{"id":2101663,"date":"2026-08-19T12:52:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T09:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2101663"},"modified":"2026-08-19T12:52:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T09:52:51","slug":"last-chance-saloon-the-riders-and-teams-who-need-to-turn-their-season-around-at-the-vuelta-a-espana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2101663","title":{"rendered":"Last chance saloon \u2013 The riders and teams who need to turn their season around at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-2500-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/diuRNAzua2qpYv8MF4xsEQ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/diuRNAzua2qpYv8MF4xsEQ-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Where are all the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a sprinters? They&#8217;re heading to Belgium instead\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej&#8217; \u2013 UAE  performance head warns that nobody, not even Poga\u010dar, will have it easy this summer in Spain\n                                <\/p>\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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Last chance saloon \u2013 The riders and teams who need to turn their season around at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-19T12:52:51Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n19 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">From Oscar Onley to Picnic PostNL, here are some of the names who will be heading to Spain desperate to salvage something<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" 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-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&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\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Oscar Onley<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Cian Uijtdebroeks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Jo\u00e3o Almeida<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Wout van Aert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Thibau Nys<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Picnic PostNL<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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\">0<\/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 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=\"elk-390bbc20-9bbe-11f1-b48a-55409b4555fe\">Ever since it moved to be the final Grand Tour of the season, the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a has occupied an interesting place in the cycling calendar. It&#8217;s important, of course \u2013 it&#8217;s a Grand Tour \u2013 but it is decidedly third in the hierarchy behind the Tour de France and Giro d&#8217;Italia in terms of prestige.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, not all that many top riders will start the season with the Vuelta in mind as their primary Grand Tour target \u2013 it is often secondary to other goals \u2013 and what that means is that the Vuelta start list is often a kind of wash-up of riders who haven&#8217;t achieved what they wanted to so far this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-390bbdb0-9bbe-11f1-ac57-99fd84fd4636\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More on La Vuelta<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gravel, time trials and the &#8216;Angliru of the south&#8217; \u2013 The five key stages that will decide the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-390bbe6e-9bbe-11f1-947a-af7c34945a93-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That&#8217;s how it has come to sometimes have a bit of last chance saloon feel, with riders turning up in Spain in desperate need of a win, or even just a result, to end their season on a high, if success has evaded them so far. The lower pressure and competition level of the Vuelta often makes this more achievable, and it&#8217;s pretty common to see riders come from nowhere and win a stage here.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, the flavour of the race will be somewhat different, with Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s participation slashing the chances of anyone else winning overall, and indeed probably ring-fencing a number of stage wins, too. But that doesn&#8217;t mean that there aren&#8217;t still stages to be won, podiums to aim for, or general good rides to be had in Spain this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As we roll towards the start in Monaco this Saturday, here are a few of the riders who will be going into the race with extra pressure on their shoulders to get something out of the last big stage race of the season.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] 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-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Reviewing every team in the Giro d&#8217;Italia 2026 \u2013 Who flew and who flopped?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">With Oscar Onley out, what can Netcompany Ineos hope to achieve in this Tour de France \u2013 and in future ones?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-oscar-onley\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Oscar Onley<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc13e-9bbe-11f1-be94-655de492824a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Onley did manage to get his hands in the air for the first time in 2026 in Burgos <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc1ca-9bbe-11f1-812b-575d03ee6f9b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A rider whose season really does need saving, on the other hand, is Oscar Onley. His bombshell (and pricey) transfer from Picnic-PostNL to Netcompany-Ineos last winter was the story of the off-season, and he was touted as their next big Grand Tour star, sure to follow up on his fourth at the Tour and help the team return to their former best.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Well, the first season of that project couldn&#8217;t have gone a lot worse, with illness and injury disrupting Onley&#8217;s season, meaning he failed to finish Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, and couldn&#8217;t start the Tour de France at all after needing shoulder surgery. That means that his stock as a GC rider has really fallen, and he really needs a good result at the Vuelta if he is to salvage anything from this otherwise forgettable season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC 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 aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The good news is that Onley does seem to be on the up, winning a stage and finishing second overall at the Vuelta a Burgos \u2013 a good if not season-saving result. If his form is good, he should be able to aim to compete for the podium, and a top five or three \u2013 or even just a stage win \u2013 would bring his 2026 back from the brink, and set him up with a bit more confidence and positivity going into his 2027 redo.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-cian-uijtdebroeks\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Cian Uijtdebroeks<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc5ee-9bbe-11f1-ac15-e7b7139d84a5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Uijtdebroeks quit the Tour sick after four stages <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc67a-9bbe-11f1-8e6d-bd679daa84b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cian Uijtdebroeks is in a similar position to Onley in some ways, signed as a marquee GC rider over the off-season but yet to really deliver on that. His season hasn&#8217;t been quite as cursed, with seventh overall at the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes a solid highlight, but he had to drop out of the Tour early after building his season (and whole move to Movistar) around that race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Belgian has moved around a lot since he broke onto the Grand Tour season at this very race three years ago, but so far his results haven&#8217;t quite matched up with the belief he and his agents clearly have when they&#8217;ve been shopping around for better deals and leadership opportunities, so he definitely still has something to prove. The Vuelta would be a good way to start to confirm whether he should be considered a serious GC contender in 2027.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] 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-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" 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\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Things aren&#8217;t going smoothly&#8217; \u2013 Picnic-PostNL acknowledge struggles as they lie 29th in UCI rankings with just one victory in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" 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\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" 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\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What&#8217;s more, his Movistar team have denied Nairo Quintana a final Grand Tour in order to support his GC ambitions this Vuelta, so the pressure is really on to prove that that harsh call was the right one.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-joao-almeida\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Jo\u00e3o Almeida<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc76a-9bbe-11f1-872e-adc10d8d5bac\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Is Almeida still a top GC rider? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc814-9bbe-11f1-9c27-1511b7f6dca9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since finishing second overall at the Vuelta a year ago, Jo\u00e3o Almeida has had a torrid 12 months and is, to be honest, barely holding onto his status as a top GC rider. Unexplained illnesses have led to a slump in form and he&#8217;s been nowhere near the Poga\u010dar lieutenant we used to see him as.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Going into this Vuelta as a secondary priority to Poga\u010dar, the pressure is arguably off Almeida&#8217;s shoulders in terms of delivering a result for the team, but there are still questions over his personal ability and level that he&#8217;ll need to answer. Just finishing the race will be a first priority, seeing as he failed to do that at the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes nor his comeback race at the Tour de Pologne, but he will also be hoping to prove that he is still worthy of leadership status at UAE Team Emirates.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He needs to at least play a role in helping Poga\u010dar to the win, if not take a result himself. Another flop of a race would do serious damage to his place in the GC hierarchy.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-wout-van-aert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Wout van Aert <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc012-9bbe-11f1-8f25-75d8aaba8f3f\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert is yet to start a Grand Tour this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc080-9bbe-11f1-95c9-3b298335dcf1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now, let me get this bit out of the way immediately: Wout van Aert&#8217;s season does not need saving. He&#8217;s won Paris-Roubaix, a stage at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, and another three at the Tour of Denmark. Even if he&#8217;d just won Roubaix, his season would be a success, so the fact he&#8217;s taken five other wins means he&#8217;s pretty safe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But, when it comes to Grand Tours, it&#8217;s been a very different story. He skipped the Giro, preferring the Tour and in fact the early-season aim of a return to the Vuelta, but his Tour hopes were scuppered by an injured elbow meaning he&#8217;s yet to start a Grand Tour this year. For a rider who has 14 Grand Tour stage victories to his name, and has helped his team to multiple GC podiums, it&#8217;s not a great position to be in. So although he could be happy with his season if it ended tomorrow, Van Aert does have a small need to prove he&#8217;s still one of the great Grand Tour stage winners in the current peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since 2019, there&#8217;s only been one season \u2013 2024 \u2013 where he failed to win a Grand Tour stage, so there is a little bit of pressure to keep that streak going, as well as correct some unfinished business with the Vuelta. So even if it&#8217;s not make or break for his season, there is a lot of expectation on his shoulders, and a poor Vuelta would be considered something of a failure.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-thibau-nys\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Thibau Nys<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc936-9bbe-11f1-a05a-896e186bc7f5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nys has hardly been able to race in 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc99a-9bbe-11f1-a5c9-618f1496709c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It may be a bit harsh to say Thibau Nys&#8217; season needs &#8216;saving&#8217;, as he was out for six months of it after needing knee surgery rather than lacking form, but ultimately that does mean that 2026 has been a bit of a wash-out and he doesn&#8217;t have that many chances to try to turn that around.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A punchy climber, Nys will be in Spain to take opportunities, work with Mads Pedersen, and basically see where his form and ability lies in what is only the second Grand Tour of his career. His status as a prodigious talent has taken a bit of step down through his injury, so this is more about getting back on track for next year than anything else.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Given he nearly didn&#8217;t make it to the start line after suffering from toxoplasmosis, it won&#8217;t be the end of the world if Nys can&#8217;t perform, but a good result \u2013 whether that&#8217;s for himself or helping Mads Pedersen in his quest for the points jersey \u2013 would add a highlight to an otherwise forgettable season.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-picnic-postnl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bca44-9bbe-11f1-9d65-398d85119e85\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Picnic&#8217;s season has been pretty devoid of success <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bcb70-9bbe-11f1-b0a0-db682baa7750\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are a few teams who have had pretty rubbish seasons and will be going into the Vuelta hoping against hope that they can salvage a good result, but for none has the season been so starkly bad as Picnic-PostNL.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutch team already got off on the wrong foot in 2026 when their WorldTour license was only granted for a year amid sponsorship issues and they lost their main star in Onley, and it hasn&#8217;t got all that much better since. The squad has taken one single win this year, when Casper van Uden won a stage of the Tour of Turkiye, and they&#8217;re sitting a lowly 30th in the UCI rankings, below multiple ProTeams.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The plucky squad certainly hasn&#8217;t given up on getting something out of this season, but it&#8217;s hard to see where that might come from, and their line-up for the Vuelta isn&#8217;t particularly inspiring. Still, they have 21 chances to try and do something \u2013 anything \u2013 and at the very least score a few UCI points. But to be honest, short of winning the whole thing, there&#8217;s very little that Picnic could to do make this season anything short of a disaster.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-390bcbd4-9bbe-11f1-97e6-27db0685bf2c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" 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<p>Wout van Aert<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Onley<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&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 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\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-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-320-80.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\">Reviewing every team in the Giro d&#8217;Italia 2026 \u2013 Who flew and who flopped?<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-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\">With Oscar Onley out, what can Netcompany Ineos hope to achieve in this Tour de France \u2013 and in future ones?<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-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;Things aren&#8217;t going smoothly&#8217; \u2013 Picnic-PostNL acknowledge struggles as they lie 29th in UCI rankings with just one victory in 2026<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-320-80.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\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-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\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-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\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Abel Balderstone breaks contract to join UAE Team Emirates-XRG<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-320-80.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\">Fundraiser for Finlay Tarling doubles its target as donations flow in<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-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\">Bob Jungels calls time on 15-year professional cycling career to take on new business venture<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-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 think my season&#8217;s over&#8217; &#8211; Lucas Bourgoyne misses momentum at American Criterium Cup with appendectomy<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-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\">Quinn Simmons, Luke Lamperti, Maggie Coles-Lyster and Kristen Faulkner among WorldTour riders confirmed for Philadelphia Cycling Classic<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-320-80.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\">No Grand Tour send-off for Nairo Quintana as veteran climber misses Movistar selection for Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-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\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Used bibs, \u00a32 jerseys, and fake Rapha wares \u2013 Inside the wild west of buying second-hand cycling kit<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-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;The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej&#8217; \u2013 UAE  performance head warns that nobody, not even Poga\u010dar, will have it easy this summer in Spain<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-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;The Leadville nobody knew&#8217; \u2013 Revised course eliminates final &#8216;gut punch&#8217; of Powerline climb but Columbine and elevation keep you humble<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-600-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-600-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-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 Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Summer Sale now has as much as 60% off \u2013 but you&#8217;ll have to be quick to grab the &#8216;Final Markdown&#8217; discounts<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;AI could reverse cycling 2.0&#8217;s gains&#8217; \u2013 Why artificial intelligence could become an anti-doping scientist&#8217;s worst nightmare<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World Championships<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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 class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/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>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/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\">\n<p>SD Worx-Protime keep attacks in check and navigate narrow roads to prevail on opening stage at Tour of Britain Women<\/p>\n<\/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\">\n<p>&#8216;AI could reverse cycling 2.0&#8217;s gains&#8217; \u2013 Why artificial intelligence could become an anti-doping scientist&#8217;s worst nightmare<\/p>\n<\/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\">\n<p>Renewi Tour: Jonathan Milan edges out Olav Kooij in photo finish to win a messy opening stage<\/p>\n<\/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\">\n<p>Tour du Limousin: Ewen Costiou takes the overall lead after a solo stage 2 victory<\/p>\n<\/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\">\n<p>Tour of Britain Women: Lorena Wiebes snatches sprint victory on stage 1 ahead of Chiara Consonni<\/p>\n<\/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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Last chance saloon \u2013 The riders and teams who need to turn their season around at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-19T12:52:51Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n19 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">From Oscar Onley to Picnic PostNL, here are some of the names who will be heading to Spain desperate to salvage something<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" 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-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&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\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Oscar Onley<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Cian Uijtdebroeks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Jo\u00e3o Almeida<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Wout van Aert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Thibau Nys<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Picnic PostNL<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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\">0<\/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 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=\"elk-390bbc20-9bbe-11f1-b48a-55409b4555fe\">Ever since it moved to be the final Grand Tour of the season, the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a has occupied an interesting place in the cycling calendar. It&#8217;s important, of course \u2013 it&#8217;s a Grand Tour \u2013 but it is decidedly third in the hierarchy behind the Tour de France and Giro d&#8217;Italia in terms of prestige.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, not all that many top riders will start the season with the Vuelta in mind as their primary Grand Tour target \u2013 it is often secondary to other goals \u2013 and what that means is that the Vuelta start list is often a kind of wash-up of riders who haven&#8217;t achieved what they wanted to so far this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-390bbdb0-9bbe-11f1-ac57-99fd84fd4636\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More on La Vuelta<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gravel, time trials and the &#8216;Angliru of the south&#8217; \u2013 The five key stages that will decide the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-390bbe6e-9bbe-11f1-947a-af7c34945a93-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That&#8217;s how it has come to sometimes have a bit of last chance saloon feel, with riders turning up in Spain in desperate need of a win, or even just a result, to end their season on a high, if success has evaded them so far. The lower pressure and competition level of the Vuelta often makes this more achievable, and it&#8217;s pretty common to see riders come from nowhere and win a stage here.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, the flavour of the race will be somewhat different, with Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s participation slashing the chances of anyone else winning overall, and indeed probably ring-fencing a number of stage wins, too. But that doesn&#8217;t mean that there aren&#8217;t still stages to be won, podiums to aim for, or general good rides to be had in Spain this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As we roll towards the start in Monaco this Saturday, here are a few of the riders who will be going into the race with extra pressure on their shoulders to get something out of the last big stage race of the season.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] 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-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Reviewing every team in the Giro d&#8217;Italia 2026 \u2013 Who flew and who flopped?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">With Oscar Onley out, what can Netcompany Ineos hope to achieve in this Tour de France \u2013 and in future ones?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-oscar-onley\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Oscar Onley<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc13e-9bbe-11f1-be94-655de492824a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Onley did manage to get his hands in the air for the first time in 2026 in Burgos <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc1ca-9bbe-11f1-812b-575d03ee6f9b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A rider whose season really does need saving, on the other hand, is Oscar Onley. His bombshell (and pricey) transfer from Picnic-PostNL to Netcompany-Ineos last winter was the story of the off-season, and he was touted as their next big Grand Tour star, sure to follow up on his fourth at the Tour and help the team return to their former best.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Well, the first season of that project couldn&#8217;t have gone a lot worse, with illness and injury disrupting Onley&#8217;s season, meaning he failed to finish Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, and couldn&#8217;t start the Tour de France at all after needing shoulder surgery. That means that his stock as a GC rider has really fallen, and he really needs a good result at the Vuelta if he is to salvage anything from this otherwise forgettable season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC 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 aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The good news is that Onley does seem to be on the up, winning a stage and finishing second overall at the Vuelta a Burgos \u2013 a good if not season-saving result. If his form is good, he should be able to aim to compete for the podium, and a top five or three \u2013 or even just a stage win \u2013 would bring his 2026 back from the brink, and set him up with a bit more confidence and positivity going into his 2027 redo.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-cian-uijtdebroeks\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Cian Uijtdebroeks<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc5ee-9bbe-11f1-ac15-e7b7139d84a5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Uijtdebroeks quit the Tour sick after four stages <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc67a-9bbe-11f1-8e6d-bd679daa84b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cian Uijtdebroeks is in a similar position to Onley in some ways, signed as a marquee GC rider over the off-season but yet to really deliver on that. His season hasn&#8217;t been quite as cursed, with seventh overall at the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes a solid highlight, but he had to drop out of the Tour early after building his season (and whole move to Movistar) around that race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Belgian has moved around a lot since he broke onto the Grand Tour season at this very race three years ago, but so far his results haven&#8217;t quite matched up with the belief he and his agents clearly have when they&#8217;ve been shopping around for better deals and leadership opportunities, so he definitely still has something to prove. The Vuelta would be a good way to start to confirm whether he should be considered a serious GC contender in 2027.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] 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-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" 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\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Things aren&#8217;t going smoothly&#8217; \u2013 Picnic-PostNL acknowledge struggles as they lie 29th in UCI rankings with just one victory in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" 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\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" 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\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What&#8217;s more, his Movistar team have denied Nairo Quintana a final Grand Tour in order to support his GC ambitions this Vuelta, so the pressure is really on to prove that that harsh call was the right one.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-joao-almeida\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Jo\u00e3o Almeida<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc76a-9bbe-11f1-872e-adc10d8d5bac\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Is Almeida still a top GC rider? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc814-9bbe-11f1-9c27-1511b7f6dca9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since finishing second overall at the Vuelta a year ago, Jo\u00e3o Almeida has had a torrid 12 months and is, to be honest, barely holding onto his status as a top GC rider. Unexplained illnesses have led to a slump in form and he&#8217;s been nowhere near the Poga\u010dar lieutenant we used to see him as.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Going into this Vuelta as a secondary priority to Poga\u010dar, the pressure is arguably off Almeida&#8217;s shoulders in terms of delivering a result for the team, but there are still questions over his personal ability and level that he&#8217;ll need to answer. Just finishing the race will be a first priority, seeing as he failed to do that at the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes nor his comeback race at the Tour de Pologne, but he will also be hoping to prove that he is still worthy of leadership status at UAE Team Emirates.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He needs to at least play a role in helping Poga\u010dar to the win, if not take a result himself. Another flop of a race would do serious damage to his place in the GC hierarchy.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-wout-van-aert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Wout van Aert <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc012-9bbe-11f1-8f25-75d8aaba8f3f\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert is yet to start a Grand Tour this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc080-9bbe-11f1-95c9-3b298335dcf1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now, let me get this bit out of the way immediately: Wout van Aert&#8217;s season does not need saving. He&#8217;s won Paris-Roubaix, a stage at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, and another three at the Tour of Denmark. Even if he&#8217;d just won Roubaix, his season would be a success, so the fact he&#8217;s taken five other wins means he&#8217;s pretty safe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But, when it comes to Grand Tours, it&#8217;s been a very different story. He skipped the Giro, preferring the Tour and in fact the early-season aim of a return to the Vuelta, but his Tour hopes were scuppered by an injured elbow meaning he&#8217;s yet to start a Grand Tour this year. For a rider who has 14 Grand Tour stage victories to his name, and has helped his team to multiple GC podiums, it&#8217;s not a great position to be in. So although he could be happy with his season if it ended tomorrow, Van Aert does have a small need to prove he&#8217;s still one of the great Grand Tour stage winners in the current peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since 2019, there&#8217;s only been one season \u2013 2024 \u2013 where he failed to win a Grand Tour stage, so there is a little bit of pressure to keep that streak going, as well as correct some unfinished business with the Vuelta. So even if it&#8217;s not make or break for his season, there is a lot of expectation on his shoulders, and a poor Vuelta would be considered something of a failure.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-thibau-nys\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Thibau Nys<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc936-9bbe-11f1-a05a-896e186bc7f5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nys has hardly been able to race in 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc99a-9bbe-11f1-a5c9-618f1496709c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It may be a bit harsh to say Thibau Nys&#8217; season needs &#8216;saving&#8217;, as he was out for six months of it after needing knee surgery rather than lacking form, but ultimately that does mean that 2026 has been a bit of a wash-out and he doesn&#8217;t have that many chances to try to turn that around.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A punchy climber, Nys will be in Spain to take opportunities, work with Mads Pedersen, and basically see where his form and ability lies in what is only the second Grand Tour of his career. His status as a prodigious talent has taken a bit of step down through his injury, so this is more about getting back on track for next year than anything else.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Given he nearly didn&#8217;t make it to the start line after suffering from toxoplasmosis, it won&#8217;t be the end of the world if Nys can&#8217;t perform, but a good result \u2013 whether that&#8217;s for himself or helping Mads Pedersen in his quest for the points jersey \u2013 would add a highlight to an otherwise forgettable season.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-picnic-postnl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bca44-9bbe-11f1-9d65-398d85119e85\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Picnic&#8217;s season has been pretty devoid of success <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bcb70-9bbe-11f1-b0a0-db682baa7750\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are a few teams who have had pretty rubbish seasons and will be going into the Vuelta hoping against hope that they can salvage a good result, but for none has the season been so starkly bad as Picnic-PostNL.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutch team already got off on the wrong foot in 2026 when their WorldTour license was only granted for a year amid sponsorship issues and they lost their main star in Onley, and it hasn&#8217;t got all that much better since. The squad has taken one single win this year, when Casper van Uden won a stage of the Tour of Turkiye, and they&#8217;re sitting a lowly 30th in the UCI rankings, below multiple ProTeams.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The plucky squad certainly hasn&#8217;t given up on getting something out of this season, but it&#8217;s hard to see where that might come from, and their line-up for the Vuelta isn&#8217;t particularly inspiring. Still, they have 21 chances to try and do something \u2013 anything \u2013 and at the very least score a few UCI points. But to be honest, short of winning the whole thing, there&#8217;s very little that Picnic could to do make this season anything short of a disaster.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-390bcbd4-9bbe-11f1-97e6-27db0685bf2c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" 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<p>Wout van Aert<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Onley<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&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 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\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-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-320-80.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\">Reviewing every team in the Giro d&#8217;Italia 2026 \u2013 Who flew and who flopped?<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-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\">With Oscar Onley out, what can Netcompany Ineos hope to achieve in this Tour de France \u2013 and in future ones?<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-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;Things aren&#8217;t going smoothly&#8217; \u2013 Picnic-PostNL acknowledge struggles as they lie 29th in UCI rankings with just one victory in 2026<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-320-80.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\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-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\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L7jVF4Xg8bmwqFk9LoQQWc-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\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Abel Balderstone breaks contract to join UAE Team Emirates-XRG<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2FQ6FExGKN4uEMipgv9oG3-320-80.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\">Fundraiser for Finlay Tarling doubles its target as donations flow in<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HghRJP9JjYvNXgXBVhkq6h-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\">Bob Jungels calls time on 15-year professional cycling career to take on new business venture<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QL4TfcDkAYHJLFp34Pqnma-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 think my season&#8217;s over&#8217; &#8211; Lucas Bourgoyne misses momentum at American Criterium Cup with appendectomy<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZWLJj9gfmCjg62TMpCFt2d-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\">Quinn Simmons, Luke Lamperti, Maggie Coles-Lyster and Kristen Faulkner among WorldTour riders confirmed for Philadelphia Cycling Classic<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bxke9g2XnLi8f4L8R2Rpv7-320-80.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\">No Grand Tour send-off for Nairo Quintana as veteran climber misses Movistar selection for Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJ4BiB5vR77FkK9byLB3pN-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\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Used bibs, \u00a32 jerseys, and fake Rapha wares \u2013 Inside the wild west of buying second-hand cycling kit<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QqaVxzjcE5LpMpbUNGnwuV-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;The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej&#8217; \u2013 UAE  performance head warns that nobody, not even Poga\u010dar, will have it easy this summer in Spain<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-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;The Leadville nobody knew&#8217; \u2013 Revised course eliminates final &#8216;gut punch&#8217; of Powerline climb but Columbine and elevation keep you humble<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-600-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-600-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n5gj2MP4YAPCy7FjmBPdZE-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 Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Summer Sale now has as much as 60% off \u2013 but you&#8217;ll have to be quick to grab the &#8216;Final Markdown&#8217; discounts<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iDxxugHuxR2SBQoRy8dTh6-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;AI could reverse cycling 2.0&#8217;s gains&#8217; \u2013 Why artificial intelligence could become an anti-doping scientist&#8217;s worst nightmare<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World Championships<\/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=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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 class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/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>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8JgxTxPjmbagSKAfvL2u5a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/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\">\n<p>SD Worx-Protime keep attacks in check and navigate narrow roads to prevail on opening stage at Tour of Britain Women<\/p>\n<\/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\">\n<p>&#8216;AI could reverse cycling 2.0&#8217;s gains&#8217; 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Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Last chance saloon \u2013 The riders and teams who need to turn their season around at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-19T12:52:51Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n19 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">From Oscar Onley to Picnic PostNL, here are some of the names who will be heading to Spain desperate to salvage something<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" 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-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&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\">0<\/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 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=\"elk-390bbc20-9bbe-11f1-b48a-55409b4555fe\">Ever since it moved to be the final Grand Tour of the season, the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a has occupied an interesting place in the cycling calendar. It&#8217;s important, of course \u2013 it&#8217;s a Grand Tour \u2013 but it is decidedly third in the hierarchy behind the Tour de France and Giro d&#8217;Italia in terms of prestige.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, not all that many top riders will start the season with the Vuelta in mind as their primary Grand Tour target \u2013 it is often secondary to other goals \u2013 and what that means is that the Vuelta start list is often a kind of wash-up of riders who haven&#8217;t achieved what they wanted to so far this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-390bbdb0-9bbe-11f1-ac57-99fd84fd4636\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More on La Vuelta<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gravel, time trials and the &#8216;Angliru of the south&#8217; \u2013 The five key stages that will decide the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-390bbe6e-9bbe-11f1-947a-af7c34945a93-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That&#8217;s how it has come to sometimes have a bit of last chance saloon feel, with riders turning up in Spain in desperate need of a win, or even just a result, to end their season on a high, if success has evaded them so far. The lower pressure and competition level of the Vuelta often makes this more achievable, and it&#8217;s pretty common to see riders come from nowhere and win a stage here.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, the flavour of the race will be somewhat different, with Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s participation slashing the chances of anyone else winning overall, and indeed probably ring-fencing a number of stage wins, too. But that doesn&#8217;t mean that there aren&#8217;t still stages to be won, podiums to aim for, or general good rides to be had in Spain this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As we roll towards the start in Monaco this Saturday, here are a few of the riders who will be going into the race with extra pressure on their shoulders to get something out of the last big stage race of the season.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] 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-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gTjJnjxsPDwSAZJaK2n3b7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Reviewing every team in the Giro d&#8217;Italia 2026 \u2013 Who flew and who flopped?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-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\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k47gPEqWS7qGhFA58fFsJW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">With Oscar Onley out, what can Netcompany Ineos hope to achieve in this Tour de France \u2013 and in future ones?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-oscar-onley\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Oscar Onley<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc13e-9bbe-11f1-be94-655de492824a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wVzAjcXAj3BH8KMY4QG7ki-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Onley did manage to get his hands in the air for the first time in 2026 in Burgos <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc1ca-9bbe-11f1-812b-575d03ee6f9b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A rider whose season really does need saving, on the other hand, is Oscar Onley. His bombshell (and pricey) transfer from Picnic-PostNL to Netcompany-Ineos last winter was the story of the off-season, and he was touted as their next big Grand Tour star, sure to follow up on his fourth at the Tour and help the team return to their former best.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Well, the first season of that project couldn&#8217;t have gone a lot worse, with illness and injury disrupting Onley&#8217;s season, meaning he failed to finish Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, and couldn&#8217;t start the Tour de France at all after needing shoulder surgery. That means that his stock as a GC rider has really fallen, and he really needs a good result at the Vuelta if he is to salvage anything from this otherwise forgettable season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KK384Xq4AfMxwHrJUcrcAC 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 aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The good news is that Onley does seem to be on the up, winning a stage and finishing second overall at the Vuelta a Burgos \u2013 a good if not season-saving result. If his form is good, he should be able to aim to compete for the podium, and a top five or three \u2013 or even just a stage win \u2013 would bring his 2026 back from the brink, and set him up with a bit more confidence and positivity going into his 2027 redo.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-cian-uijtdebroeks\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Cian Uijtdebroeks<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc5ee-9bbe-11f1-ac15-e7b7139d84a5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NySTUbhvqqWpf4KrkyrQei-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Uijtdebroeks quit the Tour sick after four stages <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc67a-9bbe-11f1-8e6d-bd679daa84b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cian Uijtdebroeks is in a similar position to Onley in some ways, signed as a marquee GC rider over the off-season but yet to really deliver on that. His season hasn&#8217;t been quite as cursed, with seventh overall at the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes a solid highlight, but he had to drop out of the Tour early after building his season (and whole move to Movistar) around that race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Belgian has moved around a lot since he broke onto the Grand Tour season at this very race three years ago, but so far his results haven&#8217;t quite matched up with the belief he and his agents clearly have when they&#8217;ve been shopping around for better deals and leadership opportunities, so he definitely still has something to prove. The Vuelta would be a good way to start to confirm whether he should be considered a serious GC contender in 2027.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] 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-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" 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\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QRouZbUYqVDMFhpLyH996L-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Things aren&#8217;t going smoothly&#8217; \u2013 Picnic-PostNL acknowledge struggles as they lie 29th in UCI rankings with just one victory in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" 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\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" 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\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What&#8217;s more, his Movistar team have denied Nairo Quintana a final Grand Tour in order to support his GC ambitions this Vuelta, so the pressure is really on to prove that that harsh call was the right one.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-joao-almeida\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Jo\u00e3o Almeida<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc76a-9bbe-11f1-872e-adc10d8d5bac\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YMi3RzvXxua2VjBTRqp5ai-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Is Almeida still a top GC rider? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc814-9bbe-11f1-9c27-1511b7f6dca9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since finishing second overall at the Vuelta a year ago, Jo\u00e3o Almeida has had a torrid 12 months and is, to be honest, barely holding onto his status as a top GC rider. Unexplained illnesses have led to a slump in form and he&#8217;s been nowhere near the Poga\u010dar lieutenant we used to see him as.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Going into this Vuelta as a secondary priority to Poga\u010dar, the pressure is arguably off Almeida&#8217;s shoulders in terms of delivering a result for the team, but there are still questions over his personal ability and level that he&#8217;ll need to answer. Just finishing the race will be a first priority, seeing as he failed to do that at the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes nor his comeback race at the Tour de Pologne, but he will also be hoping to prove that he is still worthy of leadership status at UAE Team Emirates.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He needs to at least play a role in helping Poga\u010dar to the win, if not take a result himself. Another flop of a race would do serious damage to his place in the GC hierarchy.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-wout-van-aert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Wout van Aert <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc012-9bbe-11f1-8f25-75d8aaba8f3f\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QzvspacWiQgy649k9yxmmi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van Aert is yet to start a Grand Tour this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc080-9bbe-11f1-95c9-3b298335dcf1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now, let me get this bit out of the way immediately: Wout van Aert&#8217;s season does not need saving. He&#8217;s won Paris-Roubaix, a stage at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, and another three at the Tour of Denmark. Even if he&#8217;d just won Roubaix, his season would be a success, so the fact he&#8217;s taken five other wins means he&#8217;s pretty safe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But, when it comes to Grand Tours, it&#8217;s been a very different story. He skipped the Giro, preferring the Tour and in fact the early-season aim of a return to the Vuelta, but his Tour hopes were scuppered by an injured elbow meaning he&#8217;s yet to start a Grand Tour this year. For a rider who has 14 Grand Tour stage victories to his name, and has helped his team to multiple GC podiums, it&#8217;s not a great position to be in. So although he could be happy with his season if it ended tomorrow, Van Aert does have a small need to prove he&#8217;s still one of the great Grand Tour stage winners in the current peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since 2019, there&#8217;s only been one season \u2013 2024 \u2013 where he failed to win a Grand Tour stage, so there is a little bit of pressure to keep that streak going, as well as correct some unfinished business with the Vuelta. So even if it&#8217;s not make or break for his season, there is a lot of expectation on his shoulders, and a poor Vuelta would be considered something of a failure.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-thibau-nys\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Thibau Nys<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bc936-9bbe-11f1-a05a-896e186bc7f5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vmSXqBBwfZhM7hcGMAUaci-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Nys has hardly been able to race in 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bc99a-9bbe-11f1-a5c9-618f1496709c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It may be a bit harsh to say Thibau Nys&#8217; season needs &#8216;saving&#8217;, as he was out for six months of it after needing knee surgery rather than lacking form, but ultimately that does mean that 2026 has been a bit of a wash-out and he doesn&#8217;t have that many chances to try to turn that around.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A punchy climber, Nys will be in Spain to take opportunities, work with Mads Pedersen, and basically see where his form and ability lies in what is only the second Grand Tour of his career. His status as a prodigious talent has taken a bit of step down through his injury, so this is more about getting back on track for next year than anything else.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Given he nearly didn&#8217;t make it to the start line after suffering from toxoplasmosis, it won&#8217;t be the end of the world if Nys can&#8217;t perform, but a good result \u2013 whether that&#8217;s for himself or helping Mads Pedersen in his quest for the points jersey \u2013 would add a highlight to an otherwise forgettable season.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-picnic-postnl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Picnic-PostNL<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-390bca44-9bbe-11f1-9d65-398d85119e85\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYD6pZ6QQN3kAMxq4QmUgi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Picnic&#8217;s season has been pretty devoid of success <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-390bcb70-9bbe-11f1-b0a0-db682baa7750\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are a few teams who have had pretty rubbish seasons and will be going into the Vuelta hoping against hope that they can salvage a good result, but for none has the season been so starkly bad as Picnic-PostNL.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutch team already got off on the wrong foot in 2026 when their WorldTour license was only granted for a year amid sponsorship issues and they lost their main star in Onley, and it hasn&#8217;t got all that much better since. The squad has taken one single win this year, when Casper van Uden won a stage of the Tour of Turkiye, and they&#8217;re sitting a lowly 30th in the UCI rankings, below multiple ProTeams.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The plucky squad certainly hasn&#8217;t given up on getting something out of this season, but it&#8217;s hard to see where that might come from, and their line-up for the Vuelta isn&#8217;t particularly inspiring. Still, they have 21 chances to try and do something \u2013 anything \u2013 and at the very least score a few UCI points. But to be honest, short of winning the whole thing, there&#8217;s very little that Picnic could to do make this season anything short of a disaster.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-390bcbd4-9bbe-11f1-97e6-27db0685bf2c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/last-chance-saloon-the-riders-and-teams-who-need-to-turn-their-season-around-at-the-vuelta-a-espana\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cGZKGFWUEZYuQrKYaKtvNH-2500-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2 Where are all the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a sprinters? They&#8217;re heading to Belgium instead 3 &#8216;The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej&#8217; \u2013 UAE performance head warns that nobody, not [&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-2101663","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\/2101663","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=2101663"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2101663\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2101663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2101663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2101663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}