Join Dan Lloyd as he reveals his seven “hot takes” for the upcoming 2026 pro cycling season. From Tadej PogaΔar’s potential dominance to surprising predictions for Jonas Vingegaard and Mathieu van der Poel, we cover the biggest storylines to watch in the peloton. We also look back at how last year’s predictions fared and review some of your boldest takes from the community!
Chapters: β±οΈ
00:00 – Introduction
00:20 – A Look Back at 2025
01:39 – 1. PogaΔarβs Dominance
02:36 – 2. Ferrand-PrΓ©votβs Ambitions
03:18 – 3. Pedersenβs First Monument
04:14 – 4. Vingegaard at the Giro
05:08 – 5. Ayusoβs Tour Breakthrough
05:56 – 6. Brennanβs Debut Win
06:44 – 7. No Monuments for Van der Poel?
07:18 – Reviewing Your Hot Takes
08:04 – Reviewing Comments
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23 Comments
What are your predictions for the 2026 racing season? Let us know π
My hot take: Wout wins 5 or more stages in the Vuelta
BOOOOβ¦MVDP no classic wins? Inconceivable! MVDP will win Flandersβ¦he was sick last year and still got 3rd. He will also win either MSR or Roubaix. π
I'll take those predictions to the bank –thank you!
1: Almeida will win either Giro or the Vuelta
2: Evenepoel will beat Pogacar in one Road Race, but just one
3: Ayuso will perform badly at the Tour de France
4: Del Torro will surprisingly not perform well at the Tour de France
5: Paul Magnier will win two (!) smaller spring classics like omloop, dwaars, Wevelgem, Scheldeprjis etc.
6: Jasper Philippsen will beat Mads Pedersen and gain the green jersey at the Tour de France
7: Pogacar will win the Montmartre Stage wearing the yellow jersey
for sure we still enjoy the Pogi Show!!!
The Lipo disrespect is real on CGNβ¦
Not there jet? What a disgrace
" My fragile career as a cycling commentator…" Dan, we don't love you for your ability to predict the outcome of races, we love you for your ability to distill the outcomes for us after they have happened.
Pogacar will win every monument in 2026, TDF and WC Road Race.
That is my Hot Take
UAE's dominance will begin to fade. Superteams always have a limited lifespan because of competing interests. We saw our first signs of that with Ayuso, and Del Toro will be next. My prediction is they will finish with the second most wins in 2026.
still praying on van aert winning either paris roubaix or flanders
I think this will be a great year for the Brits. Oscar Onley, Matt Brennan, Tom Pidcock will all take TDF stages with Brennan also winning a Monument and Pidcock will get a podium on the Giro or Vuelta. I think Pogacar will finally win Paris Roubaix as only his bike handling off last year let him down.
Why won't Pogacar win San Remo and Roubaix? Mathieu van der Poel, that's why.
Solid run-through Lloyd, happy new yearπ you guys and ladies at GCN are amazing
Mvdp will win 3 monuments this year and a GT stage
Pogi will win San Remo
MVDP wins Flanders again. He is just so consistent there.
Appreciate the shoutout on my 2025 hot take predictions. Pressure on now to be just as far sighted.
Del Toro to win Amstel Gold
Brennan wins the renamed Ghent Wevelgem race
Pogacar to win every race he enters
Seixas top 5 TDF or top 3 Vuelta (depends on which he races)
Brennan Green Jersey in TDF
My hottake: GCN presenter gets zero hottakes rightπ
This one is red hot, Dan for an age group podium at Unbound
I cannot wait for Brennan this season. He was so versatile in 2025, he could have an amazing 1 day race career.
8. Remco Evenepoel will lose a bike race without anyone else being guilty of it.