Laigueglia Trophy 2025 takes shape: big names at the start on March 5
Road cycling is ready to turn the spotlight back on Italy with the 62nd edition of the Trofeo Laigueglia, scheduled for March 5, 2025. As per tradition, the Ligurian classic marks the opening of the Italian calendar and once again promises to be full of spectacle. After last year’s success of Lenny Martinez, this year’s parterre will again be top-notch with riders ready to challenge each other on the Ligurian roads.Among the entrants for the race organized by the Municipality of Laigueglia with the technical direction of Gruppo Sportivo Emilia, Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers), former world road champion and winner of monumental classics such as Milan-San Remo and the Amstel Gold Race, stands out.
Also watch out for Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), a young rising star of Spanish cycling, already on the podium at the Vuelta a España, and his compatriot and teammate, Pablo Torres Arias.
Italy is betting heavily on tricolor Alberto Bettiol (XDS Astana Team), already a winner of the Tour of Flanders, and on a group of experienced and talented riders such as Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team), a multiple stage winner at the Giro d’Italia, and Lorenzo Rota (Intermarché-Wanty), used to shining in one-day races. The spotlight is also on Filippo Baroncini (UAE Team Emirates), former U23 world champion, Samuele Battistella (Jayco AlUla), former stage winner at the Vuelta, and Simone Velasco (XDS Astana Team), Italian champion in 2023 and winner in Laigueglia in 2019.
Among the most anticipated protagonists are also Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates), winner of the Fedaia Pass stage at the Giro d’Italia 2022, and Davide De Pretto (Jayco AlUla); Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Olympic track gold medalist in Paris 2024, should also be watched.
There will also be no shortage of outsiders ready to surprise, such as the U.S. Sean Quinn and Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) and Belgian Koen Bouwman (Jayco AlUla), former winner of the GPM classification at the Giro d’Italia.
THE ROUTEThe Trofeo Laigueglia route repeats the pattern of recent editions. After an initial valley section and two Gran Premi della Montagna – Cima Paravenna and Testico – the race will come into its own with the final circuit, to be repeated four times. The ascent of Colla Micheri (2 km at 8.4 percent with peaks at 14 percent), interspersed with the Capo Mele climb, will be the centerpiece of the selection. The last 40 km, without respite, promise spectacle and tussle among the protagonists.The finish is scheduled in Via Roma in Laigueglia, with a final straight that will allow a gripping epilogue after a selective race.
TEAMS AND MAIN ENTRANTS*Arkéa-B&B Hotels – Elie Gesbert, Simon GuglielmiXDS Astana Team – Alberto Bettiol, Simone Velasco, Diego UlissiINEOS Grenadiers – Michal Kwiatkowski, Magnus Sheffield, Axel LauranceUAE Team Emirates – Juan Ayuso, Alessandro Covi, Pablo Torres, Jan Christen
Team Jayco AlUla – Davide De Pretto, Koen BouwmanIntermarché-Wanty – Lorenzo Rota, Simone Petilli, Louis BarréCofidis – Jesus Herrada, Benjamin Thomas, Valentin FerronEF Education-EasyPost – Sean Quinn, Darren RaffertyTotalEnergies – Mathieu BurgaudeauQ36.5 Pro Cycling Team – Gianluca Brambilla, Harm VanhouckeCaja Rural-Seguros RGA – Fernando Barceló, Eduard PradesTudor Pro Cycling Team – Michael Storer, Roland ThalmannVF Group Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè – Luca Covili, Martin MarcellusiTeam Polti-VisitMalta – Davide Bais, Alessandro TonelliBiesse-Carrera-Premac – Etienne GrimodGeneral Store-Essegibi-F.lli Curia – Giovanni BortoluzziMG.K Vis Construction and Environment – Andrea Cantoni, Ben GrangerUnibet-Tietema Rockets – Adam ŤoupalíkJCL Team Ukyo – Marino Kobayashi, Nicolò GaribboPetrolike – Jonathan Caicedo, Andrii PonomarMBH Bank Ballan CSB – Matteo Ambrosini
Sam – Vitalcare – Dynatek – Stefano Baffi, Christian Danilo PaseWagner Bazin WB – Davide Persico, Marco TizzaSC Padovani Polo Cherry Bank- Matteo ZurloSolution Tech Vini Fantini – Valerio Conti, Kristian Sbaragli, Alexandre Balmer
