CyclistWe predict every mens WorldTour race in 2026The WorldTour season is underway at long last, with the Tour Down Under now done and dusted over the weekend.Now that weve already made our bold racing, transfer and team predictions ahead of 2026, lets take it a little further this time and cast a full years worth of premonitions. Indeed, well be reaching for our crystal ball once again to take a look at the entirety of the mens WorldTour calendar except the races in Australia.Well run through each of the stage races and Classics in the sports top tier, describing what we see as the potential podium finish, with a small dash of justification, before we inevitably get egg on our face when they turn out to be anything but true in a years time.Lets dig in.UAE TourUAE TourIt seems as though everyone and their dog is going to the UAE Tour this year bar Tadej Pogaar, who has a statue in the country. Hes left his big shoes to be filled by Isaac del Toro, who I think has a good shot here, not least because hes been training in the Middle East more than anyone else in contention.Yes, Im neither backing Jonas Vingegaard nor Remco Evenepoel here. I reckon the latter will crumble on the Jebel Hafeet, while Vingegaard will struggle to keep up with Del Toros aggressive climbing style on the sparkly new Jebel Mobrah. Plus, hes never been the best when it comes to early-season tests.Vingegaard fans, dont worry. Hes going to turn his fortunes around in a few weeksOur podiumIsaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)Omloop Het NieuwsbladLuc Claessen/Getty ImagesI think the tectonics of the Classics will shift this spring. Visma-Lease a Bike have shed a hefty chunk of their cobbled roster, Alpecin-Premier Tech likewise, while Lidl-Trek hope to excel more in the Grand Tours than one-day races. If Van der Poel skips any races, that should really throw the door open to other contenders.Given that the Dutchman is expected to skip this traditional opener, prepare for some chaos. While many may lean on Visma-Lease a Bike, QuickSteps beefed-up Classics team looks particularly threatening. Dylan van Baarle and Jasper Stuyven are two former winners of this race, now housed under the same roof.Welcome back, classic Soudal-QuickStep.Our podiumJasper Stuyven (Soudal-QuickStep)Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarch)Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) Related Posts What are the Grand Tour favourites' race schedules for 2026? Our very early ideal 2026/27 pro cycling transfer window What to expect from every mens WorldTour team in 2026 All the 2026 WorldTour kits ranked from worst to first Strade BiancheXavier PereyronThe organisers have slightly tweaked the route of this Italian epic in an attempt to make it less suited to long-range attacks. Whether this deters Pogi or not is to be concluded, but I can envision an outcome that sees a UAE double-act whizzing up the road. For that, brace yourselves for the Pogaar and Del Toro tandem, rolling through the dusty Tuscan hills at 400W while maintaining a leisurely conversation.The battle for third will be the only thing to save us from the mind-numbing UAE domination. In that sense, Id love to see someone like Paul Seixas or Louis Barr making the bronze medal spot. In reality, its more likely to be Ben Healy or Quinn Simmons.Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost)Paris-NiceA.S.O./Billy CeustersThe route for this years Paris-Nice is a little softer than usual. Theres only one high mountaintop finish, but thats offset by a few punchy finales throughout the week. The startlist boasts both Joo Almeida and Juan Ayuso, which will be a fascinating showdown after several seasons spent as teammates at UAE Team Emirates, and it serves up an all-important team time-trial. Remember, one of those will open this years Tour de France.Paris-Nice often delivers a few twists and turns. There are bound to be echelons, crashes and chaos in the rainy first week of March. After some cursed years though, Ill back Joo Almeida for a first stage race victory in France.Our podiumJoo Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)Kvin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers)Tirreno-AdriaticoUnipublic / CxclingIf Paris-Nices route is softer than usual, Tirreno-Adriatico is a walk in the park. The Italian race has cut out its mountaintop finishes, leaving just a 3km climb as the only uphill conclusion in this race. Those lighter profiles infused with a time-trial have led some to tip Filippo Ganna, but that seems a little too optimistic in my eyes. Instead, this week-long test reminds me a lot of the 2023 edition, won by Primo Rogli. There are a bunch of Rog-friendly finales, so I reckon itll be a closely fought battle for time bonuses against Isaac del Toro.Our podiumIsaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Primo Rogli (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike)Milan-San RemoDario Belingheri/Getty ImagesThese days, Milan-San Remo is the hardest of the three Monuments to predict. Its also the hardest to win if your name is Tadej Pogaar.After his attempt on the Cipressa last year, I suspect Pogaar will try something similar again in 2026. However, this time teams will be more suspicious of the move. In particular, I think Lidl-Trek will be able to garner some control of the peloton while they pursue the Slovenian and anyone daring enough to follow his wheel. This should allow the race to end in a sprint, which seems like a rarity in La Classicissima these days.The romantic would choose Michael Matthews, but I need to be realistic and back Mads Pedersen. He deserves a Monument more than anyone in the peloton right now.Our podiumMads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla)Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Premier Tech)Volta Ciclista a CatalunyaHarry TalbotCatalan racing often delivers in bucket loads. This year, I expect nothing else.The last of Marchs WorldTour stage races will feature Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, Jonas Vingegaard, Derek Gee-West and Joo Almeida, just to name a few. Its absolutely stacked with Giro and Tour contenders, and, to be honest, may offer the most competitive start list outside of the Grand Tours.The profiles for the 2026 route havent been revealed yet, but we have an idea of where the race is heading. There are a couple of summit finishes and the traditional punchy circuit around Barcelona. It could all come down to that final day, much like it did last year, but I reckon Vingegaard will get his Giro prep off to a flying start against several of his big rivals. Visma havent scrimped on his team either, as theyve already confirmed that this will be a test run for the Tour de France roster.Our podiumJonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)Joo Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Felix Gall (Decathlon-CMA CGM)The Flemish ClassicsXavier PereyronJust like that, were back on the pav in Belgium.The results of these intermediate Flemish Classics are usually dictated by momentum and form during that specific week. Startlists are also relatively fluid during this time of year, so were going to tackle the lot as one big blob, especially given how similar a lot of these courses are to one another. The one exception is the Ronde Van Brugge, formerly Brugge-De Panne, which is a pancake-flat profile free from any big cobbled sections or hills.Chances are Mathieu van der Poel is likely to win any of these races. Judging from the past two years, Mads Pedersen is also bound to be a perennial figure. Keep your eyes on Dwaars door Vlaanderen though, thats often a bit of a free-for-all.Ronde Van BruggeTim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep)Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech)Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)E3 Saxo ClassicMathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech)Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-QuickStep)In Flanders Fields (formerly Gent-Wevelgem)Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM)Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Dwars door VlaanderenMathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek)Matej Mohori (Bahrain Victorious)Antnio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Tour of FlandersXavier PereyronWhile its almost 100% certain that hell avoid the cobbles the week prior, Tadej Pogaar is the best rider at the Tour of Flanders. We can be pretty confident of that after two wins in three attempts since 2022. In all likelihood, hell be in flying form come April. On the steeper bergs, the Slovenian will distance everyone, including three-time winner Mathieu van der Poel. Leaving them all in the dust, the Slovenian will win Monument number 11 and, more importantly, receive a morale boost heading into Paris-Roubaix, which he has underlined as his main objective for 2026.Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech)Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)Itzulia Basque CountryTommaso Berardi/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhile the big guys rattle over the cobblestones, Itzulia Basque Country welcomes a pretty substantial startlist. Primo Rogli, Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso lead the early list of favourites, but theres always a surprise or two in this race, which is filled with punchy climbs. In that regard, prepare yourself for a Del Toro vs Ayuso bloodbath, filled with tension from their former days together at UAE.Side note, this race also doubles up as a kids club since teenage sensations Paul Seixas and Jarno Widar are set to take to the start line. They could be contenders for the top five in all seriousness.Our podiumIsaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep)Paris-RoubaixXavier PereyronDespite his bullish ambitions at Paris-Roubaix, Im not 100% convinced that Pogaar will claim a historic cobblestone trophy. Then again, Pogaar won the Tour of Flanders on his second attempt.To the sound of a thousand yawns, Im going to plough on and declare Mathieu van der Poel the champion of Paris-Roubaix for a history-equalling fourth time. After three consecutive wins, all in different fashion, hes the most proven of the lot on the French pav.Lets spice things up with third place. Theres no fun in predicting Jasper Philipsen or Mads Pedersen, so Ill single out Filippo Ganna. The Italian has been slowly improving on the cobbles, and this race has always been suited to the thoroughbred time-triallists.Our podiumMathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech)Tadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers)Amstel Gold RaceDario Belingheri/Getty Images)Currently, Pogaars scheduled to take a weekend off after Paris-Roubaix. Since hes ditched the Dutch race, lets go full fantasy. This is how I imagine the race situation.Lidl-Treks Quinn Simmons makes a long-range attack at 80km to go. He pulls out a two-minute gap by the time the peloton reacts. Tom Pidcock and Remco Evenepoel anchor a chasing group, but the pair fail to cooperate once they come within 20 seconds of the lone American. Simmons takes the win, resplendent in the star-spangled jersey, with Pidcock winning the pity party sprint for second place.Our podiumQuinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek)Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5)Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Flche WallonneA.S.O./Billy CeustersFlche Wallonne has had a couple of shock results over the past few years. I mean, who had Stephen Williams down to win an Ardennes Classic?Currently, Pogaar isnt down to race on the Mur de Huy. That leaves Remco Evenepoel, who has struggled on this finish in the past. Thats important to bear in mind this steep finale is tailored to specialists. With that, Mattias Skjelmose and Kvin Vauquelin have both featured on the podium in recent editions. Ill throw in Romain Grgoire as a contender too, given his consistent top ten results and punchy characteristics.Our podiumMattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)Kvin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers)Romain Grgoire (Groupama-FDJ United)Lige-Bastogne-LigeLuc Claessen/Getty ImagesIf you were sick and tired of the Pogaar-Evenepoel tandem in the Italian Classics last year, then brace yourselves for more this spring. This pair are streets ahead of everyone else on the startlist, having won the five most recent editions between them. Pogaar is ultimately the stronger of the two, so it feels natural to back the Slovenian for yet another Monument title.As always, the more exciting battle will be for third. Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)Tour de RomandieMaxime Schmid/AFP/Getty ImagesJust a few days after romping home to a fourth Monument victory in the Ardennes, Pogaar races a Swiss stage race for the first time as an elite pro.In Romandie, well get to see Pogaar face Roglic for the first time properly since 2022 too, so thats something to look forward to, I guess. That said, Im convinced the Vuelta merchant will end up working for the consistent Lipowitz, who seems to have a real knack for slipping on the podium in rather understated fashion.Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)Eschborn-FrankfurtGFR/Marcel HilgerTo the five people tuning into this one, the win should be contested by hardier sprinters dodging the Giro. Seriously, this shouldnt even be a WorldTour race.Our podiumArnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarch)Corbin Strong (NSN Cycling Team)Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Giro dItaliaHarry TalbotBarring any surprises on the build-up to the Bulgarian Grande Partenza, the Giro is expected to be a tale of Almeida and Vingegaard, just like last years Vuelta.Weve analysed both Vingegaard and Almeidas chances in depth, but Ill give you the short and sweet round-up here. Vingegaard is stronger in the mountains, but Almeidas team and time-trialling ability are a level above. On a full Giro course though, this should favour Vingegaard in the tough final week.As for third, I think well see a Jai Hindley renaissance as he returns to his favourite race, spurred on by an expiring contract at the end of the season. The large amount of time-trialling, however, could throw a spanner in the works as Derek Gee-West and Richard Carapaz eye up that third place spot.Our podiumJonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)Joo Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Tour Auvergne-Rhne-AlpesXavier PereyronThe Critrium du Dauphin has a new name, but I doubt anyone will actually be calling it the Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes by the time Remco Evenepoel, Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso congregate at the start line in June.This race is often the most reliable litmus test before the Tour de France, but its also quite unique in its Alpine demands. Evenepoel has underperformed here in recent years and Ayuso has some issues with consistency. That said, I reckon the Spaniard will somehow come away with the overall title (only to underperform a month later).Our podiumJuan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)Matthew Riccitello (Decathlon-CMA CGM)Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Copenhagen SprintMagnus Stenild AndersenAfter making a muted WorldTour debut in 2025, the Copenhagen Sprint returns a couple of weeks earlier in the schedule. This was done to entice more sprinters, but it still clashes with the Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes and it takes place just before the Baloise Belgium Tour. In that regard, its difficult to see who will come here.Our podiumDylan Groenewegen (Unibet-Rose Rockets)Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon-CMA CGM)Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Premier Tech)Tour de SuisseXavier PereyronYadda, yadda, yadda, Pogaars here, so you know the drill by now.The rest of the startlist is hazy at the moment, but Id expect Oscar Onley to make a visit to Switzerland ahead of the Tour like last year, and Matteo Jorgenson has altered his schedule to include the Swiss race instead of his usual Dauphin run-up.Its probably not worth tuning into this one.Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Oscar Onley (Ineos Grenadiers)Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Tour de FranceXavier PereyronIm sure Ill flip-flop on my Tour de France call throughout the season. For now though, I dont see an outcome where Pogaar fails to win a history-equalling fifth yellow jersey. The fight for the podium will be intense this year, I reckon. Vingegaard will enter the Tour with buckets of fatigue after the Giro, while Evenepoel and Lipowitzs happy-family situation looks destined to fall apart. Elsewhere, we have no idea what a Juan Ayuso-led Lidl-Trek squad could look like, nor an Ineos Grenadiers team bursting at the seams with viable GC leaders.While Vingegaard suffers his worst Tour de France to date, Ill predict that Visma unveil a stunner of a kit, which will most likely be designed using an AI algorithm. Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)San Sebastian KlasikoaGonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty ImagesNow, who suits a Basque beret?Personally, I think it would suit Juan Ayuso, who needs a little bit of cheering up after a disappointing Tour. Thats if he decides to show his face in public just one week after his Tour de France stinker, not least in his home nation.That should leave UAE Team Emirates XRG to scoop up the win with someone fresh off their conveyor belt of WorldTour success. This time, I pick Jan Christen, who rode a strong but tactically inept race in 2025.Our podiumJan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Tour de PologneMateusz Birecki/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesI have a soft spot for the Tour de Pologne, a race that mysteriously adopts a French name instead of an English or Polish one. Lord knows whos turning up to Gdynia for the start in August. I doubt itll be flooded with big names from the Tour or Vuelta startlists, so consider this Tom Pidcocks best shot at winning a WorldTour stage race. Otherwise, take a bet on any B-tier WorldTour rider with decent time-trial capabilities and an aptitude for rolling profiles.Our podiumTom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5)Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers)Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Renewi TourDavid Pintens/Getty ImagesLord knows what the Renewi Tours startlist will look like come August. Only a couple of riders have it confirmed on their programme for the moment, so dont expect a Pogaar or Vingegaard cameo.These days, Tim Wellens seems unbeatable in the Renewi Tour (lets not talk about last years edition). UAE will also have a prerogative to win as many races as possible in the hope of surpassing the 100-marker by the end of the year. To make matters even more dominant, Ill double down on my UAE pick and say they get a one-two overall courtesy of Wellens and Belgian teammate Florian Vermeersch.Our podiumTim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep)Bretagne ClassicA.S.O./Oman Cycling Association/Thomas MaheuxFrances forgotten WorldTour Classic has a 50/50 chance of either ending in a reduced bunch sprint or a lone attacker. Those arent ballpark figures either, sprints have quite literally decided 50% of the winners since 2020.Theres a big chance that someone like Mathias Vacek or Benot Cosnefroy could slip away towards the end. However, Im going to play it safe and say it comes back to a reduced bunch sprint. If anything, that saves me some of the guesswork on those daring enough to launch an attack.Our podiumPaul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep)Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarch)Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers)Vuelta a Espaa Unipublic / CxclingThis years Vuelta a Espaa starts in Monaco for the first time. Despite kicking off in his backyard, Tadej Pogaar is sitting this one out. Whats the excuse this time, Tadej?Anyway, this leaves a rather depleted startlist for the three weeks in Spain(ish). Joo Almeida leads UAE in Del Toro and Pogis absence, while Primo Rogli looks to become the first rider in Vuelta history to win five overall titles. To top it off, sprinkle in some Matthew Riccitello, Enric Mas and the Tours walking wounded.On the road, I think itll be a close battle between UAE Team Emirates XRG and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Almeida doesnt seem like a Grand Tour winner, so I have to trust my gut (and previous predictions) and stand by Rogli. The Slovenian is the Vuelta whisperer, and a historic fifth title would be the perfect send-off if he were to leave Red Bull at the end of the year.Our podiumPrimo Rogli (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Joo Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Enric Mas (Movistar)GP Montral and QubecAlex Broadway/Getty ImagesThe two Canadian Classics will hold a little more weight this year, given that the UCI Road World Championships visit Montral later in September. On that note, expect a stacked startlist for the GP Montral as that covers a near identical route as the race for the rainbow bands. Tadej Pogaar has won in Montral twice and gifted the victory away last year, so consider that a done deal. As for Qubec City, we often see a surprise winner or a bunch finish. Reprising his role from 2022, UAE will send new signing Benot Cosnefroy on a late move to claim the victory solo. GP QubecBenot Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Corbin Strong (NSN Cycling)Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla)GP MontralTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost)Toms Skuji (Lidl-Trek)Il LombardiaDario Belingheri/Getty ImagesIll make this short and sweet.Pogaar has won five Lombardia titles in a row. He is quite literally unbeaten in the Italian race. Unless he moves to Tahiti or contracts leprosy a week before, the Slovenian will surely add a sixth Lombardia trophy to his collection.Behind Lombardys own pearly king, I see this as a chance for some chasing group chaos, just like in many races over the past two years. Following his impressive performances in the Italian autumn last year, I have my fingers crossed for a podium finish for little old Paul Seixas.Our podiumTadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM)Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost)Tour of GuangxiMassimo Fulgenzi / Spring Cycling AgencyIm not a fan of the WorldTour ending on the bum note that is the Tour of Guangxi. Riders are often adverse to raising their hands for this one, while TV broadcasts are often restricted and shown at the very early hours of the European morning. That might be more of a testament to my laziness rather than the race quality.On that point, this race is rarely visited by Grand Tour contenders. In fact, no rider has ever ridden the Tour of Guangxi in the same year as a Grand Tour podium finish. In that case, this could be a good opportunity for some late-season redemption. Our podiumOscar Onley (Ineos Grenadiers)Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana)The post We predict every mens WorldTour race in 2026 appeared first on Cyclist.