Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast Van der Poel's Surprise Debut At Opening Weekend | LRCP Weekly #6
11 snips
Feb 25, 2026 They recap Giro wildcard drama and Cofidis' controversial choices. They unpack the UCI using Safer funds to fight SRAM and the wider governance fallout. Route tweaks and tactical implications for Omloop, Van der Poel’s surprise late entry, and contenders for the opening races get lively debate. They flag the Marc Soler investigation without diving into verdicts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Giro Wildcards Opened Door For Rockets
- Giro wildcards went to Bardiani, Colpack (VF Group), and Rockets after Cofidis declined their automatic invitation.
- Cofidis skipped Giro likely for commercial focus on French races and resource/points strategy, opening a third voluntary wildcard for Rockets.
E3 Route Change Makes Race Harder
- E3 route now includes an extra lap of key climbs, increasing distance and elevation which objectively makes the race harder.
- Benji warns harder routes shift likely winners toward climbers like Tadej Pogačar and may change attendance dynamics.
De Lie Skips Milan San Remo Citing Two Giants
- Arnaud De Lie skips Milan–San Remo, saying Pogacar and Van der Poel make it unwinnable for him.
- Hosts argue his reasoning is weak: MSR can unfold differently and skipping for that reason is questionable.