Results Tour de Romandie 2026 Stage 2 | Is there anything Tadej Pogacar can’t do? World champion wins bunch sprint after controlling chaotic finale

Tadej Pogacar did it again on stage 2 of the 2026 Tour de Romandie, but this time, in a way few would have expected.

After spending the decisive phase shutting down every attack on the final climb, the race leader still had the speed to win a reduced bunch sprint in Vucherens, making it back-to-back stage victories in emphatic fashion.

The stage was shaped early by a four-rider breakaway featuring Jakob Soderqvist, Filippo Conca, Henri-Francois Renard-Haquin and Roland Thalmann, who built an advantage of over two minutes on the rolling terrain.

The quartet worked well together throughout the middle phase of the race, with Soderqvist the most notable presence after his strong prologue, while Thalmann continued his aggressive approach following his efforts on stage 1. Their move forced a response behind, and it was INEOS Grenadiers who took responsibility for the chase.

INEOS controlled the peloton for much of the day, with Ben Swift and Laurens De Plus setting a firm tempo that gradually reduced the break’s advantage. By the final lap, the gap had been cut to under a minute, before dropping rapidly on the approach to the final climb as the pace increased.

Jakob Soderqvist made one last attempt to extend the life of the break, attacking his companions and briefly holding a small advantage, but the move was always under threat as the peloton closed in.

Once the break was caught, the race immediately exploded on the final ascent. Attacks came from multiple directions, including efforts from Jefferson Cepeda, but each one was quickly brought back.

Rather than waiting for others, Pogacar took matters into his own hands, moving to the front and directly controlling the pace. Every acceleration was met with an immediate response, with the Slovenian refusing to allow any rider to gain even a few seconds of advantage.

With the attacks neutralised, the race reset in the final kilometres, bringing a reduced group of around 30 riders to the line. Positioning proved crucial on the fast run-in.

Dorian Godon launched the sprint early, while Albert Withen Philipsen held a strong position at the front. Pogacar, however, was exactly where he needed to be, sitting on Philipsen’s wheel before launching his effort. When he opened his sprint, the difference was immediate.

The world champion surged clear and held his advantage to the line, with Florian Lipowitz unable to come around despite a late acceleration.

The victory offered a striking reminder of Pogacar’s versatility. Having already built his reputation on long-range attacks and climbing dominance, he now adds reduced bunch sprints to his growing list of winning scenarios.

On a day where others tried to force the race open, Pogacar controlled every key moment and still had the speed to finish it himself.