‘The best form of defence is to attack’ – Tadej Pogačar outsprints breakaway to win Tour de Romandie stage 1.

There was no need for teamwork, Tadej Pogačar handled it himself on stage one of the Tour de Romandie, powering to victory with an authoritative sprint ahead of his three fellow escapees after doing much of the late work over the 171km Martigny circuit.

Riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Pogačar launched his move with 39km remaining on the Ovronnaz climb, cresting it with 22km left alongside Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), and later Jørgen Nordhagen (Visma-Lease a Bike).

Rather than pushing solo on the ascent, he stayed with the group, then shouldered much of the workload in the run-in before comfortably winning the sprint by several bike lengths. The result puts him into the race lead ahead of Dorian Godon.

Afterward, Pogačar said the win wasn’t pre-planned but was satisfying, especially against younger riders, describing it as a fast and enjoyable stage capped with a strong sprint finish.

Explaining why he didn’t attack earlier, he noted the headwind in the final 22km made such a move unwise. He appreciated the effort from the younger riders who worked with him, while hinting at frustration that Lipowitz whose teammate Primož Roglič was chasing behind, did not contribute.

He also credited his team’s control throughout the day and expressed confidence in defending the yellow jersey, suggesting they may adopt an aggressive approach in the coming stages.

With many of the previous day’s top 10 losing time, the general classification has been reshaped, with breakaway riders filling the leading spots and contenders like Roglič and Antonio Tiberi still in contention.

 

Results to follow..

Tour de Romandie stage 1: Martigny > Martigny, 171km

1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, 171km in 3:56:55
2. Florian Lipowitz (Ger) Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe
3. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Bahrain Victorious
4. Jørgen Nordhagen (Nor) Visma-Lease a Bike
5. Albert Withen Philipsen (Den) Lidl-Trek, +21s
6. Sergio Higuita (Col) XDS-Astana
7. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
8. Junior Lecerf (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step
9. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco-AlUla
10. Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda (Ecu) Movistar, all at same time

GC after stage 1

1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, in 4:00:27
2. Florian Lipowitz (Ger) Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, +7s
3. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Bahrain Victorious, +16s
4. Jørgen Nordhagen (Nor) Visma-Lease a Bike, +23s
5. Albert Withen Philipsen (Den) Lidl-Trek, +31s
6. Primož Roglič (Slo) Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, +32s
7. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain Victorious, +41s
8. Carlos Rodríguez (Spa) Ineos Grenadiers
9. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco-AlUla, all at same time
10. Luke Tuckwell (Aus) Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, +42s