Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Godon Claims Tour de Romandie Leader's Jersey After Prologue Victory
Ineos Grenadiers' Dorian Godon claimed the leader's jersey at the Tour de Romandie after winning Tuesday's 3.2-kilometre prologue in Villars-sur-Glâne by six seconds. The Frenchman beat Ivo Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Swedish climber Jakob Söderqvist (Lidl-Trek), who also claimed the young rider classification. Race favourite Tadej Pogačar finished sixth, seven seconds off Godon's pace, as the Slovenian begins his first stage race of the year. The Tour de Romandie runs through May 3, culminating in a mountaintop finish at Leysin that should settle the general classification. Stage 1 begins Wednesday on 17 categorised climbs.
Sources: Cyclingnews
Pogačar Debuts Prototype Colnago TT Bike at Tour de Romandie Prologue
Tadej Pogačar unveiled a new 'significantly lighter' prototype Colnago time trial bike at Tuesday's Tour de Romandie prologue, his first TT of the 2026 season. The Slovenian completed the 3.2-kilometre course in Villars-sur-Glâne on the unreleased machine, finishing sixth, seven seconds behind winner Dorian Godon. UAE Team Emirates-XRG have not disclosed technical specifications, but the prototype appeared substantially updated compared to Pogačar's previous TT equipment. With a personal time trial at the Tour de France among his 2026 objectives, the Swiss race serves as an important development platform for Pogačar and his team's equipment programme ahead of July.
Sources: Cyclingnews
Pogačar Wins Fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Joins Valverde and Argentin on All-Time List
Tadej Pogačar claimed his fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday, attacking on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons with 13.9 kilometres remaining to shed 19-year-old Paul Seixas and ride solo to victory in 05:50:28. The Slovenian world champion now stands level with Alejandro Valverde and Moreno Argentin on four wins at La Doyenne, behind only Eddy Merckx's five. Seixas finished second after matching Pogačar over La Redoute and pulling in the early break, forcing the champion to admit he had briefly prepared for a two-up sprint if he could not drop the Frenchman. Remco Evenepoel finished third for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Vollering Makes History with Record Third Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes Win
Demi Vollering became the most successful rider in Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes history on Sunday, launching a 35-kilometre solo attack from the Côte de La Redoute to claim a record third victory. The FDJ United-Suez rider arrived alone in Liège as Puck Pieterse, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, and Anna van der Breggen contested the sprint for second. Vollering completed an Ardennes double after her earlier Flèche Wallonne win. In her post-race comments, Vollering renewed her call for increased television coverage of women's racing, noting the women's event received live coverage of just 45 kilometres compared to 150 for the men's race on the same day.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Seixas's Liège Ride Triggers Tour de France Debate: Debut Now or Wait?
Paul Seixas's near-victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège has ignited debate over whether the 19-year-old should make his Tour de France debut this July. Pogačar publicly expects Seixas to start in Paris, saying the youngster will eventually 'destroy everybody,' while teammate Oliver Naesen argues 2026 is the one Tour where Seixas can race without expectation weighing on him. Sean Kelly disagrees, writing in his post-Classics column that Seixas should build Grand Tour experience first at the Giro or Vuelta. Seixas has said a decision with his Decathlon-CMA CGM team is imminent. The French public is sharply divided, with 80 per cent of Cyclism'Actu readers opposed to a July debut.
Sources: Cyclingnews (Kelly column), Cyclingnews (debate), Cyclingnews (Naesen)
Vollering Calls for Equal TV Coverage After Women's Liège Gets 45km of Broadcast vs. 150km for Men
Following her record third Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes victory, Demi Vollering pressed the case for parity in television coverage of women's cycling. The men's 259.5-kilometre race received 150 kilometres of live broadcast; the women's equivalent received approximately 45 kilometres. Vollering suggested broadcasters could alternate between the two races running simultaneously, asking why they cannot 'switch between the two a bit.' She emphasised the issue requires persistent advocacy, citing feedback from fans who feel disappointed by the limited live coverage. The remarks add to a growing chorus of voices in women's professional cycling calling for structural changes to broadcasting contracts at major one-day races.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Tour de Romandie GC
After Prologue (Apr 28)
1. Dorian Godon (Ineos) — Leader
2. Ivo Oliveira (UAE) — +0:06
2. Jakob Söderqvist (Lidl-Trek) — +0:06
4. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull) — +0:07
5. Tadej Pogačar (UAE) — +0:07
Spring Classics Final Results
Last Monument: Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Apr 26)
Men: Pogačar — Solo win in 05:50:28
2. Paul Seixas (Decathlon) — +0:23
3. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull)
Women: Vollering (FDJ United) — Solo 35km
2. Puck Pieterse · 3. K. Niewiadoma-Phinney
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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