The 2026 road cycling season produced great winners, unexpected outcomes and new faces threatening to upset the established order. Spain’s triumph at the Vuelta, the favourites’ displays and the growth of women’s cycling made for a year full of excitement.
The Grand Tours: Pogačar becomes a legend and Mas wins a fiercely contested Vuelta
The 2026 calendar once again placed the three Grand Tours at the centre of global attention. The Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España told three different stories, starring riders of enormous talent.
Dane Jonas Vingegaard won the Giro d’Italia, adding the Italian race to his palmarès. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider showed his ability to dominate a three-week race, beating Austria’s Felix Gall, second at 5 minutes and 22 seconds, and Australia’s Jai Hindley, third. This victory confirmed his good form and showed that there is life beyond the Tour de France.
In July, Tadej Pogačar once again wrote his name into cycling history. The Slovenian claimed his fifth Tour de France, equalling the record held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin. His victory strengthened his status as a leading figure in the international peloton and extended a period of extraordinary dominance, which will surely end only when he decides it should. Meanwhile, Vingegaard suffered one of the hardest setbacks of his career: a crash on stage 15 forced him to abandon the race and brought his 2026 season to an end.
Ascent to Montmartre on the final stage of the 2026 Tour. Credits: A.S.O./Charly López
However, one of the biggest stories arrived in September. Enric Mas secured his first overall victory at the Vuelta a España. The Movistar rider finished ahead of Primož Roglič and Felix Gall, second and third respectively. What is more, before Pogačar crashed and withdrew, Mas had managed to put him under pressure several times. His victory was an especially significant success for Spanish cycling and a major personal triumph for a rider who had faced heavy criticism for his performances in recent years.
The Classics and the World Championships: even the favourites can fall
Beyond the Grand Tours, the Classics provided some of the year’s most exciting moments. Pogačar won three Monuments: Milan–San Remo, the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. However, he did not manage to win every major event, as many had predicted.
Belgian Wout van Aert claimed one of the most celebrated victories by winning Paris–Roubaix, a race defined by cobblestones and physical endurance. Frenchman Paul Seixas also surprised observers by winning Il Lombardia, establishing himself as one of international cycling’s brightest prospects, as well as winning other high-level races such as the Tour of the Basque Country and making a promising Tour de France debut, finishing fourth at just 19 years old.
Another major surprise came at the World Championships in Montreal. American Brandon McNulty claimed the rainbow jersey after attacking 33 kilometres from the finish and holding on alone to the line. He beat Australia’s Michael Matthews and the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel by 13 seconds. His victory defied predictions that had placed other leading specialists among the main contenders.
Pogačar and Van Aert competing in Paris-Roubaix. Credits: A.S.O./Billy Ceusters
In the time trial, Remco Evenepoel had no rival and secured his fourth consecutive world title. He also won the European road race, while local legend Primož Roglič took victory in the race against the clock.
Women’s Cycling: Vollering’s dominance and a new Spanish star
The women’s cycling season had one name above all others: Dutch rider Demi Vollering. She won the women’s Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the road World Championships, delivering one of the finest seasons of her career.
Her Tour victory was particularly thrilling. She entered the final stage with a lead of just eight seconds over Niewiadoma, but attacked on the Col d’Èze and extended her advantage to 1 minute and 18 seconds.
The big revelation was Paula Blasi. The young UAE Team ADQ rider won the Vuelta Femenina as well as the mountains classification. Her performance, particularly in the decisive stages, established her as a name to watch in the coming seasons, now at Movistar, her new team.
The women’s Classics also featured standout performers, including Lotte Kopecky, winner of Milan–San Remo, and Franziska Koch, winner of Paris–Roubaix. These results reflected the competitiveness of an increasingly demanding calendar.
A year that opens a new chapter
The 2026 season confirmed the extraordinary level of Pogačar and Vingegaard, but also showed that the biggest stars are not invincible. The successes of Mas, McNulty, Seixas and Blasi demonstrated that cycling still has room for surprises.
With emerging talents ready to challenge the champions and women’s cycling continuing to gain prominence, the international peloton looks ahead to 2027 with the promise of new rivalries and major challenges. We look forward to welcoming you back to Cyclingoo next season, which is sure to bring fresh excitement.