{"id":2197027,"date":"2026-10-13T10:56:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T07:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2197027"},"modified":"2026-10-13T10:56:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T07:56:28","slug":"i-hate-to-say-it-but-tadej-pogacars-absence-produced-some-of-the-most-entertaining-racing-of-the-year-luke-tuckwells-column","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2197027","title":{"rendered":"I hate to say it, but Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence produced some of the most entertaining racing of the year &#8211; Luke Tuckwell&#8217;s column"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-2000-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>I hate to say it, but Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence produced some of the most entertaining racing of the year &#8211; Luke Tuckwell&#8217;s column<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" 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 \/>\nLuke Tuckwell <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-13T10:56:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Australian youngster was right next to the Slovenian&#8217;s season-ending crash that he believes shaped an electric and unpredictable end to the men&#8217;s road racing season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-2000-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">The Aussie youngster has seen firsthand the difference that Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence has made<\/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\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e488-c6e6-11f1-b5d4-5d5c10ccafba\">I want to talk about Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s absence from the pro peloton since late August, when he crashed out of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on stage 8. I was in the race that day, with the crash occurring about two meters to my left.<\/p>\n<p>I want to preface this article by saying that, in my opinion, Poga\u010dar is the greatest cyclist of all time, let alone a wonderful human being who is the best ambassador for our sport. And now, after having been in the same bike race as him multiple times this year (I was going to say \u2018competed against him a few times this year\u2019 but there wasn\u2019t really any competition\u2026) I am now even more convinced he is the G.O.A.T.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e488-c6e6-11f1-b5d4-5d5c10ccafba-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, his absence has led to some of the year&#8217;s most exciting and entertaining racing. I\u2019m going to break down this argument in multiple points, so enjoy the read.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-1-la-vuelta-39-s-gc-battle-went-down-to-the-wire-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 1: La Vuelta&#8217;s GC battle went down to the wire<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e640-c6e6-11f1-897f-bbb19e6ec678\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The final Grand Tour left on Poga\u010dar\u2019s bingo card, and it will have to remain incomplete for another twelve months.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-d9e301e8-c6e9-11f1-9ef4-616d90e00658\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More CN Premium Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\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\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It was an Il Lombardia for big statements, from a long overdue safety protest to Paul Seixas riding like a real champion \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Gallery: Big tyres, taped-on tools and lost bidons &#8211; All the tech from the toughest UCI Gravel World Championships yet<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30292-c6e9-11f1-b698-93599b10cb8a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar started with a bang in the opening ITT in Monaco, another bang in Andorra, a smaller bang on stage 6, although Enric Mas caught up to him, and then the unfortunate crash on stage 8. I think we were looking potentially at 8+ stage wins for the Slovenian had he finished the three-week race. But I think you, me, and the entire cycling world couldn\u2019t have predicted what La Vuelta would ultimately produce. From Mas\u2019 superb defence and attack of his inherited red jersey, to the multiple different breakaway victories we had in the final two weeks, all of this might not have happened if Poga\u010dar was still in the bunch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Granted, these things might have still happened, but I highly doubt it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30328-c6e9-11f1-9179-e30cdf9b2897\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar not being in the race meant we could see a lot of riders in a new light. After finishing on the podium four times, Mas was in pole position to take his first Grand Tour victory. Mountain breakaway stages that 99% of the time are controlled by UAE now allowed for riders young and old to take stunning victories, like those of Jakob Omrzel and Mikel Landa. Brennan\u2019s sprinting dominance would most likely have been unchanged with Poga\u010dar in or out of the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instead, we got one of the most exciting GC battles out of all the three-week tours this year. Would Mas hold on? Could Gall use his climbing prowess to take the jersey? Could Roglic use his TT strength and his experience to win a record-breaking fifth Vuelta? All of these questions remained unanswered until the final moments of stage 20, and I am relatively certain these storylines would have struggled to play out if Poga\u010dar was still in the race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e303be-c6e9-11f1-867b-47971c53246c\" 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\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mas was a deserved winner of an enthralling edition of La Vuelta <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30454-c6e9-11f1-b37c-e1c3761759f1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Maybe you could argue that this series of events would have happened anyway because of the fight for the podium, but these battles are far more entertaining when it comes down to first place, not second or third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, I didn\u2019t watch the race; I was within it, and maybe if I was sitting on my couch at home I would have a different opinion on this, but actually being in the race every day, not knowing what could happen, who could win, and what the GC would look like at the end of the race made for a pretty special race from a rider&#8217;s perspective. Having someone like Primo\u017e as my teammate who was in a serious position to potentially win made every day exciting and rewarding. Maybe if we knew that a podium was all we could achieve with Poga\u010dar in the race, my role as a teammate would have been very different and much more passive throughout the race.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-2-a-wide-open-world-championships-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 2: A wide-open World Championships<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e71c-c6e6-11f1-8a6d-b9661edb43c5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The World Championships road race in Montreal was another race I was part of and experiencing for the first time, but from the start we all knew that Poga\u010dar wasn\u2019t lining up. With his absence, the possibilities for how the race could pan out were endless, and we spent multiple nights as an Australian team discussing scenarios, and we could have spent several more nights on this topic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main thing for me was that yes, there were big favourites like Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas; however, it was impossible to predict what tactics they would deploy, how their teams would ride for a leader, and who they would let anticipate the final before they made their own moves. All of this would have been more predictable with Poga\u010dar in the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once again, the same argument could be made that I didn\u2019t watch the race myself, but everyone I have spoken to who watched it from home said it was one of the best World Championships they have seen in recent years.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Brandon McNulty took the biggest win of his life. I am almost certain that wouldn&#8217;t have happened if Poga\u010dar was there. The relentless attacks during the final two hours, like those of Mathieu van der Poel, would have been neutralised instantly. Mads Pedersen\u2019s constant returns to the main group probably wouldn\u2019t have happened. And how could I forget Michael Matthews&#8217; magical silver medal, one that even we as the Australian team didn\u2019t see coming. (Side note: if you want me as your man to ensure your teammate gets second in big races, I\u2019m your guy.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e30512-c6e9-11f1-85dd-638b9b94e290\" 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\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">New world champion McNulty alongside Tuckwell&#8217;s compatriot Michael Matthews and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e305b2-c6e9-11f1-a937-4ffe6d051534\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yet again, I struggle to see how these storylines would have played out if Poga\u010dar was a minute and a half ahead of everyone else, who would most likely have been solo or with one teammate left, like they were in Rwanda last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That being said, it is a shame not to see Poga\u010dar in the rainbow jersey. He is indisputably the best rider on the planet and in other sports would merit being world champion. But this is what is unique about cycling: you have to be in it to win it. And that\u2019s not to say McNulty is not a deserving winner. He has shown his class as a rider and winner over the years. And yes, I say winner, because he has 23 wins to his name. Even my own father said it was nice to see a domestique win, and I swiftly reminded him how many wins the American has, and let&#8217;s just say his facial expression changed pretty quickly.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-3-a-new-king-at-il-lombardia-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 3: A new king at Il Lombardia<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e7f8-c6e6-11f1-b0c2-6da472001643\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Saturday&#8217;s race was pretty much guaranteed to produce a first-time Il Lombardia winner due to Poga\u010dar\u2019s absence. Yet, while it would have been nice to watch Poga\u010dar take a record-breaking sixth victory, I&#8217;ll be the first to admit it hasn\u2019t been the most entertaining race in the last few years, especially when compared to Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So it&#8217;s safe to say I was pretty hyped for the 120th edition of the race from Bergamo to Como. Evenepoel came in as the heavy favourite, and Del Toro and Seixas would have been keen to fix their wrongdoings from Worlds only a few weeks prior.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The usual strong break went up the road. UAE controlled the race like they had Poga\u010dar in their lineup, supported by my own team, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe. A few interesting questions loomed over the race: Would Remco launch a long-range move? Might UAE use the combination of Del Toro and McNulty to outwork the others? What form was Seixas in after skipping the European Championships to focus on this race?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We found out the answer to the latter pretty soon: the teenage sensation showed up some of the best riders in the world. Seixas\u2019 performance was nothing short of breathtaking. From the way he took over the pace on the Civiligo climb and dropped all his competitors one by one, in a similar fashion to what he did at Faun-Ard\u00e8che in February, gave glimpses of the usual Poga\u010dar \u2018smash fest\u2019 minus the explosive acceleration.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e30666-c6e9-11f1-98db-17c925ec344e\" 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\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-2500-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paul Seixas on the charge towards Como last weekend <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e3071a-c6e9-11f1-8c45-258db0687ded\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Seixas looked in total control and won by nearly a minute to Mas. This edition of Il Lombardia may have been a real battle between Poga\u010dar and Seixas if the Slovenian started, and we could have had a real showdown on the final climbs, but that&#8217;s the beauty of hindsight. I still think it was more open and exciting without the five-time winner there. Seixas therefore takes his first Monument and another gigantic step forward in the career of perhaps the most impressive young rider we have ever witnessed after Poga\u010dar himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I guess all that has transpired from Spain to Lombardy raises a question. Are people starting to get bored with the Poga\u010dar dominance? There is no doubt we are witnessing greatness, and the majority of us won\u2019t ever witness an athlete like this again in our lifetime. Maybe what is missing is a bit of unpredictability, like what we saw at Il Lombardia and Worlds. If you know enough about bike racing, you could look at the parcours of a race and circle where Poga\u010dar is most likely to attack.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This column isn&#8217;t me celebrating the horrible accident and subsequent end of Poga\u010dar\u2019s season, but instead offering a different perspective on the dynamics of road racing and how different winners can pump some freshness into the sport. That being said, as a fan of the sport, I am looking forward to Poga\u010dar\u2019s return in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-RE6x9iSb2QQggNGM3uUpf3\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-RE6x9iSb2QQggNGM3uUpf3 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\/A9xzDcV4rUs3uKgUbNLyDj-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>Luke Tuckwell<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Columnist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Luke Tuckwell is an Australian professional cyclist who rides for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.<\/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; 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with switch to Uno-X Mobility after &#8216;difficult&#8217; spell at Canyon-SRAM<\/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>It &#8216;became a nightmare in a split second&#8217; \u2013 Geerike Schreurs recounts crash that left her in a helicopter on way to hospital rather than chasing Gravel World Championships title<\/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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>I hate to say it, but Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence produced some of the most entertaining racing of the year &#8211; Luke Tuckwell&#8217;s column<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" 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 \/>\nLuke Tuckwell <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-13T10:56:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Australian youngster was right next to the Slovenian&#8217;s season-ending crash that he believes shaped an electric and unpredictable end to the men&#8217;s road racing season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-2000-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">The Aussie youngster has seen firsthand the difference that Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence has made<\/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\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e488-c6e6-11f1-b5d4-5d5c10ccafba\">I want to talk about Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s absence from the pro peloton since late August, when he crashed out of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on stage 8. I was in the race that day, with the crash occurring about two meters to my left.<\/p>\n<p>I want to preface this article by saying that, in my opinion, Poga\u010dar is the greatest cyclist of all time, let alone a wonderful human being who is the best ambassador for our sport. And now, after having been in the same bike race as him multiple times this year (I was going to say \u2018competed against him a few times this year\u2019 but there wasn\u2019t really any competition\u2026) I am now even more convinced he is the G.O.A.T.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e488-c6e6-11f1-b5d4-5d5c10ccafba-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, his absence has led to some of the year&#8217;s most exciting and entertaining racing. I\u2019m going to break down this argument in multiple points, so enjoy the read.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-1-la-vuelta-39-s-gc-battle-went-down-to-the-wire-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 1: La Vuelta&#8217;s GC battle went down to the wire<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e640-c6e6-11f1-897f-bbb19e6ec678\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The final Grand Tour left on Poga\u010dar\u2019s bingo card, and it will have to remain incomplete for another twelve months.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-d9e301e8-c6e9-11f1-9ef4-616d90e00658\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More CN Premium Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\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\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It was an Il Lombardia for big statements, from a long overdue safety protest to Paul Seixas riding like a real champion \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Gallery: Big tyres, taped-on tools and lost bidons &#8211; All the tech from the toughest UCI Gravel World Championships yet<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30292-c6e9-11f1-b698-93599b10cb8a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar started with a bang in the opening ITT in Monaco, another bang in Andorra, a smaller bang on stage 6, although Enric Mas caught up to him, and then the unfortunate crash on stage 8. I think we were looking potentially at 8+ stage wins for the Slovenian had he finished the three-week race. But I think you, me, and the entire cycling world couldn\u2019t have predicted what La Vuelta would ultimately produce. From Mas\u2019 superb defence and attack of his inherited red jersey, to the multiple different breakaway victories we had in the final two weeks, all of this might not have happened if Poga\u010dar was still in the bunch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Granted, these things might have still happened, but I highly doubt it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30328-c6e9-11f1-9179-e30cdf9b2897\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar not being in the race meant we could see a lot of riders in a new light. After finishing on the podium four times, Mas was in pole position to take his first Grand Tour victory. Mountain breakaway stages that 99% of the time are controlled by UAE now allowed for riders young and old to take stunning victories, like those of Jakob Omrzel and Mikel Landa. Brennan\u2019s sprinting dominance would most likely have been unchanged with Poga\u010dar in or out of the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instead, we got one of the most exciting GC battles out of all the three-week tours this year. Would Mas hold on? Could Gall use his climbing prowess to take the jersey? Could Roglic use his TT strength and his experience to win a record-breaking fifth Vuelta? All of these questions remained unanswered until the final moments of stage 20, and I am relatively certain these storylines would have struggled to play out if Poga\u010dar was still in the race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e303be-c6e9-11f1-867b-47971c53246c\" 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\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mas was a deserved winner of an enthralling edition of La Vuelta <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30454-c6e9-11f1-b37c-e1c3761759f1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Maybe you could argue that this series of events would have happened anyway because of the fight for the podium, but these battles are far more entertaining when it comes down to first place, not second or third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, I didn\u2019t watch the race; I was within it, and maybe if I was sitting on my couch at home I would have a different opinion on this, but actually being in the race every day, not knowing what could happen, who could win, and what the GC would look like at the end of the race made for a pretty special race from a rider&#8217;s perspective. Having someone like Primo\u017e as my teammate who was in a serious position to potentially win made every day exciting and rewarding. Maybe if we knew that a podium was all we could achieve with Poga\u010dar in the race, my role as a teammate would have been very different and much more passive throughout the race.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-2-a-wide-open-world-championships-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 2: A wide-open World Championships<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e71c-c6e6-11f1-8a6d-b9661edb43c5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The World Championships road race in Montreal was another race I was part of and experiencing for the first time, but from the start we all knew that Poga\u010dar wasn\u2019t lining up. With his absence, the possibilities for how the race could pan out were endless, and we spent multiple nights as an Australian team discussing scenarios, and we could have spent several more nights on this topic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main thing for me was that yes, there were big favourites like Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas; however, it was impossible to predict what tactics they would deploy, how their teams would ride for a leader, and who they would let anticipate the final before they made their own moves. All of this would have been more predictable with Poga\u010dar in the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once again, the same argument could be made that I didn\u2019t watch the race myself, but everyone I have spoken to who watched it from home said it was one of the best World Championships they have seen in recent years.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Brandon McNulty took the biggest win of his life. I am almost certain that wouldn&#8217;t have happened if Poga\u010dar was there. The relentless attacks during the final two hours, like those of Mathieu van der Poel, would have been neutralised instantly. Mads Pedersen\u2019s constant returns to the main group probably wouldn\u2019t have happened. And how could I forget Michael Matthews&#8217; magical silver medal, one that even we as the Australian team didn\u2019t see coming. (Side note: if you want me as your man to ensure your teammate gets second in big races, I\u2019m your guy.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e30512-c6e9-11f1-85dd-638b9b94e290\" 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\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">New world champion McNulty alongside Tuckwell&#8217;s compatriot Michael Matthews and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e305b2-c6e9-11f1-a937-4ffe6d051534\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yet again, I struggle to see how these storylines would have played out if Poga\u010dar was a minute and a half ahead of everyone else, who would most likely have been solo or with one teammate left, like they were in Rwanda last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That being said, it is a shame not to see Poga\u010dar in the rainbow jersey. He is indisputably the best rider on the planet and in other sports would merit being world champion. But this is what is unique about cycling: you have to be in it to win it. And that\u2019s not to say McNulty is not a deserving winner. He has shown his class as a rider and winner over the years. And yes, I say winner, because he has 23 wins to his name. Even my own father said it was nice to see a domestique win, and I swiftly reminded him how many wins the American has, and let&#8217;s just say his facial expression changed pretty quickly.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-3-a-new-king-at-il-lombardia-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 3: A new king at Il Lombardia<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e7f8-c6e6-11f1-b0c2-6da472001643\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Saturday&#8217;s race was pretty much guaranteed to produce a first-time Il Lombardia winner due to Poga\u010dar\u2019s absence. Yet, while it would have been nice to watch Poga\u010dar take a record-breaking sixth victory, I&#8217;ll be the first to admit it hasn\u2019t been the most entertaining race in the last few years, especially when compared to Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So it&#8217;s safe to say I was pretty hyped for the 120th edition of the race from Bergamo to Como. Evenepoel came in as the heavy favourite, and Del Toro and Seixas would have been keen to fix their wrongdoings from Worlds only a few weeks prior.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The usual strong break went up the road. UAE controlled the race like they had Poga\u010dar in their lineup, supported by my own team, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe. A few interesting questions loomed over the race: Would Remco launch a long-range move? Might UAE use the combination of Del Toro and McNulty to outwork the others? What form was Seixas in after skipping the European Championships to focus on this race?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We found out the answer to the latter pretty soon: the teenage sensation showed up some of the best riders in the world. Seixas\u2019 performance was nothing short of breathtaking. From the way he took over the pace on the Civiligo climb and dropped all his competitors one by one, in a similar fashion to what he did at Faun-Ard\u00e8che in February, gave glimpses of the usual Poga\u010dar \u2018smash fest\u2019 minus the explosive acceleration.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e30666-c6e9-11f1-98db-17c925ec344e\" 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\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-2500-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paul Seixas on the charge towards Como last weekend <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e3071a-c6e9-11f1-8c45-258db0687ded\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Seixas looked in total control and won by nearly a minute to Mas. This edition of Il Lombardia may have been a real battle between Poga\u010dar and Seixas if the Slovenian started, and we could have had a real showdown on the final climbs, but that&#8217;s the beauty of hindsight. I still think it was more open and exciting without the five-time winner there. Seixas therefore takes his first Monument and another gigantic step forward in the career of perhaps the most impressive young rider we have ever witnessed after Poga\u010dar himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I guess all that has transpired from Spain to Lombardy raises a question. Are people starting to get bored with the Poga\u010dar dominance? There is no doubt we are witnessing greatness, and the majority of us won\u2019t ever witness an athlete like this again in our lifetime. Maybe what is missing is a bit of unpredictability, like what we saw at Il Lombardia and Worlds. If you know enough about bike racing, you could look at the parcours of a race and circle where Poga\u010dar is most likely to attack.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This column isn&#8217;t me celebrating the horrible accident and subsequent end of Poga\u010dar\u2019s season, but instead offering a different perspective on the dynamics of road racing and how different winners can pump some freshness into the sport. That being said, as a fan of the sport, I am looking forward to Poga\u010dar\u2019s return in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-RE6x9iSb2QQggNGM3uUpf3\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-RE6x9iSb2QQggNGM3uUpf3 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\/A9xzDcV4rUs3uKgUbNLyDj-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>Luke Tuckwell<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Columnist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Luke Tuckwell is an Australian professional cyclist who rides for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.<\/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; 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\u2013 Leo Hayter signs up for another year at Modern Adventure<\/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>Filippo Ganna makes early exit from Netcompany-Ineos to move to Lidl-Trek<\/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>Tour of Guangxi: Paul Magnier scorches to victory on stage 1 to make it six wins from past seven stages of the WorldTour race in China<\/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>Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig hoping to &#8216;find myself again&#8217; with switch to Uno-X Mobility after &#8216;difficult&#8217; spell at Canyon-SRAM<\/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>It &#8216;became a nightmare in a split second&#8217; \u2013 Geerike Schreurs recounts crash that left her in a helicopter on way to hospital rather than chasing Gravel World Championships title<\/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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>I hate to say it, but Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence produced some of the most entertaining racing of the year &#8211; Luke Tuckwell&#8217;s column<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" 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 \/>\nLuke Tuckwell <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-13T10:56:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Australian youngster was right next to the Slovenian&#8217;s season-ending crash that he believes shaped an electric and unpredictable end to the men&#8217;s road racing season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e488-c6e6-11f1-b5d4-5d5c10ccafba\">I want to talk about Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s absence from the pro peloton since late August, when he crashed out of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on stage 8. I was in the race that day, with the crash occurring about two meters to my left.<\/p>\n<p>I want to preface this article by saying that, in my opinion, Poga\u010dar is the greatest cyclist of all time, let alone a wonderful human being who is the best ambassador for our sport. And now, after having been in the same bike race as him multiple times this year (I was going to say \u2018competed against him a few times this year\u2019 but there wasn\u2019t really any competition\u2026) I am now even more convinced he is the G.O.A.T.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e488-c6e6-11f1-b5d4-5d5c10ccafba-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, his absence has led to some of the year&#8217;s most exciting and entertaining racing. I\u2019m going to break down this argument in multiple points, so enjoy the read.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-1-la-vuelta-39-s-gc-battle-went-down-to-the-wire-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 1: La Vuelta&#8217;s GC battle went down to the wire<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e640-c6e6-11f1-897f-bbb19e6ec678\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The final Grand Tour left on Poga\u010dar\u2019s bingo card, and it will have to remain incomplete for another twelve months.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-d9e301e8-c6e9-11f1-9ef4-616d90e00658\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More CN Premium Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\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\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vP3EmPouA2SnGC4eJDNPJk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It was an Il Lombardia for big statements, from a long overdue safety protest to Paul Seixas riding like a real champion \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Can cyclists actually avoid injuries and illness? Experts examined three years of UAE Team Emirates-XRG data to find out<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Gallery: Big tyres, taped-on tools and lost bidons &#8211; All the tech from the toughest UCI Gravel World Championships yet<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30292-c6e9-11f1-b698-93599b10cb8a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar started with a bang in the opening ITT in Monaco, another bang in Andorra, a smaller bang on stage 6, although Enric Mas caught up to him, and then the unfortunate crash on stage 8. I think we were looking potentially at 8+ stage wins for the Slovenian had he finished the three-week race. But I think you, me, and the entire cycling world couldn\u2019t have predicted what La Vuelta would ultimately produce. From Mas\u2019 superb defence and attack of his inherited red jersey, to the multiple different breakaway victories we had in the final two weeks, all of this might not have happened if Poga\u010dar was still in the bunch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Granted, these things might have still happened, but I highly doubt it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30328-c6e9-11f1-9179-e30cdf9b2897\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar not being in the race meant we could see a lot of riders in a new light. After finishing on the podium four times, Mas was in pole position to take his first Grand Tour victory. Mountain breakaway stages that 99% of the time are controlled by UAE now allowed for riders young and old to take stunning victories, like those of Jakob Omrzel and Mikel Landa. Brennan\u2019s sprinting dominance would most likely have been unchanged with Poga\u010dar in or out of the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instead, we got one of the most exciting GC battles out of all the three-week tours this year. Would Mas hold on? Could Gall use his climbing prowess to take the jersey? Could Roglic use his TT strength and his experience to win a record-breaking fifth Vuelta? All of these questions remained unanswered until the final moments of stage 20, and I am relatively certain these storylines would have struggled to play out if Poga\u010dar was still in the race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e303be-c6e9-11f1-867b-47971c53246c\" 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\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8hhNGQoT2WhPfw8aB6Ddsk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mas was a deserved winner of an enthralling edition of La Vuelta <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e30454-c6e9-11f1-b37c-e1c3761759f1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Maybe you could argue that this series of events would have happened anyway because of the fight for the podium, but these battles are far more entertaining when it comes down to first place, not second or third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Of course, I didn\u2019t watch the race; I was within it, and maybe if I was sitting on my couch at home I would have a different opinion on this, but actually being in the race every day, not knowing what could happen, who could win, and what the GC would look like at the end of the race made for a pretty special race from a rider&#8217;s perspective. Having someone like Primo\u017e as my teammate who was in a serious position to potentially win made every day exciting and rewarding. Maybe if we knew that a podium was all we could achieve with Poga\u010dar in the race, my role as a teammate would have been very different and much more passive throughout the race.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-2-a-wide-open-world-championships-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 2: A wide-open World Championships<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e71c-c6e6-11f1-8a6d-b9661edb43c5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The World Championships road race in Montreal was another race I was part of and experiencing for the first time, but from the start we all knew that Poga\u010dar wasn\u2019t lining up. With his absence, the possibilities for how the race could pan out were endless, and we spent multiple nights as an Australian team discussing scenarios, and we could have spent several more nights on this topic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main thing for me was that yes, there were big favourites like Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas; however, it was impossible to predict what tactics they would deploy, how their teams would ride for a leader, and who they would let anticipate the final before they made their own moves. All of this would have been more predictable with Poga\u010dar in the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once again, the same argument could be made that I didn\u2019t watch the race myself, but everyone I have spoken to who watched it from home said it was one of the best World Championships they have seen in recent years.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Brandon McNulty took the biggest win of his life. I am almost certain that wouldn&#8217;t have happened if Poga\u010dar was there. The relentless attacks during the final two hours, like those of Mathieu van der Poel, would have been neutralised instantly. Mads Pedersen\u2019s constant returns to the main group probably wouldn\u2019t have happened. And how could I forget Michael Matthews&#8217; magical silver medal, one that even we as the Australian team didn\u2019t see coming. (Side note: if you want me as your man to ensure your teammate gets second in big races, I\u2019m your guy.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e30512-c6e9-11f1-85dd-638b9b94e290\" 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\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DpLqoXw6zizLEUpMbpLt96-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">New world champion McNulty alongside Tuckwell&#8217;s compatriot Michael Matthews and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e305b2-c6e9-11f1-a937-4ffe6d051534\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yet again, I struggle to see how these storylines would have played out if Poga\u010dar was a minute and a half ahead of everyone else, who would most likely have been solo or with one teammate left, like they were in Rwanda last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That being said, it is a shame not to see Poga\u010dar in the rainbow jersey. He is indisputably the best rider on the planet and in other sports would merit being world champion. But this is what is unique about cycling: you have to be in it to win it. And that\u2019s not to say McNulty is not a deserving winner. He has shown his class as a rider and winner over the years. And yes, I say winner, because he has 23 wins to his name. Even my own father said it was nice to see a domestique win, and I swiftly reminded him how many wins the American has, and let&#8217;s just say his facial expression changed pretty quickly.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"part-3-a-new-king-at-il-lombardia-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Part 3: A new king at Il Lombardia<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0957e7f8-c6e6-11f1-b0c2-6da472001643\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Saturday&#8217;s race was pretty much guaranteed to produce a first-time Il Lombardia winner due to Poga\u010dar\u2019s absence. Yet, while it would have been nice to watch Poga\u010dar take a record-breaking sixth victory, I&#8217;ll be the first to admit it hasn\u2019t been the most entertaining race in the last few years, especially when compared to Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So it&#8217;s safe to say I was pretty hyped for the 120th edition of the race from Bergamo to Como. Evenepoel came in as the heavy favourite, and Del Toro and Seixas would have been keen to fix their wrongdoings from Worlds only a few weeks prior.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The usual strong break went up the road. UAE controlled the race like they had Poga\u010dar in their lineup, supported by my own team, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe. A few interesting questions loomed over the race: Would Remco launch a long-range move? Might UAE use the combination of Del Toro and McNulty to outwork the others? What form was Seixas in after skipping the European Championships to focus on this race?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We found out the answer to the latter pretty soon: the teenage sensation showed up some of the best riders in the world. Seixas\u2019 performance was nothing short of breathtaking. From the way he took over the pace on the Civiligo climb and dropped all his competitors one by one, in a similar fashion to what he did at Faun-Ard\u00e8che in February, gave glimpses of the usual Poga\u010dar \u2018smash fest\u2019 minus the explosive acceleration.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d9e30666-c6e9-11f1-98db-17c925ec344e\" 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\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-2500-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MJh5MQpTLS3PSdttXLars-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paul Seixas on the charge towards Como last weekend <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d9e3071a-c6e9-11f1-8c45-258db0687ded\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Seixas looked in total control and won by nearly a minute to Mas. This edition of Il Lombardia may have been a real battle between Poga\u010dar and Seixas if the Slovenian started, and we could have had a real showdown on the final climbs, but that&#8217;s the beauty of hindsight. I still think it was more open and exciting without the five-time winner there. Seixas therefore takes his first Monument and another gigantic step forward in the career of perhaps the most impressive young rider we have ever witnessed after Poga\u010dar himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I guess all that has transpired from Spain to Lombardy raises a question. Are people starting to get bored with the Poga\u010dar dominance? There is no doubt we are witnessing greatness, and the majority of us won\u2019t ever witness an athlete like this again in our lifetime. Maybe what is missing is a bit of unpredictability, like what we saw at Il Lombardia and Worlds. If you know enough about bike racing, you could look at the parcours of a race and circle where Poga\u010dar is most likely to attack.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This column isn&#8217;t me celebrating the horrible accident and subsequent end of Poga\u010dar\u2019s season, but instead offering a different perspective on the dynamics of road racing and how different winners can pump some freshness into the sport. That being said, as a fan of the sport, I am looking forward to Poga\u010dar\u2019s return in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/i-hate-to-say-it-but-tadej-pogacars-absence-produced-some-of-the-most-entertaining-racing-of-the-year-luke-tuckwells-column\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/poNhYaicbkrNU8JtGKWMx4-2000-80.png&#8221;] Pro Cycling I hate to say it, but Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s absence produced some of the most entertaining racing of the year &#8211; Luke Tuckwell&#8217;s column MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Features By Luke Tuckwell Published 13 October 2026 The Australian youngster was right next to the Slovenian&#8217;s season-ending crash that he believes shaped an electric [&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-2197027","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\/2197027","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=2197027"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197027\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2197027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2197027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2197027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}