{"id":96713,"date":"2025-08-26T08:31:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/96713\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T08:31:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:31:12","slug":"eurotrash-philipsen-and-vingegaard-make-an-early-impact-at-the-vuelta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/96713\/","title":{"rendered":"EUROTRASH: Philipsen and Vingegaard Make an Early Impact at the Vuelta"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Monday after the opening weekend of a Grand Tour always makes for an exciting EuroTrash \u2014 especially when that Grand Tour coincides with other races pitting big names against one another. Vingegaard, Philipsen van der Poel, Van Aert \u2014 practically everyone\u00a0 but Poga\u00e7ar was at it this week, and fireworks ensued. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

TOP STORY:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Philipsen and Vingegaard Outgun Vuelta Fields in Opening Stages<\/p>\n

Race News:<\/p>\n

Norwegian Talent Shines in Deutschland Tour
\nDe Lie, van der Poel Battle at Renewi Tour
\nStateside: Boswell, Gardner Take Tough Mt. Washington HC Titles
\nCanada Well Represented at Tour de l\u2019Avenir and Tour de l\u2019Avenir Femmes
\nFangeat Takes Bronze at Junior Track World Championships<\/p>\n

Rider and Team News:<\/p>\n

Zingle\u2019s Crazy Day at the Vuelta: Two Dislocations and a Stolen Bike
\nVisma Adds Triathlete Schiffer
\nKenyan Cyclist Sule Kangangi Dies after Crashing in Vermont Gravel Race<\/p>\n

\"TOP<\/p>\n

Philipsen and Vingegaard Outgun Vuelta Fields in Opening Stages<\/p>\n

\"Vuelta-02-Vingegaard-Ciccone-02-24-25.jpeg\"CorVos\/PezCyclingNews<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 80th edition of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a made history with its first-ever Italian start, beginning in Turin and delivering immediate excitement across two contrasting stages.<\/p>\n

Stage 1: Why the Torino Fixation? <\/p>\n

The Vuelta opened with a spectacular Gran Salida from Turin\u2019s Reggia di Venaria to Novara, marking a historic first Italian departure for La Vuelta, and the third time a Grand Tour has started in the Italian city in recent years. Flat as a shroud, the 180-kilometer parcours was perfectly suited for the sprinters to showcase their speed.<\/p>\n

Doubts abounded as to whether Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck would rebound from injuries suffered early in the Tour de France, where he won the opening stage \u2014 doubts that the Belgian addressed by commandingly winning the Vuelta\u2019s opening stage. The Belgian sprinter was delivered perfectly by his leadout train, securing not only the stage win but also the first red leader\u2019s jersey of the race. This victory continued Philipsen\u2019s excellent form in Grand Tours, demonstrating why he remains one of cycling\u2019s premier sprinters, even when dealt a collarbone-breaking blow.<\/p>\n

\"\"CorVos\/PezCyclingNews<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stage 2:\u00a0A Sign of Things to Come?<\/p>\n

The second stage provided a dramatic contrast, taking riders from Alba to the summit finish at Limone Piemonte over 160 kilometers via what\u2019s become a conventional Vuelta stage shape, the \u201chockey stick\u201d \u2014 or perhaps the \u201ccrow bar,\u201d as from such stages we can pry some perspective on the GC.\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

In a thrilling, gutty finale, Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike narrowly edged out Giulio Ciccone in a photo finish at the mountaintop. Despite being caught up in a crash on wet roads earlier in the day, the Danish star showed remarkable resilience not just in claiming victory and moving into the red jersey as the overall leader, but in returning to the peloton post-crash, flashing a thumbs-up sign and blowing a kiss to the trailing camera.<\/p>\n

This early mountain stage immediately established the hierarchy among the GC favorites, with virtually all of the pre-race protagonists finishing within two seconds of the leading four \u2014 Vingegaard, Ciccone, David Gaudu(!) and Egan Bernal \u2014 and with a few, including Tom Pidcock and Marc Soler, attacking boldly in the steep, final 500 meters.<\/p>\n

eTrashMike asks: Were those cracks we saw in the UAE armor worn by Ayuso and Almeida, seemingly losing the wheels of the front four when the race came to a head? Or were these Iberians playing it cool, knowing that even 10 bonus seconds weren\u2019t worth the extra effort required to hang with Vingegaard, Ciccone, Gaudu and Bernal, all of whom are out to prove something? My guess\u2026the former \u2014 because Ayuso and Almeida have something to prove here as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RACE NEWS<\/p>\n

\"Deutschland<\/p>\n

Norwegian Talent Shines in Deutschland Tour<\/p>\n

\"\"CorVos\/PezCyclingNews<\/p>\n

With respect to Thor Hushovd, 2025 is shaping up to be the year that riders from Norway broke through: The 2025 Lidl Deutschland Tour delivered thrilling racing across five stages in early August, showcasing world-class cycling talent on German roads. Norwegian rider S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold of Uno-X Mobility made an impressive start by winning the prologue in Essen, and went on to win Stage 3 \u2014 and the General, Points and Young Rider Classifications.<\/p>\n

The race featured a competitive field with notable stars including Wout van Aert, Florian Lipowitz, and Jonathan Milan among the top competitors. Rapidly rising phenom Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease A Bike) was the race\u2019s other double-stage winner, taking stages 1 and 4.<\/p>\n

W\u00e6renskjold\u2019s stage three victory came after the initial winner, Danny van Poppel, was relegated for irregular sprinting (eTrashMike sez: very irregular sprinting \u2014 totally deserved).<\/p>\n

Brennan impressed by taking stage wins on both the first road stage and the finale in Magdeburg, adding excitement to the sprint finishes and contesting fiercely for the points classification. Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez from UAE Team Emirates also made a significant impact, winning stage 2 and finishing second overall.<\/p>\n

The final day\u2019s 163.7-kilometer route from Halle to Magdeburg was marked by crashes and aggressive sprints, but W\u00e6renskjold managed to protect his lead and cross the finish line safely to claim the overall title by a 25-second margin.<\/p>\n

Final Results (from procyclingstats.com)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

DeLie, van der Poel Battle at Renewi Tour<\/p>\n

\"\"CorVos\/PezCyclingNews<\/p>\n

\u2026with De Lie edging out the 2023 World Champion in what shaped up to be a summertime classic.<\/p>\n

De Lie (Lotto) clinched the overall victory after a dramatic final day in Leuven, after five days of back-and-forth with van der Poel (Alpecin \u2013 Deceuninck). De Lie, who has endured a tough year filled with injuries and illness, surprised many by holding off MVDP\u2019s. The talented Belgian rider secured the win by a mere three seconds, thanks to a powerful sprint finish on the final uphill stretch \u2014 and some thoughtful tactics.<\/p>\n

The race spanned several stages with intense competition across a mix of sprint finishes and hilly terrain. Tim Merlier from Soudal Quick-Step dominated the true sprint stages, winning two stages. Meanwhile, the queen stage in Geraardsbergen tested the contenders on the iconic cobbled Vesten climb, where van der Poel demonstrated his climbing prowess.<\/p>\n

On the decisive final stage, De Lie showcased smart race tactics by patiently marking attacks and unleashing a strong acceleration in the closing meters to win the stage and the general classification. Dries De Bondt of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale took third on the final day, after mustering an audacious late attack, adding to the excitement of the finale.<\/p>\n

Tim Wellens rounded out the podium, finishing third overall, 31 seconds behind the winner. De Lie celebrated his first WorldTour stage race victory as a major comeback achievement, highlighting the emotional significance of the win after a challenging season. Van der Poel, meanwhile, stated that his performance suggested that he was returning to full strength after leaving the Tour de France with pneumonia, and that he was thus feeling optimistic heading into the World Championships (the World Mountain Bike Championships, that is).<\/p>\n

Final Results (from procyclingstats.com)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stateside: Boswell, Gardner Take Tough Mt. Washington HC Titles\"\"<\/p>\n

The 52nd Mount Washington Hillclimb saw record-breaking performances from Ian Boswell and Illi Gardner on one of North America\u2019s toughest climbs. Boswell, a former WorldTour rider turned gravel racer, completed the 7.6-mile, 6,288-foot ascent in 50:15, beating Phil Gaimon\u2019s 2022 record by 23 seconds. Peter Stetina and Jack Kuenzle followed in second and third. In the women\u2019s race, British National Hill Climb Champion Illi Gardner set a stunning new record of 58:01, shattering the previous mark by 11 minutes. Lydia MacKenzie and Aimee Vasse completed the podium. Both Boswell and Gardner praised the challenge and electrifying atmosphere of the iconic climb.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Canada Well Represented at Tour de l\u2019Avenir and Tour de l\u2019Avenir Femmes<\/p>\n

Cycling Canada will field strong rosters at the Tour de l\u2019Avenir Femmes and the Tour de l\u2019Avenir, known as the Tour de France for U23 riders. Running August 23\u201329 across the French Alps, the competition will feature some of the world\u2019s best young talent, testing athletes with punishing mountain stages and tactical sprint finishes.<\/p>\n

Team Canada\u2019s rosters include:
Women
Alexandra Volstad (Calgary, AB)
Anabelle Thomas (Calgary, AB)
Ava Holmgren (Oro-Medonte, ON)
Isabella Holmgren (Oro-Medonte, ON)
Mairen Lawson (Grande Prairie, AB)
Kiara Lylyk (Guelph, ON)<\/p>\n

Men
Carson Mattern (Ancaster, ON)
J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gauthier (Amos, QC)
Jonas Walton (Vancouver, BC)
Leonard Peloquin (Montr\u00e9al, QC)
Luke Valenti (Orangeville, ON)
Samuel Couture (Rosem\u00e8re, QC)<\/p>\n

The Tour de l\u2019Avenir Femmes and the Tour de l\u2019Avenir consistently offer challenging routes and stiff competition. With consecutive days of racing through the Alps, including summit finishes and unpredictable weather, the event demands fitness, tactics, resilience and teamwork of up-and-coming riders.<\/p>\n

Fangeat Takes Bronze at Junior Track World Championships<\/p>\n

More for our Canadian followers: Alexandra Fangeat of St. Thomas, Ontario, captured the bronze medal in the Women\u2019s Junior Points Race at the 2025 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Competing against a deep field of global talent, Fangeat scored points in multiple sprints and held her position through a fast and tactical final. Her performance earned her third overall, securing Canada\u2019s first endurance medal of the championships. Fangeat finished behind Anna Dubier of Australia and Polina Danshina of the Individual Neutral Athletes team.<\/p>\n

This result follows a standout year for the 17-year-old, who claimed eight medals at the Canadian U17\/Junior Track Championships earlier this season.<\/p>\n

Zingle\u2019s Crazy Day at the Vuelta: Two Dislocations and a Stolen Bike<\/p>\n

Visma | Lease A Bike\u2019s Axel Zingle was probably previously known for his deft bunny hop<\/a> over Mads Pedersen in the 2024 Tour de France. While his escapades last weekend might not have been quite as enjoyable to watch, they\u2019re no less story-worthy.<\/p>\n

The French sprinter suffered the worst consequences in the Stage 2 crash that also took down teammate Jonas Vingegaard, Q36.5\u2019s Tom Pidcock and others: Zingle dislocated his shoulder, an injury that he deemed \u201cNothing serious.\u201d With medical help, the shoulder relocated, and Zingle continued riding.<\/p>\n

Next comes a moment mostly known just to masters riders who struggle to retrieve anything from a jersey pocket: As he pulled out a gel, Zingle\u2019s shoulder again dislocated. He again stopped and went to the ambulance, asking a bystander to hold his bike.<\/p>\n

After replacing the shoulder, Zingle emerged from the ambulance, only to find the bystander \u2014 and his bicycle \u2014 missing. After mounting a new bicycle, he struggled on, and finished the stage 24 minutes behind his teammate \u2014 beaten, but not bowed, and in fact probably with a new sense of confidence and pride.<\/p>\n

eTrashMike sez: I\u2019m such a sucker for the rallying-cyclists-vs.-crying-footballers memes\u2026And now we have more fodder. Onward, Axel Zingle!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Visma Adds Triathlete Schiffer<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In the latest example of WorldTour teams mining cycling-adjacent sports for aerobic anomalies, Visma | Lease A Bike has signed former triathlete Anton Schiffer. The 25-year-old German rider will make his debut for the Dutch WorldTeam in October.<\/p>\n

Schiffer turned his focus to cycling relatively late: in 2022, he transitioned from triathlon to cycling, and by mid-2023 he had joined the continental-level Bike Aid team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis step may come as a surprise to the outside world, but given how this season has progressed, it doesn\u2019t surprise me as much,\u201d said a delighted Schiffer about his move to the WorldTour. \u201cBeing able to fully focus on my sport, combined with the support from internal experts, the use of the Athlete\u2019s FoodCoach, the equipment, and the team\u2019s experience are all things I hope will help me grow as a rider.\u201d<\/p>\n

eTrashMike sez: Hmmm\u2026Have we seen this work yet? Interesting that this signing comes just as runner-turned-cyclist Mike Woods departs the peloton for fear of crashing. But if any team can take this risk, it\u2019s Visma, with their resources and very solid team: Schiffer likely doesn\u2019t command a top salary, and if he pans out as a cyclist\u2026high reward for not such a high risk.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kenyan Cyclist Sule Kangangi Dies after Crashing in Vermont Gravel Race<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kenyan cyclist Suleiman \u201cSule\u201d Waithuweka Kangangi, 33, tragically died after a high-speed crash during the Vermont Overland gravel race in West Windsor, Vermont, on August 27, 2022. The 59-mile dirt-road race, featuring nearly 7,000 feet of climbing, drew around 900 competitors. Kangangi was Team Amani\u2019s captain, representing rising East African talent, and had recently participated in gravel events such as Leadville 100, SBT GRVL, and Gravel Worlds in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Born in Eldoret in December 1988, Kangangi had a notable road career, including a third-place overall at the 2017 Tour du Rwanda while riding for Bike Aid.. In Kenya, he spearheaded the Migration Gravel Race and Evolution Gravel events\u2014both pivotal in fostering off-road cycling opportunities across East Africa. His leadership and pioneering spirit left a profound legacy in the African cycling community.<\/p>\n

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The PEZ NEWSWIRE!
Don\u2019t forget to check the \u201cNEWSWIRE\u201d<\/a> section, you can find it on the homepage, just above the PEZ Shop section<\/a>. The bits of news that missed the EuroTrash deadline are in there, plus any news as-it-happens will be added there too.<\/p>\n

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