Tadej Pogačar Seeks Historic Fourth Strade Bianche Title

The cycling world descends upon Italy this Saturday as Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar begins his 2026 season at Strade Bianche, a race renowned for its challenging white gravel roads. Pogačar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, has the opportunity to surpass Fabian Cancellara and claim sole ownership of the record for most Strade Bianche victories.

Pogačar Aims to Make History

If successful, Pogačar will secure his fourth Strade Bianche title, exceeding the current record of three wins he shares with Swiss cycling legend Fabian Cancellara. Pogačar previously won the prestigious event in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

Cancellara Offers Support and Respect

Cancellara, a three-time champion himself (2008, 2012, and 2016), expressed no reservations about potentially seeing his record broken. “I have no problem if he wins. It’s pretty clear on paper, but there are still games left. It’s an honor to share this title with him,” Cancellara told Sforza. Despite his graciousness, Cancellara playfully added, “But if someone from the Tudor team wins, I’ll be a lot happier,” highlighting his continued passion for the sport and his role as the owner of the Tudor team.

A Challenging Course and Notable Absence

Despite a monument being unveiled on Thursday recognizing Pogačar’s contribution to the race at the Colle Pinchuto section, the Tuscan course, with its gravel roads and steep climbs, will present a formidable challenge. The absence of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), fresh off a win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last weekend, is a significant talking point. Van der Poel has consistently been a strong competitor against Pogačar in classic races, and his non-participation will alter the race dynamics.

Evolution of Strade Bianche and Pogačar’s Impact

Cancellara noted the increasing difficulty of Strade Bianche, stating, “Strade has turn into more difficult, but I am confident that van der Poel has a chance here. This race may simply not have suited his schedule. No one should judge that.” He also lauded Pogačar’s impact on cycling, saying, “He grew cycling and took it to another level, especially in a global context. It’s clear he’s the best player at the moment, but I don’t compare him to other players like Eddy Merckx. This is a different era.”

Pogačar’s Approach and Team Support

Cancellara expressed curiosity about Pogačar’s lighter racing schedule this year, concluding, “Pogačar is racing much less this year as well. I wonder about his approach. But as long as he is motivated and enjoys cycling, that’s fine.”

UAE Team Emirates-XRG showcased their commitment to Pogačar’s success, tailoring their strategy to launch attacks from a distance, as evidenced by the team’s presence at the front of the race with 90km remaining. WAM reports that teammates Kevin Vermaerke, Felix Großschartner, Florian Vermeersch, and Jan Christen will be instrumental in setting up Pogačar’s attacks.

Pogačar’s Dominant Performance

Pogačar ultimately claimed a record-breaking fourth title at Strade Bianche on Saturday, becoming the first rider in race history to win back-to-back-to-back editions. He launched his race-winning attack on the Monte Santa Maria and extended his lead over the remaining 79km, finishing over a minute ahead of the competition. UAE Team Emirates confirmed the victory.

Del Toro’s Strong Showing

Isaac del Toro also secured a third-place finish for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, expertly tracking the chasing groups. Pogačar expressed his happiness for del Toro’s performance, acknowledging the contributions of Christen, Großschartner, and Vermeersch to the team’s success. UAE Team Emirates

“More or less, this was the plan!” Pogačar said after the race.

Gianetti Praises Pogačar’s Form

UAE Team Emirates-XRG Team Manager Mauro Gianetti praised Pogačar’s strength and improvement, stating, “Tadej is stronger than ever, he’s still improving.” Yahoo Sports reports that Gianetti was reassured by Pogačar’s training data, and ambition.