"If I was in the running during these first two stages, I can win the race" - Pavel Sivakov converts consistency in stage into overall lead in Andalucia
Cycling
Pavel Sivakov is yet to win a stage during the on-going Volta a Andalucia, but he seems to be on a good way to claim the overal title after two third places in two first stages.
"It's great," rejoiced Sivakov at the end of the second stage. He wasn't able to raise his hands in Torrdelcampo, but that doesn't need to bother him as the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider becomes the new GC leader. In addition, he holds more than a comfortable advantage over number 2 Clément Berthet.
It's been two diametrically stages for Sivakov, yet both with the same result - third. During the opening stage, the French rider tried to attack from afar, but got caught and in the end missed a bit to follow Maxim Van Gils on the final slopes. "Yesterday already, I was quite surprised by my legs. I tried to go a little too far, maybe 60 km from the finish. I was alone for a while and I still managed to almost finish with the leaders."
Today, he tried to play a safer game and eventually managed to slip away with a group of five without the Belgian present at the front. "Once again, we did a very good job with the team. Maybe I started a little too early. The last 200 meters were very long on the flat."
Although he has not yet managed to win this 71st edition of the Ruta del Sol, Pavel Sivakov's goal is now to bring home the overall victory with two slightly easier stages ahead. "I have the leader's jersey and I think we have a very good team to try to defend it. If I was in the running during these first two stages, I can win the race," he states confidently.
"Of course, it won't be easy. Tom (Pidcock) is quite close, Clément Berthet too," he recalled, he who only has a 23-second lead over his compatriot from the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale.
"You have to be careful every day. And the team will be very important to reach this first position. Yes, it's a good opportunity for me. You know, we have a very strong team and always, you know, when you have an opportunity like this, it's great to take it. And now it's up to me to finish the job. I'll do my best."
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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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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