While the full World Tour schedule can be accessed here, the top-level cycling races in the world of cycling are still more than a month away. Nevertheless, as is tradition, we’re moving from Australia to Mallorca at the end of January, for the Spanish classics that traditionally kick off the European season.
To be accurate, in 2022, the season starts in Valencia, with the Gran Premi València, before moving to Mallorca for 5 one-day races. Just based on the sheer number of races happening in the Spanish island, I think it’s fair to say that’s where the season begins. Valencia is just a quick ferry or plane ride away anyway.
Below is the full schedule for the month of January:
| 23.01 | Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 – Gran Premi València | 1.2 | |
| 26.01 | Trofeo Calvia | 1.1 | |
| 27.01 | Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (Lloseta – Deia) | 1.1 | |
| 28.01 | Trofeo Pollença – Port d’ Andratx | 1.1 | |
| 28.01 – 31.01 | Tour of Sharjah | 2.2 | |
| 29.01 | Trofeo Alcudia – Port D’ Alcudia | 1.1 | |
| 30.01 | Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille La Marseillaise | 1.1 | |
| 30.01 | Grand Prix Megasaray | 1.2 | |
| 30.01 | Trofeo Playa de Palma – Palma | 1.1 |
The schedule is dominated by one-day races. Here you can view the detailed information of the Mallorcan ones. These are usually fun races, with a little bit of excitement for everybody. Some are more geared towards the sprinters, while others favor the puncheurs or the climbers.
Last year only four of the races took place (all but the Trofeo Playa de Palma), and the winners were, in order: Ryan Gibbons, Jesús Herrada, Winner Anacona, and André Greipel. Some big names here that show that these races are interesting.
I also want to highlight the GP de Marseille, once called, literally, La Marseillaise Opening Grand Prix. For many years it has been one of my favorite pre-WT races and this year should be no different. The parcours favors a certain level of unpredictability, with the race either ending in a big sprint or with a small group of escapees in front. It is usually dominated by the French teams which is a great sign for the spectacle. Everybody knows how competitive the French teams are (or, at least, fight to be) in their home races.
We also see a return of the Tour of Sharjah in 2022. The last edition of this race took place back in 2018 with Javier Moreno of team Delko Marseille. This race will certainly be used to prepare the UAE Tour which happens next month. No World Tour teams took part when this race last went on the road and, based on the race’s website, it doesn’t seem like any will this year either.
Finally, in Turkey, we have the Grand Prix Megasaray, on the 30th of January. If the start list is anything like the other Turkish races from the start of the season, no World Tour teams and less than a handful of Pro Teams will take part. Still, along with the Tour of Sharjah, it marks the start of the Asia Tour, which is important for a lot of Continental teams from the region.
I will try to catch, at least, a couple of the Mallorcan classics and surely won’t miss the GP in Marseille. What about you? How excited are you that cycling is back on the menu? Oof, every year it’s a long wait!