"Only Isaac del Toro could follow, the rest were minutes behind" - Tadej Pogacar reportedly blows everyone away during Strade Bianche recon

There is little doubt about who starts Strade Bianche this Saturday as the pre-race favourite. World champion Tadej Pogacar has already asserted his dominance on the Tuscan gravel twice in his career, and if reports from the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader's reconnaissance are to be believed, he looks incredibly likely to do so again in 2025.

Het Nieuwsblad's Guy Van Den Langenbergh was present roadside in Tuscany to see the recon of Pogacar and his UAE Team Emirates - XRG teammates up close and personal. “Highly impressive,” the reporter assesses, surely sending ominous signs of concern to all who hope to rival the world champion this coming weekend.

Van Den Langenbergh was positioned at the Via Santa Catarina, and as such, saw riders from numerous teams pass by. No one quite left an impression on the reporter like Pogacar did however. “I saw several riders riding up here today. They all did so at a human pace, but Pogacar was on a different level. He was the only one who pushed through from the bottom of the climb and was able to maintain that effort. His teammate Isaac del Toro followed at least fifteen seconds behind,” he explains. “The irony is that Pogacar probably won’t have to repeat that feat on Saturday. At that point in the race, just before the finish, he would normally be riding solo towards victory anyway…”

“I also kept an eye on Pogacar during the reconnaissance at earlier points,” Van Den Langenbergh added in conclusion. “He also showed his good form then. Only Del Toro could follow, the rest were minutes behind. He clearly has great legs. That does not bode well for the competition.”

As mentioned, Pogacar had long been considered pre-race favourite, as is the case on almost every occasion he takes to the start line for a race, but after this report, even the faintest hopes of his rivals may now be crushed.