CyclistWhat are the GC narratives to follow at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico 2026?As the season shifts a gear, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico join forces in what is one of the busiest and most telling weeks of pro cycling throughout the year. Set to include a whole host of Grand Tour contenders, bar a running-scared Tadej Pogaar, the two races have often acted as the first litmus tests ahead of the Classics and first Grand Tours.Touted as the Race to the Sun, Paris-Nice is centred around a series of punchy stages, with a team time-trial placed right after a sprinter-friendly opening. Jonas Vingegaard will use the race to make his 2026 debut, joined by Oscar Onley and Juan Ayuso, who both got their seasons underway in Portugal last month. Over in Italy, the Tirreno-Adriatico parcours looks rather tame. There are some hilly stages, even some gravel, but a lack of a mountaintop finish means the race could be blown wide open. Isaac del Toro is the standout name, but two-time winner Primo Rogli, the in-form Antonio Tiberi and Matteo Jorgenson will travel to Italy for a weeks racing. As we prepare to chew into the GC fat later this week, lets take a look at the key narratives set to dominate conversation during Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. Related Posts The best photos from men's Strade Bianche 2026 Seixas to the Tour, Red Bull balanced, but leaders wain: What can we learn from 2026's early results? Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start lists Paris-Nice 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list Jonas Vingegaard needs to break his Paris-Nice curseA.S.O./Billy CeustersJonas Vingegaard has had an incredibly strange offseason clouded by several incidents. His coach suddenly left Visma-Lease a Bike, citing creative constraints, and teammate Simon Yates threw in the towel on his pro career in a surprise January announcement. Since then, the Dane has put off his 2026 debut after skirting the UAE Tour, a decision that came soon after a training crash in Spain allegedly caused by a fan following him on a descent. Fair enough, its not been an easy couple of months for Vingegaard, who makes his most delayed season debut since 2020. Hes chosen Paris-Nice to get things going, a race that hasnt come naturally in the past. Back in 2023, this came in the form of a rather comprehensive thrashing by not only Tadej Pogaar but also David Gaudu. Last year, the Visma leader had to scoop himself up off the concrete after a crash ruled him out of the race just 24 hours after losing a mountaintop sprint to Joao Almeida. Its not quite the affirmation of form Vingegaard would have expected.While Vingegaard is the most-proven GC rider on paper, I wouldnt be surprised if Juan Ayuso manages to prolong Vingegaards Paris-Nice curse. Ayuso looks to be in great shape, having come off the Volta ao Algarve with a big race win under his belt. The Spaniard has already been chasing bonus seconds during the flat opening stages, with some real gusto behind him since moving from UAE to Lidl-Trek in the winter. Vingegaard desperately needs a big win. Its been a while since he won a week-long stage race. If he doesnt win Paris-Nice, some serious question marks will be placed upon the two-time Tour winner.Primo Rogli makes his comeback ahead of a crucial seasonMaximilian Fries/Red Bull Content PoolAfter an offseason spent waltzing around the Winter Olympics and luxury dinners, Primo Rogli will make his return to racing at Tirreno-Adriatico, a race he has won twice previously.Rogli has won a stage race every year since 2017. That has included a WorldTour stage race each year since 2018, so history dictates that he will be able to pick up a major race of some sort this year. However, judging by his schedule, Tirreno-Adriatico and Itzulia Basque Country will be the only openings without a Pogaar-shaped obstacle in his way before the Vuelta.This year, Rogli finds himself further down the pecking order at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. That will put pressure on the Slovenian to prove himself if he is to hold onto leadership duties later in the year, especially the Vuelta a Espaa. To add to the pressure, hes also got a contract to negotiate for 2027. If he picked up another Tirreno trident, he could stabilise his future prospects or use that as leverage to find leadership duties elsewhere. Otherwise, he could solidify his future at Red Bull and foster full confidence ahead of the Vuelta.Vauquelin, Onley and Rodrguez: Ineoss wealth of strengthA.S.O./Billy CeustersAfter their shopping spree over the winter, Ineos Grenadiers have brought all their new toys to Paris-Nice. Oscar Onley, the teams priciest signing, joins Kvin Vauquelin and Ineos mainstay Carlos Rodrguez at the race. For further support, French champion Dorian Godon arrives at his home race with an appetite to win a stage or two. This team are overwhelmed by talent. However, will they be able to use all these stars to their collective benefit, or will it be a discordant approach akin to 2010s Movistar or dare I say Pidcock-era Ineos? The weeks profile suits Onley and Vauquelin well. I mean, the Frenchman would have led a team in his own right if he were still at Arka-B&B Hotels, but alas, hes here to support Onley. As a double threat, theyve got a real ace up their sleeves when compared to relatively weak opposition at Visma or Lidl-Trek, who look more like one-man shows on hillier terrain.Vauquelin and Onley have already collaborated at the Volta ao Algarve, which ended with both finishing inside the top five overall. Rodrguez has tried balancing out co-leadership duties in the past, but itll be intriguing to see how he goes this year with even fiercer competition at the top of Ineoss pecking order. If they unite, we could start to see Ineos as a viable opponent to the likes of UAE Team Emirates or Red Bull in stage races. Thats a UAE without Pogaar, mind you.Is Antonio Tiberi a genuine contender?UAE Tour/SprintCyclingAgencyAntonio Tiberi has been in scintillating form in 2026. He picked up his first WorldTour win at the UAE Tour, then managed to hold on and finish second in the overall standings. To top that off, he finished in fourth at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and has picked up two podium finishes at one-day races. Based on results alone, hes one of the most consistent riders at the moment.His biggest challenge yet, however, will come at Tirreno-Adriatico. The Bahrain Victorios rider will have just one time-trial to lean on, so his climbing will be scrutinised intensely. The competition is also much stiffer than it was at his two previous stage race tests this year, given the participation of Isaac del Toro, Primo Rogli, Jai Hindley and Richard Carapaz. If Tiberi is to underline his winter form, hell need to prove that those results werent a freak blip during the calendars early months.Weve often seen these winter sensations struggle once the real contenders get in full flight come the spring. However, since Tiberi has some Grand Tour results to his name, this year could go the other direction and act more as a graduation for the 24-year-old, who has been steadily moving up the GC ranks over the past two seasons. Bear in mind that Tiberi will make his Tour de France debut this summer, so if he manages to impress here at Tirreno-Adriatico, he may end up a contender for the white jersey.A pre-Tour TTT tasterA.S.O./Billy CeustersParis-Nice has carved out a niche for itself as the only stage race to preserve a yearly team time-trial. In 2026, the race of truth will hold extra importance as a trial run ahead of the Tour de France, which starts with a team time-trial around Barcelona. This will be one of just two WorldTour TTTs between now and the Tour, so Paris-Nices third stage will provide some insight into which teams have their TTT setup dialled in.The Tours first stage will use Paris-Nice rules, which means the time of the first rider will be taken into account for the stage but individual times for GC, rather than the old format where the team would be judged on the fourth or fifth rider. As the name suggests, the same rules will apply here, so we could see teams fine-tune their tactical plan ahead of the Tour as well. In recent years, this has taken the form of a glorified leadout train rather than the old-school team time-trial line.Jonas Vingegaards Visma-Lease a Bike will look quite similar to the team that arrives in Barcelona in July. Its a similar story for Ineos Grenadiers, who will likely bring a fair chunk of their Paris-Nice roster to the TOur. This will give these teams a chance to compare their performance ahead of the summer. While Red Bull and UAE havent brought their own Tour-ready teams, itll give us some clues as to how the Grand Dpart will unravel in a few months time.Elections alter the finish to Paris-NiceA.S.O./Billy CeustersThe final stage of Paris-Nice takes on a very different form this year. Due to mayoral elections across France, the eighth stage wont use the traditional Promenade des Anglais finish. This means we wont be climbing the usual climbs of the Col dze and Col des Quatre Chemins. Instead, the crest of the final climb will come at 20km to go. Overall, this means the stage is easier: while the old route had four or five category 1 or 2 climbs, this years route has three, mostly in the first two-thirds.While riders over the past decade have had the chance to roll the dice on the final stage, itll be much tougher to leave it all on the table this time around. As a result, the GC is likely to be decided ahead of the final stage, which may reduce some of the Paris-Nice charm away from the usually must-see final day around the Cte dAzur.If its a success, will the organisers swap the Promenade des Anglais for the Allianz Riviera finale? I doubt it. Theres something special about the Col dze.The post What are the GC narratives to follow at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico 2026? appeared first on Cyclist.

Isaac del Toro admitted he was riding on instinct in the chaotic gravel finale of Stage 2 at Tirreno-Adriatico, but the Mexicans aggressive response to Mathieu van der Poels decisive attack ultimately earned him the overall race lead. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider was the only rider able to im...

This is my second time having Uri Carlson coming on the podcast, and it wont be the last. In fact, were going to be doing an upcoming episode answering YOUR questionsstick around to learn more on that.But the reason I wanted to have Uri back on the podcast is that she gives THE most trust-worthy practical nutrition advice for cyclists that Ive heard. My first interview with her is also one of our most downloaded episodes everproof that yall found value in what she has to share as well.In this episode, we talk about how many carbs you should be eating on the bike, real food vs sports nutrition products, and fueling at different life stages.Listen To The InterviewOr Watch On YouTubeKey TakeawaysDont have time to listen to the full interview? Here are a few key takeaways from the episode.Carb IntakeDont chase a one-size-fits-all carb number fuel for the work required. A good rule of thumb is to replace about half the calories you burn per hour.If youre currently taking in, say, 30g of carbs/hour but need 80g, build up gradually dont jump straight to your target.High carb targets (100120g/hour) are really only for athletes burning 8001,000+ calories per hour.Real Food & Fueling StrategyYou dont have to use gels if youd be more excited eating a cookie, mini muffin, or Swedish fish, use that instead. Excitement = compliance.Choose foods with higher moisture content (banana bread, soft-baked cookies, blondies) so they dont crumble in your pocket.Pre-portion real food into open bags on your top tube before you ride so its easy to grab.Go to the grocery store with the sole purpose of finding foods youd be excited to eat on the bike and test them out.GI DistressIf you have a sensitive gut, use chewable foods rather than relying entirely on liquid calories chewing triggers a saliva response that signals your gut to prepare for carbs.If GI distress hits mid-ride, reduce intensity to bring blood flow back to your gut, then slowly build back up.For sensitive athletes, simplify ingredients products with artificial colors/flavors have higher osmolality, which can pull water into the gut and cause issues.Liquid vs. Solid FuelFor rides under 3 hours, liquid-only can work fine. For 3+ hours, add chewable foods with a small amount of fat and protein for hunger prevention.Target 58g of protein per hour and no more than 1015g of fat per hour on long rides.Daily Fueling TimingDont go more than 34 hours without eating skipping leads to energy crashes, afternoon fatigue, and evening overeating.If its been more than 2 hours since your last meal, or more than 6090 minutes since a snack, eat a pre-workout snack before your ride.After a workout of 60+ minutes of intensity or 90+ minutes at any intensity, eat something dont wait for dinner if its more than 45 minutes away.Eating after dinner is totally fine, especially if you eat early with kids or have an early morning workout. A protein-focused snack before bed beats going 12 hours without food.Perimenopause & MenopauseWomen in peri/menopause often become more sensitive to carbs and need more protein. Adjust recovery ratios slightly less carbs, more protein than the standard 34:1 ratio.Hydration & Sweat TestingDo a DIY fluid loss sweat test: weigh yourself before and after a ride. Aim to replace 7590% of fluid losses per hour.Use the free Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) sweat loss calculator online just plug in your pre/post weight and fluid amounts.Test your sweat losses in different conditions (cold, hot, indoor trainer) to know your low-end vs. high-end hydration needs.If you struggle with cramping or cant seem to nail hydration, consider a sodium sweat test. Precision Fuel & Hydration has testing centers across North America, or try the Levelen at-home test.Weight Loss & PerformanceEstablish what it feels like to be properly fueled first then strategically reduce carbs away from workouts to support weight loss without tanking performance. Connect With Uri Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/uri_carlson/Website:https://www.innerwildnutrition.com/More Episodes You Might EnjoyLife As A Gravel Pro With Sarah SturmSelene Yeager Interview: How To Thrive On The Bike Thru MenopauseBikes, Art, & Advocacy With Lisa CongdonAbout The HostKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post Fueling For Success On The Bike With Uri Carlson appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

Crashes, illness and withdrawals are an unavoidable part of any stage race, and Tirreno-Adriatico is likely to be no exception. From high-speed sprints to decisive time trials and mountain stages, the "Race of the Two Seas" often places riders under physical stress. This rolling medical report tra...

Dublin City Councils South East Area committee was misleadingly told yesterday that councillors were led to believe that Capel St and Parliament St were to be pedestrian streets, implying cycling on them, but this flies in the face of documentation and other evidence, which made it clear that the streets were to be made car-free, with cycling allowed. Cllr Mannix Flynn (independent), who made the bizarre claim, has repeatedly criticised the projects to make the streets car-free, and, over a number of years, has repeatedly complained about people cycling and most traffic schemes which have impacts on motorists.The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is just one of many documents which show that cycling was to be allowed on both streets. It said: Following the successful transformation of Capel Street into a traffic-free environment, it is the intention to replicate this scheme on Parliament Street, introducing a car-free corridor for pedestrians and cyclists on the western edge of the city centre retail core.While the media and other councillors repeatedly referred to the street changes as pedestrianisation, Dublin City Council officials used the phrase traffic-free while also regularly mentioning, verbally and in documents provided to councillors, that cycling would be allowed. Cllr Flynn has also attended a number of meetings where the two streets have been discussed, including the fact that cycling would be allowed or was allowed on the streets. At the meeting yesterday, Cllr Flynn said that he does not know what the design manual outlines about markings on streets, but assumes because of what he calls the health and safety issues that there would be some measures or markings to tell cyclists where to go on the streets.He claims that if people cycling are coming from Parliament Street and Capel Street, they are going fast because it is a straight run. But as reported previously, on many side visits over different months and times of day, IrishCycle.com mainly observed what bicycle-shaped-objects devices that look like bicycles but are legally classed as illegal mopeds going notably fast.As reported separately, Garda have also targeted illegal scooters and moped/motorcycle use on Capel Street.Cllr Flynn continued: Now, we were led to believe by the council and by active travel that these were pedestrianised spaces. And by and large, you know most pedestrians are beginning to realise that you dont walk on that carriage[way]. Now, are we decommissioning it as a carriage[way] and saying its no longer a motorway or what are we doing?A motorway is a road exclusively for the use of motorists. Capel Street and Parliament Street were never motorways.Or are we going to make it safe for pedestrians to actually. youve got a space where you can sit down, but people also want to walk, so youre safe enough when you sit down. But when you get up to walk, or when theres children playing, which there was recently on Capel Street, and the child is still very badly injured by a bike, he claimed.Cllr Flynn said: Now I would imagine that if the cyclist knew there was a way to be cycling that was marked out, there wouldnt be an issue there, and also the idea of actually to slow it down, theres no need to go fast on your electric bike.In another part of the local area meeting yesterday, he asked: When are you going to put the markings on the road here, which is basically Parliament Street? Its meant to be a pedestrian street primarily, but theres no markings on the pedestrian section. So, when youre walking down there, the cyclists are just coming around that corner full speed, and its very confusing.The same down in Capel Street, please. If youre going to actually, you know, put cyclists in pedestrian areas, please put markings down warning people that cyclists are there because you have no way of knowing, Cllr Flynn added.IMAGE: Except bicycles signs and bicycle traffic lights on Capel Street, although there are mostly no markings on the street or in the shared former carrageway which is also used for deliveries in the mornings. A Dublin City Council official, an engineer with the Traffic Advisory Group (TAG), which looks after traffic change requests such as line markings, said: I spoke to the active travel unit within the traffic department, who are responsible for the initial initiative there. And they did make some changes to [the street], but theyre monitoring it all the time, and theyll take on board what you said, particularly because somebody was injured there.He added: Ill bring that back to them as well at this time and see if theres some additional changes that can be made just to improve safety.Cllr Flynn said: In the first instance, pretend that its a pedestrian space, people go down there and walk with their kids. They let the kids go, they are grand and then all of a sudden theres an accident. I actually find that appallingly bad practise. I mean, I really do. Its akin to reckless driving that they would put pedestrians in a position like that.He said he wanted marking immediately put down on the streets in the interest of the public. Capel Street has been car-free since May 2022 two months short of four years.You know, I mean, its just not on How long is it there? Two, or three years? And theres nothing more accidents down there, Cllr Flynn claimed with no supporting evidence. The TAG engineer said: In fairness. I think it is described as a car-free zone rather than a pedestrian zone.Cllr Flynn said: Theres an issue around that also because they never clarified. Cllr Dermot Lacey, chair of the committee, suggested that Cllr Flynn refer the issue to the councils Mobility and Public Relime Committee, which Cllr Flynn sits on.

Launched in 2006, the Revelate Mountain Feedbag set the standard for stem bags. After almost 20 years, the larger Mountain Feedbag is now accompanied by a smaller bag with the same DNA, the Revelate Speedbag. Check out Nics first look at this new stem bag and find updates on some minor changes to the iconic Mountain Feedbag belowThe post A First Look at the Revelate Speedbag appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Crashes, illness and withdrawals are an unavoidable part of any stage race, and Paris-Nice is no exception. From wind-affected finales and high-speed sprints to decisive time trials and mountain stages, we take a look at the medical reports, as well as looking into the riders who have withdrawn from...

The Withhold Release Order was imposed in September over concerns about forced labour practices

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 is taking place from the 9th to the 15th of March and is, as is the case every year, one of the most important races of the spring. It not only provides sprinters, time trialists and climbers with golden opportunities in one of Italy's top events; but also provides the classic...

Juan Ayuso emerged from the Stage 3 team time trial at Paris-Nice in the race lead, with the Lidl-Trek rider taking control of the Maillot Jaune after a dramatic reshuffle of the general classification. Although Lidl-Trek narrowly missed out on the stage victory in the 23.5-kilometre test against th...