Scan the Substacks, the IG posts, the Reddit threads, and you’ll find that the cyclosphere is talking about the three topics you’ll find below: What we might have seen had a healthy Pogačar lined up an Il Lombardia; the unreasonable expectations we have for Brandon McNulty and just one (very) significant win; and where Primož Roglič is headed next (including possibly, into retirement). All that and more as the 2026 season winds down!
THE THURSDAY THREE
- What If?
- McNulty’s Undue Expectations
- Primož’ Next — and Possibly Final — Step
AND…WHAT’S ON MIKE’S MIND
- Initial Post-Season Reflections
MIKE’S RIDE OF THE WEEK
- China Camp State Park (Marin County, California)
PEZ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
- Puck’s Wheelie
Topic #1: What If?
That is…What if Tadej Pogačar had been at Lombardia?
Could Seixas have held his wheel? Maybe even…dropped him?
It’s on every cycling fan’s mind. We can’t help but indulge in conjecture and imagination:
- Who would win, given the same equipment — Pogačar or Merckx?
- If Greg LeMond hadn’t been shot — and hadn’t later been felled by the dawn of the EPO era — how many Tours would he have won?
- If Chris Froome hadn’t crashed before the 2019 Tour, would he have tied — or broken — the win record?
- If Armstrong hadn’t…Oh, never mind.
Cycling media was riddled with such conjecture this week. Videos, podcasts, articles, Instagram posts, all suggesting that maybe Pogačar has finally met his match — and that match is barely done being a teenager.
My guess? Seixas would have hung with Pogačar — who would have outsprinted him.
Unlike those other scenarios, though, this one won’t forever be left to our speculation. We’ll have an answer soon enough.
Topic #2: McNulty’s Undue Expectations
I considered titling this topic “One Race Does Not a Career Make.”
That’s not to suggest that Brandon McNulty’s World Championship victory wasn’t anything but historic and smart and well-deserved; indeed, it will in all likelihood be the defining win of his career.
And in fact, McNulty has been riding with an evidently new sense of bravery since the win. We’ve seen him at the front of races, doing heady battle with the sport’s mightiest warriors (except, of course, for his teammate Tadej Pogačar).
Still, some of the articles and posts and podcasts I read, spotted and listened to put far too much weight on the one win. I spotted headlines suggesting he might not be content to work for Pogačar next season; suddenly, according to other pundits, he was a favorite for Lombardia.
They say the Yellow Jersey gives you wings; perhaps the World Champion stripes do as well. But McNulty’s essentially the same rider he was three weeks ago: powerful, savvy, and a top-tier time trialist. He may well win another major race or two. But prior to Montréal he wasn’t the equal of Del Toro, Seixas, or Evenepoel, let alone Vingegaard or Pogačar, and he isn’t today. To heap lofty expectations on him isn’t accurate, and isn’t fair.
Topic #3: Primož’ Next — and Possibly Final — Step
Go out on top, or squeeze a bit more out of a career?
That’s the question every athlete at the top of their game asks at some point. No one wants to fade into obscurity — but no one wants to leave potential unrealized, either.
It’s the question that’s evidently on Primož Roglič’s mind. He had hinted that Il Lombardia would be his final race — but then he went and won the time trial at the European Championships.
It would be a waste to leave that jersey unworn next season.
Sounding like many a spouse who fears their mate suddenly being around the house with little to do, Roglič’s wife Lora Roglič-Klinc spoke candidly and emotionally to the Slovenian publication Sportal, saying, “I’m not ready for this yet, especially since it’s so sudden…I don’t think he’s ready for that, but we have to respect his decision. It will be hard for me to accept that we won’t be by his side along the road anymore.”
So Primož’ next step is uncertain, though we do know that he won’t return to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe next year. Other teams, including Tudor Pro Cycling, Lotto-Intermarché and the transfer-hungry Pinarello Q36.5 have all indicated interest.
Just a month ago we wrote about The Arc of Primož Roglič. Is that arc complete, sooner than many of us expected?
My guess: not yet. Typically athletes give in to retirement pressure when the pull of family proves too strong. With his wife behind him, and having recently tasted victory yet again, he’ll be back next year.
And…What’s on Mike’s Mind: Initial Post-Season Reflections
I plan soon to write a full review of the season that’s all but wrapped up. For now, it strikes me that we really witnessed two seasons: One dominated by Tadej Pogačar, and one resplendent in exciting, suspenseful racing.
Which half a fan prefers comes down to whether you enjoy being in the presence of greatness, or appreciate the thrill of an event, regardless of the outcome — or more simply, are you a fan of the athlete, or the sport?
While not a Tadej superfan, I sure like his approach to racing, his desire for victory on any terrain, the panache with which he wins, and his humor and lightheartedness on and off the bike.
Still, given the choice, I’ll take close competition. When I reflect on this season, I most fondly remember Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, the World Championships, and the European Championships: Three very close races, and one surprise winner.
Of course, we don’t actually have to choose: We also just witnessed a season of bike racing with a superior rider who’s written a compelling story with their career, and who is indeed impressively strong, yet who doesn’t win virtually every race — a season that left us with memories of both greatness and thrillingly close races.
You want to watch both a generationally-strong rider and exciting races?
Watch women’s bike racing.
Mike’s Ride of the Week: China Camp State Park (Marin County, California)
Last week’s ride was 15 minutes of pedaling while being fitted for a new Fizik One-to-One saddle. But 15 minutes is enough of a ride only the day after something epic, so I was itching to get out after my session. My fitter Sam happily and helpfully pointed me towards China Camp State Park.
China Camp is primarily known as San Francisco’s closest mountain biking (or a close second, to the Oakland Hills), but the road spin around its periphery was totally pleasant. After navigating traffic, I found myself on a mostly car-free road, resplendent with Bay views.
One problem: Sam had suggested a full lap around the park, but I was riding the day after a full moon. Turns out that has an effect on tides — and the road around China Camp has some especially low points.
So I turned around and pedaled back to Mike’s Bikes. No problem: 21 miles was all I needed.
PEZ VIDEO: Puck’s Wheelie
Yes, there are still times when I miss Peter Sagan. Fortunately we have riders who similarly bring some lightness to the sport — like Puck Pieterse.
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The post The EUROTRASH Thursday Three: Pogačar vs. Seixas, McNulty Pressure & Primož’ Future appeared first on PezCycling News.
