Hello everyone. It’s PCT Christmas as we get the first look at what the band selection will look like for the PCT faithful. There have been some very interesting changes for this year’s bands so let’s take a look!
Band 1
Benelux Challenge
6
Down Under Classic
2
Milano - Torino
2
This might look incredibly similar to what you’re used to from last year and that’s because nothing has changed! Three standard races have made their back on the calendar with Benelux Challenge providing the regular chaos that has seen two very different types of winners in the last two years and then the standard classics in Down Under Classic and Milano – Torino. As always, it’s a varied band that provides value to wide variety of riders.
Band 2
Circulo de Juarez
5
Pro Hallstatt Classic
2
GP Lugano
2
Here the big differences start to show as there has been a structural change in the way the bands are being handled this season. Each band will consist of one stage race and then two one day classics to make up the rest of the race days. Circulo de Juarez maintains its place on the HC calendar with Arab Tour falling completely out of favour with the MGUCI in terms of HC selection. To fill out those race days Pro Hallstatt Classic will move up from its C1 classification last year alongside GP Lugano that moves from band 4 last year.
Band 3
Tour d'Andorra
5
Lisbon Classic
2
Macskako Kerekparverseny
2
Lisbon Classic is the only race that remains from last year’s band 3 as the challenging flat Portuguese one-day race will provide the only pure flat outing in this band. Tour d’Andorra is a great chance for the pure grimpeurs of the peloton to score some HC points as it moves from C1 to HC. The final race is something as rare as a relegation of a race as Macskako Kerekparverseny makes a move down from PT to HC due to MOL’s relegation. The race, that was last year won Jan Polanc, provides an additional cobbles-outing to the HC selection.
Band 4
Tour of Norway
5
GP Wallonie
2
Paris Tours
2
The fourth band of the 2025 season has undertaken a complete rework. As previously alluded to GP Lugano has made its jump to Band 2 and Tour de Pologne has left the HC calendar entirely. Instead, Tour of Norway moves from Band 5 to serve as the stage race. The modern classic on the HC calendar provides a great outing for the punchier time trials of the peloton. It will be flanked by a classics double consisting of GP Wallonie, which returns to HC action after a one-year hiatus and the French flat race Paris – Tours, that has previously been in every single type of HC category bar this one, completes the band.
Band 5
Post Danmark Rundt
5
Badaling International
2
Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne
2
Post Danmark Rundt remains in Band 5 this year where the flat TTers will get their chance to shine like they normally do. It’s very similar to band 4 but a key difference is the fact that the instead of a flat classic Kuurne- Bruxelles – Kuurne is making its HC category debut. At this point I am starting to sound like a scratched disk but we have another HC debutant in Badaling International will provide an opportunity for the puncheurs to test their grit in this band.
Band 6
Tour de Maroc
6
Strade Bianche
2
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
2
Band 6 is going to look somwhat familiar to any returning PCT manager from last year as Strade Bianche and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad both make their return for the 2025 season. Tour du Maroc pushes out Tour of Japan from the 6th band to make its return to HC action after two seasons on the C1 circuit. A stage race for the grimpeurs where they don’t have to worry about where they put their TT-bike as it won’t have to be pulled out of the shed. One of the biggest questions for this band is whether or not Omloop will still clash with Viana as that has some impact on the startlist for both races over the years.
Band 7
Tour de Romandie
6
Le Samyn
2
Giro dell'Emilia
2
Well well well, an actually unchanged band? I did not think that was possible! This band is the blueprint for what a well-balanced band looks like as the more well rounded GC riders will have ample opportunity to showcase their skills in Romandie, cobblers the chance to show their prowess in Le Samyn and then give their hills guys an Italian dessert in Giro dell’Emilia.
Edited by Ulrich Ulriksen on 22-07-2025 04:05
Mixed feelings to see Macskako Kerekparverseny downgraded to HC. Was the perfect race for me the last couple of years as possibly Polanc's best race so good memories there but with a sale looming, it likely wouldnt have been a good race for us anymore.
I see two potential goal races for us here, which is better than I was expecting. No flat/prologue HC race hopefully means a C1 one, as alongside hill/cobble hybrid races it's basically the only thing we did particularly well last season
Thanks to wj for the intro. A couple of race notes. While Norway is targeted at the same kind of riders the key stages are new so the balance could be different depending on how it is ridden.
Biggest note is Stade dirt sections are tagged as dirt under the feature added in 2024. In testing it I would say cobbles stat plays a role but not a decisive one. Although not sure how it will play for a top end cobbler. It looks like I missed the tags should be hilly with green cobbles I think. Will update later.
As someone who in their time in the division has never really had a great stage racer or timetrailist, these changes to the bands are obviously a huge bonus to me.
In my opinion removing DK/Norway band is the healthiest thing for that could be done for the overall balance question now becomes whether or not cobblers will have a few too many opportunities in HC this year rather compared to what it used to be but I think it's a good change to at least try out.
