Tadej Pogačar took to the white gravel roads of Strade Bianche today on a training ride with his UAE Team Emirates XRG teammates, revealing clues to the set up he’s likely to go with for the race.
Unsurprisingly, he’s riding the Colnago Y1Rs, the team’s aero bike, in a switch up from 2025 when he rode the brand’s all-round racer (at the time), the V4Rs.
But a couple of key spec choices reveal a little about Pogačar’s approach to the race.
First up, Pogačar is using the lightweight version of the Colnago Y1Rs which debuted during the 2025 Tour de France for the mountain time trial, with World Champion’s stripes applied. Weight is unlikely to be a factor until the final steep ascent into Siena, where – should he be accompanied – this might prove vital.
Images reveal his teammates riding standard-colourway Y1Rs’, indicating that the lightweight version of the Y1Rs remains a rarified beast. Colnago
Pogačar’s 3D-printed Fizik Tempo Argo saddle is noticeably tilted downward, while he’s using an inline seatpost to help him pitch over the cranks. Close inspection reveals that the saddle isn’t slammed as far forward as the rails might allow, indicating that he doesn’t feel an even more extreme position is necessary.
The saddle features neat World Champions’ stripes on the rear portion.
Pogačar’s rolling stock choice is perhaps the most interesting part of his build. He trained using ENVE SES 6.7 wheels, and with conditions expected to be calm on race day, this deeper, more aerodynamic option appears to be the wheelset of choice compared to ENVE’s SES 4.5 or 4.5 Pro wheels.
He’s also running Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR tyres, which feature a more resilient construction compared to the lighter TT TR or Archetype tyres, and might help reduce the chance of punctures on the white roads.
Finally, Pogacar is running a team-issue mount for his Wahoo Elemnt Bolt v2 bike computer, which helps fill the gap created by the twin-vane handlebar, complete with his Hulk sticker complete with World Champion’s undergarments.