This biking information roundup asks simply who will hold onto Tadej Pogacar at this weekend’s Tour of Flanders — and solutions: Nobody! Collectively we additionally relive some breathless racing at Dwars Van Vlaanderen, start looking forward to the Tour de France’s launch in Barcelona, and surprise on the worth of Pogačar’s MSR skinsuit — and the utter flatness of Mike’s Trip of the Week.
TOP STORY
- De Ronde Prognostications: Who Can Grasp on to Pogačar?
RACE NEWS
- Ganna’s Final-Gasp Glory at DDV
-
Reusser Outwits Vollering in Dwars door Vlaanderen Dash
- Pleasure Constructing for Barcelona’s Grand Départ
TEAM, RIDER AND PRO CYCLING NEWS
- Buy Pogi’s Torn MSR Skinsuit — for Simply $40,000!
- Course du Jour: The place to Watch Races — In Your Inbox
- Biking Canada Confirms 2026 Commerce Groups
MIKE’S RIDE OF THE WEEK
- Turlock to Davis: The Central Valley Slog
VIDEO
- Tour of Flanders Preview with Chris Horner
De Ronde Prognostications: Who Can Grasp on to Pogačar?
Right here I’d drafted this text in full, able to hit “Publish,” after I noticed the information: Remco Evenpoel will journey the Tour of Flanders.
And but, my reply to the query above remains to be: Probably nobody.
The winner of your second-favorite basic (to look at, in entirety) will nonetheless nearly definitely be Tadej Pogačar.
The counter-evidence: Whereas RVV might not be his splendid parcours, Remco certainly provides firepower. In the meantime, Wout appears to be again to his outdated self; Ganna confirmed admirable dedication in chasing him down at DDV Wednesday. Van der Poel stays probably the most credible menace — although it depends upon whether or not we see the MVDP who fell off on the Poggio, or the one who churned out his best-ever energy numbers final week at E3 (if these numbers are to be believed — energy meter variations however…).
Past this Massive 4? No actual competitors. Pidcock’s not on the startlist; Brennan’s not as sturdy as we thought. Mads has come again from his bilateral fracture remarkably rapidly, however gained’t be capable of sustain on the difference-making climbs.
Perhaps, although — simply possibly — we’ll see a realization of the cooperative promise that’s appeared in latest races: At instances the peloton has gotten over its collective-action problem, labored collectively, and both very almost caught escapees — as at Milan-Sanremo and E3 — or in reality reeled them in, as at Gent-Wevelgem. The Scandinavian combo of Andresen and the Uno-X squad are particularly adept at placing apart the second-guessing, collaborating, and testing sprinter towards sprinter (relatively than human towards superhuman, futilely chasing Pogačar with one-off assaults). Whereas the second half of de Ronde’s profile is absurdly lumpy, that run-out to the end is 15 kilometers and largely flat: Think about a built-for-purpose TTT assault by Remco, Ganna, Wout and van der Poel.
It could be epic — however I don’t see it occurring. There’s simply an excessive amount of that might go awry: Wout nonetheless feeling his heroic Dwars effort; Remco simply can’t cooperate; Ganna’s huge physique falls too far again on the steeps of the Paterberg. In the meantime, Tadej’s components, of which we’ve seen variations in each race from Flanders and now MSR to the Tour and the World Championships, will show sound. He’ll journey away on one of many previous few climbs, and he’ll maintain a measured margin to the end.
That’s my “will.” My “need”? A correct race — to the end.
RACE NEWS
Ganna’s Final-Gasp Glory at DDV
What a race! What a end — until you’re a Wout fan.
April Idiot’s Day in Flanders, simply earlier than Easter race weekend, and it was Wout van Aert who ended up with egg on his face — although you’d be a idiot to name him something however daring.
From the second the flag dropped in Roeselare, the race was contested at full fuel. Early assaults flew, crashes disrupted the bunch, and mechanicals added chaos to the carnage. Filippo Ganna himself snapped a entrance wheel after which broke his handlebars at separate factors — sufficient dangerous luck to ship most riders into the workforce automotive for a protracted sulk.
However the huge Roman saved his head.
The race lastly cracked aside on the cobbled slopes of the Eikenberg, the place van Aert launched a punishing transfer, bridging throughout to the leaders earlier than driving a small group clear. On the Nokereberg, the Belgian turned the screws once more — dropping Grégoire and ultimately driving clear with Larsen because the race entered its decisive part.
With 30 kilometres to go, van Aert was out entrance alone, the gang roaring. It appeared like his day. However Ganna, having recovered from his twin mechanicals (thanks partly to hanging on to a water bottle for slightly too lengthy) powered by the ultimate kilometers, catching the shocked Belgian within the last 100 meters. Norway’s Søren Wærenskjold got here house third.
“That is a tremendous victory for me,” stated Ganna. “Wout made a formidable efficiency. To catch him was not simple, however in the long run, the legs supported me to the end line.”
It was bitterly acquainted final result for van Aert — once more the person who made the race, once more denied victory. He’ll certainly have his day quickly.
Proper?
Prime Ten — eightieth Dwars Door Vlaanderen (courtesy of ProCyclingStats)
Reusser Outwits Vollering in Dwars door Vlaanderen Dash
Marlen Reusser claimed victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, outsprinting Demi Vollering after the pair had damaged away collectively within the closing phases of the 128.8-kilometre race by Flanders.
The Swiss rider and her Dutch companion established a lead of twenty-two kilometers from the end after Reusser launched a decisive assault on the Eikenberg, with Vollering rapidly bridging throughout. Regardless of uneasy cooperation between the 2 — marked by tactical hesitation and failed makes an attempt to drop each other — they managed to carry off the chasing peloton.
On the ultimate ascent of the Nokereberg, Karlijn Swinkels tried to shut the hole however failed. Into the ultimate kilometer, the 2 leaders started eyeing one another warily, surrendering a lot velocity that Lieke Nooijen swept previous them from behind. It was this transfer that lastly ignited the dash.
Vollering responded and dragged Reusser alongside together with her. The Swiss rider seized the second, broke free at simply the correct time, and edged Vollering on the line. Nooijen, who had compelled the motion, needed to accept third.
Pre-race favorites Lotte Kopecky and defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini had been unable to function on the decisive second.
Prime Ten — 14th Girls’s Dwars door Vlaanderen (courtesy of ProCyclingStats)
Pleasure Constructing for Barcelona’s Grand Départ
100 days out, Catalonia turned yellow. From the Sagrada Familia to Casa Batlló, 50 municipalities lit up 130 websites within the colours of the Yellow Jersey, giving the world a preview of the welcome awaiting riders this July.
5-time Tour winner Miguel Indurain joined the celebrations as a countdown clock was unveiled on the Arc de Triomphe on Passeig Lluis Companys — a metropolis that’s been dreaming of this Grand Départ since 2009.
Race director Thierry Gouvenou guarantees the opening phases might be something however simple. The climb up Montjuïc Fortress, tackled thrice in Stage 2, will drive the favorites to point out their playing cards early.
Barcelona isn’t simply internet hosting the Tour. It’s been ready for it for many years. July can’t come quickly sufficient.
TEAM AND RIDER NEWS
Buy Pogi’s Torn MSR Skinsuit — for Simply $40,000!
Milan-Sanremo wasn’t so way back; certainly you’ll keep in mind that Tadej Pogačar crashed simply earlier than the Cipressa, after which heroically climbed again by the peloton, attacked, and held off Tom Pidcock and the chasing pack to assert a outstanding victory.
And certainly you’ve seen photographs of his jersey: proof that his crash was legit.
Effectively you should buy that skinsuit, replete with filth, sweat and gaping holes.
Proceeds go to the Tadej Pogačar Basis — which (I imagine) means you may deduct the donation, much less the worth of the jersey.
Which could be priceless. You try this math.
The present bid, as of this writing? 35,200 euros — or round $40,000.
You recognize what’s cool? Shopping for that skinsuit.
However you already know what’s actually cool? Shopping for it and carrying it in your native group journey.
- Place a bid on Tadej’s torn, profitable Milan-Sanremo skinsuit right here.
Course du Jour: The place to Watch Races — In Your Inbox
We PEZzers have simply realized about Course du Jour, and we’ve already subscribed and put it to make use of.
Following bike racing — particularly in North America — is a persistent problem of monitoring time zones and streaming subscriptions (or paying for a VPN…). Course du Jour helps to handle at the very least a few of that problem.
CDJ — as we’re calling it — guarantees “Immediately’s professional biking races with instances and the place to look at — in your inbox each morning.” They’re translated into your time zone too.
The service is free, although creator David gives the choice to “Purchase me a espresso.” We’ll take him up on it — CDJ will make our lives simpler!
Biking Canada Confirms 2026 Commerce Groups
Biking Canada has introduced its confirmed roster of 2026 Commerce Groups, the groups that play a central function in Biking Canada’s athlete‑growth pathway. Commerce groups are organizations fashioned by teams of riders within the Junior, U23, or Elite ranks, every workforce should keep a roster made up of largely Canadian riders.
Riders collaborating on a Commerce Crew compete underneath their workforce banner throughout all biking disciplines. For a lot of riders, Commerce Groups are a pivotal step of their careers, providing Junior, U23, and Elite athletes the possibility to showcase their expertise whereas working with companions for the primary time.
As one among Biking Canada’s longest standing Commerce Groups, TaG Biking Crew shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming season, “We’re glad to be beginning one other 12 months of supporting younger riders who’re pushed to take their place on the World Stage. 2025 was a profitable 12 months with a spotlight being two second place finishes total at Redlands Basic and Tour of the Gila.” Lesley Tomlinson, Proprietor TaG Biking stated.
For 2026, Biking Canada welcomes again a powerful group of returning Commerce Groups whose continued dedication to athlete growth strengthens the nationwide biking panorama. The returning groups embody:
Biking Canada can also be proud to welcome two new groups in 2026:
MIKE’S RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Turlock to Davis: The Central Valley Slog
269 ft gained in 120 miles. I dare you to beat that ratio.
This journey pays tribute to the dads — and mothers — who prioritize their households, with biking not too far behind; to the working of us who won’t ever earn cash driving a motorcycle; to everybody who’s ever turned a private obligation into a chance to journey.
Once I can I’ll proceed to share rides up iconic peaks, with ocean views, in addition to fever-pitch group rides — and even the occasional good-cause occasion. This journey was uncooked, slogging pragmatism.
Via the center of California.
I pedaled from my father-in-law’s retirement neighborhood in Turlock, in California’s Central Valley, to our house in Davis, about 120 miles away. I’d ridden to go to him earlier than, sometimes with the northerly, prevailing wind at my again, however this reverse-direction journey put the breeze in my face.
Alongside the best way I noticed many makes an attempt at civic beautification. Some had been properly carried out.
However others…not a lot.
I adopted Strava’s steered route, which saved me totally on wide-shouldered roads and bike paths; I used to be grateful for the relative security, however not for the dearth of surroundings.
A motorcycle path alongside the canal was…nice?
Typically you simply must put within the miles.
This weeks Video was recorded in 2024, however most of what Chris Horner and Pez speak about is a timeless reminder of what makes the Tour of Flanders so nice – test it out:
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