Stage racing returns to the calendar this week with the Tour de Luxembourg (17–21 September), the first multi-day event following the Vuelta a Espana. The five-day race promises a varied parcours, with summit finishes, an individual time trial and a classics-style finale all set to shape the general classification.
At the centre of attention will be Brandon McNulty, who leads UAE Team Emirates - XRG in Luxembourg. The American has already delivered a string of standout results in 2025 and will look to continue his momentum as the team closes in on the all-time record for victories in a single season. McNulty will have strong support from Jhonatan Narváez, giving UAE additional firepower across terrain that rewards both climbing strength and punch.
McNulty’s path to overall victory is far from straightforward. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl–Trek), Richard Carapaz (EF Education–EasyPost), Ben Healy (EF Education–EasyPost), Romain Grégoire (Groupama–FDJ) and UAE teammate Marc Hirschi are all expected to be in contention. Each brings a different threat: from Carapaz’s Grand Tour pedigree to Skjelmose’s consistency and Healy’s attacking flair.
Stage 1: Luxembourg–Luxembourg (152.8 km)
- An opening circuit around the capital with the Côte de Stafelter (2.2 km at 7.2%) close to the finish. Attacks from the GC favourites are possible, though a reduced bunch sprint is the more likely outcome.
Stage 2: Remich–Mamer (168.4 km)
A flatter profile that should favour the sprinters, though the finishing laps around Mamer could open the door for late moves.
Stage 3: Mertert–Vianden (170.5 km)
A decisive day with repeated ascents of the Montée de Niklosbierg (2.8 km at 9.3%). The brutal ramps of this climb, tackled three times, are expected to create significant time gaps in the GC.
Stage 4: Niederanven–Niederanven (ITT, 26.3 km)
A flat individual time trial where McNulty will start as the favourite. The American could well establish a commanding lead here, with only one intermediate checkpoint at the 15 km mark.
Stage 5: Mersch–Luxembourg (classic-style, 180 km)
The race concludes with a demanding, rolling finale. With relentless climbing and no real chance to recover, the final stage offers a fittingly selective conclusion to one of the most scenic races of the late season.
With a balanced route blending climbing, time trialling and puncheur-friendly terrain, the 2025 Tour de Luxembourg is set to reward all-rounders. McNulty begins as the man to beat, but with a deep field of rivals eager to test themselves, another tight and unpredictable edition looks in prospect.
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Prediction and favourites Tour de Luxembourg 2025
*** Brandon McNulty, Mattias Skjelmose
** Jhonatan Narváez, Ben Healy, Romain Gregoire
* Richard Carapaz, Jordan Jegat, Davide Piganzoli, Marc Hirschi, Nicolas Prodhomme, Lennard Kamna
Pick: Brandon McNulty
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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- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
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