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	(=)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	26899
2nd	(+1)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	26547
3rd	(+3)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	24960
4th	(+3)		Cézembre Fieschǎ (CFA)	24515
5th	(-3)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	23916
6th	(-1)		Cyclohexane (CHX)	23050
7th	(-3)		Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	23028
8th	(+2)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	22879
9th	(-1)		Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	22645
10th	(-1)		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
	Banqeu da Cézembre (BDC)	51	11	15	20	5
	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	35	6	5	11	13
	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	17	-	3	9	5
	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	17	3	4	4	6
	Els Gagnheirs (GNH)	16	5	11	-	-
	Cézembre Fieschă (CFA)	16	-	2	9	5
	Cyclohexane (CHX)	15	-	8	2	5
	Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	15	12	2	0	1
	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	13	-	7	3	3
	Dead Last (DED)	12	-	3	4	5
	Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	10	-	-	-	10
	Rexhitais/Cantzelerïă (REX)	6	-	1	1	4
	Kinetic Racing (KIN)	4	3	0	-	1
	els Averatxeirs (ATX)	2	-	2	-	0
	Valcürïăs (VAL)	2	2	0	-	-

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 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	(=)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	10178	+1515
2nd	(=)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	10081	+1635
3rd	(+1)		Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	9938	+2190
4th	(-1)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	9740	+1845
5th	(+1)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	8895	+1750
6th	(-1)		Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	8676	+1440
7th	(=)		Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	8553	+1740
8th	(=)		Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	7958	+1245
9th	(=)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	7489	+1090
10th	(=)		Cyclohexane (CHX)	7301	+1310
11th	(=)		Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	6977	+1090

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	(=)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	8663	+112
2nd	(=)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	8466	+116
3rd	(=)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	7915	+114
4th	(=)		Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	7748	+140
5th	(=)		Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	7236	+98
6th	(=)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	7125	+120
7th	(=)		Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	6793	+100
8th	(=)		Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	6713	+79
9th	(=)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	6419	+76
10th	(=)		Cyclohexane (CHX)	5971	+74
11th	(=)		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?

Azul, the Chancery is in receipt of your request. As a Clark is currently underway, you will receive your seat starting from the next Clark (the sixth and last).

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	(=)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6825	+407
2nd	(=)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	6168	+147
3rd	(=)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	5783	+178
4th	(=)		Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5553	+181
5th	(=)		Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	5450	+385
6th	(=)		Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5368	+323
7th	(+1)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	5202	+440
8th	(-1)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5028	+106
9th	(=)		Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	4708	+135
10th	(=)		Cyclohexane (CHX)	4567	+163
11th	(=)		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).

TANDI QE Carter Montana tent compiaçat toct i resquiraziuns lexhitais per l'aðmiçiun àl Regipäts Talossan, es tent comvimçat la naziun es noi da sieu intereçù in la citaxhienità Talossan (la Mhiglhor Cosă Qe L'Erxhent Non Put Comprar), da sieu intenziun es desireu à partiçipar in noastră vidă naziunal, es da sieu leialtà àl Coronă, noi sint rat es þonourat àð aðmiçar perventüră Carter Montana àl statüs exaltat del 588-l:t CITAXHIÉN VEITAT DEL REGIPÄTS TALOSSAN, es dal provinçù Fiovă, cün toct i drepts, privilexhuns, es deveirs qi sint iherinds à ça.

Fäts par va mha in la nómină del Regeu Txec es sub sieu Saxhel Rexhital li 9. Septemvar in l'anneu dal eră comun 2025, in el prüm anneu del röin da noastra soveran cortös Regeu Txec, es el 46-l:t dal independençù da Talossa.

---

WHEREAS Carter Montana has completed all the legal requirements for admission to the Kingdom of Talossa, and has satisfied the nation and us of his interest in Talossan citizenship (the Best Thing Money Can't Buy), of his intention and desire to participate in our national life, and of his loyalty to the Crown, we are pleased and honoured hereby to admit Carter Montana to the exalted status of the 588th NATURALISED CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM OF TALOSSA, and of the province of Fiovă, with all the rights, privileges, and duties thereunto appertaining.

Done by my hand in the name of King Txec and under his Royal Seal this 9th day of September in the year of the common era 2025, in the first year of the reign of our gracious sovereign King Txec, and of the independence of Talossa the 46th.



Sir Lüc da Schir
Secretar d'Estat / Secretary of State

Oath sent over.

No, and I am currently attending a conference, meaning I will not be able to schedule my match within the present week. Given the delay already, you may consider me withdrawn from the tournament, with apologies.

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	(=)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6030	+403
2nd	(=)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	5411	+368
3rd	(=)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	5358	+773
4th	(+2)		Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	4911	+716
5th	(-1)		Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	4868	+394
6th	(+2)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	4632	+629
7th	(-2)		Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	4601	+291
8th	(-1)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	4444	+347
9th	(=)		Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	4346	+484
10th	(=)		Cyclohexane (CHX)	4283	+485
11th	(=)		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!

As you have already cast your votes on the Clark, I can only honour your request after the Clark is over. You are free to reconsider until then.

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 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	(=)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	5130	+280
2nd	(=)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	4533	+356
3rd	(=)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	4055	+194
4th	(=)		Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	4034	+346
5th	(=)		Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	3850	+354
6th	(=)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3756	+486
7th	(=)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	3393	+137
8th	(+3)		Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3386	+371
9th	(+1)		Cyclohexane (CHX)	3274	+249
10th	(-2)		Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	3223	+125
11th	(-2)		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.

No, and he hasn't logged back in since August 11.

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	(=)		Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	4715	+623
2nd	(=)		Dirnalaiset Mortescu (DED)	4050	+530
3rd	(=)		Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC)	3731	+322
4th	(=)		Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	3558	+343
5th	(=)		Naziun Cjovani (CJO)	3412	+270
6th	(=)		Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3179	+145
7th	(=)		Esqipă Velocostă (EVC)	3118	+395
8th	(=)		Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	2986	+328
9th	(+2)		Els Talossaes Rexhitais (REX)	2948	+358
10th	(=)		Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2937	+289
11th	(-2)		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.