Wittenberg

We're getting closer to the end of the season as we start the final leg of TCAT 2025. Eleven teams from 6 different provinces will do another 3100 kilometers of cycling in the coming three weeks while the team captains sit at home and enjoy the show. The goal is to score the most points by winning stages and doing well in three classifications: the King of the Mountains classification (polkadot jersey), the points classification (green jersey) and the general classification (the famous yellow jersey) which determines which individual rider wins this leg of TCAT. Esqipă Velocostă has managed to win the first two legs of the season. Can they be beaten?

Let's have a look at the teams:

No fewer than 8 out of 11 teams picked Vingegaard. It's clear that people are expecting him to do well.

Also interesting that the season top 3 all went for three all rounders, the mid table teams all went for 3 climbers and the rest went for 4 unclassed/2 sprinters.

Limited time to write update unfortunately. Philipsen (GHS/VFL/BDC/REX/DED) won the first stage in a bunch sprint, taking the maillot rojo, after winning the first stage of the tour de france as well. Unsurprisingly the five teams who picked him take an early lead in TCAT.

Standings after stage 1:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	400	+400
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	387	+387
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	364	+364
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	353	+353
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	353	+353
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	188	+188
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	156	+156
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	126	+126
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	89	+89
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	42	+42
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	34	+34

This may be the only time the Posse graces first place so we are enjoying it.

Mostly flat stage yesterday but with a cat 2 summit uphill finish. Vingegaard was the strongest on the final climb and takes over the red jersey, although he did not win any time on his opponents. Results by Ciccone and Bernal mean GHST wins the day and takes the overall lead. The additional research isn't quite paying off for Port Maxhestic yet.

Standings after stage 2:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	1161	+797
2nd	(+4)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	934	+746
3rd	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	771	+418
4th	(+4)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	761	+635
5th	(-4)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	749	+349
6th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	724	+568
7th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	722	+369
8th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	670	+581
9th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	663	+629
10th	(-8)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	648	+261
11th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	441	+399

Today we stay in Piemonte, Italy for a stage with a slightly less challenging uphill finish that seems very well suited for someone like Mads Pedersen

Quote from: Glüc on August 25, 2025, 10:03:08 AMThe additional research isn't quite paying off for Port Maxhestic yet.

no chill

Everything seemed to be going to plan for Pedersen, until in the final meters out of nowhere there was Gaudu, who unexpectedly beat Pedersen to the finishline. Pedersen still came in second and with good results for Vingegaard, Ciccone and Buitrago that was enough for the Cabana Boys to take the win and gain 6 places in the standing. GHST remain in the lead.

Standings after stage 3:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	1732	+571
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	1566	+632
3rd	(+6)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	1437	+774
4th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	1168	+444
5th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	1141	+370
6th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	1123	+362
7th	(+3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	993	+345
8th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	977	+228
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	962	+292
10th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	940	+218
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	893	+452

The peloton hasn't moved to Spain yet. Instead we're crossing the alps into France, but although there is some climbing at the beginning of the stage it avoids the real mountain passes and looks more like an opportunity for sprinters, although the finish is on a slight uphill gradient. Another chance for Pedersen perhaps.

Stage 4 Susa -> Voiron

I'm back from traveling so here's a quick update on yesterday's stage, which led riders out of Italy and into France for the last of the four "grand depart" stages away from Spanish soil.

The longest of this edition, yesterday's stage started off strong with three categorised climbs, then a very long downhill and flat stretch to an uphill sprint. Many speculated this could go to the breakaway, but ultimately most of the peloton arrived together in a sprint. It was non-TCAT Ben Turner who crossed the line first, ahead of stage 1 winner Jasper Philipsen (BDC/GHS/REX/VFL/DED). EVC placed Jenthe Biermans in fifth, ahead of still-winless Mads Pedersen (MCB/PTM/DED, 6th), Orluis Aular (CJO, 8th), Guillermo Silva (GHS, 9th) and Bryan Coquard (CFA, 13th).

Logically a pretty good result for the five Philipsen teams, who lock out the five top positions. Dead Last just misses out on the daily win despite the Philipsen/Pedersen combination, with GHST edging them out with Silva and more daily classification points.

Standings after stage 4:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	2129	+397
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	1767	+201
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	1694	+257
4th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	1420	+279
5th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	1383	+390
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	1280	+157
7th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	1264	+96
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	1242	+265
9th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	1195	+255
10th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	1171	+209
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	1105	+212

Tomorrow, a very rare team time trial (TTT) - only the third TTT in 11 editions of TCAT, I believe - as TCAT finally enters Spain proper. Each of the 23 (real world) teams taking part in Vuelta will field their riders as a group, and the time for the whole team will be taken at the fourth rider crossing the line. The custom Velogames scoring for this kind of stage means TCAT managers will receive 50,40,30,...,5 points for each rider they hold in the 1st,2nd,3rd,...,8th placed Vuelta team.

Stage 5 Figueres -> Figueres (TTT)

Second of three updates from me as I catch up on the ones I missed while travelling - many thanks again to @Glüc for covering for me earlier.

Not much to say about yesterday's team time trial except that it was fairly clear it would be won by either UAE (Ayuso and Almeida's team) or Visma (Vingegaard's team) - it was the former who ultimately prevailed by 8". Lidl (Pedersen and Ciccone's team) rounded off the podium.

TCAT wise, GHST gets another daily win largely thanks to holding five riders among the three podium placed teams. Most other teams got roughly the same amount of points, 60 to 80 fewer than GHST, except for PTM, whose riders might not be bringing enough assist points to fill these small gaps yet, and REX and VFL, both of whom only held a single UAE rider. As a combination of the low-ish scoring and little point differences, not much has changed in the overall standings except for EVC gaining two places off their daily fifth place.

Standings after stage 5:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	2467	+338
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	2035	+268
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	1967	+273
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	1666	+246
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	1640	+257
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	1546	+266
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	1518	+254
8th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	1432	+261
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	1409	+167
10th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	1390	+195
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	1318	+213

Today we finally get a first true taste of the mountains as Vuelta enters a fourth diffferent country in six stages, with a category 1 summit finish in Andorra. Could be a first chance to see the first meaningful gaps in the general classification, although it doesn't seem nearly hard enough to blow up the standings altogether. It will still be an interesting first peek at the climbing pecking order, and a chance for poor fortunes to turn around as the climbers get more engaged.

Heck yeah MCB!

(https://media0.giphy.com/media/RJtZ0MIdnedOV2QxJp/giphy.gif)

Stage 6 Olot -> Pal. Andorra

Vuelta's first true mountain stage was defined by a ten rider breakaway including Jay Vine (GHS/DED), Lorenzo Fortunato (BDC/DED/PTM) and Bruno Armirail (CHX/MCB/PTM). They got all the way to the finish, with this TCAT trio getting respectively first, third and fourth place; Vine himself went on a solo attack on the final climb and won by around a minute over non-TCAT Torstein Træen, who takes the lead of the general classification off Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane got 11th and second in the group of favourites, only bested by Almeida (CFA/DED/REX). The duo are now 5th and 6th in the general classification, with Giulio Ciccone (CHX/CJO/GHS/MCB) just behind both today and in GC, and the leading quartet all unlikely to stay there for long.

It's still very early days though, as you definitely can't win Vuelta but you sure can lose it. Indeed, Juan Ayuso (CJO/PTM/VFL), already off a disappointing showing in TCAT Italy earlier this year, managed to disappoint again by dropping very early on in the final climb and losing almost eight minutes to Vingegaard and Almeida; his bid for the general classification is already over. And for a last bit of the bad news, Koen Bouwman (VFL) is unfortunately the third TCAT rider to abandon. Not the best first shot at a summit finish for Tiberi, Buitrago, O'Connor and Landa either - all of them are already a minute down on Vingegaard, Almeida, Ciccone, Jorgenson, Hindley, Pellizzari, Bernal and Gall, who at a first look seem like the strongest GC picks (again very early days).

In TCAT, Dead Last get the win they nearly got two days ago; making the most of these mountain breakaway stages is very important* and they almost got it perfect with Vine and Fortunato on the podium and Almeida best of the GC favourites. DED accordingly takes over Cjovani's podium spot, with Port Maxhestic, today's strong second holding Fortunato and Armirail, also a big mover going straight from last to midpack.


Standings after stage 6:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	2963	+482
2nd	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	2348	+371
3rd	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	2322	+674
4th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	2229	+182
5th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	2071	+396
6th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	1899	+375
7th	(+4)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	1864	+528
8th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	1755	+200
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	1668	+227
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	1597	+203
11th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	1543	+128

Tomorrow, arguably a pretty similar stage. Will today's first impressions prove correct? Will we see another breakaway win (and from whom), or will the GC guys take this one instead? Tune in to find out!

We're coming for you GHS!

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/AZehwczmYwQzjOKy1s/giphy.gif)

Stage 7 Andorra la Vella -> Cerler. Huesca La Magia

A tough Pyrenees stage today. A break got away including Ayuso (CJO/PTM/VFL) who ended up winning the stage by attacking on the final climb, followed by Frigo (PTM). The GC favourites mostly finished in the same time, with a few exceptions, such as Tiberi (CHX/EVC/REX/VFL) who dropped out of GC contention.

The stage top 2 resulted in a big score for Port Maxhestic, who gain another two places in the standings. GHST remain in the lead.

Standings after stage 7:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	3176	+213
2nd	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	2625	+396
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	2584	+262
4th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	2561	+213
5th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	2490	+626
6th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	2351	+280
7th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	2085	+186
8th	(+3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	1995	+452
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	1950	+195
10th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	1902	+234
11th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	1785	+188

Tomorrow we move towards Zaragoza for what should normally be a bunch sprint.

Stage 8 Monzón Templario -> Zaragoza

Boring sprint stage. Not much to write about except Philipsen (BDC/DED/GHS/REX/VFL) getting a second stage win. CHX's Elia Viviani originally finished second but was relegated for deviating from his line during the final sprint. The only other TCAT riders to get points were Mads Pedersen (DED/MCB/PTM, 9th) and Guillermo Silva (GHS).

Logically, Dead Last gets a second victory thanks to Philipsen and Pedersen, although having banked so much on two expensive sprinters they might regret Pedersen once again having a somewhat muted showing (14th, 6th and 9th in the three flat sprints, and 2nd in the uphill sprint of stage 3). They still leapfrog Cjovani (jointly with MCB) and set themselves somewhat clear of the tight four-team group completing the upper half of the standings. The biggest upside mover is however els Rexhitais, who lift themselves off the bottom of the standings - so far TCAT had not been particularly kind to them with the early loss of Axel Zingle depriving the team of its second sprinter before he could score much.

Standings after stage 8:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	3556	+380
2nd	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	2990	+406
3rd	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	2742	+181
4th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	2707	+82
5th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	2679	+328
6th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	2656	+166
7th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2282	+287
8th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	2177	+92
9th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	2082	+297
10th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	2053	+103
11th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	1996	+94

Today, Week 1 ends with a long hilly approach to the only categorised climb of the day, a category 1 summit finish at Valdezcaray ski resort. It could very well be another day for a successful break, seeing as the main GC contenders (Vingegaard, Almeida and Ciccone) seem to be in no rush to get stage wins for their respective reasons.

Stage 9 Alfaro -> Estación de Esquí de Valdezcaray

Stage 9 was one for the favourites and was decided on the final climb. Vingegaard showed why was the favourite by attacking and finishing solo. It wasn't enough to get the red jersey just yet, but he gained time on all his competitors including Almeida (CFA/DED/REX) who finished in third, just behind Pidcock (BDC/DED/EVC/REX/VFL), who had a very strong day and gained several spots in GC, as did Gall (EVC), while Ciccone (CHX/CJO/GHS/MCB) dropped back to 6th place in GC as a result.

With Soler, Fortunato and Pellizzari also scoring points it was a very strong day for BdC, who scored the most points, just ahead of Esqipă Velocostă. GHST retain a commanding lead, but they have been in that position for most of every leg this year and it hasn't resulted in a win yet. Perhaps third time's the charm?
   

Standings after stage 9:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	4092	+536
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	3520	+530
3rd	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	3409	+730
4th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	3215	+473
5th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	3142	+435
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3034	+378
7th	(+4)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	2723	+727
8th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	2658	+605
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	2652	+475
10th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2648	+366
11th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	2590	+508

Today was the first restday for the peloton. Tomorrow we get a stage that's very much like yesterday's, ending on a first category climb. It may well be another day for the GC favourites unless a big break gets away.

Stage 10  Parque de la Naturaleza Sendaviva -> El Ferial Larra Belagua

Another "hockey stick" stage, with a steep climb at the end of an (at best) hilly approach. Predictably, everyone wanted to get into the breakaway and as a result it only managed to form 70km into the stage. Initially 30ish, they were whittled down to as few as 10 by the time the final climb began. Non-TCAT Alec Segaert and Pablo Castrillo were the first to attack, but were joined and ultimately dropped by Jay Vine (GHS/DED) who ultimately cruised to the finish to get a second stage win, and retain the lead of the King of the Mountains classification (polkadot jersey).

Behind, in the group of GC favourites, it was surprisingly Joao Almeida who took the initiative and attacked first; at a point, the lead group of GC contenders numbered as few as 5, but some of the dropped contenders were able to rejoin and a group of 10 finished 5th-14th, including Pidcock, Ciccone, Hindley, Jorgenson, Almeida, Vingegaard and Pellizzari. Vingegaard also regained the red leader's jersey. Some other riders finished in the points but lost some time, such as Gall, Bernal and Fortunato; the latter dropped out of GC top 10 as well.

Unsurprisingly, GHST and Dead Last finished on top today because of Vine, with the Belacostan team getting a win thanks to Ciccone, Jorgenson and Vingegaard, while DED had Pidcock and Almeida. Not much movement in the standings, though, but the bottom 4 is separated by just 50 points (and the bottom 6 by less than 250), so big swings seem primed to happen.

Standings after stage 10:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	4715	+623
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	4050	+530
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	3731	+322
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	3558	+343
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	3412	+270
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3179	+145
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	3118	+395
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	2986	+328
9th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	2948	+358
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2937	+289
11th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	2936	+284

Tomorrow, a typically Basque stage around Bilbao, with many categorised climbs peppered along the course and a final long descent to a slightly uphill sprint. Seems promising for a breakaway, but GC riders may not resist the chance at putting time on each other - if the latter, I strongly suspect Tom Pidcock is the favourite.

(https://www.procyclingstats.com/images/profiles/ap/ea/vuelta-a-espana-2025-stage-11-profile-n2-21b0d956b58b4e8b34a0.jpg)

Protestors protested yesterday, which resulted in the stage being neutralised at 3km before the planned finish in Bilbao. No official stage results was published, which means stage points were not awarded. However, GC time differences were measured at the finish, resulting in Almeida (CFA/DED/REX) and Pidcock (BDC/DED/EVC/REX/VFL) climbing to spots 2 and 3 in GC respectively. Fortunato (BDC/DED/PTM) and Soler (BDC) lost many minutes and are out of GC contention.

Without stage point it was a low scoring affair. However, breakaway, intsprint, summit and daily classification points were awarded, which means the results tell us something about who is doing well in the classification standings atm. Just like last two editions Esqipă Velocostă are doing quite well in that regard, and scored the most points. (edit: an earlier version of this post incorrectly stated GHST won instead)

Standings after stage 11:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	4850	+135
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	4177	+127
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	3861	+130
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	3688	+130
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	3496	+84
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3270	+91
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	3256	+138
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	3098	+112
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	3039	+91
10th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3025	+89
11th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3015	+78

Today we get somewhat of an intermediate stage, with 2nd and 1st category summits along the way, which means the stage seems very well suited for a breakaway victory.

I will be stepping away. Good luck to everyone.

Quote from: Tric'hard Lenxheir on September 04, 2025, 10:06:35 AMI will be stepping away. Good luck to everyone.

Why? I hope you're ok...

Quote from: Glüc on September 04, 2025, 02:16:49 PM

Quote from: Tric'hard Lenxheir on September 04, 2025, 10:06:35 AMI will be stepping away. Good luck to everyone.

Why? I hope you're ok...

Because I sometimes get a little depressed and when I do I get grouchy and I just need to back away. I'll leave my team up, not like I have to do anything with it just not going to be commenting

Stage 12 Laredo -> Los Corrales de Buelna

Massive 50+ rider breakaway, which largely stayed intact until the end. As such, TCAT teams had to do without their GC riders, who would never be allowed in the break, and it was a chance for teams with more stagehunters and fewer GC riders to shine: Port Maxhestic had as many as four riders among the 40ish who made it (Ayuso, Pedersen, Armirail, Küng) and duly exploited their advantage, going on to win the stage, their riders finishing first (for a second stage win by Ayuso), 5th, 17th and 21st respectively.

The next four best teams all scored similarly - Velociposse scored the second most points, holding Ayuso as well as Buitrago (8th), and the other three were the three teams with three riders in the breakaway: Cjovani, Dead Last and the Cabana Boys. Conversely, little luck for CFA and EVC, two of three teams with a single breakaway rider - the third one, GHST, is saved only by Campenaerts placing fourth.

Port Maxhestic takes a decent leap towards the top half and the battle for the podium, but does not gain any position; while Velociposse gains three, in a still extremely tight bottom half of the standings.

Standings after stage 12:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	5130	+280
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	4533	+356
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	4055	+194
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	4034	+346
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	3850	+354
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3756	+486
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	3393	+137
8th	(+3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3386	+371
9th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3274	+249
10th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	3223	+125
11th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	3222	+183

Today, this edition's queen stage is coming up, with a summit finish on the extremely tough ascent of Alto de l'Angliru, possibly the steepest climb in any TCAT edition (we're still waiting for Monte Zoncolan to finally make its maiden TCAT appearance in a future edition of the Italian leg...). Very good chance today will make or break many riders's prospects in the final overall classification, and in turn, each TCAT team's chances based off the very important end of tour points.

Quote from: Sir Lüc on September 05, 2025, 08:15:25 AMVery good chance today will make or break many riders's prospects in the final overall classification, and in turn, each TCAT team's chances based off the very important end of tour points.

Specifically, it killed GHST, for a third leg out of three. I should have known:)

Stage 13 Cabezón de la Sal -> L'Angliru

The break didn't have much of a chance yesterday. Instead it was up to the favourites and the tough final climb to L'Angliru really separated the weak from the strong. The strong in this case being Almeida (CFA/DED/REX) who just beat Vingegaard to the line. Everyone else lost time, although Hindley (CFA/REX/VFL) had a strong performance and got in third and climbed to fourth place in GC. Gall (EVC) and Kuss (CFA) also did well. Pellizzari (CFA) and Pidcock (BDC/DED/EVC/REX/VFL) limited their losses but still lost time to the top 2, while Armirail (CHX/MCB/PTM) and Jorgenson  (EVC/GHS/MCB) were among the losers of the day.

We also had a high profile dropout in O'Connor (CFA/CHX/VFL), who already had lost a lot of time since his crash in stage 10. Barcélo (MCB) DNFed as well. These are only the 5th and 6th tcat riders to drop out so far, which all in all isn't a terrible score. (The 4th was Chaves btw, who DNFed in stage 12, which was a big loss for PTM on a day they otherwise did very well in)

Anyway, the entire top 4 of the day consisted of Cézembre Fiescha riders, which we think might be a record (?). The resulting score isn't quite a record (the record score is 1060 fwiw), but is still monstrous and gains CFA four places in the standing.

Standings after stage 13:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	5627	+497
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	5043	+510
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	4585	+530
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	4474	+440
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	4310	+460
6th	(+4)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	4195	+972
7th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	4097	+341
8th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	4003	+610
9th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	3862	+640
10th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3798	+524
11th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3761	+375

Typical for the Vuelta we have a lot of climbing stages, and today is no different, with two first category summits, the latter of which is also the finish. Could be a break, or could be another win for the GC guys

Stage 14 Avilés -> La Farrapona. Lagos de Somiedo

Lightning quick update. Breakaway almost completely fell to the charging GC riders: the lone survivor and today's winner was Marc Soler (BDC), who nets Banqeu de Cézembre a second daily win. A close second is of course Fieschă, who hold three out of the four GC leaders, today in 2nd, 3rd and 4th behind Soler: Vingegaard, Almeida and Hindley, in this order.

Long-term horrible news for GHST and Cjovani, whose Bernal-Ciccone duo fell out of GC contention in one swoop and seems unlikely to be able to contest for a top 10 spot; Fieschă's situation instead gets even better, if possible, with Sepp Kuss climbing up to 8th in GC.

Standings after stage 14:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6030	+403
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	5411	+368
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	5358	+773
4th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	4911	+716
5th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	4868	+394
6th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	4632	+629
7th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	4601	+291
8th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	4444	+347
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	4346	+484
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	4283	+485
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	4056	+295

Today, a mountainous first half makes way for a sprinter-friendly finale. The stage just finished - find out how it went shortly!

Apparently MCB stands for Middling Cabana Boys LOL

(https://media1.giphy.com/media/jQ3gYi06Kq1AC7iP1a/giphy.gif)

The profile of stage 15 seemed to invite a succesful break, so as a result everyone wanted to be in it. The first part of the stage was tough so some several riders who could have been succesful in a sprint didn't manage to get in the group. Some did however, and the last part of the stage didn't have as much climbing, so the attacks from riders who didn't fancy their chances against Pedersen in a sprint were all reeled in. The result was a reduced bunchsprint.

Pedersen (DED/MCB/PTM) succeeding in finally winning a stage, followed by Aular (CJO), Frigo (PTM) and Buitrago (BDC/DED/MCB/REX/VFL). Bernal (CJO/GHS) and Ciccone (CHX/CJO/GHS/MCB)  were also in the break and gained some places in GC as a result (even though they are no longer contending for the overall victory) while Vine (GHS/DED) used the opportunity to extend his lead in the King of the Mountains classification.

Despite the name (and with no protestors blocking the finish) Dirnalaiset Mortescu managed to score the most points as a result and significantly reduced the gap with GHST as we went into the second restday.

Standings after stage 15:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6418	+388
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	6021	+610
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	5605	+247
4th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5372	+504
5th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	5065	+464
6th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5045	+134
7th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	4922	+478
8th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	4762	+130
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	4573	+227
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	4404	+121
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	4256	+200

Tomorrow: more climbing and another uphill finish in a stage near the west coast of Galicia that quickly enters Portugal as well.

No time for a full update I'm afraid - very busy at a congress rn. GHST and Cjovani's Bernal won, but it is EVC who gets the daily stagewin with Landa in second and Bagioli 13th and just ahead of the GC favourites.

Standings after stage 16:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6825	+407
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	6168	+147
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	5783	+178
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5553	+181
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	5450	+385
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5368	+323
7th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	5202	+440
8th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5028	+106
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	4708	+135
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	4567	+163
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	4343	+87

Today, one of the last chances to put time on each other (very crucial especially for non-TT proficient climbers).

Stage 17   »   O Barco de Valdeorras  ›  Alto de El Morredero

Today was one for the GC and indeed the last 5 riders remaining in front were also the top 5 of the current standings. We didn't get a real all out fight for GC however and no decisive blows were landed. In the end it was Pellizzari (BDC/CHX) who got away and finished in first place, 18 seconds ahead of Pidcock (BDC/DED/EVC/REX/VFL), followed by Hindley (CFA/REX/VFL), Vingegaard and Almeida (CFA/DED/REX).

Vingegaard remains in the lead, but the difference with Almeida is less than a minute. Pidcock, Hindley and Pellizzari follow on 2'28", 3'04" and 3'51" respectively.

Just like the fight for the red jersey has not been decided, the situation in TCAT is also still unclear with GHST having a significant lead, but not doing well in the GC standings and therefore likely suffering when we get to eot points. Today was a good day for their competitors, with BdC winning and Fiescha also doing very well.

Standings after stage 17:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	7151	+326
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	6616	+448
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	6481	+698
4th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	6012	+644
5th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5896	+343
6th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	5833	+631
7th	(-2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	5727	+277
8th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	5330	+622
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5249	+221
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	5045	+478
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	4805	+462

Tomorrow we get the only ITT of this edition. A short, flat parcours through the city of Valladolid. There aren't many stages left so perhaps this will tell us a bit more (if it doesn't get interrupted by protests). Specialist Ganna (BDC/DED/REX/VFL) should probably be the favourite.

I really don't have much time for update today sorry. Also for a recap of thursdays time trial I'm afraid. Ganna (BDC/DED/REX/VFL) won that one ahead of Vine (GHS/DED), Almeida (CFA/DED/REX) and Armirail (CHX/MCB/PTM), and then Philipsen (BDC/DED/GHS/REX/VFL) beat Pedersen (DED/MCB/PTM), Aular (CJO) and Biermans (EVC) in the sprint yesterday. GC is still undecided, just as TCAT, where the result of these two days is Dead Last scoring the most points on both days and getting very close to dead first, but presumably several teams are still in the running for the final victory.

Standings after stage 19:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	7904	+381
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	7812	+519
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	7216	+352
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	6671	+208
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	6580	+320
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	6329	+293
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	6141	+257
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	6106	+315
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5973	+281
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	5423	+97
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	5380	+287

Two stages today, including a mountain stage with a HC finish today, which will determine the overall GC winner and the traditional sprint in Madrid on sunday.

Is Dead Last going to be first? It looks like it, but it depends on Pedersen. Yesterdays stage saw Vingegaard giving the decisive blow on the Puerto de Navacerrada, winning the stage and securing the overall victory. Kuss (CFA) came second, followed by Hindley (CFA/REX/VFL), Pidcock (BDC/DED/EVC/REX/VFL) and Almeida (CFA/DED/REX), resulting in Kuss climbing to 7th place. The top 4 remains the same, but Pellizzarri lost time and drops to 6th (BDC/CHX). The result is another massive stagewin for Fiescha.

Standings after stage 20:

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	8551	+647
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	8350	+538
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	7801	+585
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	7608	+937
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	7138	+558
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	7005	+676
7th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	6693	+587
8th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	6634	+493
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	6343	+370
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	5897	+474
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	5801	+421

We know the final results in GC which also tells us most of the end of tour points that will be awarded. Cézembre Fiescha will score a lot of points from having 3 riders in the top 4 of the standings and 4 riders in the top 7. However, the gap with the top 2 is just a bit too large. The first for the podium is still very much on. BdC needs Philipsen to do very well today to keep third place, otherwise CFA will overtake them.

 Dirnalaiset Mortescu however is not that many points removed from GHST. At the moment GHST is still in the lead, but there is one stage to go, for this edition and for this season and it's the stage to Madrid which will likely end in a sprint. Philipsen might be the favourite, but if Pedersen is competitive he will likely score enough points to secure the overall victory for Dead Last!

It will come down to the wire. GHST is not defeated yet, but advantage DED.

Apologies for missing the stage 18 and 20 updates, it's been a busy week. Seismic engineering congress and a wedding back-to-back don't make for a lot of free time.

Thankfully the stage 21 update is very short, because

Stage 21 Alalpardo -> Madrid

Did not really take place. People once again blocked the route to protest the inclusion of an Israeli-backed team while the Israeli government continues its genocide in Gaza. The stage was neutralised and later cancelled for security reasons moments before the peloton entered the final circuit in Madrid.

Points for the daily General Classification and for the two side classifications, plus assist points for GC and teams standings, were still given out and are reflected below, meaning Fieschă technically gets the stage win.

Standings after stage 21 and before EOT points:                                                               

Pos	±		Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	8663	+112
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	8466	+116
3rd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	7915	+114
4th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	7748	+140
5th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	7236	+98
6th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	7125	+120
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	6793	+100
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	6713	+79
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	6419	+76
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	5971	+74
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	5867	+66

Will this 197 point gap be enough for GHST to stay in front after EOT points are applied, or will EOT points overturn a second leg in a row?

FINAL STANDINGS (with End of Tour points)

Had the final stage played out, GHST vs DED would have come down to Pedersen vs Silva, while BDC needed Philipsen to win in order to stay in front of CFA. No wonder then that with the stage getting cancelled, all is moot and Gordon Hiatus Support Team wins TCAT Spain 2025 by a mere 97 points - the slimmest winning margin ever and a fourth extremely tight final result in a row. In doing so, GHST is the third team to win multiple legs in TCAT history, after Banqeu de Cézembre and Esqipă Velocostă, their previous leg win coming three years ago, also in Spain. It is also their best result by points scored, and just the fourth time in 11 editions that the winner crosses the 10K mark.

Close but no cigar for Dirnalaiset Mortescu, who are just the second team to cross the 10K points mark without winning the leg; they still get their best ever result and a second podium after France 2024. And Fieschă gets a second third place in a row - the only double podium this season other than Velocostă - scoring the most End of Tour points of any team, but not enough to close the gap with the leading duo. Unfortunately for BDC, their (slim but real) hopes of scoring enough with Philipsen to resist Fieschă could not come to pass, and they miss out on the podium for a third leg in a row. The other position swap as a result of End of Tour points is Velocostă overtaking the Cabana Boys for fifth place.

Pos	±		Team	Pts	EoT
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	10178	+1515
2nd	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	10081	+1635
3rd	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	9938	+2190
4th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	9740	+1845
5th	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	8895	+1750
6th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	8676	+1440
7th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	8553	+1740
8th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	7958	+1245
9th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	7489	+1090
10th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	7301	+1310
11th	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	6977	+1090

SIDE CLASSIFICATIONS

Two side classification wins (one shared) for the Cabana Boys, proving Spain is particularly lucky for them in this respect after they swept all three classifications in 2023. These two make it five side classification wins for MCB.

The Sprinters's Classification came down to the teams with Pedersen, winner of the points's classification, but MCB edged out the other two thanks to Ciccone, who is not a sprinter but stayed high up in the points's classification for long enough.

The Climbers's Classification was won by Gordon Hiatus Support Team; just as with the sprinters, the two teams holding the winner of the equivalent real-world classification (Jay Vine) battled it out at the top, but the Belacostan team made the difference through holding Jonas Vingegaard. It is the fourth win in the Climbers's Classification for GHST and the eighth in any side classification.

In the Combativity Classification, MCB and Cyclohexane share the win. They both hold Ciccone, Armirail and Bagioli, who scored 120 of the 200 points. Tiberi added a further 60 for the Belacostans, while Pedersen was the biggest contributor to the rest of the Maricopans's haul. We already discussed the Cabana Boys's stats, while it is just the third side classification win for Cyclohexane, who won the Sprinters's Classification twice before.

SPRINTERS'S CLASSIFICATION - second win by MCB after Spain 2023
(intermediate sprint points + daily points' classification points)
Maricopa Cabana Boys 894
Dirnalaiset Mortescu 799
Port Maxhestic AC 752
Gordon Hiatus Support Team 619
Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs 471
Naziun Cjovani 401
Cyclohexane 394
Cézembre Fieschā 340
Esqipă Velocostă 314
Els Talossaes Rexhitais 283
Velociposse Florencia 217

CLIMBERS'S CLASSIFICATION - fourth win by GHST
(summit points + daily KOM points)
Gordon Hiatus Support Team 677
Dirnalaiset Mortescu 612
Cézembre Fieschā 575
Port Maxhestic AC 440
Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs 423
Naziun Cjovani 404
Esqipă Velocostă 376
Cyclohexane 344
Maricopa Cabana Boys 328
Els Talossaes Rexhitais 278
Velociposse Florencia 196

COMBATIVITY CLASSIFICATION - second ever shared win; first by CHX, second by MCB after Spain 2023
(20 pts per breakaway rider)
Maricopa Cabana Boys 200
Cyclohexane 200
Gordon Hiatus Support Team 180
Port Maxhestic AC 180
Esqipă Velocostă 160
Dirnalaiset Mortescu 140
Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs 120
Naziun Cjovani 120
Velociposse Florencia 120
Els Talossaes Rexhitais 80
Cézembre Fieschā 60

FINAL SEASON STANDINGS

Saving the best for last - congratulations to Esqipă Velocostă for winning the 2025 season of TCAT. An underwhelming (for their standards...) 5th place in the spanish leg is still enough to win by about 350 points over Gordon Hiatus Support Team, who finish second for a second season in a row. Outgoing champions Banqeu de Cézembre complete the podium. It is the first time we manage to get ten teams into the final standings by taking part in all legs, which is very nice to see. It is also the tightest final season standings by far, with both previous seasons going to BDC by roughly 3K points each time.

Pos	±		Team	Pts
1st	(=)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	26899
2nd	(+1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	26547
3rd	(+3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	24960
4th	(+3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschǎ (CFA)	24515
5th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	23916
6th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	23050
7th	(-3)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	23028
8th	(+2)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	22879
9th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	22645
10th	(-1)	(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	21348

BONUS: ALL-TIME STAGE WINNERS

Continuing the tradition from the previous leg to also update on the all-time stage (daily) winners. Not the first time the team with the most stage wins does not win the season: it also happened in 2022, when Kinetic won the season with just 3 daily wins. In a nice touch, we had three more teams getting at least a daily win (12) compared to last year.

	Team	Stage Wins	2022	2023	2024	2025
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Banqeu da Cézembre (BDC)	51	11	15	20	5
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	35	6	5	11	13
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	17	-	3	9	5
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FL.webp)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	17	3	4	4	6
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	Els Gagnheirs (GNH)	16	5	11	-	-
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/CZ.webp)	Cézembre Fieschă (CFA)	16	-	2	9	5
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	15	-	8	2	5
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	15	12	2	0	1
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	13	-	7	3	3
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/VD.webp)	Dead Last (DED)	12	-	3	4	5
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	10	-	-	-	10
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MA.webp)	Rexhitais/Cantzelerïă (REX)	6	-	1	1	4
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/FV.webp)	Kinetic Racing (KIN)	4	3	0	-	1
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/MM.webp)	els Averatxeirs (ATX)	2	-	2	-	0
(https://database.talossa.com/static/img/BE.webp)	Valcürïăs (VAL)	2	2	0	-	-

Well that was an eventful season. Kind of a weird ending, although somehow appropriate I guess. Three close finishes (all within 220 points).

Congrats to Lüc for winning this leg. Congrats to Mic'haglh for winning the season standing. (Strong performances by the Belacostăn teams. Next year I'm sure we'll see Cézembre strike back.)

Thanks everyone for playing and as usual of course many thanks to Lüc for co-hosting!

See you all next year!

This proves I should never do any more research again

Quote from: Sir Lüc on September 15, 2025, 09:36:08 AMFINAL STANDINGS (with End of Tour points)
Had the final stage played out, GHST vs DED would have come down to Pedersen vs Silva, while BDC needed Philipsen to win in order to stay in front of CFA.

I demand to replay the last stage!