Rain and sunshine, suffering and euphoria, savage climbs and rapid descents, long breakaways and full-gas sprints, billiard-smooth tarmac and treacherous cobbles—the 2025 Peace Race U23 served up the ultimate cycling cocktail from the sport’s brightest young talents. In the end, the overall was decided by a mere two seconds. Revisit the 12th edition of this fan-favourite in the highlight video below.
“We really reworked the stages this year—made them faster and injected more dynamism. You could see it out on the road. Šternberk, Rýmařov, Dlouhé Stráně—they felt like completely different races. And the teams loved the format. All twenty-two of them,” said race director—and former Team Sky pro rider—Leopold König after the finish.
Part of the elite UCI Nations’ Cup U23, the Peace Race once again threaded the Jeseníky Mountains and their foothills, visiting familiar locations in fresh ways. Stage 1 from Krnov to Šternberk echoed last year’s French success thanks to Victor Louergue’s victory, though the Le Bleus squad would add no more laurels thereafter.
Stage 2 from Uničov to Rýmařov ended in a bunch gallop won by Anže Ravbar of Slovenia—following in the wheel tracks of his countryman and current WorldTour superstar Tadej Pogačar, who took the overall here back in 2018.
The decision again came on the queen stage, Stage 3 from Zábřeh to the summit finish at Dlouhé Stráně, where the upper reservoir of pumped-storage hydro power station, drained of water, looked for all the world like a giant velodrome. Simon Dalby (DEN) crested the brutal climb first, but thanks to time bonuses it was Pau Martí (ESP) who slipped into the overall lead—by just two seconds.
Despite wave after wave of attacks, the finale—Stage 4 from Jeseník to Šumperk—didn’t change the GC. In the sprint finish, Britain’s Noah Hobbs proved the quickest. “The Peace Race was perfect prep for August’s Czech Tour, and I’d like to invite all fans to join us there,” König added at the Šumperk finish.
Once again the event included the MND Kids’ Race, which drew a record field to Kouty nad Desnou. From the youngest categories up to older pupils, kids raced an attractive course for great prizes—then rode the cable car to watch the queen-stage summit finish live.
