Watching the peloton - Professional Road Racing thread 2026

[Jeremy McCreary]

To put this year's race in context, Amstel Gold 2025:

We see so many stunning finishes in this sport. This is the kind where the one stunned most is the winner.

 

[stompandgo]

Watching the highlights of stage 5 of the O Gran Camino and a brilliant young Italian climber (22) I've never heard of before wins this steep climbing stage from Adam Yates (last 1000m of climb was on cobbles!). His name is Alessandro Pinarello - I mean at what age did he decide to become a cyclist!!? INEOS have to buy him!

I wonder if he's connected to the bike brand. All these Italian bikes are family run anyway.

Adam Y wins GC. Pleased for him, love his incredible yet calm looking out of saddle climbing style, looks merciless. The sole remaining twin on the road after Simon's abrupt retirement. Hope he has a good season, he's down for Giro & Tour at the moment, trusty climbing lieutenant in both I guess.

Not related to the bike brand.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Stumbled across YouTube "final kms" highlights of the 2026 Tour of the Alps, Stage 1. Not on the streaming guide posted by @stompandgo . Unfortunately, streaming only on FloBikes in the US.

Heard some big name riders mentioned but never heard of this race. Is it an important one? Would like to watch for the scenery alone.

 

[stompandgo]

It's a 2.Pro. 7 UWT teams, 6 ProTeams, 2 UC (Continental) teams, 2 National teams. Recognizable names are Pidcock (he rides on a ProTeam), O'Connor, Arensman, and Sean Quinn. Important? Every race is important for both UCI points and Grand Tour preparation. Not so much for the bigger names, but for the support riders. It's part of the selection process.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Stumbled across YouTube "final kms" highlights of the 2026 Tour of the Alps, Stage 1. Not on the streaming guide posted by @stompandgo . Unfortunately, streaming only on FloBikes in the US.

Heard some big name riders mentioned but never heard of this race. Is it an important one? Would like to watch for the scenery alone.

We're at the point in the season where the first of the Grand Tours is fast coming into view - Giro D'Italia Friday 8th of May so there are a couple of high altitude races for riders to stretch their climbing muscles in anticipation and for teams to make final selections etc. The Tour of the Alps crosses Austria and Italy in the mountains. The main one week race is the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland starting next Tuesday 28th for 6 stages. The scenery in that one on the mountain passes is incredible.

The Tour de Suisse (also as name suggests in high alps of Switzerland) provides a similar function for the Tour de France, as it's held in early June. Both Romandie and Suisse are prestigious races in their own right. I'm not that familiar with the Tour of the Alps, used be called something different I think, I imagine the name change was to place its alpine mountain credentials more firmly. These are fun to watch to get an idea of who is looking good for the Grand Tours.