PREVIEW | Tour de Luxembourg 2025: Can McNulty extend UAE’s record-breaking season?
CyclingThursday, 18 September 2025 at 10:59
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.
Read also
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
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- What does he need to pay Pogi to lead him out?Veganpotter04-12-2025
- Ayuso is not a surprise if you look at his previous 5yrs.Veganpotter04-12-2025
- What do you mean?BenAflec04-12-2025
- Just making the note that it’s actually closer to 120 because most of it is consumed in the first 4 hrs, not evenly across 5 hrs up until the finish.crharnishphd04-12-2025
- WVA dropped TP and his bad knee.Cyclingnut04-12-2025
- Everyone shouts "rider x" is getting better and could beat Pogacar... Tadej is still improving year on year too.....slappers6604-12-2025
- It's not a big blow for Pogacar. Today, Pogacar relies on a close, increasingly Slovenian circle of experts. Among them, the central figure is his longtime friend Ziga Jerman, who took on the role of masseur in 2025. Jerman has known Pogačar since before his global fame, when they cycled together at the Ljubljana club Rog, so Elguezabal’s departure does not pose a threat for Pogi but rather marks the end of a very successful chapter. UAE will have to fill the gap in its professional staff, but for Pogi, this departure will not play an important role.NikkoNicco04-12-2025
- OK, enough of this BS. No one went to college or university from kindergarten. First, Remco must graduate from high school with excellent results to meet with the professor Pogacar in university and to be in same room with him. But you see, Pogi the Great also has a PhD (doctorate in cycling). In 2026, I want to see that success from Remco in high school, because I haven't seen it in these 7 years.NikkoNicco04-12-2025
- calling him a star in cross before he beats MVDP or WVA is also a big stretch.mij04-12-2025
- I think once he's the undisputed leader in a race, he can become more consistent than he was in the past.Ride197404-12-2025
Loading
1 Comments