Unveiling the Cycling Season's Early Stars: Momentum, Triumphs, and Strategic Shifts
Remco Evenepoel's Explosive Debut with Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe
Having recently transitioned from Soudal Quick-Step to Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, Belgian cycling prodigy Remco Evenepoel has made an immediate and impactful statement. His flawless record in early races, including victories in two Mallorcan Trofeos—Andratx-Pollenca and Serra Tramuntana—and the Ses Salines team time trial, speaks volumes. Notably, his solo triumphs, particularly the 50km solo effort in Serra Tramuntana, underscore his formidable early-season form. While these initial wins may not define his entire 2026 campaign, they undoubtedly provide a significant confidence boost for both Evenepoel and his new team.
Matthew Brennan: A Rising Star's Confident Start
British cyclist Matthew Brennan has started the season with remarkable confidence and strong performances. Following a first and a second-place finish at the Tour Down Under, where he also secured second in the young rider classification, Brennan demonstrated his continued growth from a successful previous season. His strong showing continued with another second-place finish at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, where he attributed a misjudged sprint to confusing course markings. This early success signals a determined approach to building on his prior achievements and establishing himself firmly within the WorldTour.
Human Powered Health Exceeds Previous Season's Milestones
The Human Powered Health team has reason to celebrate, having already surpassed their professional win tally from the entire previous year. Maggie Coles-Lyster's victory at the Santos Tour Down Under one-day race marked a significant achievement, particularly as it was rated UCI 1.Pro, a higher classification than their sole professional win in the previous season. This early triumph, achieved in January, highlights the team's ambition and suggests a promising trajectory for the rest of the year. The achievement undoubtedly sparked joyous celebrations, setting a positive tone for their upcoming challenges.
UAE Teams Dominate Early Season Rankings
The UAE cycling stable, encompassing both its men's and women's teams, has asserted early dominance in the UCI team rankings for 2026. With an impressive seven victories and numerous top-five finishes, the teams have demonstrated exceptional strength. The men's squad, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, celebrated wins at the Tour Down Under with Australian champion Jay Vine and at the AlUla Tour, where Jan Christen secured a final-day triumph. Concurrently, the women's team, UAE Team ADQ, achieved a double victory at the Challenge Mallorca through the efforts of Karlijn Swinkels and Maeve Squiban. This collective success sends a clear message about UAE's formidable presence in the sport, hinting at a strong season ahead, even as Slovenian talisman Tadej Pogacar awaits his turn to contribute to the team's formidable standing.
Ally Wollaston's Unprecedented WorldTour Success
Ally Wollaston of FDJ United-Suez has enjoyed an extraordinary start to her season, potentially even surpassing Remco Evenepoel's impressive early form. The 25-year-old Kiwi has clinched victories in three WorldTour-ranked races, including a double stage win at the Tour Down Under and a triumph in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. These results mean she has won 75% of all WorldTour events contested so far this season, a remarkable achievement that also saw her secure the points classification at the Tour Down Under. Wollaston's exceptional performances reflect a newfound belief and ongoing strategic development, as she continues to refine her approach to racing.