The 2026 cycling season is on the horizon, and the excitement is building as the world's top riders plan their campaigns. But here's where it gets controversial—each athlete's calendar reveals strategic choices that could spark debate about preparation, priorities, and the true focus of their season.
Recently, in the sunny setting of Benidorm, the UAE Team Emirates - XRG squad assembled for the upcoming season, unveiling their star riders' race schedules for 2026. Among them, Tadej Pogacar, the reigning World Champion, has publicly confirmed his race calendar, which notably includes the Tour de France—his only Grand Tour appearance that year—as well as all the Monument Classics and two prestigious Swiss stage races.
Meanwhile, teammate João Almeida plans to compete in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, showcasing a different race strategy, whereas Pogacar will be joined by Isaac del Toro for the Tour de France. This divergence in their schedules hints at different tactical approaches, but Pogacar’s focus remains firmly on securing victory at the World's most iconic race.
Kicking off his season, Pogacar is set to defend his title at Strade Bianche, a race that has become a favorite for the Slovenian. He has also opted to bypass some of the early-stage racing, choosing a more focused buildup to the big Classics. His racing lineup includes Milano-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix—three of cycling’s most revered one-day monuments. Following these, Pogacar aims to conquer Liège-Bastogne-Liège, continuing his quest to add more Monument wins to his collection while battling strong rivals like Remco Evenepoel.
A new chapter in his season will be written at the Tour de Romandie, where he plans to claim another victory—adding to his growing list of career titles. Interestingly, his preparation for the Tour de France appears to be somewhat unconventional this year, as he has decided to skip the newly-named Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (previously known as Criterium du Dauphiné). Instead, he will participate in the Tour de Suisse, a slightly shorter, five-day race in 2026, which offers a more relaxed and strategic build-up to the Grand Boucle.
As the Tour de France approaches, all eyes will be on Pogacar as he attempts to claim his fifth yellow jersey. While the team lineup is still under wraps, it’s expected that the roster will closely mirror previous years, emphasizing strengths that aim for overall victory. The coming months will see him focus heavily on training, with the full team lineup to be announced soon.
Here's a snapshot of Pogacar's planned races for 2026:
- Strade Bianche
- Milano-Sanremo
- Tour of Flanders
- Paris-Roubaix
- Liège-Bastogne-Liège
- Tour de Romandie
- Tour de Suisse
- Tour de France
Some might question: Is focusing on fewer grand tours and emphasizing one-day classics and shorter stage races the best path for maximizing success in 2026? Or will this strategic shift diminish his chances in the broader stage-race arena? Think about it, and share your opinions—do you agree with Pogacar’s approach, or do you believe he should diversify his race calendar more extensively? After all, in the world of professional cycling, every choice sparks conversation.
