This cycling news summary delves into a pressing question in the sport: Do races like the recent Tour of Flanders, which saw another seemingly effortless victory, still captivate audiences? We also cover other significant events from the past week, including the women’s Tour of Flanders, several other races, rider stories, and team developments. All this, and the iconic Paris-Roubaix is still on the horizon!
Top Story
- Community Poll: Was Flanders a True Classic?
Race News
- Vollering Dominates Flanders with Authority
- Ion Izagirre Secures Victory at the 2026 Gran Premio Miguel Indurain
- Tibor Del Grosso on NXT Classic Win: “This really means a lot”
- Tro Bro Leon 2026: A Revamped Course and Prominent Starting Lineup
Team, Rider, and Pro Cycling News
- Vos Misses Flanders After Father’s Passing
- Kristen Faulkner Returns to Competition
- Vos Targets Elusive Paris-Roubaix Cobblestone
- The Spanish Cycling School Fostering Women’s Talent
- British Cyclists Launch Innovative Social Impact Initiative
Community Poll: Was Flanders a True Classic?
We’ve been discussing internally whether Sunday’s Tour of Flanders delivered a truly classic performance. Tadej Pogačar certainly thought so, describing it as “a crazy race today. It was super hard and then a bit of a waiting game… That was pure madness!”
But ultimately, it’s not about our opinion or even the riders’. It’s about you, our readers. We invite you to share your thoughts on whether this year’s Flanders lived up to its legendary status through our latest community poll. Please consider the question, cast your vote, and feel free to elaborate on your reasoning via email. We want to understand not just what you think, but why!
Race Highlights
Vollering Dominates Flanders with Authority
After a series of near-misses and podium finishes, Demi Vollering decided it was time to leave no doubt. On Sunday, amidst the demanding cobbles and climbs of Belgium’s revered cycling landscape, she delivered a performance reminiscent of cycling’s greats, decisively leaving her competition behind with an early, powerful attack on the steep cobbled sections.
Wearing her European champion’s jersey with pride, the FDJ-United Suez rider distanced formidable rivals like Tour de France Femmes winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Puck Pieterse, and even the celebrated Lotte Kopecky. She rode away with the casual intensity of someone who had simply grown tired of finishing second.
The decisive moment unfolded on the Oude Kwaremont. Vollering had envisioned this climb, recognizing it as the longest and knowing her competitors would be at their limit. She pushed relentlessly, never glancing back, until she cleared the cobbles and found herself gloriously, magnificently alone.
Ferrand-Prévot and Pieterse bravely collaborated in pursuit, but they simply lacked the power to bridge the gap. Ultimately, no one could match Vollering’s strength.
She crossed the finish line in Oudenaarde a dominant 42 seconds clear, securing her first Flanders victory and her third Monument overall. Kopecky, a three-time winner and reigning champion, could only acknowledge the undeniable strength of the day’s victor.
Vollering is enjoying an exceptionally strong start to her season. We eagerly anticipate seeing if she can maintain this momentum all the way through to the Tour.
Top Ten at the 23rd Ronde van Vlaanderen Women:
| Rnk | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vollering Demi | FDJ United – SUEZ | 4:16:37 |
| 2 | Ferrand-Prévot Pauline | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 0:42 |
| 3 | Pieterse Puck | Fenix-Premier Tech | ,, |
| 4 | Kopecky Lotte | Team SD Worx – Protime | 1:04 |
| 5 | Bäckstedt Zoe | CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto | ,, |
| 6 | Swinkels Karlijn | UAE Team ADQ | ,, |
| 7 | Persico Silvia | UAE Team ADQ | 1:07 |
| 8 | Longo Borghini Elisa | UAE Team ADQ | ,, |
| 9 | Bredewold Mischa | Team SD Worx – Protime | 1:58 |
| 10 | Koch Franziska | FDJ United – SUEZ | ,, |
Ion Izagirre Secures Victory at the 2026 Gran Premio Miguel Indurain
The 2026 Gran Premio Miguel Indurain concluded with a victory for Ion Izagirre, who finished ahead of Quinn Simmons and Alex Baudin.
This Spanish one-day race is a crucial preparatory event for the Ardennes Classics, featuring a hilly course around Estella that favors strong climbers. The 2026 edition covered a challenging 203.9 km route around Estella-Lizarra, with over 3,400 meters of elevation gain.
An early breakaway formed with Carlos García Pierna, Sinuhé Fernández, Unai Aznar, Louis Ferreira, and Rafael Durães. Significant attacks began within the final 50 kilometers, with Antonio Tiberi and Julien Bernard briefly breaking clear before being reeled in.
With 24 kilometers remaining, a group of 11 riders led the race. On the first of three consecutive final climbs, Ion Izagirre launched a powerful surge that only U.S. national champion Quinn Simmons could initially match. However, Izagirre’s superior climbing prowess on the final 500-meter, 10% gradient ramp allowed him to pull away from his companions, leading from the base and pacing himself to the summit.
This victory marked Cofidis’ fourth win of the season, with Izagirre, a Basque rider competing close to his home region, delivering a performance that showcased his exceptional form.
Top Ten at the 35th GP Miguel Indurain:
| # | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IZAGIRRE Ion | Cofidis | 5:00:29 |
| 2 | SIMMONS Quinn | Lidl – Trek | 0:06 |
| 3 | BAUDIN Alex | EF Education – EasyPost | 0:10 |
| 4 | ARANBURU Alex | Cofidis | ,, |
| 5 | BAGIOLI Andrea | Lidl – Trek | ,, |
| 6 | SCARONI Christian | XDS Astana Team | ,, |
| 7 | VAN EETVELT Lennert | Lotto Intermarché | ,, |
| 8 | CHAMPOUSSIN Clément | XDS Astana Team | ,, |
| 9 | BELOKI Markel | EF Education – EasyPost | ,, |
| 10 | ETXEBERRIA Haimar | Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe | ,, |
Tibor Del Grosso After NXT Classic victory: “This really means a lot”
Tibor Del Grosso added another impressive win to his growing career achievements on Saturday, securing victory at the NXT Classic with a strong performance. For the 22-year-old Alpecin-Premier Tech rider, this was his second professional win, and one he had targeted since the season’s start.
“This really means a lot,” Del Grosso stated after the race. “I hoped to win in the first block of this season, and I’m happy I can tick that off now.”
A Breakaway That Surprised Even Its Instigators
The decisive move occurred 27 kilometers from the finish, when Del Grosso and Mauro Schmid broke clear of the peloton—a split that even Del Grosso himself had not fully anticipated.
“It did surprise me, how the two of us managed to ride away,” he admitted. “It must have been a brutal race if everyone was already at their limit at that point. I think Mauro was surprised by it too.”
From that point, the pair collaborated all the way to the finish, though the final kilometers were far from easy. “The finale was very tough—we had a headwind for most of it. At the Moerslag, I was genuinely at my limit, and in the sprint there wasn’t much left in the final 100 meters. But apparently I pushed hard enough.”
Schmid’s Presence Adds Prestige to the Win
Del Grosso had deliberately aimed for a series of smaller races early in his program, hoping to achieve a significant result before the major spring classics. Saturday’s win delivered exactly that, and the caliber of his breakaway companion made it all the more meaningful.
“Mauro is a world-class rider in races like this, which makes it more prestigious,” Del Grosso noted. “At the Amstel, he competes right at the front with the best riders in the world.”
Eyes Turn to the Amstel Block
Attention now shifts to a demanding sequence of races: the Tour of Limburg, the Brabantse Pijl, and ultimately the Amstel Gold Race. When asked about his realistic expectations for these events, Del Grosso offered a measured assessment.
“I have to say that today was already very tough, so those races will be even more demanding. With all the really good climbers in the field, it will be a different story entirely.”
Top Ten at the 51st NXT Classic:
| Rnk | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Del Grosso Tibor | Alpecin-Premier Tech | 4:35:03 |
| 2 | Schmid Mauro | Team Jayco AlUla | ,, |
| 3 | Pedersen Casper | Soudal Quick-Step | 0:07 |
| 4 | Foldager Anders | Team Jayco AlUla | ,, |
| 5 | Artz Huub | Lotto Intermarché | ,, |
| 6 | Taillieu Aldo | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | ,, |
| 7 | Eenkhoorn Pascal | Soudal Quick-Step | ,, |
| 8 | Remijn Senna | Alpecin-Premier Tech | ,, |
| 9 | Hoogendoorn Roy | Metec – SOLARWATT p/b Mantel | ,, |
| 10 | Budziński Marcin | MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort | ,, |
Tro Bro Leon 2026: A Revamped Course and Prominent Starting Lineup
The Tro Bro Leon returns on May 10 with a completely new route, maintaining its 42-year tradition of never repeating a course, a design philosophy by founder Jean-Paul Mellouët. The 2026 edition’s 202.1-kilometer route incorporates 29 “ribinou”—the challenging dirt-and-stone tracks synonymous with the race—totaling 34 kilometers. This year features two new sections: the 1,600-meter Messoudal’ch in Porspoder and a full ascent of the uphill Le Cosquer ribin in Saint-Pabu.
Riders will cross the finish line in Lannilis twice before embarking on the final loop, which includes punishing back-to-back ribinou, notably the four-star Kerdraon, where key attacks are anticipated. The iconic Keradraon section, passing through Château de Kerouartz, is once again expected to be a decisive point in the race.
Defending champion Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ United) aims to become the first rider since 2004 to win consecutive titles. He faces strong competition from 2022 winner Hugo Hofstetter, podium contenders Clément Venturini and Pierre Gautherat, and Benoît Cosnefroy. Gravel world champion Florian Vermeersch, who has had a remarkable start to his 2026 season, further elevates the race’s star power, continuing to honor Brittany’s distinct cycling heritage.
Team and Rider News
Vos Misses Flanders After Father’s Passing
Sad news has reached the cycling community: Marianne Vos’s father, Henk Vos, passed away last week. As a result, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider did not compete in the Tour of Flanders, choosing instead to spend the weekend with her family.
Vos’s father had been battling illness for some time. Last year, the Dutch rider had already opted out of the World Championships in Rwanda to support him. This past winter, Vos skipped the cyclo-cross season to dedicate more time to her family.
Vos began her spring season with Strade Bianche and Trofeo Alfredo Binda, but following a further decline in her father’s health, she made the decision to withdraw from Milan-San Remo, In Flanders Fields, and Dwars door Vlaanderen.
“We extend our deepest sympathies and support to Marianne and her family during this difficult period,” stated Visma | Lease a Bike in their message of condolence.
Kristen Faulkner Returns to Competition
Olympic Gold Medalist Kristen Faulkner is set to return to racing after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during last year’s Tour de France. In a recent interview, she discussed her recovery and upcoming plans.
On Her Long Offseason:
“I spent my offseason in California, completing two coast rides from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and from San Francisco to LA. Those were incredible, so much fun, done with a group of friends. Some days we rode for over eight hours. I also spent significant time in San Francisco, loving being amidst the technology boom happening there. I reconnected with old hobbies, especially building apps with AI, which was nice after focusing solely on professional cycling.”
On Current Goals After the Olympics:
“I aim to win a stage at the Tour de France. My goal over the next two years is to wear the yellow jersey at some point, win a Tour stage, secure more time trial victories, and achieve a podium finish at the World Championships in the time trial.”
On Her Return to European Racing with the Tour of Flanders:
“Due to my shoulder surgery, the team was initially unsure about my recovery, so I wasn’t initially slated for any cobbled classics; the plan was to start with the Ardennes. However, my training and Pan-Ams performance showed my fitness was strong. I told our Sports Director I was coming back to Europe, and she suggested, ‘If your fitness is good, why not use it? Do you want to do Flanders?’ My first thought was, ‘Wow, that’s a fast turnaround!’ but I believe it will be beneficial to return to road racing before the Ardennes and simply spend time with the team.”
On Upcoming Races:
“I’ll be doing the Ardennes classics, which I enjoy and have raced almost every year. They’re very punchy and attract a similar group of riders to the Grand Tours. I’m planning all three Grand Tours this summer, so this spring is a good opportunity to ride with my teammates, get accustomed to their styles, and practice communication.”
On What She’s Most Looking Forward To:
“I’ve truly missed my teammates. I’ve missed racing, but even more so, I miss my teammates. They are some of my best friends. I’m really excited to be back with them again.”
Vos Targets Elusive Paris-Roubaix Cobblestone
Marianne Vos has achieved nearly every honor in cycling: Olympic gold, numerous world titles across road, track, and cyclo-cross, and countless classics victories. Yet, one trophy still eludes her: the iconic cobblestone from Paris-Roubaix.
The Dutch legend has been a prominent figure in Paris-Roubaix Femmes since its inaugural edition in 2021, where she finished second to Lizzie Deignan’s brilliant solo effort. Her strongest bid for victory perhaps came in 2024, when she was narrowly out-sprinted in the velodrome, finishing fourth in a race won by Lotte Kopecky.
Last year, Vos played a crucial supporting role, helping teammate Pauline Ferrand-Prévot to victory by controlling the chase group while her colleague rode clear—a role she embraced wholeheartedly, even as her personal ambition remained unfulfilled.
Now, with the 2026 edition approaching on April 12, Vos is firmly focused on her own result. “Winning such a major race would mean a lot to me,” she stated. “I want to win the biggest ones—that’s what we are aiming for.”
She already possesses a small cobblestone souvenir from her 2021 runner-up finish. But as she puts it: “The big one is something else.”
The Cycling School Shaping Spain’s Women’s Peloton
In Viella, a small village in Asturias, the Escuela de Ciclismo Viella has quietly influenced women’s cycling in Spain for 25 years. Founded by Paco Fuentes and Carlos ‘Cali’ González, what began as a simple after-school activity has grown into a thriving program with 55 riders.
Among its most distinguished alumni are professional rider Alicia González and six-time national cyclo-cross champion Lucía González—daughters of ‘Cali’ himself. The school also nurtured Laura Álvarez, now a women’s cycling commentator for Eurosport, and Isabel Martín, who covers the sport for Teledeporte and serves as Spain’s delegate for the CPA.
Beyond racing achievements, ‘Cali’ consistently emphasized education, encouraging riders to pursue university degrees. Many alumni have gone on to become physiotherapists, nutritionists, and biotechnologists. The school also fostered accessible role models, with the González sisters often training alongside younger riders on weekends.
“Without the Viella team, my life wouldn’t have been the same,” says Álvarez. “It’s the seed from which I grew, both as a person and as a professional.”
This legacy will be prominently displayed when La Vuelta Femenina 2026 by Carrefour.es concludes in Asturias, with a finish atop the iconic L’Angliru.
Riding for Change: British Cyclists Launch Groundbreaking Social Impact Program
A new initiative, “Pedal with Purpose,” cycling’s first athlete-led social impact program, has been launched. Now in its third year of partnership, this program empowers eight Great Britain Cycling Team riders to drive genuine change in areas they are deeply committed to, ranging from mental health support for young men to disability access and neurodivergent support.
Delivered by the True Athlete Project over five months, participants engage in workshops, seminars, and one-on-one learning sessions, developing skills to create positive social impact through advocacy and practical activities. Each rider is also paired with a mentor in their chosen field.
Performance Director Stephen Park CBE commented that the program recognizes riders’ potential to “use their profile and unique voice to create social good.”
The inaugural cohort and their focus areas:
- Lyall Craig – young men’s mental health
- Ross Cullen – men’s mental health
- Jenny Holl – women and girls in cycling in Scotland
- Bethany-Ann Jackson – girls into competitive sport
- Lizzi Jordan – tandem accessibility
- Jos Marnham – men’s mental health
- Matthew Robertson – epilepsy awareness
- Katie Toft – neurodivergent support