And just like that, the Classics are over, and now it’s time for riders to think about the Grand Tours. Call it the calm before the storm: the Tour de Romandie lands just ahead of the Giro d’Italia, but with UAE’s Tadej Pogačar on the start list, nothing is ever exactly straightforward.

It’s the first time the world champ is entering the Swiss stage race, and he’ll also line up at another one in the country, appropriately named the Tour de Suisse. But first, Romandie.

5 days of tough racing

The race opens with a short prologue in Villars-sur-Glâne, a fast, slightly uphill test that should already create small but meaningful gaps. It’s only 3.2 km, but the last 1.1 km at 5.5 per cent, it could open things up quick.

Stage 1 around Martigny brings the first real selection. There’s the steep Ovronnaz likely to split the field long before the finish.

Day three to Vucherens doesn’t scream super tough on paper, but its relentless up-and-down terrain and late kicker could catch out anyone off their rhythm. Guys going for the GC will need to pay attention.

Stage 3 in Orbe mixes rolling terrain with the Col du Mollendruz, a climb that invites moves from riders willing to take a risk before the weekend.

Then comes the breaker: three times up the very ouchy Jaunpass on Stage 4. It’s a day built to crack legs and reshape the overall picture.

Everything should come down to the last day and final climb to Leysin, a steady drag where the strongest climbers will have nowhere left to hide. Look for Pogi to do what he does–and go nuclear (if he hasn’t already by that point.)

With no Jonas Vingegaard, Pogačar (obviously) starts as the clear favourite, especially after he trounced everyone at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, despite a remarkable ride from French teenager Paul Seixas who held onto Pogi’s wheel on the final big climb. Top names like Primož Roglič and Lenny Martinez could still force a fight, but who knows anymore.

Leonard to race his first Romandie

There is one Canadian racing. Like Pogi and the others who did LBL, he had an easy day on Monday. Michael Leonard (EF Education-EasyPost) will be there. He has a good shot in the prologue, the national TT champ already has a similar win in the bag from the 2024 Tour de l’Avenir. This prologue has that kicker at the end, but he still excels in these short, sharp timed efforts.

You can watch the race on FloBikes.com, and Canadian Cycling Magazine will have full coverage. And don’t forget–the Giro d’Italia, is less than two weeks away. Lidl-Trek’s Derek Gee-West will be there, and most likely a few other Canadians. Start lists are still being finalized.

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