Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 March 9-15

[Brullnux]

Van Aert's sprinting is diabolical. Pellizzari's allround development has been insane, hard to believe that he was a really onedimensional rider 18 months ago at Bardiani.

If you want to see how 'raw' Bardiani talent is, look at Pinarello's development after four months in a fairly average WT team – suddenly top 10 in medium mountain stages against actual WT opposition.

Some team should take a punt on Turconi at this point

 

[Tim Cahill]

10,4k to go you can see Roglic tell Pellizzari to calm down and save his energy for the sprint, passing on the ways

 

[CyclistAbi]

Still don't understand why Roglic didn't try at least once. Unless we assume it would've been fruitless anyway so he just cruises along, which is fair.

Experience.

 

[Red Rick]

Still don't understand why Roglic didn't try at least once. Unless we assume it would've been fruitless anyway so he just cruises along, which is fair.

I think it's that, and the legs were ***..

 

[CyclistAbi]

So now some real racing begins. RBH must be careful, on how they use their strength in numbers, otherwise del Toro might not crack. Stage 5 should already be an interesting one. As for Rogličes legs, interesting conundrum. Why would Rogla save so many bullets, not taking into an account he is third already and did 0 work.

 

[jono]

Watching that finale, MVDP was basically in the wind from 450m to go. He doesn't really spend any time in the wheel of Ganna/Vendrame after closing that gap.

With that sort of strength it's tough to imagine a tactical scenario where he doesn't win this one, even without a little help from Wout.

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

Easy now, throwing away a Giro win easily trumps anything anyone could ever do for Wout...

It wasn't because of team tactics

 

[Dazed and Confused]

An italian style jagged sawtooth profile called stage 5:

Power break almost for certain, but will it get controlled enough for a GC involved win?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Those are really tough final 100 kilometers.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Wout is so overrated nowadays. It's very possible he won't even win 3 races this year.

Some careers don't hav that, so yes, he is currently overrated, but he's still the people's champion, minus Red Rick..and others...lots of others...

 

[Red Rick]

Some careers don't hav that, so yes, he is currently overrated, but he's still the people's champion, minus Red Rick..and others...lots of others...

If anything is overrated it's my hatred of Van Aert.

I like the fellow a lot, but the team makes a lot of boneheaded decisions chasing wins with him.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

very van aert execution

He can't win from behind, he can't win from the front, we can only hope for a flat (unfortunately it appears we will need more than one flat now...maybe 4?)

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Watching that finale, MVDP was basically in the wind from 450m to go. He doesn't really spend any time in the wheel of Ganna/Vendrame after closing that gap.

With that sort of strength it's tough to imagine a tactical scenario where he doesn't win this one, even without a little help from Wout.

Yeah, Wout was trying to win from the front, and just gave MVDP a lead-out.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Easy now, throwing away a Giro win easily trumps anything anyone could ever do for Wout...

Especially considering Wout's contribution that day.

 

[Unchained]

He's not 20 years old like everyone else around him and he has too much experience to waste energy for nothing.

Roglic, calmly, quietly rode himself into a comfortable 3rd place, 21 back from Pellizzari. Roglic is a smooth operator. And if you saw his pre race interview, guy has a great attitude.

 

[Oldman]

I think it's that, and the legs were ***..

Did you watch how easily he moved around in the sprint zone? Never out of the saddle and staying away from the crash zone. Seems like he's well in touch with what his legs can do. Pellizzari is the leader, sports the #1 for RBH and most certainly will communicate if he can't finish off the job and let Primoz do his thing.

 

[Oldman]

I'm left wondering why Matteo is setting tempo and pulling Wout around? He's clearly stronger and Wout is doing well considering how few miles he's had this season.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the extraordinary thing we have seen? Ben Healy overtook a number of people in that sprint.

 

[Sciatic]

Awesome finish by MVP, no chance for the rest. Rogla forgot to stomp, Wout as always close but no cigar.

Wout didn’t get out of the saddle to try to sprint; perhaps already gassed from chasing or maybe he still can’t put as much pressure in that ankle?

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Considering that the stage was quite hard a good performance from Philipsen and Lund Andresen. Sign of good legs for San Remo, but i'm not sure it is enough to survive Cipressa if Pogacar lunches there

 

[Red Rick]

Did you watch how easily he moved around in the sprint zone? Never out of the saddle and staying away from the crash zone. Seems like he's well in touch with what his legs can do. Pellizzari is the leader, sports the #1 for RBH and most certainly will communicate if he can't finish off the job and let Primoz do his thing.

He seemed to be struggling on top of the final climb, but he may just have been thinking he's on the elastic and it's not gonna snap in 50 meters.

 

[Sciatic]

If Wout looks around and sees MvdP and Ganna, Christen is the last guy I am prioritizing..
Ganna had to go it alone, he raced good today..I have grown to really like the Ineos kit..

I wonder if they made the orange a little brighter than at the start of the season? They look somewhat less like a creamsicle now

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I have grown to really like the Ineos kit..

Make the most of it, it might not be around for much longer...