In this comprehensive cycling news update, we tackle the burning question for the upcoming Tour of Flanders: can anyone truly keep pace with Tadej Pogačar? While the answer appears to lean towards ‘unlikely,’ we also revisit the thrilling action from Dwars Van Vlaanderen, anticipate the Tour de France’s grand start in Barcelona, ponder the unique value of Pogačar’s Milano-Sanremo skinsuit, and share a uniquely flat ‘Ride of the Week.’
Flanders Prognostications: Who Can Hold Pogačar’s Wheel?
Even with the late entry of Remco Evenepoel to the Tour of Flanders startlist, the prevailing sentiment remains that Tadej Pogačar is the overwhelming favorite. Despite Evenepoel’s undeniable strength and the apparent return to form for Wout van Aert, who fiercely pursued Ganna at Dwars door Vlaanderen, Pogačar’s dominance is expected to continue. Mathieu van der Poel is considered the most significant challenger, though his performance hinges on whether he showcases the power seen at E3, rather than the struggles experienced at Milano-Sanremo.
Can van der Poel and van Aert team up again — this time to actual victory?
Beyond these formidable four, genuine contenders seem scarce. Tom Pidcock is absent, Brennan’s expected strength hasn’t materialized, and Mads Pedersen, despite a rapid recovery from injury, might struggle on the crucial climbs. There’s a hopeful possibility of a more coordinated peloton, reminiscent of recent races where teams have successfully collaborated to chase down breakaways. A tactical alliance involving riders like Evenepoel, Ganna, Van Aert, and Van der Poel on the relatively flat final 15km of De Ronde’s notoriously challenging course could create an epic finish.
However, the likelihood of such cooperation is low, given potential individual fatigue (Van Aert), cooperative challenges (Evenepoel), or course-specific difficulties (Ganna on steep climbs). Ultimately, Pogačar is predicted to execute his characteristic winning strategy, breaking away on a decisive final climb and maintaining a calculated lead to the finish line. While a Pogačar victory is anticipated, the cycling world longs for a truly hard-fought race to the very end.
Race News
Ganna’s Last-Gasp Glory at Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Men’s)
The 80th edition of Dwars Door Vlaanderen delivered a truly dramatic finish, especially for fans of Filippo Ganna, though perhaps less so for supporters of Wout van Aert. On a day filled with early attacks, crashes, and mechanical failures – including two for Ganna himself – the Italian powerhouse demonstrated incredible resilience. Van Aert ignited the decisive moves, first splitting the peloton on the Eikenberg and then breaking away on the Nokereberg, eventually riding solo with 30km remaining to a roaring crowd. His victory seemed certain.
However, Ganna, having overcome his earlier setbacks, launched a relentless chase in the closing kilometers, dramatically catching van Aert within the final 100 meters to claim a stunning win. Søren Wærenskjold of Norway secured third place. Ganna described his triumph as ‘amazing,’ acknowledging van Aert’s ‘impressive performance’ and crediting his own legs for the late surge. For van Aert, it was another instance of animating the race only to be denied victory at the very end, a pattern he will undoubtedly hope to break in future events.
Top Ten — 80th Dwars Door Vlaanderen
| Rnk | Rider | Team | UCI | Pnt | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ganna Filippo | INEOS Grenadiers | 400 | 225 | 3:48:27 |
| 2 | van Aert Wout | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 320 | 150 | ,, |
| 3 | Wærenskjold Søren | Uno-X Mobility | 260 | 110 | ,, |
| 4 | Girmay Biniam | NSN Cycling Team | 220 | 90 | ,, |
| 5 | Pithie Laurence | Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe | 180 | 80 | ,, |
| 6 | Aular Orluis | Movistar Team | 140 | 70 | ,, |
| 7 | Laporte Christophe | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 120 | 60 | ,, |
| 8 | Philipsen Jasper | Alpecin-Premier Tech | 100 | 50 | ,, |
| 9 | Braet Vito | Lotto Intermarché | 80 | 46 | ,, |
| 10 | Pedersen Mads | Lidl – Trek | 68 | 42 | ,, |
Reusser Outwits Vollering in Dwars door Vlaanderen Sprint (Women’s)
Marlen Reusser emerged victorious in the women’s Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, besting Demi Vollering in a two-up sprint after a prolonged breakaway. The duo launched their decisive move with 22 kilometers remaining, initiated by Reusser’s attack on the Eikenberg, which Vollering promptly matched. Their cooperation, though at times tactical and hesitant with mutual attempts to drop each other, proved effective in maintaining their lead over the chasing peloton.
As they approached the final kilometer, their cautious slowing allowed Lieke Nooijen to momentarily sweep past, an unexpected development that spurred the leading pair into action. Vollering reacted, bringing Reusser with her, before the Swiss rider perfectly timed her final burst to edge out Vollering at the finish line. Nooijen, having prompted the sprint, finished a respectable third. Notable pre-race contenders such as Lotte Kopecky and Elisa Longo Borghini were not in contention during the race’s decisive moments.
Top Ten — 14th Women’s Dwars door Vlaanderen
| Rnk | Rider | Team | UCI | Pnt | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reusser Marlen | Movistar Team | 400 | 225 | 3:09:12 |
| 2 | Vollering Demi | FDJ United – SUEZ | 320 | 150 | ,, |
| 3 | Nooijen Lieke | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 260 | 110 | ,, |
| 4 | Bäckstedt Zoe | CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto | 220 | 90 | 0:07 |
| 5 | Jansen Eline | VolkerWessels Cycling Team | 180 | 80 | ,, |
| 6 | Ferguson Cat | Movistar Team | 140 | 70 | ,, |
| 7 | Kool Charlotte | Fenix-Premier Tech | 120 | 60 | ,, |
| 8 | Koch Franziska | FDJ United – SUEZ | 100 | 50 | ,, |
| 9 | Swinkels Karlijn | UAE Team ADQ | 80 | 46 | ,, |
| 10 | de Jong Thalita | Human Powered Health | 68 | 42 | ,, |
Excitement Building for Barcelona’s Grand Départ
With just 100 days remaining until the Tour de France, Catalonia has embraced the spirit of the Yellow Jersey, illuminating 130 landmarks across 50 municipalities, including iconic sites like the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. This dazzling display offers a glimpse of the enthusiastic reception awaiting cyclists this July. Celebrations, joined by five-time Tour champion Miguel Indurain, included the unveiling of a countdown clock at Barcelona’s Arc de Triomphe, marking the culmination of a dream the city has held since 2009 to host the Grand Départ. Race director Thierry Gouvenou has indicated that the initial stages will be far from straightforward, with the challenging Montjuïc Castle climb featuring three times in Stage 2, promising an early test for the general classification favorites. Barcelona’s anticipation for the Tour, a decades-long aspiration, signals that July truly cannot arrive soon enough.
Team and Rider News
Purchase Pogačar’s Torn Milano-Sanremo Skinsuit — for Just $40,000!
For cycling enthusiasts, a unique piece of history is available: Tadej Pogačar’s torn skinsuit from his unforgettable Milano-Sanremo victory. Fans will recall Pogačar’s dramatic crash just before the Cipressa, his valiant chase back through the peloton, and his subsequent decisive attack to secure a remarkable win ahead of Tom Pidcock. The jersey, visible in post-race photos, bears authentic marks of his incident.
This very skinsuit, complete with dirt, sweat, and visible damage, is now up for auction. The proceeds will benefit the Tadej Pogačar Foundation, potentially offering donors a tax deduction beyond the garment’s intrinsic value – which some might argue is priceless. Currently, bids have reached 35,200 euros, approximately $40,000 USD. Owning such a significant memento is undoubtedly cool, but wearing it on a local group ride? That’s truly next level.
Course du Jour: Where to Watch Races — In Your Inbox
Discovering professional cycling races, particularly in North America, often presents challenges related to time zones and managing various streaming platforms. A new service, ‘Course du Jour,’ aims to simplify this. This platform delivers a daily email outlining professional cycling races, including their start times and viewing information, all conveniently localized to your specific time zone. The service is free, though there’s an option to support its creator. This tool promises to significantly enhance the experience of following the sport.
Cycling Canada Confirms 2026 Trade Teams
Cycling Canada has unveiled its official roster of Trade Teams for 2026, highlighting their crucial role in the nation’s athlete development framework. These Trade Teams comprise groups of Junior, U23, and Elite riders, with a mandate to maintain a predominantly Canadian roster. Competing across various cycling disciplines under their team banners, these organizations serve as a vital stepping stone for many athletes, providing a platform to showcase their abilities and gain experience working with sponsors.
TaG Cycling Team, a long-standing fixture among Cycling Canada’s Trade Teams, expressed excitement for the new season, citing their success in 2025 with notable second-place finishes at the Redlands Classic and Tour of the Gila. The 2026 season will see the return of several dedicated teams, reinforcing the national cycling scene through their ongoing commitment to rider progression. Additionally, Cycling Canada is pleased to introduce two new teams for the upcoming year.
The returning teams include:
- Cyclery Racing
- Équipe Dynamiks Feminine
- Hustle Pro Cycling
- IGNITE Junior Cycling Team
- Lametto Rose/Factors
- Milton Revolution Racing
- Red Truck Racing
- Siboire QuiRoule
- TaG Cycling Team
- PNW Racing
Cycling Canada is also proud to welcome two new teams in 2026:
- PRW Racing powered by Brio
- ZEP Racing Global Division
Mike’s Ride of the Week: The Central Valley Slog (Turlock to Davis)
269 feet gained in 120 miles. I dare you to beat that ratio.
This week’s ride is dedicated to all parents and individuals who expertly balance family responsibilities with their passion for cycling, and to those who transform everyday obligations into opportunities to ride. While I typically feature scenic routes or spirited group rides, this particular journey was one of pure, determined pragmatism.
Through the heart of California.
The 120-mile trek from my father-in-law’s retirement community in Turlock, through California’s Central Valley, to my home in Davis, was notable for its challenging headwind – a stark contrast to previous visits. Following a Strava-suggested route, I primarily navigated wide-shouldered roads and bike paths, appreciating the safety despite the often-monotonous scenery.
Along the way I saw many attempts at civic beautification. Some were well implemented.
But others…not so much.
Along the route, I observed various civic beautification efforts, some well-executed, others less so. A segment along a canal bike path offered a fleeting moment of pleasantness amidst the long grind. Sometimes, the objective is simply to cover the distance.
Video Highlight
A video featuring cycling analyst Chris Horner provides timeless insights into the enduring appeal of the Tour of Flanders, offering a valuable preview of this iconic race.
(Video content related to Tour of Flanders preview)