"I had been waiting for this moment for a long time" - Michel Hessmann makes long-awaited return from doping ban for Movistar at Milano-Torino 2025
Cycling
The 2025 edition of the Milano - Torino had its share of memorable moments, offering celebrations for every type of cycling fan. From Isaac del Toro’s impressive victory to Michel Hessmann’s long-awaited debut with Movistar Team, it was a day to remember.
Hessmann, the German rider, quickly became one of the main stories of the day. While Einer Rubio’s strong fifth-place finish for Movistar Team was a standout performance, the spotlight was on Hessmann. At 23 years old, he was the latest signing for the Spanish squad, and this race marked his long-awaited first appearance of the season.
After serving a doping suspension that kept him out of competition since August 2023, Hessmann had finally returned to racing. Yet, despite the excitement of his comeback, he was unable to fully express his emotions after the race in an interview with Movistar Team.
"It was a good race. I was so happy to see some old teammates here. I was really excited before we started because I had been waiting for this moment for a long time. It’s so nice to finally be here with the guys," said Hessmann, reflecting on his return.
Hessmann’s role in Milano-Torino was more about gaining experience and building his form for future goals. Movistar Team’s main hope for the race was Einer Rubio, who finished in an admirable fifth place.
For Hessmann, the goal was clear: to build up his sensations within the peloton. "I felt really good in the bunch. I think I played a solid role for the team today. So, I couldn’t be happier," he added.
Looking ahead, we can expect to see more of Hessmann in Movistar Team’s lineup over the coming months. Once considered one of the most promising young riders in the world, the 23-year-old German is now ready to realize his potential. With time on his side, Hessmann could soon emerge as a key figure for Movistar Team in the future.
🇮🇹⛪️ #MilanoTorino
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) March 19, 2025
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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