This week in cycling, all eyes are on the upcoming Tour of Flanders, with widespread speculation about whether anyone can truly challenge Tadej Pogačar. We also look back at the dramatic finishes of Dwars Door Vlaanderen for both men and women, get an update on the Tour de France’s exciting launch in Barcelona, and cover other intriguing stories from the professional cycling world, including a unique auction and significant team announcements.
Tour of Flanders Prognostications: Pogačar’s Reign?
Anticipation is high for the Tour of Flanders, and despite the recent news of Remco Evenepoel’s participation, many observers believe Tadej Pogačar remains the overwhelming favorite for victory. While the challenging parcours of ‘De Ronde’ might not perfectly suit Evenepoel, his presence undoubtedly adds strength to the field. Wout van Aert appears to be regaining his top form, as demonstrated by his strong performance in Dwars Door Vlaanderen, where Filippo Ganna narrowly beat him. Mathieu van der Poel is considered another credible threat, though his performance could vary, as seen in recent races.
Beyond these top contenders, the field appears less competitive. There’s a hopeful thought that the peloton might overcome its past collective-action issues and collaborate to chase down any breakaways, potentially forming a powerful alliance of riders like Evenepoel, Ganna, Van Aert, and Van der Poel. Such a scenario could lead to an epic finish, especially on the final flat 15 kilometers. However, the prevailing sentiment is that Pogačar will likely employ his proven strategy: launching a decisive attack on one of the final climbs and maintaining a calculated lead to the finish line. While a proper race to the finish is desired, Pogačar’s calculated dominance is widely expected.
Race News
Ganna’s Last-Gasp Victory at Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Men)
The men’s Dwars Door Vlaanderen delivered a thrilling and hard-fought race. From the start in Roeselare, the pace was relentless, marked by early attacks, crashes, and mechanical issues. Filippo Ganna, in particular, overcame a broken front wheel and handlebars, demonstrating remarkable resilience. The decisive move came on the Eikenberg, where Wout van Aert launched a powerful attack, forming a leading group before eventually riding solo with 30 kilometers to go. Despite Van Aert’s heroic effort and the roaring crowd, Ganna, having recovered from his misfortunes, powered through the closing kilometers. In a stunning late surge, he caught the stunned Belgian inside the final 100 meters to claim victory. Norway’s Søren Wærenskjold finished third. This outcome was a bitter pill for Van Aert, who animated the race but was denied the win, leaving fans to wonder when his day will come.
Reusser Outwits Vollering in Dwars door Vlaanderen Sprint (Women)
In the women’s Dwars door Vlaanderen, Marlen Reusser emerged victorious, outmaneuvering Demi Vollering in a tense sprint finish. The Swiss and Dutch riders broke away with 22 kilometers remaining after Reusser’s decisive attack on the Eikenberg. Their cooperation, though at times uneasy and tactical, allowed them to maintain their lead over the chasing peloton. As they approached the final kilometer, their hesitation allowed Lieke Nooijen to briefly sweep past, igniting the final sprint. Vollering responded, with Reusser staying on her wheel before launching her own powerful sprint to cross the line first. Nooijen took third place. Pre-race favorites like Lotte Kopecky and Elisa Longo Borghini were not in contention during the critical final moments.
Excitement Builds for Barcelona’s Tour de France Grand Départ
With one hundred days to go, Catalonia is buzzing with anticipation for the Tour de France Grand Départ. Iconic landmarks, from the Sagrada Familia to Casa Batlló, were illuminated in yellow across 50 municipalities, signaling a grand welcome for the riders in July. Five-time Tour winner Miguel Indurain joined the celebrations as a countdown clock was unveiled at Barcelona’s Arc de Triomphe, a city that has eagerly awaited this moment since 2009. Race director Thierry Gouvenou has promised that the opening stages will be far from easy, with the Montjuïc Castle climb, tackled three times in Stage 2, set to challenge the favorites early on. Barcelona’s long-held dream of hosting the Tour is finally becoming a reality.
Team and Rider News
Pogačar’s Torn Milan-Sanremo Skinsuit on Auction
Following his remarkable victory at Milan-Sanremo, where he crashed before the Cipressa but heroically recovered to win, Tadej Pogačar’s torn and soiled skinsuit is now up for auction. The jersey, clearly showing the evidence of his crash, is being sold to benefit the Tadej Pogačar Foundation.
As of the time of writing, the bidding has reached over 35,000 euros (around $40,000), highlighting the significant value collectors place on such a unique piece of cycling history.
Course du Jour: Your Daily Race Guide
A new service called ‘Course du Jour’ is gaining traction among cycling enthusiasts. It offers daily updates on professional cycling races, including start times and broadcast information, delivered directly to your inbox. Crucially, the times are translated into your local time zone, simplifying the process of following races globally, particularly challenging in regions like North America with varied streaming options and time differences. This free service aims to make keeping up with pro cycling much easier.
Cycling Canada Confirms 2026 Trade Teams
Cycling Canada has announced its roster of confirmed Trade Teams for 2026, which are instrumental in the country’s athlete development pathway. These teams, comprising Junior, U23, and Elite riders, are primarily made up of Canadian athletes and compete across all cycling disciplines under their team banner. Trade Teams provide a crucial step for many riders to showcase their talent and work with partners. Lesley Tomlinson, Owner of TaG Cycling Team, one of Cycling Canada’s longest-standing Trade Teams, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, highlighting their success in 2025.
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
269 feet gained in 120 miles. I dare you to beat that ratio.
This week’s ‘Ride of the Week’ is a tribute to the practical, everyday rides undertaken by dedicated cyclists balancing family and work commitments. The author recounts a 120-mile journey from his father-in-law’s retirement community in Turlock to his home in Davis, California’s Central Valley.
Through the heart of California.
Typically, this route benefits from a tailwind, but this particular reverse-direction ride meant battling a headwind for much of the journey. With a minimal elevation gain of just 269 feet over 120 miles, it was a test of endurance and pragmatism rather than scenic beauty.
Along the way I saw many attempts at civic beautification. Some were well implemented.
But others…not so much.
The route, chosen for safety on wide-shouldered roads and bike paths, offered little in terms of picturesque views, occasionally featuring quirky roadside art. It highlights the reality that sometimes, cycling is simply about putting in the miles, regardless of the glamour.
A bike path along the canal was…pleasant?
