Even with that experience, his view of the region itself remains positive, describing it simply as \u201ca nice area to race in.\u201d<\/p>\n
From survival to dominanceThe version of Pogacar returning to Switzerland this week bears little resemblance to the rider who endured that difficult junior race. He arrives at the Tour de Romandie<\/a> having just claimed victory at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge<\/a>, his 13th Monument, capping a spring campaign that has seen him win across multiple terrains and race formats. That success has been built in familiar fashion, through aggressive, race-defining moves rather than conservative control.<\/p>\n But the turnaround is immediate. From a maximal one day effort in the Ardennes to a six day stage race beginning just days later, the challenge shifts quickly, even if the objective remains unchanged.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to win, and it\u2019s no secret that we want to win here in Romandie as well. We will try our best,\u201d Pogacar previewed. \u201cAt the same time, every race is different and it\u2019s difficult to fight for the win. We\u2019ll see how it goes through the week. If I don\u2019t win, it\u2019s not going to be the end of the world. I will give my best to try and also get the Tour de Romandie into my palmar\u00e8s.\u201d<\/p>\n A different kind of test<\/p>\n The structure of this year\u2019s race presents a slightly different challenge to what Pogacar had anticipated. \u201cI think it\u2019s a pretty hard race. When we planned it back in December, I was hoping there would be two time trials like normal, a prologue and a longer one,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut it\u2019s just the prologue, so that\u2019s one less big challenge in this race. I was quite looking forward to testing myself because I don\u2019t do so many time trials. But the parcours suits me really well, so if everything goes well, it should be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n That opening prologue, short and intense, offers an immediate test. As Pogacar put it: \u201cIt\u2019s all out for three kilometres. It\u2019s going to be really painful for the legs and lungs.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond that, the race opens up into a week where opportunities are expected to come frequently. \u201cAfter that, we go more or less day by day. Every stage is a good chance to attack, but I think the other teams are thinking the same,” predicts the world champion. \u201cThere are so many opportunities through the week, maybe even for surprise attacks. Every stage looks pretty good to give it a try.\u201d<\/p>\n A new generation emerging<\/p>\n When asked about his aforementioned Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge win and the standout performance of 19-year-old Paul Seixas, Pogacar was clear in his assessment. \u201cHe was more impressive than me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was his age, I was still at a much lower level, so there is a big difference compared to being 19,\u201d Pogacar added. \u201cI think it\u2019s very impressive. Remco Evenepoel was also very impressive at that age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe if you compare, Remco at 19 was already winning a lot of races,\u201d he said. \u201cBut what Paul has shown so far is very impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n Tadej Pogacar and Paul Seixas at the 2026 Li\u00eage-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge<\/p>\n Returning with unfinished business<\/p>\n For all the dominance of his 2026 season, the Tour de Romandie remains a rare gap in Pogacar\u2019s record, adding another layer of motivation to a race that already carries personal history.<\/p>\n He returns to the region shaped by a very different experience, one defined by crashes, illness and frustration. This time, he does so as the rider everyone else must measure themselves against.<\/p>\n Whether that translates into victory over the coming week will be decided on the climbs of western Switzerland, but the contrast is already clear. From a race that once left a lasting scar, Pogacar now arrives with the chance to leave his mark on Romandie in an entirely different way.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![\"Tadej](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/liegebastogneliege2026-tadejpogacarpaulseixas-69ef2ff5d52c8.jpg@webp.webp\")
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