Strade Bianche 2026, March 7, one-day race

[RedheadDane]

The strongest of today vs the strongest of tomorrow?

Since it's still Friday in Italy, I'm gonna say being the strongest of tomorrow is going to be more important.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I see Lidl has gathered a half decent team around Bauke.
Also I see Bettiol with the captain number on the back. Clever Vino.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The strongest of tomorrow will win, as the race is tomorrow, not today.

Hello, Confucius.

 

[hayneplane]

They might, but it's hardly ever been tried before (which baffles me). Seeing UAE aren't particularly impressive when it comes to tactics, they might completely botch it.
And even though Pog might bridge it on his own, I agree that it's at least worth trying for once.

Lombardia 2024 had a strong breakaway but Pogacar just mowed them all down and the gaps in that race were enormous.

 

[danielovichdk2]

Hope Pog has a bad season. Just to get some new faces in the mix. Good race no matter what.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Hope Pog has a bad season. Just to get some new faces in the mix. Good race no matter what.

Pogi can mix new faces by being good too.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029999663198212555

View: https://x.com/mikeilundain/status/2029999663198212555?s=20

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029566937521381394

View: https://x.com/lucasaganronald/status/2029566937521381394?s=20

 

[Pippo_San]

Why is it too soon? He was 3rd at UEC RR, 7th at Lombardia, and now he seems to be in better form

Not the same kind of race.
He's an unknown quantity on a race with such attrition.
Totally lacks experience.
I could be wrong but that's my feeling.

 

[Lequack]

So is Paul Sixass the favorite?

 

[Squire]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029999663198212555

View: https://x.com/mikeilundain/status/2029999663198212555?s=20

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029566937521381394

View: https://x.com/lucasaganronald/status/2029566937521381394?s=20

He looks so much like Il Cobra in that interview thumbnail.

 

[Pantani_lives]

I see Lidl has gathered a half decent team around Bauke.
Also I see Bettiol with the captain number on the back. Clever Vino.

Mollema is the oldest participant. Seixas is the second youngest.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Hope Pog has a bad season. Just to get some new faces in the mix. Good race no matter what.

He's already changed his hair so the face could be next on the list.

So is Paul Sixass the favorite?

If he's really the Messiah, then I expect him to perform a miracle or two this season, like turning Jay Vine into water or something.

 

[RedheadDane]

So is Paul Sixass the favorite?

I think he only has one.
The alternative would look... weird.

 

[Potomac]

So is Paul Sixass the favorite?

Since it is impossible to spell or pronounce Seixas, i think this forum and tv commentators should agree to call him Success.

 

[Unchained]

[Content deleted]
When Pogi and Toro had worked together for a while, Toro got tired and Pogi waited for him until Toro couldn't hang on

This is more of what happened, Pog brainwashed Del Toro into the breakaway idea, Del Toro had trained, drank coffee, hung around, ate with Pogacar before Worlds and maybe he got it in his mind, I am this good, Pog says and acts like I am...but in real life Isaac couldn't hold the wheel, was in danger of blowing up, he backed down a few watts, settled in and got a decent result.
There are a couple of guys with results, Jan Christen and Florian Vermeersch both are quality, can they win the race? Who knows, but if they go up front and act like it other teams need to respect and do some chasing..
In my opinion, EF has two good plays in Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy, team and both guys are due.
Race might be hotter pace than expected earlier, don't know if average speed will be up a bit just because more pavement and little less gravel.
Same thing with Quinn Simmons, he will be chased and his crazy, scattergun style is known so if he takes a flyer, teams will send chasers for him to drag along like unwanted train cars. Plenty of good quality riders, sort of weird that Pogacar crashed at Strade, crashed at TDF and fell a few other times, but because he popped up it's not widely discussed characteristic of last years racing.

 

[Unchained]

Del Toro is not a Pog equal, don't believe what you read.. Internet might say it ,neither teammate agrees

 

[ice&fire]

Pogi can mix new faces by being good too.

Pog doing Voeckler faces is good too

 

[memyselfandI]

There can only be one Tommy V. tbo and he's not in the game any more. Then again would love to see a situation so serious in a race that Pogi shouts and throws the bottle down the way Tommy did! Wasn't fakie.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Pog doing Voeckler faces is good too

Making others do it?

 

[ice&fire]

Making others do it?

That's neither new nor unusual

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

He looks so much like Il Cobra in that interview thumbnail.

I was thinking Frank Vandenbroucke...but same energy.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

He's already changed his hair so the face could be next on the list.



If he's really the Messiah, then I expect him to perform a miracle or two this season, like turning Jay Vine into water or something.

If he can get him to cut that goddamn moustache, I'll start a cult.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Not so hot of a take: The women's race is going to be a far superior race to watch.

 

[Pippo_San]

I think he only has one.
The alternative would look... weird.

Still better than Sucks*ss 🥷

 

[Sandisfan]

Hello, Confucius.

In grade school I remember the fake Confucius sayings like "he who go to bed with itchy butt wake up with stinky finger" LOL that was a while before seeing a small article in sports then seeing highlight of Lemond winning that Timer trial to win the Tour De France. Also other one was supposedly there was a book with an author that was funny it was The Yellow (actual Chinese river spelt different than that but sounding similar) again the Yellow River by I. P. Freely. This was in California as a kid. But to keep this on topic I will be happy to see Pogi win again Oh Well not everybody's choice here.