{"id":2187833,"date":"2026-10-09T12:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T09:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2187833"},"modified":"2026-10-09T12:00:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T09:00:42","slug":"a-rare-return-to-unpredictability-as-no-tadej-pogacar-at-il-lombardia-opens-the-door-to-the-same-anarchy-as-worlds-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2187833","title":{"rendered":"A rare return to unpredictability as no Tadej Poga\u010dar at Il Lombardia opens the door to the same anarchy as Worlds \u2013 Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-2100-80.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\/FFbuw6kBv6RkLDMWxnc7y7-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FFbuw6kBv6RkLDMWxnc7y7-80-80.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                                    Some big absentees, but plenty of quality and a favourite with a question mark \u2013 Analysing the European Championships men&#8217;s road race contenders\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\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-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                                    Joint winners, overturned results and long-lasting controversies \u2013 Some of cycling&#8217;s most memorable photo finishes\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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">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                                    Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders\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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nIl Lombardia\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A rare return to unpredictability as no Tadej Poga\u010dar at Il Lombardia opens the door to the same anarchy as Worlds \u2013 Analysis<\/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 \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/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=\"2026-10-09T12:00:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Who will thrive in the power vacuum created by the absence of five-time defending champion<\/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\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-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=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Reigning Il Lombardia champion Tadej Poga\u010dar won&#8217;t be racing this Saturday<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/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-ff6cd9c0-c329-11f1-9c1b-250794b4b40d\">In the 25 Monument Classics since Tadej Poga\u010dar won his first of cycling&#8217;s oldest, most prestigious and hardest one-day races at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in 2023, 19 of the victories have been shared only by him and Mathieu van der Poel, with just seven different winners.<\/p>\n<p>The five other champions in that period are far from complete shocks: Remco Evenepoel twice, Wout van Aert, Matej Mohori\u010d, Jasper Philipsen, and Dylan van Baarle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cd9c0-c329-11f1-9c1b-250794b4b40d-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All more than 230km in length and offering up some of the most attritional routes seen on the cycling calendar, the Monuments have long been where the preeminent riders rise to the top, but even the era immediately preceding the arrival of Poga\u010dar pointed to more of a democracy than the almost total duopoly we&#8217;ve been watching for the past four seasons.<\/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\">In the 25 Monument Classics before Poga\u010dar sprinted to that maiden title in Li\u00e8ge, there were 22 different winners across Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Li\u00e8ge, and Il Lombardia, with only Jakob Fuglsang, Vincenzo Nibali, and Phillipe Gilbert as repeat champions in that time frame, and considerably more riders in play for the wins.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As 2026 nears the final of the five, Il Lombardia, on Saturday, the racing should briefly be returned to the less predictable and \u2013 if the World Championships men&#8217;s road race was anything to go by \u2013 almost completely lawless racing largely unseen since the Slovenian has established a vice grip on the majority of major races.<\/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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-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&#8217;s absence changes everything \u2013 How will World Championships strategies and tactics be rewritten in Montreal?<\/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\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-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&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Just as San Remo was for Eddy Merckx, Roubaix was for Roger De Vlaeminck, and Lombardy was for Fausto Coppi, Poga\u010dar has made one of the five his particular playground of choice, and that has been the northern Italian race, matching the latter&#8217;s record of five victories as he completely destroyed the field 12 months ago to maintain his perfect record.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And anything but the sixth arriving this Autumn, and Italy&#8217;s greatest rider being overtaken 72 years after he set what seemed like an unbreakable record, would&#8217;ve been one of the shocks of the season, no matter who was on the start list.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo 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\">But even Poga\u010dar \u2013 despite his miraculous ability to avoid major injuries for the large majority of his career \u2013 is not invincible, and the most important crash in terms of impact all season, which left him concussed and with a fractured collarbone and vertebrae at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, has changed the complexion of what likely would&#8217;ve otherwise been another tension-less Il Lombardia.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-power-vacuum-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The power vacuum<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d40a-c32d-11f1-acae-ed56d4722401\" 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\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-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\">Del Toro and McNulty racing together at Gran Piemonte ahead of Il Lombardia co-leadership <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdb50-c329-11f1-a607-2f1b5e21756a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Throughout his reign of five wins, the Slovenian has only grown more dominant as the years went on, too, winning his first two titles from two-up sprints against Fausto Masnada and Enric Mas \u2013 who showed the world exactly how to step into the void left by Poga\u010dar as he soared to the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a GC title last month, Spain&#8217;s first for 12 years.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But the unchanged variable of his perfect record has been UAE controlling the race on the approach to whatever the key climb is on the route, and preventing any of the previous chaos, randomness, and masterclasses at the eleventh hour of the season which long punctuated Lombardias gone by into the 2020s \u2013 shown best by the list of former winners \u2013 from developing.<\/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\/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-2-2\" 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\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-150-80.png.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\">A wide open face-off between Evenepoel, Del Toro, Seixas, Van der Poel and more for the rainbow jersey \u2013 Analysing the World Championships elite men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-150-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In truth, Poga\u010dar is so superior that UAE haven&#8217;t needed to rely on overly nuanced tactics whether heading to Bergamo or Como, instead just setting a brutal tempo before launching him into the final 30-50km, and to three solo wins at the last three editions \u2013 winning by 0:52 in 2023, a massive 3:16 in 2024, and 1:48 last season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The runner-up in those latter two was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), who seems the obvious successor on paper. However, as everyone saw at Worlds in Montreal, where that same theory was tested, the Belgian star is significantly less of a guarantee than his contemporary.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What became clear in Canada is that the gap between Poga\u010dar and the rest is much greater than that of the rest to each other, with Evenepoel likely starting on a par with UAE&#8217;s leaders Isaac del Toro and World Champion Brandon McNulty, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d4a0-c32d-11f1-a067-737058c2474e\" 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\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-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\">Del Toro, Pidcock, and Seixas were among those sprinting for fifth in last year&#8217;s race, could a similar situation arise in 2026 but for the victory? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdbc8-c329-11f1-8d43-0bd7e3a4e749\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel going solo seemed likely before he was brought back down to earth in Canada, and while he can try to just follow the moves and somewhat rely on his sprint, the millimetres and controversial photo finish that saw him snatch the European title from Ciccone&#8217;s grasp leave cause for nerves to creep in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brute force approach is what benefitted the Belgian most, particularly last year, with the earlier and earlier opening up of races ruling out anyone from even attempting to beat the UAE rider tactically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But thinking he can match that as the instigator could prove fatal for Evenepoel and Red Bull&#8217;s chances, as it&#8217;s easy to forget what the reigning champion has normalised when it comes to solo attacking, often matching records set by Merckx and Coppi with his daring, but now expected moves.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that should come what was true of Worlds: a war of attrition being matched by a total tactical battle, where the numbers game may prove as vital as it did for McNulty and the USA en route to rainbows. Evenepoel&#8217;s greatest asset may end up not being his ability to solo or sprint, but whether Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d or Giulio Pellizzari can make it into the leading split to add more strings to his attacking bow, and the same can be said of UAE, who are probably still starting with the strongest team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">McNulty and the US showed everyone the blueprint for how to win a Poga\u010dar-less race at Worlds, and it was actually his compatriot Quinn Simmons who came closest to upsetting the usual flow of Lombardy a year ago when he made an all-out assault on the course from the early breakaway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">UAE and Poga\u010dar hoovered him up eventually, of course, and he faded to fourth by the time the race reached the finish, but knowing that the bullet from behind won&#8217;t be anywhere near as threatening compared to the inevitability of the Slovenian, it could cause the early break to return as a genuine method to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Don&#8217;t be surprised to see the stars and stripes of Simmons and several others all on the move to try and get ahead of Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas, as anticipation becomes genuinely threatening again. However, this would be returning cycling to an even older era if someone were able to pull it off, and the difficulty of the route cannot be sniffed at with 4,845m of elevation gain packed into the 243km.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mollema-in-2019-provides-the-blueprint-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mollema in 2019 provides the blueprint<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d518-c32d-11f1-b6a4-971cece70ab7\" 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\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The five-time champion and his most likely successor <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cfa0698c-c3c4-11f1-9486-3d20ab4b7a97\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It feels like a lifetime ago that George Bennett was battling away with the Astana duo of Fuglsang and Aleksandr Vlasov until the last 6km of the COVID-19-rescheduled 2020 edition in August of that year, or since Bauke Mollema&#8217;s well-timed move in the last 20km of the 2019 race saw him emerge victorious ahead of a group of closely matched climbing stars like Rogli\u010d, Egan Bernal, and Alejandro Valverde.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was then an attainable goal for many, Il Lombardia became unwinnable in the years that followed for 99% of the peloton, and the same can largely be said of the other four Monuments. But with the door now open in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence, perhaps the biggest surprise win since Mohori\u0107 in San Remo in 2022 is around the corner \u2013 and even then San Remo has long stood as the most unpredictable of the five, so that run of predictable winners likely stretches back even further.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite their importance in the context of cycling&#8217;s history and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s place as an all-time great, the past three editions could have been an email in reality, with everyone, including his rivals, without wanting to admit it, knowing who was going to win barring major incidents.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the Slovenian returning to action in 2027, it may be the only chance some riders get to win a Monument for the next six years [when his newly-signed contract ends], so they must grasp it with both hands.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Few outcomes would be as compelling as Evenepoel emerging victorious, though, six years on from the horror crash off a bridge which left him seriously injured and leaving the race in an ambulance. But it&#8217;s hard to see anything but an incredibly complex race play out for the Belgian, so he will have to thrive amid the adversity as he did at the Euros and several races before. If he does succeed, the outpouring of emotion should be cathartic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mollema will start Saturday&#8217;s race as the oldest rider at 39, before his retirement, and it&#8217;s his method to victory which looks most likely: all the big names together in the last 30km, before someone makes the right opportunistic move, and perhaps that could come from Evenepoel, or Seixas, the youngest man on the start line. This Saturday&#8217;s race and a return to a more open Il Lombardia won&#8217;t be one to miss.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdc36-c329-11f1-8d85-973f101b29c1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of the UCI Gravel World Championships, alongside the final Monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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 id=\"slice-container-authorBio-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>James Moultrie<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-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&#8217;s absence changes everything \u2013 How will World Championships strategies and tactics be rewritten in Montreal?<\/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\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-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&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/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\/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\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A wide open face-off between Evenepoel, Del Toro, Seixas, Van der Poel and more for the rainbow jersey \u2013 Analysing the World Championships elite men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s 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-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/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\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-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;I would love to see an actual gravel rider winning the jersey&#8217; \u2013 An established gravel incarnation of Nicole Frain lines up as key hope for home-nation at Nannup Gravel 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 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\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-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\">Tour of Chongming Island: Lorena Wiebes storms to 21st victory of the season on stage 1<\/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\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They are going to be hard to beat for sure&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos toes the line against a field packed with discipline specialists at the UCI Gravel 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 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\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-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\">Three course features that could be make or break at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup<\/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\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Six-day American Criterium Cup summer schedule confirmed for 2027 while USA CRITS taking shape for spring &#8211; North American Roundup<\/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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They are going to be hard to beat for sure&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos toes the line against a field packed with discipline specialists at the UCI Gravel 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 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\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-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\">Three course features that could be make or break at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup<\/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\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-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\">Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our video review of the Canyon Endurace before it goes live on YouTube<\/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\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-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\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/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\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-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\">Rules<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Joint winners, overturned results and long-lasting controversies \u2013 Some of cycling&#8217;s most memorable photo finishes<\/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\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-320-80.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;The year where someone who&#8217;s primarily a gravel racer would win \u2013 Maddy Nutt representing the specialists at the 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\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-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>&#8216;I would love to see an actual gravel rider winning the jersey&#8217; \u2013 An established gravel incarnation of Nicole Frain lines up as key hope for home-nation at Nannup Gravel World Championships<\/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>Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/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>How to watch UCI Gravel World Championships 2026 \u2013 Live Streams, TV Channels &amp; Broadcast Details<\/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>Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 youngster announces retirement from racing after just two years in the peloton<\/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>Netcompany Ineos add climbers Markel Beloki and Harold Tejada as Sam Welsford exits after just one season<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nIl Lombardia\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A rare return to unpredictability as no Tadej Poga\u010dar at Il Lombardia opens the door to the same anarchy as Worlds \u2013 Analysis<\/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 \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/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=\"2026-10-09T12:00:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Who will thrive in the power vacuum created by the absence of five-time defending champion<\/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\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-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=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Reigning Il Lombardia champion Tadej Poga\u010dar won&#8217;t be racing this Saturday<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/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-ff6cd9c0-c329-11f1-9c1b-250794b4b40d\">In the 25 Monument Classics since Tadej Poga\u010dar won his first of cycling&#8217;s oldest, most prestigious and hardest one-day races at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in 2023, 19 of the victories have been shared only by him and Mathieu van der Poel, with just seven different winners.<\/p>\n<p>The five other champions in that period are far from complete shocks: Remco Evenepoel twice, Wout van Aert, Matej Mohori\u010d, Jasper Philipsen, and Dylan van Baarle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cd9c0-c329-11f1-9c1b-250794b4b40d-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All more than 230km in length and offering up some of the most attritional routes seen on the cycling calendar, the Monuments have long been where the preeminent riders rise to the top, but even the era immediately preceding the arrival of Poga\u010dar pointed to more of a democracy than the almost total duopoly we&#8217;ve been watching for the past four seasons.<\/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\">In the 25 Monument Classics before Poga\u010dar sprinted to that maiden title in Li\u00e8ge, there were 22 different winners across Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Li\u00e8ge, and Il Lombardia, with only Jakob Fuglsang, Vincenzo Nibali, and Phillipe Gilbert as repeat champions in that time frame, and considerably more riders in play for the wins.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As 2026 nears the final of the five, Il Lombardia, on Saturday, the racing should briefly be returned to the less predictable and \u2013 if the World Championships men&#8217;s road race was anything to go by \u2013 almost completely lawless racing largely unseen since the Slovenian has established a vice grip on the majority of major races.<\/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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-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&#8217;s absence changes everything \u2013 How will World Championships strategies and tactics be rewritten in Montreal?<\/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\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-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&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Just as San Remo was for Eddy Merckx, Roubaix was for Roger De Vlaeminck, and Lombardy was for Fausto Coppi, Poga\u010dar has made one of the five his particular playground of choice, and that has been the northern Italian race, matching the latter&#8217;s record of five victories as he completely destroyed the field 12 months ago to maintain his perfect record.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And anything but the sixth arriving this Autumn, and Italy&#8217;s greatest rider being overtaken 72 years after he set what seemed like an unbreakable record, would&#8217;ve been one of the shocks of the season, no matter who was on the start list.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo 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\">But even Poga\u010dar \u2013 despite his miraculous ability to avoid major injuries for the large majority of his career \u2013 is not invincible, and the most important crash in terms of impact all season, which left him concussed and with a fractured collarbone and vertebrae at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, has changed the complexion of what likely would&#8217;ve otherwise been another tension-less Il Lombardia.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-power-vacuum-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The power vacuum<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d40a-c32d-11f1-acae-ed56d4722401\" 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\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-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\">Del Toro and McNulty racing together at Gran Piemonte ahead of Il Lombardia co-leadership <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdb50-c329-11f1-a607-2f1b5e21756a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Throughout his reign of five wins, the Slovenian has only grown more dominant as the years went on, too, winning his first two titles from two-up sprints against Fausto Masnada and Enric Mas \u2013 who showed the world exactly how to step into the void left by Poga\u010dar as he soared to the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a GC title last month, Spain&#8217;s first for 12 years.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But the unchanged variable of his perfect record has been UAE controlling the race on the approach to whatever the key climb is on the route, and preventing any of the previous chaos, randomness, and masterclasses at the eleventh hour of the season which long punctuated Lombardias gone by into the 2020s \u2013 shown best by the list of former winners \u2013 from developing.<\/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\/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-2-2\" 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\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-150-80.png.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\">A wide open face-off between Evenepoel, Del Toro, Seixas, Van der Poel and more for the rainbow jersey \u2013 Analysing the World Championships elite men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-150-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In truth, Poga\u010dar is so superior that UAE haven&#8217;t needed to rely on overly nuanced tactics whether heading to Bergamo or Como, instead just setting a brutal tempo before launching him into the final 30-50km, and to three solo wins at the last three editions \u2013 winning by 0:52 in 2023, a massive 3:16 in 2024, and 1:48 last season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The runner-up in those latter two was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), who seems the obvious successor on paper. However, as everyone saw at Worlds in Montreal, where that same theory was tested, the Belgian star is significantly less of a guarantee than his contemporary.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What became clear in Canada is that the gap between Poga\u010dar and the rest is much greater than that of the rest to each other, with Evenepoel likely starting on a par with UAE&#8217;s leaders Isaac del Toro and World Champion Brandon McNulty, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d4a0-c32d-11f1-a067-737058c2474e\" 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\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-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\">Del Toro, Pidcock, and Seixas were among those sprinting for fifth in last year&#8217;s race, could a similar situation arise in 2026 but for the victory? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdbc8-c329-11f1-8d43-0bd7e3a4e749\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel going solo seemed likely before he was brought back down to earth in Canada, and while he can try to just follow the moves and somewhat rely on his sprint, the millimetres and controversial photo finish that saw him snatch the European title from Ciccone&#8217;s grasp leave cause for nerves to creep in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brute force approach is what benefitted the Belgian most, particularly last year, with the earlier and earlier opening up of races ruling out anyone from even attempting to beat the UAE rider tactically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But thinking he can match that as the instigator could prove fatal for Evenepoel and Red Bull&#8217;s chances, as it&#8217;s easy to forget what the reigning champion has normalised when it comes to solo attacking, often matching records set by Merckx and Coppi with his daring, but now expected moves.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that should come what was true of Worlds: a war of attrition being matched by a total tactical battle, where the numbers game may prove as vital as it did for McNulty and the USA en route to rainbows. Evenepoel&#8217;s greatest asset may end up not being his ability to solo or sprint, but whether Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d or Giulio Pellizzari can make it into the leading split to add more strings to his attacking bow, and the same can be said of UAE, who are probably still starting with the strongest team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">McNulty and the US showed everyone the blueprint for how to win a Poga\u010dar-less race at Worlds, and it was actually his compatriot Quinn Simmons who came closest to upsetting the usual flow of Lombardy a year ago when he made an all-out assault on the course from the early breakaway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">UAE and Poga\u010dar hoovered him up eventually, of course, and he faded to fourth by the time the race reached the finish, but knowing that the bullet from behind won&#8217;t be anywhere near as threatening compared to the inevitability of the Slovenian, it could cause the early break to return as a genuine method to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Don&#8217;t be surprised to see the stars and stripes of Simmons and several others all on the move to try and get ahead of Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas, as anticipation becomes genuinely threatening again. However, this would be returning cycling to an even older era if someone were able to pull it off, and the difficulty of the route cannot be sniffed at with 4,845m of elevation gain packed into the 243km.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mollema-in-2019-provides-the-blueprint-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mollema in 2019 provides the blueprint<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d518-c32d-11f1-b6a4-971cece70ab7\" 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\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The five-time champion and his most likely successor <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cfa0698c-c3c4-11f1-9486-3d20ab4b7a97\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It feels like a lifetime ago that George Bennett was battling away with the Astana duo of Fuglsang and Aleksandr Vlasov until the last 6km of the COVID-19-rescheduled 2020 edition in August of that year, or since Bauke Mollema&#8217;s well-timed move in the last 20km of the 2019 race saw him emerge victorious ahead of a group of closely matched climbing stars like Rogli\u010d, Egan Bernal, and Alejandro Valverde.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was then an attainable goal for many, Il Lombardia became unwinnable in the years that followed for 99% of the peloton, and the same can largely be said of the other four Monuments. But with the door now open in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence, perhaps the biggest surprise win since Mohori\u0107 in San Remo in 2022 is around the corner \u2013 and even then San Remo has long stood as the most unpredictable of the five, so that run of predictable winners likely stretches back even further.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite their importance in the context of cycling&#8217;s history and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s place as an all-time great, the past three editions could have been an email in reality, with everyone, including his rivals, without wanting to admit it, knowing who was going to win barring major incidents.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the Slovenian returning to action in 2027, it may be the only chance some riders get to win a Monument for the next six years [when his newly-signed contract ends], so they must grasp it with both hands.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Few outcomes would be as compelling as Evenepoel emerging victorious, though, six years on from the horror crash off a bridge which left him seriously injured and leaving the race in an ambulance. But it&#8217;s hard to see anything but an incredibly complex race play out for the Belgian, so he will have to thrive amid the adversity as he did at the Euros and several races before. If he does succeed, the outpouring of emotion should be cathartic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mollema will start Saturday&#8217;s race as the oldest rider at 39, before his retirement, and it&#8217;s his method to victory which looks most likely: all the big names together in the last 30km, before someone makes the right opportunistic move, and perhaps that could come from Evenepoel, or Seixas, the youngest man on the start line. This Saturday&#8217;s race and a return to a more open Il Lombardia won&#8217;t be one to miss.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdc36-c329-11f1-8d85-973f101b29c1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of the UCI Gravel World Championships, alongside the final Monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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 id=\"slice-container-authorBio-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>James Moultrie<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-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&#8217;s absence changes everything \u2013 How will World Championships strategies and tactics be rewritten in Montreal?<\/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\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-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&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/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\/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\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A wide open face-off between Evenepoel, Del Toro, Seixas, Van der Poel and more for the rainbow jersey \u2013 Analysing the World Championships elite men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s 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-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/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\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-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;I would love to see an actual gravel rider winning the jersey&#8217; \u2013 An established gravel incarnation of Nicole Frain lines up as key hope for home-nation at Nannup Gravel 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 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\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GR8hMnz74quLVEPKFXZdum-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\">Tour of Chongming Island: Lorena Wiebes storms to 21st victory of the season on stage 1<\/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\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They are going to be hard to beat for sure&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos toes the line against a field packed with discipline specialists at the UCI Gravel 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 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\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-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\">Three course features that could be make or break at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup<\/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\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AHayJhLU9j3qGgLTrjwbCX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Six-day American Criterium Cup summer schedule confirmed for 2027 while USA CRITS taking shape for spring &#8211; North American Roundup<\/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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7iX94Fdss4cwAXSPUHLmqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They are going to be hard to beat for sure&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos toes the line against a field packed with discipline specialists at the UCI Gravel 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 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\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCpi4LX6sGpiB4VEJU2HEF-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\">Three course features that could be make or break at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup<\/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\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/STFyRaPXAeB5vNkz9tFDQf-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\">Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our video review of the Canyon Endurace before it goes live on YouTube<\/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\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GtFDurbG3b2gLf6P6HiFv-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\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/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\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oPLcn5SL3wxBvkscxdLC6M-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\">Rules<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Joint winners, overturned results and long-lasting controversies \u2013 Some of cycling&#8217;s most memorable photo finishes<\/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\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6SpdPDMP29mwp96rf3UEV6-320-80.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;The year where someone who&#8217;s primarily a gravel racer would win \u2013 Maddy Nutt representing the specialists at the 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\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJsCV77NKDRYC4cTznLnsC-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>&#8216;I would love to see an actual gravel rider winning the jersey&#8217; \u2013 An established gravel incarnation of Nicole Frain lines up as key hope for home-nation at Nannup Gravel World Championships<\/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>Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/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>How to watch UCI Gravel World Championships 2026 \u2013 Live Streams, TV Channels &amp; Broadcast Details<\/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>Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 youngster announces retirement from racing after just two years in the peloton<\/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>Netcompany Ineos add climbers Markel Beloki and Harold Tejada as Sam Welsford exits after just one season<\/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<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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nIl Lombardia\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A rare return to unpredictability as no Tadej Poga\u010dar at Il Lombardia opens the door to the same anarchy as Worlds \u2013 Analysis<\/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 \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/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=\"2026-10-09T12:00:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Who will thrive in the power vacuum created by the absence of five-time defending champion<\/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 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cd9c0-c329-11f1-9c1b-250794b4b40d\">In the 25 Monument Classics since Tadej Poga\u010dar won his first of cycling&#8217;s oldest, most prestigious and hardest one-day races at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge in 2023, 19 of the victories have been shared only by him and Mathieu van der Poel, with just seven different winners.<\/p>\n<p>The five other champions in that period are far from complete shocks: Remco Evenepoel twice, Wout van Aert, Matej Mohori\u010d, Jasper Philipsen, and Dylan van Baarle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cd9c0-c329-11f1-9c1b-250794b4b40d-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">All more than 230km in length and offering up some of the most attritional routes seen on the cycling calendar, the Monuments have long been where the preeminent riders rise to the top, but even the era immediately preceding the arrival of Poga\u010dar pointed to more of a democracy than the almost total duopoly we&#8217;ve been watching for the past four seasons.<\/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\">In the 25 Monument Classics before Poga\u010dar sprinted to that maiden title in Li\u00e8ge, there were 22 different winners across Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Li\u00e8ge, and Il Lombardia, with only Jakob Fuglsang, Vincenzo Nibali, and Phillipe Gilbert as repeat champions in that time frame, and considerably more riders in play for the wins.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As 2026 nears the final of the five, Il Lombardia, on Saturday, the racing should briefly be returned to the less predictable and \u2013 if the World Championships men&#8217;s road race was anything to go by \u2013 almost completely lawless racing largely unseen since the Slovenian has established a vice grip on the majority of major races.<\/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\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JNZastQiZyHcp9fHvQJnwm-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\">Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide open \u2013 Analysing the contenders<\/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\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ytKMCAWdoeKoxdomn4dR7V-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&#8217;s absence changes everything \u2013 How will World Championships strategies and tactics be rewritten in Montreal?<\/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\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wxjP9efKu2o82BGoLujADf-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&#8217;s brutally unexpected exit from the Vuelta\u00a0a Espa\u00f1a is a massive reminder of cycling&#8217;s intrinsic unpredictability &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Just as San Remo was for Eddy Merckx, Roubaix was for Roger De Vlaeminck, and Lombardy was for Fausto Coppi, Poga\u010dar has made one of the five his particular playground of choice, and that has been the northern Italian race, matching the latter&#8217;s record of five victories as he completely destroyed the field 12 months ago to maintain his perfect record.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And anything but the sixth arriving this Autumn, and Italy&#8217;s greatest rider being overtaken 72 years after he set what seemed like an unbreakable record, would&#8217;ve been one of the shocks of the season, no matter who was on the start list.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4qjjBZZC4aN7uNzfJpxVTo 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\">But even Poga\u010dar \u2013 despite his miraculous ability to avoid major injuries for the large majority of his career \u2013 is not invincible, and the most important crash in terms of impact all season, which left him concussed and with a fractured collarbone and vertebrae at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, has changed the complexion of what likely would&#8217;ve otherwise been another tension-less Il Lombardia.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-power-vacuum-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The power vacuum<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d40a-c32d-11f1-acae-ed56d4722401\" 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\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oAoQetjdiCNNqmBuxKKWKA-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\">Del Toro and McNulty racing together at Gran Piemonte ahead of Il Lombardia co-leadership <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdb50-c329-11f1-a607-2f1b5e21756a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Throughout his reign of five wins, the Slovenian has only grown more dominant as the years went on, too, winning his first two titles from two-up sprints against Fausto Masnada and Enric Mas \u2013 who showed the world exactly how to step into the void left by Poga\u010dar as he soared to the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a GC title last month, Spain&#8217;s first for 12 years.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But the unchanged variable of his perfect record has been UAE controlling the race on the approach to whatever the key climb is on the route, and preventing any of the previous chaos, randomness, and masterclasses at the eleventh hour of the season which long punctuated Lombardias gone by into the 2020s \u2013 shown best by the list of former winners \u2013 from developing.<\/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\/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-2-2\" 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\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8PkTJPKGrgqMM2cQxQMqxX-150-80.png.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\">A wide open face-off between Evenepoel, Del Toro, Seixas, Van der Poel and more for the rainbow jersey \u2013 Analysing the World Championships elite men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-150-80.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\">Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In truth, Poga\u010dar is so superior that UAE haven&#8217;t needed to rely on overly nuanced tactics whether heading to Bergamo or Como, instead just setting a brutal tempo before launching him into the final 30-50km, and to three solo wins at the last three editions \u2013 winning by 0:52 in 2023, a massive 3:16 in 2024, and 1:48 last season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The runner-up in those latter two was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), who seems the obvious successor on paper. However, as everyone saw at Worlds in Montreal, where that same theory was tested, the Belgian star is significantly less of a guarantee than his contemporary.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What became clear in Canada is that the gap between Poga\u010dar and the rest is much greater than that of the rest to each other, with Evenepoel likely starting on a par with UAE&#8217;s leaders Isaac del Toro and World Champion Brandon McNulty, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d4a0-c32d-11f1-a067-737058c2474e\" 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\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYUs3hjD3LnT4Jw23VE54G-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\">Del Toro, Pidcock, and Seixas were among those sprinting for fifth in last year&#8217;s race, could a similar situation arise in 2026 but for the victory? <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdbc8-c329-11f1-8d43-0bd7e3a4e749\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel going solo seemed likely before he was brought back down to earth in Canada, and while he can try to just follow the moves and somewhat rely on his sprint, the millimetres and controversial photo finish that saw him snatch the European title from Ciccone&#8217;s grasp leave cause for nerves to creep in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s brute force approach is what benefitted the Belgian most, particularly last year, with the earlier and earlier opening up of races ruling out anyone from even attempting to beat the UAE rider tactically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But thinking he can match that as the instigator could prove fatal for Evenepoel and Red Bull&#8217;s chances, as it&#8217;s easy to forget what the reigning champion has normalised when it comes to solo attacking, often matching records set by Merckx and Coppi with his daring, but now expected moves.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that should come what was true of Worlds: a war of attrition being matched by a total tactical battle, where the numbers game may prove as vital as it did for McNulty and the USA en route to rainbows. Evenepoel&#8217;s greatest asset may end up not being his ability to solo or sprint, but whether Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d or Giulio Pellizzari can make it into the leading split to add more strings to his attacking bow, and the same can be said of UAE, who are probably still starting with the strongest team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">McNulty and the US showed everyone the blueprint for how to win a Poga\u010dar-less race at Worlds, and it was actually his compatriot Quinn Simmons who came closest to upsetting the usual flow of Lombardy a year ago when he made an all-out assault on the course from the early breakaway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">UAE and Poga\u010dar hoovered him up eventually, of course, and he faded to fourth by the time the race reached the finish, but knowing that the bullet from behind won&#8217;t be anywhere near as threatening compared to the inevitability of the Slovenian, it could cause the early break to return as a genuine method to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Don&#8217;t be surprised to see the stars and stripes of Simmons and several others all on the move to try and get ahead of Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas, as anticipation becomes genuinely threatening again. However, this would be returning cycling to an even older era if someone were able to pull it off, and the difficulty of the route cannot be sniffed at with 4,845m of elevation gain packed into the 243km.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mollema-in-2019-provides-the-blueprint-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mollema in 2019 provides the blueprint<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab87d518-c32d-11f1-b6a4-971cece70ab7\" 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\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4fxUEUAURECcLhWbGeGUdU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The five-time champion and his most likely successor <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cfa0698c-c3c4-11f1-9486-3d20ab4b7a97\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It feels like a lifetime ago that George Bennett was battling away with the Astana duo of Fuglsang and Aleksandr Vlasov until the last 6km of the COVID-19-rescheduled 2020 edition in August of that year, or since Bauke Mollema&#8217;s well-timed move in the last 20km of the 2019 race saw him emerge victorious ahead of a group of closely matched climbing stars like Rogli\u010d, Egan Bernal, and Alejandro Valverde.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was then an attainable goal for many, Il Lombardia became unwinnable in the years that followed for 99% of the peloton, and the same can largely be said of the other four Monuments. But with the door now open in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence, perhaps the biggest surprise win since Mohori\u0107 in San Remo in 2022 is around the corner \u2013 and even then San Remo has long stood as the most unpredictable of the five, so that run of predictable winners likely stretches back even further.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite their importance in the context of cycling&#8217;s history and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s place as an all-time great, the past three editions could have been an email in reality, with everyone, including his rivals, without wanting to admit it, knowing who was going to win barring major incidents.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the Slovenian returning to action in 2027, it may be the only chance some riders get to win a Monument for the next six years [when his newly-signed contract ends], so they must grasp it with both hands.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Few outcomes would be as compelling as Evenepoel emerging victorious, though, six years on from the horror crash off a bridge which left him seriously injured and leaving the race in an ambulance. But it&#8217;s hard to see anything but an incredibly complex race play out for the Belgian, so he will have to thrive amid the adversity as he did at the Euros and several races before. If he does succeed, the outpouring of emotion should be cathartic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mollema will start Saturday&#8217;s race as the oldest rider at 39, before his retirement, and it&#8217;s his method to victory which looks most likely: all the big names together in the last 30km, before someone makes the right opportunistic move, and perhaps that could come from Evenepoel, or Seixas, the youngest man on the start line. This Saturday&#8217;s race and a return to a more open Il Lombardia won&#8217;t be one to miss.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff6cdc36-c329-11f1-8d85-973f101b29c1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of the UCI Gravel World Championships, alongside the final Monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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\/racing\/a-rare-return-to-unpredictability-as-no-tadej-pogacar-at-il-lombardia-opens-the-door-to-the-same-anarchy-as-worlds-analysis\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YVRk57PzuHNFMtZzbZVimn-2100-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Some big absentees, but plenty of quality and a favourite with a question mark \u2013 Analysing the European Championships men&#8217;s road race contenders 2 Joint winners, overturned results and long-lasting controversies \u2013 Some of cycling&#8217;s most memorable photo finishes 3 Evenepoel and Del Toro the favourites, but Il Lombardia is wide [&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-2187833","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\/2187833","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=2187833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187833\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2187833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2187833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2187833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}