Peloton’s Superstars Ready to Kick Off 2025 Road Seasons: When Will Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Mathieu van der Poel Start Their Campaigns?
The 2025 season of professional cycling is upon us, and fans of the sport
eagerly await the return of its brightest stars. Tadej Pogacar, Jonas
Vingegaard, and Mathieu van der Poel are among the most anticipated riders,
each of them with their own goals and plans for the upcoming year. But when
exactly will these titans of the peloton kick off their road seasons? Let’s take a
look at their expected debuts, the races they’re aiming for, and what we can
expect from these elite athletes as they begin their 2025 campaigns.
Tadej Pogacar: Aiming for an Early Start.
Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian cycling phenom who has taken the cycling world
by storm with his victories in the Tour de France, is set to start his season in a
familiar setting: the UAE Tour. Pogacar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates,
is scheduled to begin his 2025 road season in the Middle East, where he’s
already enjoyed considerable success in previous years.
The UAE Tour, set to begin in late February, will be Pogacar’s first race of the
season, as he looks to refine his form ahead of more significant challenges. The
multi-stage event, which takes place from February 19 to 25, offers a mix of
flat and mountainous stages, providing Pogacar with an ideal opportunity to
test his legs against a high-caliber field before transitioning to bigger races.
As always, Pogacar’s goals for the season include defending his dominance in
major events, particularly the Tour de France. The UAE Tour will give him an
early chance to show his fitness and demonstrate why he remains one of the
most formidable riders in the world.
Jonas Vingegaard: Setting Sights on the Classics.
Jonas Vingegaard, the Danish powerhouse and 2024 Tour de France winner,
is also making his plans for the 2025 season. Unlike Pogacar, Vingegaard will
not race in the UAE Tour, opting instead for a different kind of early-season
preparation. He is scheduled to debut his 2025 road season at the Volta a la
Comunitat Valenciana in Spain, set to take place from February 26 to
March 2.
Vingegaard’s selection of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana reflects his
desire to prepare for the spring classics. He will use the Spanish race as a tune-
up event before taking on the grueling one-day races that define the early part
of the European cycling calendar, such as Milan-San Remo and Flanders.
The 2025 season is especially crucial for Vingegaard, as he looks to defend his
title in the Tour de France while continuing to improve his performance in
other important races. Vingegaard’s versatile riding style, which combines
both climbing prowess and strong time-trialing ability, will serve him well in
the stage races and the classics. But his primary goal will be to maintain the
form that allowed him to outlast Pogacar in 2024’s Tour.
Mathieu van der Poel: Aiming for a Classic Season.
Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch multi-disciplinary talent, will begin his 2025
campaign with a focus on the spring classics, a domain where he has made a
name for himself over the past few years. Van der Poel is expected to begin his
season at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a prestigious one-day race in
Belgium, on February 25. This race marks the start of the highly anticipated
Belgian Classics series, and van der Poel will be one of the top contenders for
the win.
With his versatile skills across both road racing and cyclocross, van der Poel
has become known for his all-around ability, excelling in races that require
both raw power and tactical brilliance. After Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, he will
set his sights on other races like Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders, two
events that have become synonymous with his career.
For van der Poel, the 2025 season will be about asserting his dominance in the
one-day races and continuing his push for victory in the coveted monuments
of cycling. His aggressive riding style and fearless approach to attacking in
tough conditions make him one of the most exciting riders to watch in the
peloton.
What to Expect from These Cycling Giants in 2025.
As these cycling superstars prepare to embark on their 2025 campaigns, fans
can expect plenty of drama and excitement on the roads. Pogacar, Vingegaard,
and van der Poel are all looking to add to their already impressive palmares,
and each has a unique approach to the season ahead. Whether it’s Pogacar
testing his legs in the UAE Tour, Vingegaard gearing up for the classics, or van
der Poel going all-in for the one-day races, the competition will be fierce.
Their respective teams are also gearing up for what promises to be another
thrilling season. With the rivalry between Pogacar and Vingegaard likely to
continue at the Tour de France, and van der Poel ready to dominate the spring
classics, the 2025 cycling season is shaping up to be one for the history books.
Cycling fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting these riders’ returns to the
peloton, and the 2025 season promises to be full of drama, spectacular
performances, and, of course, thrilling victories. So mark your calendars,
because the action is about to begin!