The Tour de Romandie, a six-day WorldTour stage race in Switzerland, is set to kick off on Tuesday, with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) as the clear favourite. But is this the year he finally wins the race? And who are the other contenders to watch? Let's take a closer look at the key riders and their chances.
Tadej Pogačar: The Favourite
Tadej Pogačar, fresh off his fourth Liège victory, is the clear favourite for the Tour de Romandie. But is he ready for the challenge? Personally, I think Pogačar's racing-light programme heading into the summer might be a double-edged sword. While it suggests he's in great form, it also means he hasn't faced the longer climbs or mountains that could be a test for him. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Pogačar's usual approach and the demands of the Tour de Romandie. In my opinion, this could be a make-or-break moment for him, as he aims to tick off one-week races he hasn't won before.
Florian Lipowitz and Primož Roglič: Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's Strong Contenders
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe is the team most likely to challenge Pogačar, with Florian Lipowitz as their leader. Lipowitz has been proving this year that his Tour de France podium finish was no fluke, with back-to-back podiums in Catalunya and Itzulia. What makes this interesting is the team's decision to field both Lipowitz and Primož Roglič. While Roglič has been nudged down the pecking order, he's still showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, he's already fifth at Tirreno-Adriatico this year. From my perspective, this dynamic duo could be a force to be reckoned with, and their presence raises a deeper question: can Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe dethrone Pogačar?
Oscar Onley: Ineos Grenadiers' Hopeful Contender
Oscar Onley, fresh off his fourth overall at the Volta ao Algarve, is another rider to watch. The mix of medium and hard stages at the Tour de Romandie should suit his abilities, and he seems to go well on this terrain. However, Onley has struggled with poor fortune this season, whether it's illness or crashes. What makes this especially interesting is the contrast between his strong start to the season and the challenges he's faced since. If he can get through this week without issue, he could show his true level as we get into the serious build-up for the Tour.
Antonio Tiberi: Bahrain Victorious' Stage Racing Expert
Antonio Tiberi, who usually comes good on the longer, steadier climbs, might not be the perfect fit for the Tour de Romandie's slightly shorter efforts. However, this race could be an opportunity for him to get back into the rhythm and test himself against some big names. What makes this surprising is the contrast between Tiberi's usual strengths and the demands of the Tour de Romandie. If it's not a week for Tiberi, Bahrain can also look to Lenny Martinez to hunt stages.
Mauro Schmid: Jayco AlUla's Home Hope
Mauro Schmid, on a searing run of form so far in 2026, is the home hope for Jayco AlUla. The Swiss rider has been a key protagonist in every race he's started this year, finishing second at the Tour Down Under, fourth in Oman, and winning the Settimana Coppi e Bartali. What makes this especially interesting is the contrast between Schmid's recent success and the demands of the Tour de Romandie. While he might be realistically looking at the top 10 rather than the top five or podium, his level is definitely high right now.
Luke Plapp: EF Education-EasyPost's Rising Star
Luke Plapp, back in action for the first time since the UAE Tour, is another rider to watch. The Australian is still yet to really prove himself as a GC contender on the European circuit, but the signs get better every year. What makes this surprising is the contrast between Plapp's potential and his lack of experience in stage races. If he can aim for a good result here, whether that's on a stage or overall, it could be a significant step forward for him.
Jørgen Nordhagen: Visma-Lease a Bike's GC Option
Visma-Lease a Bike heads to Romandie with an uncharacteristically weak team, by their standards. However, their best GC option, Jørgen Nordhagen, has finished eighth at the UAE Tour and second at O Gran Camiño so far this season. What makes this interesting is the contrast between Nordhagen's potential and the team's usual strength. If he can deal with the step up in Switzerland this week, it could be a significant moment for him and the team.
Valentin Paret-Peintre: Soudal-QuickStep's Solid Contender
Valentin Paret-Peintre, who just finished fourth overall at the Volta a Catalunya, seems to be coming good earlier in the season than he has previously. What makes this especially interesting is the contrast between Paret-Peintre's recent results and his usual performance in the Grand Tours. If he can aim for another good summer, a good result here could be a significant step forward for him.
Georg Steinhauser: EF Education-EasyPost's Stage Hunter
Georg Steinhauser, usually seen as more of a stage hunter than a GC rider, has a solid EF team around him. If he can grab some time in a breakaway, he could reap the benefits all the way to the end of the week. What makes this surprising is the contrast between Steinhauser's usual role and the demands of the Tour de Romandie. If he can take advantage of the breakaway opportunities, it could be a significant moment for him.
In conclusion, the Tour de Romandie promises to be an exciting race, with a mix of contenders from different backgrounds and strengths. From Pogačar's usual approach to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's dynamic duo, and from Onley's hopeful contender to Schmid's home hope, this race has something for everyone. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the contenders' strengths and the demands of the race. If you take a step back and think about it, the Tour de Romandie could be a turning point for many of these riders, as they aim to prove themselves in the build-up to the Tour de France.
