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Patrick Fletcher

'It was a hard transition' – Tadej Pogačar climbs his first mountain of 2026 but has to ride within himself

Tadej Pogačar Lenny Martinez Florian Lipowitz Classics
MARTIGNY, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes in the breakaway during the 79th Tour de Romandie 2026, Stage 2 a 171.2km stage from Martigny to Martigny on April 29, 2026 in Martigny, Switzerland. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

Tadej Pogačar described a "hard transition" as he climbed his first mountain of 2026 on Wednesday, but the world champion didn't show any signs of suffering on the opening road stage of the Tour de Romandie. In fact, he rode well within himself, taking a victory built as much on brain power as leg power.

Pogačar had opted for a Classics-only start to the season, winning Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, finishing runner-up in his only other race, Paris-Roubaix.

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