Tour de Romandie 2026: Pogacar wins four-up sprint to take GC lead

fotobureau Cor VosAtop the steep climb to Ovronnaz, the lead group consists of Tadej Pogacar, Lenny Martinez and Florian Lipowitz, while Jørgen Nordhagen rejoins them in the Rhône Valley. The world champion then sprints to victory and moves into the leader’s jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 1 Results – 2026 Tour de Romandie

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo) 3:56:55
2. Florian Lipowitz (ger) s.t.
3. Lenny Martinez (fra) s.t.
4. Jørgen Nordhagen (nor) s.t.
5. Albert Withen Philipsen (den) + 0:21
6. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
7. Antonio Tiberi (ita) s.t.
8. Junior Lecerf (bel) s.t.
9. Luke Plapp (aus) s.t.
10. Jefferson Cepeda (ecu) s.t.

GC after stage 1

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Florian Lipowitz (ger) + 0:07
3. Lenny Martinez (fra) + 0:16
4. Jørgen Nordhagen (nor) + 0:23
5. Albert Withen Philipsen (den) + 0:31
6. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0:32
7. Antonio Tiberi (ita) + 0:41
8. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
9. Luke Plapp (aus) s.t.
10. Luke Tuckwell (aus) + 0:42

Race report

The day's breakaway riders go by the names of Sam Oomen, Louis Vervaeke, Pietro Mattio, Patrick Gamper, Roland Thalmann, Dillon Corkery and Alexy Faure Prost. The seven open up a lead of over 3 minute.

On the climb to Ovronnaz, Alexy Faure Prost drops his companions. Further down the mountain, Tadej Pogacar accelerates with Primoz Roglic and Lenny Martinez on his wheel.

As Primoz Roglic drops back, the other two ride to the front of the race. Florian Lipowitz and Jefferson Cepeda keep grinding up the climb and rejoin the duo in the final 2.5 kilometres.

By the time they reach the summit, Pogacar, Martinez and Lipowitz form the lead group. Jørgen Nordhagen crests the climb 10 seconds later, followed a few moments afterwards by Cepeda.

Back in the Rhône Valley, Nordhagen makes it a quartet at the front. Gradually, a chasing group featuring, among others, Albert Withen Philipsen and Primoz Roglic also gets closer in the valley, but a regrouping never materialises.

In Martigny, Tadej Pogacar sprints comfortably to victory, while Florian Lipowitz and Lenny Martinez finish second and third. Those are the new the GC positions as well.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2026 Tour de Romandie.