EUROTRASH: Which Grand Tour Would You Follow?

Jakob Söderqvist of Lidl-Trek secured overall victory at the 47th Tour de Hongrie following a dramatic final stage marked by challenging weather conditions and tactical racing. The penultimate stage was heavily disrupted by adverse weather, leading to significant route reductions and a decisive breakaway where Söderqvist dropped his last rival to claim the stage and take the race lead. Despite Tim Merlier winning the final sprint on the closing circuit stage, Söderqvist held firm to clinch the general classification, with Benoît Cosnefroy and Luke Plapp completing the podium. In women’s racing, Lorena Wiebes triumphed at the Simac Omloop der Kempen Ladies in Veldhoven, overcoming a late flat tyre to power to a sprint victory ahead of Charlotte Kool and Sandrine Tas. The 130-kilometre race, featuring cobblestone sections, unfolded as expected with a bunch sprint finish after early breakaways were reeled in. Tas’s podium finish is particularly notable given her recent transition from Olympic speed skating to professional cycling, underscoring the growing crossover between winter sports and cycling disciplines. Meanwhile, Mischa Bredewold successfully defended her overall lead at Itzulia Women despite being dropped on the final climb, demonstrating resilience and tactical acumen. Other highlights include Matisse Van Kerckhove defending his title at Flèche du Sud and Laurence Pithie sprinting to victory at Rund um Köln for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, signalling strong form among emerging talents across various European races. The week also saw sombre news with the passing of Belgian junior rider Jilke Michielsen at just 19 years old, a loss felt deeply within the cycling community. Amid this busy racing calendar, eMotoX Sports invited readers to share their preferences on which Grand Tour they would most like to follow in person, reflecting on the unique appeal of each event. With the Giro d’Italia underway and the Tour de France looming, fans were encouraged to consider whether they favour the springtime Italian race, the prestige of the French Grand Tour, or the late summer challenge of the Vuelta a España. This interactive element highlights the enduring passion and engagement of cycling enthusiasts with the sport’s grandest stage races.