Pogacar San Remo Roubaix Radical Reset
- This article argues that Tadej Pogačar should considerably alter his racing schedule in 2026 to better focus on winning two major races that currently elude him: Milan-San Remo...
- * Current Strategy is Exhausting: Pogačar's current approach of peaking for the Ardennes Classics (Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne) leaves him fatigued, as evidenced by his performance in the latter...
- In essence, the article advocates for a strategic realignment of Pogačar's racing calendar to maximize his chances of achieving his goals in the spring classics.
Summary of the Article: Tadej Pogačar‘s Racing Strategy for 2026
This article argues that Tadej Pogačar should considerably alter his racing schedule in 2026 to better focus on winning two major races that currently elude him: Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.
Here are the key points:
* Current Strategy is Exhausting: Pogačar’s current approach of peaking for the Ardennes Classics (Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne) leaves him fatigued, as evidenced by his performance in the latter stages of the 2024 Tour de France. He was “frazzled” after a five-week peak.
* Shift the Peak: The author suggests Pogačar should “frontload” his racing program,peaking earlier in the season for the cobbled classics. He should aim to peak for Roubaix, not Liège.
* Emulate Van der Poel: the article recommends Pogačar adopt a strategy similar to Mathieu van der Poel, who prioritizes the cobbled classics.
* Pogačar’s Desire for Variety: The author points out Pogačar has expressed a desire to win a wider variety of races, rather than repeatedly winning the same ones, making it acceptable to forgo potential wins in Liège and Flèche Wallonne.
* Team Concerns: Pogačar’s team may be hesitant to change the strategy, as winning Liège is considered easier than San Remo or Roubaix.
* Over-Racing Concerns: There’s evidence suggesting Pogačar’s fatigue in the 2024 Tour was due to over-racing, as indicated by his agent. The key is to delete races strategically – after San Remo and Roubaix, not before.
* Early Season Intensity: The author stresses the importance of hitting the early season hard with intense training and racing to match Van der Poel’s level of planning.
In essence, the article advocates for a strategic realignment of Pogačar’s racing calendar to maximize his chances of achieving his goals in the spring classics.