Tadej Pogačar Set for 2026 Season Debut at Strade Bianche with Isaac del Toro Support

Italy - Ekhbary News Agency

Pogačar Primed for Strade Bianche Return, Eyes Strong Start to 2026 Season

Tadej Pogačar, the dominant force in modern cycling, is set to launch his highly anticipated 2026 season at the prestigious Strade Bianche. The Slovenian superstar, a three-time winner of the iconic Italian one-day race, returns to the Tuscan gravel roads where he has carved out some of his most memorable victories. UAE Team Emirates-XRG has confirmed their lineup for the classic, which will see a notable absence: key domestique Tim Wellens will miss the event due to a collarbone fracture sustained during the recent Opening Weekend classics.

Despite the setback for Wellens, Pogačar expressed his eagerness to return to competition. "Strade is a race where I have unforgettable memories. My record there is pretty good and I hope that I will be in a good position again come Saturday," Pogačar stated via the team's official website. He further elaborated on his excitement for the season opener: "It is my first race of the season, and I hope to have a good start. I’ve been cheering on from the couch until now, so I’m excited to get stuck in myself again and finally race. The team has been on a good wave at the moment with many wins already and we hope to continue that over the next few races."

Pogačar enters the Strade Bianche as the overwhelming favorite, a status cemented by his commanding performances in the last three editions he has contested. His victories have often been spectacular solo efforts, including his remarkable comeback after a high-speed crash in last year's edition to defeat Tom Pidcock. This history on the white roads underscores his confidence and ambition for Saturday's race.

However, the competition remains fierce. Pogačar and his designated luxury support rider, the emerging talent Isaac del Toro, will face a formidable field. Among the key rivals are former winner Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5), Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), and Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers). The star-studded start list promises a thrilling spectacle for cycling enthusiasts.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad has been performing exceptionally well in the early part of the 2026 season, maintaining their top ranking in the UCI standings even before their star rider's debut. This success has been bolstered by victories from Del Toro at the UAE Tour and Jay Vine at the Tour Down Under, contributing to the team's collective tally of 13 wins so far. Alongside Pogačar and Del Toro, the team will also field Jan Christen, Felix Großschartner, Domen Novak, Florian Vermeersch, and Kevin Vermaerke.

The Strade Bianche marks the beginning of a carefully curated calendar for Pogačar in 2026. Following the Italian classic, his focus will be on the first four Monuments: Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Upon concluding his Spring Classics campaign, the Slovenian's primary objective will shift towards securing a historic fifth Tour de France yellow jersey, a feat that would further solidify his legendary status in the sport.

For the 2026 edition, the Strade Bianche course has seen minor modifications, featuring two fewer gravel sectors and a reduction of 14 kilometers from last year's race distance. Notably, the challenging Colle Pinzuto sterrato sector will now be named in honor of Pogačar, acknowledging his three previous victories on the iconic white roads.

Ekhbary News Agency