I’m both very excited and equally nervous about the upcoming pro cycling season. Excited because, although I still won’t have a reason to get dressed each day, I’ll have something to look forward every afternoon other than closing my shutters and sitting in the dark till, well, dark. Nervous because I can’t imagine it’ll be very long before a pro rider gets Covid-19, putting the whole season in jeopardy. Or, as a friend just brought up today, a bunch of fans on the side of the road.

Well, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of what I can, while I can. And the whole thing gets started with one of the best races of the year – Strade Bianche, on August 1st, nine short days away. Here are the main races of the men’s truncated season.

Next day: it seems there’ll be some heavy hitters riding before Strade Bianche – the Vuelta a Burgos starts next Tuesday and will have Nairo, Remko and a few other big names.

And the women…