"If he wins all five, he should stop right away": Guimard says about Pogacar's potential Monument sweep
Cycling
With the first of the 2026 cobbled Monuments - the 2026 Tour des Flanders - just days away, Cyrille Guimard puts the spotlight on one name: Tadej Pogacar. His recent triumph at Milano-Sanremo and his relentless presence at the sharp end have reignited the debate of the moment.
The Frenchman frames it bluntly in his Cyclism'Actu column: "Who can beat Pogacar?" And while he sees rivals, he doesn’t see a definitive answer: "His main opponent remains Van der Poel, but he’s not the only one," he says, also naming Wout van Aert among those capable of challenging his grip.
However, when asked about an even bolder scenario - winning all five Monuments in a single season - his reply blends realism and irony: "I don’t think it’s possible." For Guimard, such a feat would require absolute perfection.
"There would have to be no problem, no crash, no illness." He signs off with a humorous warning: "If he wins all five, he should stop right away and go on holiday so the others can exist. So thank you, Pogacar… but don’t win all five."
Flanders, a battle of wits
Next up is the Tour des Flandres, where the duel between Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel again dominates every preview. Guimard concedes the terrain suits the Dutchman: "These are races that fit Van der Poel, especially thanks to his technical skills."
But even that doesn’t settle the question: "Who can beat Pogacar? Maybe Van der Poel, but he seems a bit below."
The analysis also turns to tactics, where the Frenchman highlights the Dutchman’s capacity to bluff: "His poker face is incredible: he pretends to crack, his rivals hesitate and he’s holding 400 watts. Result: the gap grows and that’s that."
As for how the race might unfold, he avoids certainties: "Everyone imagines the same scenario. But will it be that one?"
And he is clear about where the difference will be made: "The winner will be the craftiest, the calmest, the smartest, the one who exploits the slightest mistake.! Ultimately, though, he circles back to the same conclusion: "Maybe Pogacar is simply stronger."
Cycling starts in March
Beyond the headliners, Guimard doubles down on his global view of the calendar. In his eyes, the true competitive pulse starts now: "The important races begin in March."
After a back-and-forth with Marc Madiot, he nuances his stance: he doesn’t deny the value of earlier races, but sees them as part of the build-up. "February, and even January, are just training and preparation races."
His argument leans on tradition and audience: "People only follow races with history," he says, underlining the weight of European cycling versus newer events outside the continent.
Tadej Pogacar won the 2026 Milano-Sanremo
A widening dominance
The major March stage races have reinforced another of his concerns. Guimard sees little surprise in the outcomes: "We always have the same winners."
In his sights, a trio that makes the difference: Pogacar, Van der Poel, and Jonas Vingegaard. The consequence is clear: "The gap between the superstars and the rest of the peloton is widening."
While he acknowledges the rise of young talents, he warns they remain some way from shifting the current balance: the leaders’ tempo makes it increasingly hard to challenge their hegemony.
Evenepoel under scrutiny
In contrast to that dominance, Remco Evenepoel’s situation raises questions. His recent form doesn’t convince Guimard: "Today, Remco is not at his best."
The Frenchman identifies a clear breaking point: "I have the impression everything fell apart after his crash at Il Lombardia." Since then, he senses a trajectory marked by doubt: "He’s a rider searching for himself, doubting himself."
He even points to changes in behaviour: "Right now he gets rattled by trifles. That shows he doubts himself." He concludes with a hint of regret: "It’s a shame, because he’s a true champion."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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