🚴 Weekly Cycling News Roundup — Monday, 21 July 2025

This week served up a rollercoaster of victories, tragedies, tech, and new faces in the peloton. Here are five fresh, non-repeated stories you won’t have seen in previous rundowns—vaulting us beyond repeats and into new terrain.

1. Tim Wellens Claims Stage 15 Solo Win in Iconic Breakaway

What happened:

On Stage 15 from Muret to Carcassonne, seasoned Belgian Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) attacked from a reduced four-man breakaway with 44 km to go. He deceptively built a lead down the descent and edged a solo win—a first-ever Grand Tour stage win for UAE this year  .

Why it matters:

Wellens’ move wasn’t just bold—it was tactical brilliance. By landing a stage win without disrupting UAE’s GC tilt (Tadej Pogacar remained in yellow), it reinforced the team’s dual strategy: pursue overall victory while picking opportunistic stage wins.

Our take:

This is a reminder that experience pays—Wellens seized a rare opening and capitalised with finesse. His win adds polish to UAE’s dominance and shows that even in a GC-focused race, smart opportunism pays dividends.

2. Pogačar Reclaims Yellow After Commanding Hautacam Performance

What happened:

Tadej Pogacar roared to a Stage 12 win atop Hautacam, launching a decisive solo attack with 12 km to go and reclaiming the yellow jersey by 3:31 over Jonas Vingegaard  .

Why it matters:

This wasn’t just another day in the mountains—this was climbing mastery. Despite recovering from a crash, Pogacar outclassed rivals, showcasing emotion and strength as he dedicated the win to late rider Samuele Privitera.

Our take:

It’s the sort of performance that separates legends from contenders. Pogacar’s battle for yellow is driving the race, and his resilience makes him a favorite again—not just for the win, but for the story.

3. Ben Healy’s Yellow Show: Irishman Rocks First Week

What happened:

EF Education–EasyPost’s Healy launched a daring 42 km solo in Stage 6 to win and then took yellow. Though he later slipped to 11th after Hautacam, he resumed aggressive form by climbing back into the top 10 on Stage 14 at Luchon-Superbagnères  .

Why it matters:

Healy’s ascension highlights an underdog’s burst into yellow—something Ireland hadn’t seen since Stephen Roche in 1987. His performance is injecting drama into GC narratives, proving he’s not just a breakaway specialist—but a credible threat.

Our take:

Healy’s ride brings a breath of fresh air to Tour storylines: youthful audacity, national pride, and actual yellow jersey. Whether he stays in contention for three weeks is still up in the air—but sure, he’s shaking things up.

4. Tragedy in Aosta: 19-Year-Old Samuele Privitera Dies During Race

What happened:

Samuele Privitera, a promising 19-year-old rider from Hagens Berman Jayco, crashed during Stage 1 of the Giro della Valle d’Aosta and tragically passed away. The race canceled the next stage to honor him  .

Why it matters:

Cycling’s often glory-filled narrative has its darker chapters. Privitera’s death is a stark reminder of the sport’s risks and the fragile nature of its young talent. Safety protocols are now under scrutiny, as organizers and federations pledge to do better.

Our take:

We pause here. Tributes matter, but so does action. Enhanced safety, awareness, and regulations must follow words. Privitera was not just a result—he was someone’s dream. Let’s make sure his legacy leads to change.

5. ‘Wheels of Udaan’ Exhibition Chronicles India’s Cycling Evolution

What happened:

In Bhopal, the “Wheels of Udaan – A Ride Through Time” exhibit launched, charting India’s cycling story from heritage bikes to modern carbon racers and time-trial machines—urging cycling as a green mode of transport .

Why it matters:

This marks a cultural shift: cycling’s perception in India is transforming from recreational to environmental solution. With officials aiming to make Bhopal a “Cycling Capital,” infrastructure, awareness, and community rides may follow.

Our take:

It’s a fresh angle—cycling politics, not podiums. If you think pro racing isn’t connected to daily rides, this exhibit proves how global culture and transport policy can ride tandem with sports enthusiasm.

Conclusion

This week’s mix reminds us cycling is multidimensional: power, tragedy, joy, policy—all intertwined. From Wellens’ gambit to Pogacar’s ascent, Healy’s splash, Privitera’s silence, and India’s urban rebirth, it’s clear the sport lives beyond podiums. And that, my friends, is why we ride, report, and reflect.