelo routes can also provide a nice cycle ride for a one-day city trip. Follow the route across the capital of the United Kingdom, take in the sights and don't for…

Maps & Guides

EuroVelo 2, EuroVelo 15: Overview map of the LF network

Cycling travel atlas in Dutch with the complete LF route network and all cycle nodes in the Netherlands. 22 double-sided pages on waterproof paper (scale 1: 100,000). With useful hints, this book is the perfect support for excursions and cycling trips in the Netherlands.

Maps and guidebooks of the European Cycle Route R1

Here you can find maps and guidebooks of the part of the European Cycle Route R1 corresponding to EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route.

Römer-Lippe-Route (bikeline)

Esterbauer guide of the Römer-Lippe-Route in Germany. 140 pages, scale of 1:50.000. This route is part of EuroVelo 2 – Capitals Route.

Bookable Offers

Münsterland round tour for connoisseurs Rivers, castles and sandstone architecture

The route through the green park landscape of the Münsterland takes you along natural cycle paths lined with rampart hedges and gnarled pollarded willows. Alongside smaller Westphalian manor houses and old country estates, you will discover the most famous castles of the Münsterland on this tour: Nordkirchen Castle, Vischering Castle and Hülshoff Castle. On this cycle and hotel tour you will stay in a hotel for two nights each.

Explore the world with us

We’re pro athletes, cultural enthusiasts, and world travelers with a hunger for adventure. We’re in search of new perspectives, on our bikes and off. We are EF Pro Cycling, a different kind of pro cycling team.

46 riders 21 nationalities 16 languages

Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour de France Participation Remains Uncertain

“We cannot go to the Tour for Jonas to defend the title if he is not 100 percent,” says Visma-Lease a Bike team director Richard Plugge.

In the Spanish magazine Revelo , Plugge gave an extensive interview about safety in cycling, the future of the sport from a business standpoint, and the fate of the team for this season—with or without Vingegaard as the team leader at the Tour.

Last week, Vingegaard returned to riding outside—a major hurdle after suffering a broken collarbone and fractured ribs in the crash at Itzulia Basque Country . Plugge told Revelo that Vingegaard’s general health was the first hurdle to overcome, saying that “we had as a team was to assess whether Jonas could return to being a fully capable person… After a fall like the one he suffered, we have to be cautious and go day by day with his recovery.”

And while Vingegaard has returned to riding outdoors, the Tour de France starts in a mere six weeks. That’s a tight recovery window for a rider like Vingegaard, who’s considered one of the only racers capable of going head-to-head with Tadej Pogačar , who’s clearly in top form at the moment. It also means he’ll miss the team’s preparation camp at altitude ahead of the Tour, potentially impacting his ability to train as effectively as he normally would and not giving him much time to prepare with his teammates.

“It is clear that we contemplate two scenarios: one in which Jonas goes to the Tour and another in which he does not,” Plugge admitted to Revelo. “It all depends on his recovery. In the end, we cannot go to the Tour for Jonas to defend the title if he is not 100 percent. It’s something we’re not going to go through.”

He also noted that Van Aert is recovering well at the moment—his injuries in a crash eight days ahead of Vingegaard’s were less severe, though he still missed a significant chunk of the early season and has yet to return to racing. But even Van Aert may not be on the start line for Visma-Lease a Bike this year, Plugge said. (Here’s hoping that if Van Aert missed the Tour, he’ll be fresh for cyclocross season.)

Plugge also discussed the lack of safety in many races, citing many incidents in recent seasons where fans on the road created unsafe environments for racers and, in some cases, even caused serious crashes. As Plugge put it, “We have to protect the health of our athletes and our business… And we must take action as soon as possible.”

Molly writes about cycling, nutrition and training with an emphasis on bringing more women into sport. She's the author of nine books including the Shred Girls series and is the founder of Strong Girl Publishing . She co-hosts The Consummate Athlete Podcast and spends most of her free time biking and running on trails, occasionally joined by her mini-dachshund.

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Here Are the Contenders Primed to Challenge Cycling’s Dominant Duo in the Giro and Tour de France

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As we grow nearer to Grand Tour season, the story is no doubt going to center around cycling’s two biggest names: Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. Can Pog pull off the Giro/Tour double? If he’s going to, he’ll have to vanquish Vingegaard, the only rider who’s been able to go toe-to-toe with Pogačar. On the other side of the coin, can Vingegaard go three-for-three, becoming just the ninth rider to win at least three Tours (and the sixth to win three consecutively)?

But what about the other riders in the peloton who have a real chance at dethroning the two-headed monster? Surely there are more names to watch than just Pogi and Jonas, more riders who— like Sepp Kuss did in last year’s Vuelta —can shock the world by taking down the giants.

Here are the contenders primed to challenge cycling's dominant duo in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France :

Remco Evenepoel

There’s no denying that Evenepoel is one of the most talented riders in the WorldTour ranks. And with a pair of Liège-Bastonge-Liège wins and a Vuelta win, he already has a palmarès that most riders dream of. But after a bitterly disappointing Giro abandonment last season and years of answering questions about when he’s going to race the Tour, the time may be here for Evenepoel to exorcize some of the demons and answer the questions that always seem to be following him around.

Yes, he’s won a Grand Tour, but it wasn’t the Grand Tour. Maybe 2024, his Tour debut, is the year to rectify that for and with his Soudal-Quick Step team.

Primož Roglič

With a new team in Bora-Hansgrohe, Roglič will once again be looking to avenge one of the most bitter losses in cycling history: to recapture the Tour de France win that he was just one heartbreaking stage away from in 2020.

That 2020 loss, combined with Vingegaard’s unexpected ascension, pushed Roglič to the fringes of the Grand Boucle. Now, he’ll head into France as the undisputed team leader. And while Roglič’s had a less-than-stellar season thus far, according to Bora’s performance director Rolf Aldag, all eyes are on the Tour for Roglič and his team.

Cian Uijtdebroeks

Just twenty years old, Ujitdebroeks is heading into the Giro with expectations that are simultaneously high and reasonable. Early reports are that the Visma-Lease a Bike all-rounder will be chasing both stage wins and the pink jersey.

Uijtdebroeks finished eighth in last summer’s Vuelta a España and none of the seven riders ahead of him are slated to start the Giro. Of course, it’ll help his cause that he’ll have Wout van Aert, perhaps the world’s greatest domestique, working for him throughout Italy.

Ben O’Connor

Last year, Ben O’Connor asked his French team, Decathlon-AS2R La Mondiale, if he could shift his focus from the Tour de France to the Giro d’Italia. After two consecutive Tours marred by crashes, sickness, and just plain bad luck, O’Connor is hoping to right his ship with a go at the pink jersey.

To the surprise of many, AG2R acquiesced and, as O’Connor has the most WorldTour points of any Giro entrants as of this writing, early returns say they may have made the right move.

Geraint Thomas

Like Pogačar, Ineos Grenadiers’ Geraint Thomas is targeting the Giro/Tour double. He’ll be the team’s sole GC hunter in Italy, as he aims to avenge the pink jersey he lost to Primož Roglič on the penultimate stage of last year’s Giro.

The picture in France gets a bit murkier, as Ineos will be sending Tom Pidcock and Carlos Rodríguez both to the start line in June, making Thomas’s hunt for a second yellow jersey—he won the Tour 2018—a far less straightforward proposition.

Alexsandr Vlasov

The 27-year-old Bora-Hansgrohe rider raised plenty of eyebrows at the dawn of this season when he said he would let the road decide whether he would race for or against his new teammate—and presumed team leader—Primož Roglič.

Well, the reality of that statement might come to a head sooner rather than later. Vlasov has been looking strong this spring, with his most eye-catching performance coming in Paris-Nice, where he finished fifth overall, seventh in the points classification, and fourth in the KOM race. Roglič, on the other hand, finished that race tenth, eleventh, and tenth in those very same classifications.

Simon Yates

Whereas so many riders are bolstered by hype, Simon Yates’s chances for a surprise Tour victory are supported by the fact that he just always seems to be there, near the front, toe-to-toe with the best and the brightest. The Jayco-AlUla leader, who finished fourth overall in 2023, will be making his seventh Tour appearance, so he knows the race as well as just about any of the other contenders. But more than anything, he’ll likely need a few breaks to roll his way.

Jai Hindley

The 2022 Giro champion is expected to ride in support of Roglič in the Tour. But we all know how mercurial Roglič can be, which means Hindley may be presented with a sudden and unexpected chance to fight for the yellow jersey.

Sepp Kuss, Juan Ayuso, and Adam Yates

I’m combining these three, as their longshot potential to make a run at GC would depend on Vingeaard and/or Pogačar blowing up or abandoning, neither of which either does very often. Kuss has shown that he has the strength and the grit to win a Grand Tour, but his shot at the yellow jersey would wholly depend on whether or not Vingegaard is at or near the front.

The same goes for Ayuso and Yates, who will both ride in support of Pogačar this summer. Yates finished third in last year’s Tour, proving that he’s much more than just another domestique. Meanwhile, all signs have been pointing to UAE Team Emirates grooming the 21-year-old Ayuso to be something of a 1A to Pogačar.

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Kooij sprints to win 9th stage of Giro d’Italia on grand tour debut. Pogacar keeps overall lead

Netherlands’ Olva Kooij celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Netherlands’ Olva Kooij, 3rd from right, sprints ahead of Italy’s Jonathan Milan, right, to win the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Netherlands’ Olva Kooij celebrates on podium winning the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar wears the pink jersey of the race overall leader as he celebrates on podium after completing the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

Sunbathers lie on the beach next to the road where cyclists sprint on their way to the finish line during the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Fans in costumes wave as the cyclists pedal during the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

Slovenia’s Tadei Pogacar, in the pink jersey at center, pedals during the 9th stage of the of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, from Avezzano to Naples, Italy, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

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NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Dutch cyclist Olav Kooij won a bunch sprint for a stage victory on his grand tour debut while Tadej Pogacar maintained his considerable lead after the ninth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Sunday.

Kooij, who rides for Visma-Lease a Bike, edged Jonathan Milan by half a wheel at the end of the 214-kilometer (133-mile) route from Avezzano to Napoli – the second longest day of this Giro. Juan Sebastian Molano was third.

It was a 33rd professional win for the 22-year-old Kooij.

“I was really looking forward to my first grand tour,” Kooij said, adding that despite his previous wins “this one is really one I was dreaming of.”

Jhonatan Narvaez had seemed set for victory after making his move with 7.7 kilometers remaining and he had a gap of 12 seconds heading into the final kilometer.

But, with Pogacar leading a charging peloton for his own fast man Molano, Narvaez was caught just 50 meters from the line.

Milan launched his sprint but he was edged at the line by Kooij.

It had been expected to be a day for the breakaway but only two riders went clear right at the start. Polti–Kometa teammates Mirco Maestri and Andrea Pietrobon had a long and lonely day up front before they were caught with 24 kilometers remaining.

Pogacar remained 2 minutes, 40 seconds ahead of Daniel Martinez overall. Last year’s runner-up Geraint Thomas was 2:58 behind.

“It’s a comfortable gap to go to the rest day, I’m really looking forward for (an) easy day tomorrow,” Pogacar said. “Just relax and try to not think about the race for one day, but it is going to be hard.”

Monday sees the race’s first rest day before a short but difficult leg. Tuesday’s 10th stage starts in Pompei and is just 142 kilometers (88 miles) but features a second-category climb in the middle before the top-classified climb to the finish at Cusano Mutri.

“It’s good to be for rest day in Napoli and let’s hope for some good pizza and good cappuccino,” Pogacar said.

The Giro ends in Rome on May 26.

AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling

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