Pogačar back to winning ways at Romandie

Our long national nightmare of Tadej Pogačar's losing streak is over. After the Slovenian superstar finished sixth in the opening prologue at the Tour de Romandie – somewhat incredibly his first ever pro attempt at the ultra-short time trial discipline – he rebounded to win the first road stage Wednesday from a four-rider break and restore order.

After an early break went clear on the largely flat stage, Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad controlled the proceedings ably, setting up its leader's inevitable attack on the day's lone real climb, the category one Ovronnaz ascent (8.9 km at 9.8% average). Unlike in many races, Pogačar had company in the form Bahrain Victorious' Lenny Martinez. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Jefferson Cepeda of Movistar bridged across and then Jorgen Nordhagen of Visma-Lease a Bike before Cepeda lost the pace, leaving a group of four.

Despite some dysfunctional dynamics, the lead quartet held the advantage on the final flat run to the line in Martigny, where Pogačar ably dispatched his rivals in the sprint. Lidl-Trek's Albert Withen Philipsen brought a small chase group of 12 home 21 seconds later but the rest of the field straggled in 1:51 or more in arrears. Pogačar now holds a seven-second lead to Lipowitz, with Martinez in third, 16 seconds down. Thursday's stage 2, from Rue to Vicherens, is mostly lumpy and could see a breakaway go clear, although Pogačar has said nearly every day in the race presents opportunities for him.

[race_result id=12 stage_id=90114 count=5 gc=0 year=2026]