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Rosters for Opening Weekend & Drome-Ardèche Classics

It feels like yesterday we started the off-season and here we are at the eve of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. It’s the start of the exciting Classics period in Belgium, France and the Netherlands where we will be present in all major World Tour Classics thanks to the wildcards Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team received.

26 February 2025.

Image: @MacPhtos

Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad :

Lining up for the iconic race between Gent and Ninove on Saturday is a team with seven nationalities: Rory Townsend (IRL), Jannik Steimle (GER), Frederik Frison (BEL), Nick Zukowsky (CAN), Kamil Małecki (POL), Fabio Christen (SUI) and Tom Pidcock (GBR).

Tom Pidcock finished already has four wins this season. He finished in the top ten of the Omloop in 2023 and 2024 and looks forward to race in Belgium again.
He said: “Omloop Nieuwsblad is always an interesting race. It’s the first one day race where everyone can really gauge how they came out the winter. I’ve never been on the podium in the Omloop. If I could manage that I would be very happy because I don’t think it suits me perfectly. However, I know my shape is good and it’s important to keep building on the momentum I have created with the team.”

Image: @MacPhtos

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne :

The day after Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will travel to Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne with a team of fast men: Matteo Mochetti, Giacomo Nizzolo, Nicoló Parisini, Rory Townsend, Frederik Frison, Kamil Małecki and Jannik Steimle.

Image: @MacPhtos

Ardèche and Drome Classic :

Another team will travel to France for the two one-day races in the Drome and Ardèche regions in the south of the country. These two classics are known for their challenging courses with lots of small climbs and technical descents. It’s the region where the European Road Championships will be held in September.

Xabier Mikel Azparren, Matteo Badilatti, Walter Calzoni, Sjoerd Bax, Marcel Camprubí, Milan Vader and Harm Vanhoucke represent Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in both the Ardèche and Drome Classic on Saturday and Sunday.

Matteo Badilatti said: “The Drome and Ardèche Classics are new races to me. The profiles look very challenging with all the climbs in quick succession. Racing in the French Cup is always aggressive which should be very exciting. I returned from Tour of Oman with good form and really look forward to continue my season in Europe.”