"The conclusion? That Pogacar is rock solid" - Quick-Step DS clear on message that World Champion sent in Domancy
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel put in a solid ride today at the Criterium du Dauphiné this afternoon but it was not enough to hold the yellow jersey. Even if it weren't for Tadej Pogacar's nuclear attack, the Olympic Champion is still a little below the level he showed at the Tour de France, Soudal - Quick-Step's DS confirmed.
"The conclusion? That Pogacar is rock solid. He rode incredibly strong. It was incredibly fast, even on the penultimate climb," Tom Steels shared with Het Laatste Nieuws. It was a difficult day for Evenepoel, with a very fast pace from start to finish.
Already on the penultimate climb he was tested, but the yellow jersey was solid with the pace that Visma and UAE set. On the Côte de Domancy however the speeds were too much for Evenepoel, who had to slow down whilst the group was still under the pace of Jhonatan Narváez.
Against Pogacar there was no competition, but it was notable Evenepoel's struggle and inability to follow the wheels of Florian Lipowitz and Matteo Jorgenson in the final kilometers of the climb. "We might have expected to be a bit further. But it's the same situation as last year. We still have to get those small percentages uphill, but it's still a long way until the final week of the Tour."
The Belgian team certainly don't put too much emphasis on the defeat this afternoon, as ultimately the goal is the Tour de France, and Evenepoel is climbing better than 12 months ago in the same race. "We still have some work to do, but it's certainly not dramatic. We have to stay calm and keep working." Evenepoel will enter stage 7 of the Dauphiné in fourth place, 1:22 minutes down on Pogacar but only 28 seconds away from the potential podium spot currently occupied by Florian Lipowitz.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
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- Pogacar has a fine head on his shoulders.Careful investments and a couple of coffee shops sounds like a wonderful way to chill after an intense career.Stay healthy GOAT.
Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
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- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026
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