{"id":1852464,"date":"2026-03-27T09:35:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T06:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1852464"},"modified":"2026-03-27T09:35:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T06:35:20","slug":"340-watts-500g-of-carbs-and-nothing-on-the-mind-how-silvan-dillier-pulls-the-peloton-alone-for-hours-on-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1852464","title":{"rendered":"340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-2560-80.jpghttps:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nAlpecin-Premier Tech\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSilvan Dillier\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJosh Croxton <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-27T09:35:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">What does the Swiss superdomestique think about to pass the time, and how does he feel when such a monumental effort doesn&#8217;t lead to victory for the team?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\"><span>0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"93fa8e54-5b4c-4600-ad25-b0f7b952ca3a\">I forget who said it, but there&#8217;s a saying that goes something along the lines of &#8216;professional cycling is an individual sport, practised in teams&#8217;. Only one man or woman can win the race, but they cannot do it without the help of their teammates.<\/p>\n<p>As such, a professional team is made up of different roles. The leaders, of which there is usually just one per team but sometimes two or three, and the support riders, known as domestiques, who come in dozens of different guises.<\/p>\n<p id=\"93fa8e54-5b4c-4600-ad25-b0f7b952ca3a-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Some support riders are there simply to fetch the bottles from the team car, others to provide a lead-out for their sprinter, some go off into the breakaway to force other teams to chase, while others are responsible for said chase.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;You do what&#8217;s required to deliver other guys to win&#8217; \u2013 Meet the pro cyclists who went their entire careers without a single individual victory to their name<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For the latter, the objective is often to simply &#8216;control the race&#8217; by sitting on the front of the peloton, dictating its pace to ensure the breakaway&#8217;s time gap doesn&#8217;t grow too big. By sitting on the front of the peloton, other riders can hide in their draft, conserving energy for the more decisive points of the race later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In this category, you&#8217;ll find Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech), the Swiss 35-year-old and two-time national road race champion, who was recently tasked with this role at Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There are usually multiple teams motivated to keep the breakaway in check, so it&#8217;s not uncommon to see riders from three or four different teams sharing the work in this regard. But to Dillier&#8217;s surprise, no other team offered their help, meaning he was forced to control the breakaway in the longest race of the season all by himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His Strava file shows he spent four and a half hours riding at an average of 340 watts, including a trip back to the team cars on the descent of the Turchino. A power output that most of us can only dream of.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But for Dillier, the task isn&#8217;t new. He&#8217;s got plenty of experience as the frontman of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I already did Milan-San Remo a couple of times. Every year, it is basically my task to control the breakaway, and I did it alone last year already. So yeah, I was kind of aware what could happen again last Saturday,&#8221; the Swiss rider told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Although his role is fairly set in stone, it wasn&#8217;t until the pre-race team meeting on Friday night that Dillier had it confirmed. Unsurprisingly, he didn&#8217;t lose much sleep, but he was a little unsure whether he had the level of fitness required going into the race.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If I have to push 350 watts, it&#8217;s not a big deal if I do it for half an hour, or even an hour, it&#8217;s quite okay. But doing it for 200 kilometres, the story gets a little bit different.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I was kind of unsure if my shape is as good as last year to do it again. But yeah, in the end, it turned out ok. I actually did quite a bit more power compared to last year. So my performance in general was much better.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-goes-through-his-head-3\">What goes through his head?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"6659829f-964d-4261-93ed-453441056495\">Dillier, who estimates his FTP sits around 400-420 watts, confirmed he eats 120 grams of carbs per hour to fuel this role, and that remembering to eat is pretty much the only thing that goes through his mind.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I try to think about nothing, kind of meditating on the bike. I definitely try to stay positive in my thoughts, but the easiest way do this is just think about nothing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I try to break down my whole effort into smaller pieces, I had these 15 minute markers where I would eat something or drink something. And then, yeah, after a couple of these, when you really start to get into your rhythm and flow, 15 minutes actually passes by pretty quickly. &#8220;<\/p>\n<p>I jokingly asked if he didn&#8217;t have a song stuck in his head going round on repeat, which was laughed off with a no, but the opening lyric to Taylor Swift&#8217;s Shake It Off \u2013 <em>Got nothin&#8217; in my brain<\/em> \u2013 seems equally apt.<\/p>\n<p>Given the task at hand, knowing the time gap to the breakaway seems important, but rather than get this info from his team via the radio, he prefers to rely on the race motorbikes, who provide the gaps on a board at semi-regular intervals.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the radio chatter tends to be more logistical info from his team, such as if riders are heading back to the car for bottles or stopping for a toilet break.<\/p>\n<p>During the race, much was said about other teams&#8217; refusal to contribute to the chase. Alongside Van der Poel, UAE Team Emirates XRG&#8217;s Tadej Poga\u010dar was the other hot favourite to win the race, so it was widely assumed one of his teammates would help Dillier.<\/p>\n<p>The fact that they didn&#8217;t was a surprise to Dillier and his team, but he tries to see the bright side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s surprising, because you have basically one of the biggest favorites of the race, and you&#8217;re not willing to control, it seems to be a little bit odd. But in the end, we also have one of the big favorites in our team. We have, even with Jasper [Philipsen], another good card to play. So for us, it was no question that we would control the race.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I actually get a lot of positive feedback about my ride, which I guess I would not get if I would have shared the work. But then, if I would have somebody to help me on this task, I could maybe go longer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We would also control it differently, we would maybe give the breakaway more time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, despite the obvious disappointment that Van der Poel was unable to win the race for a third time, following his crash, Dillier doesn&#8217;t feel an extra layer of disappointment having put in such a shift. In fact, he looks at it from an opposing perspective, allowing the pride of a good personal performance to soften the blow.<\/p>\n<p>And he firmly believes that without the crash, Alpecin would have taken its fourth Milan-San Remo on the bounce.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My belief, I think without the crash, without the problem of his hand, he would still be able to win it. Win it a third time himself and a fourth in a row for the team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Dillier has already flown to Belgium ahead of a Classics block, starting this Friday at E3 Saxo Classic. He is quick to reassure that despite the hand injury, Van der Poel will lead the team.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Josh Croxton<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Associate Editor (Tech)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews \u2013 leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he&#8217;s covered everything from buyer&#8217;s guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews. <\/p>\n<p>On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, &#8216;cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You do what&#8217;s required to deliver other guys to win&#8217; \u2013 Meet the pro cyclists who went their entire careers without a single individual victory to their name<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It may well turn out that he&#8217;s a one-day rider&#8217; \u2013 Former manager Patrick Lefevere questions Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s racing priorities<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Keegan Swenson &#8216;pain free&#8217; after hip fracture but new schedule has him skip European race in order to focus on Unbound 200<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I should probably have done more research&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock leapfrogs Remco Evenepoel on Volta a Catalunya GC thanks to day of bonus seconds hunting <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I have tears in my eyes&#8217; \u2013 Marcel Kittel ecstatic as Dylan Groenewegen collaboration bears fruit with Rockets&#8217; first WorldTour win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It stopped me yesterday, but not for the week&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel fights on at Volta a Catalunya following stage 3 crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jay Vine&#8217;s return from injury cut short with crash and abandon on stage 3 of Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">If your bike computer is getting old, you should upgrade it this week &#8211; Here&#8217;s why<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-840-80.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-650-80.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-500-80.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-450-80.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-320-80.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pressure Map MyOwn: Saddle perfection, according to science<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: Sometimes Poga\u010dar doesn&#8217;t need tactics to win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vision Metron RS CS Silver ED: Exclusive excellence<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">E3 Saxo Classic LIVE: Mathieu van der Poel back in action on the cobbles of Flanders <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Volta a Catalunya stage 5 LIVE: Final climb shortened by 2.2km due to high winds<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Don\u2019t meet your heroes, they said &#8211; The Specialized Aethos 2 is older, less cool, but I think it\u2019s probably better than the old one<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Keegan Swenson &#8216;pain free&#8217; after hip fracture but new schedule has him skip European race in order to focus on Unbound 200<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nAlpecin-Premier Tech\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSilvan Dillier\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJosh Croxton <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-27T09:35:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">What does the Swiss superdomestique think about to pass the time, and how does he feel when such a monumental effort doesn&#8217;t lead to victory for the team?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"93fa8e54-5b4c-4600-ad25-b0f7b952ca3a\">I forget who said it, but there&#8217;s a saying that goes something along the lines of &#8216;professional cycling is an individual sport, practised in teams&#8217;. Only one man or woman can win the race, but they cannot do it without the help of their teammates.<\/p>\n<p>As such, a professional team is made up of different roles. The leaders, of which there is usually just one per team but sometimes two or three, and the support riders, known as domestiques, who come in dozens of different guises.<\/p>\n<p id=\"93fa8e54-5b4c-4600-ad25-b0f7b952ca3a-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Some support riders are there simply to fetch the bottles from the team car, others to provide a lead-out for their sprinter, some go off into the breakaway to force other teams to chase, while others are responsible for said chase.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;You do what&#8217;s required to deliver other guys to win&#8217; \u2013 Meet the pro cyclists who went their entire careers without a single individual victory to their name<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For the latter, the objective is often to simply &#8216;control the race&#8217; by sitting on the front of the peloton, dictating its pace to ensure the breakaway&#8217;s time gap doesn&#8217;t grow too big. By sitting on the front of the peloton, other riders can hide in their draft, conserving energy for the more decisive points of the race later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In this category, you&#8217;ll find Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech), the Swiss 35-year-old and two-time national road race champion, who was recently tasked with this role at Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There are usually multiple teams motivated to keep the breakaway in check, so it&#8217;s not uncommon to see riders from three or four different teams sharing the work in this regard. But to Dillier&#8217;s surprise, no other team offered their help, meaning he was forced to control the breakaway in the longest race of the season all by himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His Strava file shows he spent four and a half hours riding at an average of 340 watts, including a trip back to the team cars on the descent of the Turchino. A power output that most of us can only dream of.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But for Dillier, the task isn&#8217;t new. He&#8217;s got plenty of experience as the frontman of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I already did Milan-San Remo a couple of times. Every year, it is basically my task to control the breakaway, and I did it alone last year already. So yeah, I was kind of aware what could happen again last Saturday,&#8221; the Swiss rider told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Although his role is fairly set in stone, it wasn&#8217;t until the pre-race team meeting on Friday night that Dillier had it confirmed. Unsurprisingly, he didn&#8217;t lose much sleep, but he was a little unsure whether he had the level of fitness required going into the race.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If I have to push 350 watts, it&#8217;s not a big deal if I do it for half an hour, or even an hour, it&#8217;s quite okay. But doing it for 200 kilometres, the story gets a little bit different.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I was kind of unsure if my shape is as good as last year to do it again. But yeah, in the end, it turned out ok. I actually did quite a bit more power compared to last year. So my performance in general was much better.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-goes-through-his-head-3\">What goes through his head?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"6659829f-964d-4261-93ed-453441056495\">Dillier, who estimates his FTP sits around 400-420 watts, confirmed he eats 120 grams of carbs per hour to fuel this role, and that remembering to eat is pretty much the only thing that goes through his mind.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I try to think about nothing, kind of meditating on the bike. I definitely try to stay positive in my thoughts, but the easiest way do this is just think about nothing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I try to break down my whole effort into smaller pieces, I had these 15 minute markers where I would eat something or drink something. And then, yeah, after a couple of these, when you really start to get into your rhythm and flow, 15 minutes actually passes by pretty quickly. &#8220;<\/p>\n<p>I jokingly asked if he didn&#8217;t have a song stuck in his head going round on repeat, which was laughed off with a no, but the opening lyric to Taylor Swift&#8217;s Shake It Off \u2013 <em>Got nothin&#8217; in my brain<\/em> \u2013 seems equally apt.<\/p>\n<p>Given the task at hand, knowing the time gap to the breakaway seems important, but rather than get this info from his team via the radio, he prefers to rely on the race motorbikes, who provide the gaps on a board at semi-regular intervals.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the radio chatter tends to be more logistical info from his team, such as if riders are heading back to the car for bottles or stopping for a toilet break.<\/p>\n<p>During the race, much was said about other teams&#8217; refusal to contribute to the chase. Alongside Van der Poel, UAE Team Emirates XRG&#8217;s Tadej Poga\u010dar was the other hot favourite to win the race, so it was widely assumed one of his teammates would help Dillier.<\/p>\n<p>The fact that they didn&#8217;t was a surprise to Dillier and his team, but he tries to see the bright side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s surprising, because you have basically one of the biggest favorites of the race, and you&#8217;re not willing to control, it seems to be a little bit odd. But in the end, we also have one of the big favorites in our team. We have, even with Jasper [Philipsen], another good card to play. So for us, it was no question that we would control the race.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I actually get a lot of positive feedback about my ride, which I guess I would not get if I would have shared the work. But then, if I would have somebody to help me on this task, I could maybe go longer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We would also control it differently, we would maybe give the breakaway more time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, despite the obvious disappointment that Van der Poel was unable to win the race for a third time, following his crash, Dillier doesn&#8217;t feel an extra layer of disappointment having put in such a shift. In fact, he looks at it from an opposing perspective, allowing the pride of a good personal performance to soften the blow.<\/p>\n<p>And he firmly believes that without the crash, Alpecin would have taken its fourth Milan-San Remo on the bounce.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My belief, I think without the crash, without the problem of his hand, he would still be able to win it. Win it a third time himself and a fourth in a row for the team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Dillier has already flown to Belgium ahead of a Classics block, starting this Friday at E3 Saxo Classic. He is quick to reassure that despite the hand injury, Van der Poel will lead the team.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3GXEP85KSp9eSMY5JsYqd.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Josh Croxton<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Associate Editor (Tech)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews \u2013 leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he&#8217;s covered everything from buyer&#8217;s guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews. <\/p>\n<p>On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, &#8216;cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You do what&#8217;s required to deliver other guys to win&#8217; \u2013 Meet the pro cyclists who went their entire careers without a single individual victory to their name<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4LHVEvz6Ex8kW2Xj923hn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It may well turn out that he&#8217;s a one-day rider&#8217; \u2013 Former manager Patrick Lefevere questions Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s racing priorities<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tZZzU5zTWeAXLNuNfs9gWR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Keegan Swenson &#8216;pain free&#8217; after hip fracture but new schedule has him skip European race in order to focus on Unbound 200<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mVGpMEszYm6NaD55tT5M97-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I should probably have done more research&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock leapfrogs Remco Evenepoel on Volta a Catalunya GC thanks to day of bonus seconds hunting <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tN5A5YqCzK8fYBwYztzAue-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I have tears in my eyes&#8217; \u2013 Marcel Kittel ecstatic as Dylan Groenewegen collaboration bears fruit with Rockets&#8217; first WorldTour win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e3TvdvhrUcj7zx8VMjKkkN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It stopped me yesterday, but not for the week&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel fights on at Volta a Catalunya following stage 3 crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6L2Quz6CA29NqurZVQwBw4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jay Vine&#8217;s return from injury cut short with crash and abandon on stage 3 of Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6GZerJe5CABhrmtBydHZN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">If your bike computer is getting old, you should upgrade it this week &#8211; Here&#8217;s why<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-840-80.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-650-80.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-500-80.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-450-80.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpUYzQWpNs9hyYFef7CjvP-320-80.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pressure Map MyOwn: Saddle perfection, according to science<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5Vm9dU3aSU7GbwC5cbSPod-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: Sometimes Poga\u010dar doesn&#8217;t need tactics to win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRdcveigHcbEeei3uw5URg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vision Metron RS CS Silver ED: Exclusive excellence<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smgSqGEgCpR7RFqvGnRFSg.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">E3 Saxo Classic LIVE: Mathieu van der Poel back in action on the cobbles of Flanders <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Volta a Catalunya stage 5 LIVE: Final climb shortened by 2.2km due to high winds<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Don\u2019t meet your heroes, they said &#8211; The Specialized Aethos 2 is older, less cool, but I think it\u2019s probably better than the old one<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Keegan Swenson &#8216;pain free&#8217; after hip fracture but new schedule has him skip European race in order to focus on Unbound 200<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nAlpecin-Premier Tech\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSilvan Dillier\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJosh Croxton <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-27T09:35:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">What does the Swiss superdomestique think about to pass the time, and how does he feel when such a monumental effort doesn&#8217;t lead to victory for the team?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\"><span>0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"93fa8e54-5b4c-4600-ad25-b0f7b952ca3a\">I forget who said it, but there&#8217;s a saying that goes something along the lines of &#8216;professional cycling is an individual sport, practised in teams&#8217;. Only one man or woman can win the race, but they cannot do it without the help of their teammates.<\/p>\n<p>As such, a professional team is made up of different roles. The leaders, of which there is usually just one per team but sometimes two or three, and the support riders, known as domestiques, who come in dozens of different guises.<\/p>\n<p id=\"93fa8e54-5b4c-4600-ad25-b0f7b952ca3a-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Some support riders are there simply to fetch the bottles from the team car, others to provide a lead-out for their sprinter, some go off into the breakaway to force other teams to chase, while others are responsible for said chase.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6xpr4inQsr9N3WDPNfwNkm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;You do what&#8217;s required to deliver other guys to win&#8217; \u2013 Meet the pro cyclists who went their entire careers without a single individual victory to their name<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2CVBgoeMR96yF7tv47cp2Q-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo&#8217; \u2013 How former pro Niccol\u00f2 Bonifazio taught Tadej Poga\u010dar the secrets of Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For the latter, the objective is often to simply &#8216;control the race&#8217; by sitting on the front of the peloton, dictating its pace to ensure the breakaway&#8217;s time gap doesn&#8217;t grow too big. By sitting on the front of the peloton, other riders can hide in their draft, conserving energy for the more decisive points of the race later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In this category, you&#8217;ll find Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech), the Swiss 35-year-old and two-time national road race champion, who was recently tasked with this role at Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There are usually multiple teams motivated to keep the breakaway in check, so it&#8217;s not uncommon to see riders from three or four different teams sharing the work in this regard. But to Dillier&#8217;s surprise, no other team offered their help, meaning he was forced to control the breakaway in the longest race of the season all by himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His Strava file shows he spent four and a half hours riding at an average of 340 watts, including a trip back to the team cars on the descent of the Turchino. A power output that most of us can only dream of.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6fKe3mozRd2vR5AQLDckBZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But for Dillier, the task isn&#8217;t new. He&#8217;s got plenty of experience as the frontman of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I already did Milan-San Remo a couple of times. Every year, it is basically my task to control the breakaway, and I did it alone last year already. So yeah, I was kind of aware what could happen again last Saturday,&#8221; the Swiss rider told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Although his role is fairly set in stone, it wasn&#8217;t until the pre-race team meeting on Friday night that Dillier had it confirmed. Unsurprisingly, he didn&#8217;t lose much sleep, but he was a little unsure whether he had the level of fitness required going into the race.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zoJJCX4nUaWyVrSTTnJDtC-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">The winning was never the boring part \u2013 When Tadej Poga\u010dar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rTVTPKRxkgcTqZZ882V6H7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I think UAE have a new plan&#8217; \u2013 Here&#8217;s what rival team sports directors expect from Tadej Poga\u010dar in Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If I have to push 350 watts, it&#8217;s not a big deal if I do it for half an hour, or even an hour, it&#8217;s quite okay. But doing it for 200 kilometres, the story gets a little bit different.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I was kind of unsure if my shape is as good as last year to do it again. But yeah, in the end, it turned out ok. I actually did quite a bit more power compared to last year. So my performance in general was much better.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-goes-through-his-head-3\">What goes through his head?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"6659829f-964d-4261-93ed-453441056495\">Dillier, who estimates his FTP sits around 400-420 watts, confirmed he eats 120 grams of carbs per hour to fuel this role, and that remembering to eat is pretty much the only thing that goes through his mind.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I try to think about nothing, kind of meditating on the bike. I definitely try to stay positive in my thoughts, but the easiest way do this is just think about nothing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I try to break down my whole effort into smaller pieces, I had these 15 minute markers where I would eat something or drink something. And then, yeah, after a couple of these, when you really start to get into your rhythm and flow, 15 minutes actually passes by pretty quickly. &#8220;<\/p>\n<p>I jokingly asked if he didn&#8217;t have a song stuck in his head going round on repeat, which was laughed off with a no, but the opening lyric to Taylor Swift&#8217;s Shake It Off \u2013 <em>Got nothin&#8217; in my brain<\/em> \u2013 seems equally apt.<\/p>\n<p>Given the task at hand, knowing the time gap to the breakaway seems important, but rather than get this info from his team via the radio, he prefers to rely on the race motorbikes, who provide the gaps on a board at semi-regular intervals.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the radio chatter tends to be more logistical info from his team, such as if riders are heading back to the car for bottles or stopping for a toilet break.<\/p>\n<p>During the race, much was said about other teams&#8217; refusal to contribute to the chase. Alongside Van der Poel, UAE Team Emirates XRG&#8217;s Tadej Poga\u010dar was the other hot favourite to win the race, so it was widely assumed one of his teammates would help Dillier.<\/p>\n<p>The fact that they didn&#8217;t was a surprise to Dillier and his team, but he tries to see the bright side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s surprising, because you have basically one of the biggest favorites of the race, and you&#8217;re not willing to control, it seems to be a little bit odd. But in the end, we also have one of the big favorites in our team. We have, even with Jasper [Philipsen], another good card to play. So for us, it was no question that we would control the race.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I actually get a lot of positive feedback about my ride, which I guess I would not get if I would have shared the work. But then, if I would have somebody to help me on this task, I could maybe go longer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We would also control it differently, we would maybe give the breakaway more time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, despite the obvious disappointment that Van der Poel was unable to win the race for a third time, following his crash, Dillier doesn&#8217;t feel an extra layer of disappointment having put in such a shift. In fact, he looks at it from an opposing perspective, allowing the pride of a good personal performance to soften the blow.<\/p>\n<p>And he firmly believes that without the crash, Alpecin would have taken its fourth Milan-San Remo on the bounce.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My belief, I think without the crash, without the problem of his hand, he would still be able to win it. Win it a third time himself and a fourth in a row for the team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Dillier has already flown to Belgium ahead of a Classics block, starting this Friday at E3 Saxo Classic. He is quick to reassure that despite the hand injury, Van der Poel will lead the team.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/340-watts-500g-of-carbs-and-nothing-on-the-mind-how-silvan-dillier-pulls-the-peloton-alone-for-hours-on-end\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-2560-80.jpghttps:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dqVVi4h9cgTsAJFPibNhVN-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Teams &amp; Riders Alpecin-Premier Tech Silvan Dillier 340 watts, 500g of carbs, and nothing on the mind \u2013 How Silvan Dillier pulls the peloton alone for hours on end Features By Josh Croxton published 27 March 2026 What does the Swiss superdomestique think about to pass the time, and how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1852464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1852464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1852464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1852464\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1852464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1852464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1852464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}