thecyclingdane

Tadej Pogacar fought off the previous disappointments to win his 4th out of the 5 monuments in Pro Cycling and he didn't do it without some bad luck with a crash 32km from the finish. But the Slovenian recovered and fought Tom Pidcock to win the race.

In this episode of TheCyclingDane Podcast, Scott and Patrick Blake preview the 2026 Volta a Catalunya, a race that has quickly become one of the most intriguing early-season battlegrounds in the sport. This year’s edition is defined by one major storyline: the return of Jonas Vingegaard, fresh off his victory at Paris–Nice, and ready to test his form once again in the mountains of Catalunya.
But this is far from a straightforward path to victory. Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe arrive with a formidable dual threat in Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz, creating a tactical dynamic that could put Vingegaard under real pressure. Evenepoel’s explosive climbing and time trial strength, combined with Lipowitz’s growing reputation as a dangerous GC contender, gives the team multiple ways to control the race.
Meanwhile, UAE Team Emirates place their trust in João Almeida, a rider known for his consistency and ability to climb at his own relentless pace. In a race that often rewards patience and precision, Almeida could prove to be the most difficult rider to crack over the course of the week.

The longest and most unpredictable race in cycling is back. Milan–San Remo 2026 is here, and once again the question everyone is asking is simple: can Tadej Pogačar finally crack La Primavera?
Despite dominating almost every corner of the sport, San Remo has remained the one Monument that continues to resist him. Five attempts, countless attacks on the Poggio and even a brutal Cipressa assault in 2025 — yet the Slovenian superstar still hasn’t lifted the trophy on the Via Roma.
In this episode, we break down everything ahead of the 2026 edition. Why Milan–San Remo is such a uniquely difficult race to win, how the tactics on the Cipressa and Poggio have evolved in recent years, and whether Pogačar’s aggressive racing style is perfectly suited to the race… or exactly why he keeps coming up short.
We also analyse the biggest rivals standing in his way, including Mathieu van der Poel, the man who has repeatedly beaten him in San Remo, as well as the other contenders who could take advantage if the favourites start marking each other.
Could we finally see the long-rumoured Cipressa attack decide the race again?
Will the Poggio once more produce a last-minute masterpiece?
Or are we heading for one of the fastest sprints on the Via Roma in years?
From tactics and contenders to predictions and dark horses, this episode is your complete preview of Milan–San Remo 2026.
Because in cycling, there’s only one race where 300 kilometres can come down to the final 500 metres.

In this episode, we break down an incredible week of racing across two of the most important stage races of the early season.
At Paris–Nice, Jonas Vingegaard delivers a truly dominant performance, taking control of the race in the mountains and confirming his status as one of the strongest stage racers in the world. We dive into the decisive moments that shaped the race, how Vingegaard distanced his rivals, and what this commanding victory tells us about his form heading into the biggest races of the year.
Meanwhile in Italy, Tirreno–Adriatico produced one of the biggest stories of the season so far as Isaac del Toro claimed an impressive overall victory. The young Mexican rider showed remarkable composure across the week to conquer one of cycling’s most prestigious stage races and announce himself as a serious new force in the peloton.
Tirreno also delivered fireworks on the hills thanks to Mathieu van der Poel, whose explosive riding lit up several stages and reminded everyone why he is one of the most dangerous riders in punchy terrain. We break down his standout performances, how the stages unfolded, and what it could mean as the Spring Classics approach.
From dominant GC rides to spectacular attacks on the hills, we cover all the key moments from Paris–Nice and Tirreno–Adriatico 2026 in this episode.

In this episode, we sit down with Toms Skujiņš to talk about one of the most interesting seasons of his career. The Latvian star reflects on his impressive results in 2026, including strong rides at the UCI Road World Championships and the European Road Championships, and how those performances have shaped his ambitions going forward.
We also dive into his growing interest in the world of gravel racing, discussing how the discipline compares to the WorldTour and why more road pros are starting to explore it.
Skujiņš gives a behind-the-scenes look at life inside UAE Team Emirates, including what it has been like becoming teammates with Juan Ayuso for the first time.
From training camps to race strategy, he shares how the team dynamic works when you’re surrounded by some of the strongest riders in the sport.
And of course, we had to ask about racing against the phenomenon that is Tadej Pogačar. Skujiņš explains what it actually feels like to line up against one of cycling’s most dominant riders, and why racing against him can change the entire dynamic of a race.From WorldTour racing to gravel adventures, team dynamics, and life in the modern peloton, this is a relaxed and honest conversation with one of cycling’s most charismatic riders.