Goodnight, Siena

Tadej Pogačar made his return to racing at Strade Bianche at the weekend, and it was a familiar story for him, his rivals and those watching. What for one set of fans was yet another sublime and glorious exhibition, for others represented just the continuation of a monotonous, all-too-familiar theme.

Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie and Brian Nygaard debate what Pog’s first solo recital of 2026 stirred in them, and we also consider to what extent Paul Seixas’s remarkable performance could herald the beginning of an era-defining rivalry.  

There’s a round-up of what’s been happening in France at Paris-Nice and in Italy at Tirreno-Adriatico, plus some rare speculation about INEOS’s future. 

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The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.