CYCLING – With the Tour de France in its decisive final week, another squad from Team Bahrain Victorious is set to line up at the Ethias Tour de Wallonie, a five-day UCI ProSeries stage race running from today to Wednesday next week.
The 46th edition of the Belgian race – first held in 1974 as the Tour du Hainaut Occidental, renamed Tour de Wallonie in 2007, and rebranded as the Ethias Tour de Wallonie in 2021 – will start and finish in Luxembourg.
In between, the peloton will tackle a challenging Wallonian parcours that blends the punchy climbs of the Ardennes classics with features reminiscent of the races of Flanders.
The 2025 course is expected to be selective as usual, featuring hilly circuits, iconic cotes, and technical finishes that offer opportunities for sprinters, puncheurs, and climbers alike. Bahrain Victorious sports director Borut Bozic, winner of the general classification in 2007, will lead the Bahrain Victorious squad with a double focus: hunting for stage wins while aiming for a strong overall performance.
“After a period without races, during which the riders attended a high-altitude training camp, this group is now resuming competition with the team’s first-ever participation in this race,” said Bozic.
“We’re motivated and confident. We’ve got a young, ambitious team that’s ready to be competitive and take its chances.”
Nicolo Buratti will lead the team with general classification (GC) ambitions, with Matevz Govekar targetting sprint finishes. Supporting them will be Daniel Skerl, another sprinting option particularly suited to stage three, and Roman Ermakov and Oliver Stockwell, who are expected to be active in early breakaways. Alessandro Borgo, joining from Bahrain Victorious Development Team, and local rider Vlad Van Mechelen will provide key support in the lead-out and deep into the finales.
“It’ll be important to strike a balance between aggressive stage-hunting and defensive tactics to protect our GC ambitions,” Bozic added. “Regarding the course, it reminds me of a mix between Flanders and the Ardennes.
“The opening stage (Nassogne to Nassogne, 182km) is set on a hilly circuit with a demanding finish. It will immediately reveal who is targetting the GC and who is focused on stage wins.
“The following day, stage two (Huy to Sambreville, 153km) begins with a hilly section before easing into a flatter finishing circuit, offering a good opportunity for a bunch sprint. Stage three (Estinnes to Antoing, 165km) has the least elevation and is expected to favour the pure sprinters.
“The final two days, however, are expected to prove decisive for the overall standings. Stage four (Welkenraedt to Seraing, 163km) tackles a route inspired by La Doyenne, including legendary climbs such as Col du Rosier, Cote de Lorce, La Redoute, and Roche-aux-Faucons, before concluding with two steep and selective ascents: Cote du Chateau d’Aigremont and Cote de la Haute Rochette.
“The final stage (Bertrix to Bertrix, 183km) will be the hardest of the race, with a tough start, a technical and demanding middle section, and a finale resembling a true Ardennes classic.
“We enter this race with expectations and the aim to race aggressively. With full commitment and the right mindset, I truly believe we can achieve great results with these young guys.”
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