Pogacar bets on romandía to cement grand tour ambitions
Primoz Pogacar is throwing himself into the deep end, aiming to use the Tour de Romandía as a springboard towards his ultimate goal: dominating the upcoming Grand Tours. The Slovenian star’s arrival in Switzerland marks a significant shift in his meticulously planned campaign.
A risky gamble in the swiss alps
After a dominant victory in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Pogacar heads to Romandía (May 3rd – 7th) seeking a crucial test of his form before the Tour de France. This challenging stage race, covering 851.3 kilometers with a brutal 14,266 meters of climbing, will demand a different kind of intensity than his recent wins.
The race begins with a compact prologue in Villars-sur-Glâne – a mere 3.2 kilometers designed to ignite the early tempo. Subsequent stages, including a grueling 173.1-kilometer second stage between Rue and Vucherens, promise unrelenting climbs. The third stage, culminating in Orbe, introduces a more selective final section, setting the stage for a potential breakaway.
But Pogacar isn’t entering Romandía as a mere warm-up. He’s actively pursuing the elusive ‘week-long Grand Tour’ challenge, a feat previously accomplished only by the legendary Eddy Merckx. He’s already completed Tirreno-Adriatico, Paris-Nice, Catalunya and the Dauphiné – leaving Romandía, Switzerland, and Itzulia to complete his list.
The field is stacked, presenting a formidable challenge. Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar’s primary rival, is absent due to the Giro d'Italia, but other contenders like Primoz Roglic, Florian Lipowitz, and a host of promising young riders – including David Gaudu, Oscar Onley, and Lenny Martinez – are poised to challenge for the victory. Pogacar himself views Romandía as a ‘new challenge’ and ‘an exciting opportunity,’ highlighting the region’s stunning mountain passes. He’s clearly aiming to hone his skills and build momentum for the grueling months ahead, acknowledging the region's 'beautiful scenery' – a detail often overlooked in the pursuit of victory.
The race promises to be a dramatic spectacle, a test of endurance and tactical acumen, and the first real indication of which riders truly have the legs to compete at the very highest level of the sport. It’s shaping up to be far more than just another stage race; it’s a statement of intent from a rider relentlessly chasing history.”n