THEMOVE+ Podcast Summary

Episode: Is Tadej Pogačar Really Skipping the 2026 Tour de France?
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Lance Armstrong (not present this episode), with Spencer Martin and Johan Bruyneel
Main Theme: Breaking down current headlines in pro cycling—most notably, rumors about Tadej Pogačar skipping the 2026 Tour de France, recent bio-passport suspensions, and the undercurrents of professional cycling tech and contracts.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the cycling world's off-season rumor mill, addressing hot topics like speculation on Tadej Pogačar’s participation in the 2026 Tour de France, analysis of how stories get spun out of control in cycling media, notable doping updates, and industry commentary on team equipment politics. The hosts—Spencer Martin and Johan Bruyneel—dissect facts from rumors and share industry-insider reasoning, keeping the tone lively, competitive, sometimes irreverent, and always steeped in road cycling’s culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Strava Competition: Setting the Tone (02:16–05:11)

• Friendly Rivalry: Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin open with updates on their annual Strava mileage battle.
  • Johan is catching up to Spencer, only 159km behind after being >800km down.
  • Factors like family responsibilities and age differences are acknowledged (“I’m 61…so I have more time…but I’m also probably 25 years older or more than you.” — Johan, 04:38).
  • Both joke about holiday plans centered on getting in mileage before the year ends.
• Memorable Quote:
  “You’ve hacked the system because the goal is you get your kids into cycling, then you’re cycling with your kids, then you’re racking up the miles. That’s the ultimate goal.” — Spencer (04:43)

2. The Pogačar Tour de France Rumor (05:18–07:18)

• Context: Rumor emerged that Pogačar would skip the 2026 Tour to attempt the Giro/Vuelta double.
• Rumor Origins: Remco Evenepoel's father (Patrick Evenepoel) made an offhand comment, which media outlets exaggerated.
  • Johan clarifies: the original statement was speculative and not concrete information.
  • UAE Team Emirates immediately denied the rumor, confirming Pogačar plans to target the 2026 Tour.
• Economic and Historical Pressure: Pogačar’s massive contract (~$15M/year) and legacy (potential 5th Tour win) make skipping unlikely.
• Quote:
  “He’s making probably close to US $15 million a year to race and win the Tour de France from his team. I don’t think he’s skipping it.” — Spencer (05:22)
  “It’s something that got blown up and taken out of context.” — Johan (07:06)

3. Media Distortion and Athlete Statements (07:18–09:52)

• Modern Media Dynamics: Quotes are often plucked out of podcast conversations and twisted or sensationalized by other outlets.
  • Tom Pidcock’s recent statement about not enjoying GC racing was widely misinterpreted.
• Nuance Lost: Extended interviews are reduced to headlines, distorting intent and context.
• Quote:
  “What’s common in modern media is someone is on a podcast and then you read, you read it and you think that it’s an interview given to that publication, but that publication has just pulled quotes from a podcast.” — Spencer (07:54)
• Reality Check: Pidcock clarified in person that while he enjoys mountain biking more, he is now open to the challenge of Grand Tour racing.

4. Why Multi-Discipline Riders Focus on Road (09:52–14:23)

• Financial Incentives: The road discipline remains the most lucrative and prestigious in cycling.
  • Johan points out road cycling contracts far surpass those in mountain biking, track, or cyclocross.
• Case Study: Riders like Alan Hatherly and Tom Pidcock make the transition to road for career and financial reasons.
• Specialization: It's tough to compare across cycling disciplines; the technical and physical demands are unique.
• Quote:
  “I don’t think you can name one mountain biker, the top mountain biker, one top cyclocross rider, one top track rider…even close to somebody who’s just outside the top 10 in road cycling in terms of contracts.” — Johan (09:52)

5. The Specificity and Limits of Crossover Success (14:27–15:22)

• Not All Champions Crossover: Only exceptionally talented riders (e.g., Van der Poel, Van Aert) succeed at multiple disciplines.
  • Track world championship speeds astonish the hosts (76 km/h sprints!), reminding listeners of each discipline’s barriers.
• Quote:
  “Man, these guys did 67 on the flat yesterday, you know.” — Johan (14:23)
  “That is wild.” — Spencer (14:27)

6. Red Bull’s Bike Dilemma: Corporate Complexity (15:22–16:43)

• Red Bull BMC Bike Launch: Raised eyebrows as Red Bull sponsors a team on Specialized bikes while launching a BMC in the wind tunnel.
• Brand versus Team: The Red Bull Performance Center is separate from team operations, so cross-brand sponsorships can occur.
  • The situation illustrates the potential disconnect between large multinational sponsors and their affiliated sports teams’ needs.
• Quote:
  “If I was a person in charge at Red Bull of the cycling team, I’d be a little annoyed that we’re racing against the fastest race bike in the world next year.” — Spencer (16:43)

7. Lascano’s ABP Suspension: The Realities of Anti-Doping (16:59–23:43)

• Case Summary: Oier Lazkano provisionally suspended due to abnormal values in his Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
  • Occurred while riding for Movistar; he transferred to Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, then abruptly disappeared from racing.
  • Red Bull terminated his contract immediately.
• Implications of the ABP: System is effective, but seemingly applied more to lower-profile riders.
• Legal Realities: Elite riders with resources rarely get sanctioned on ABP evidence alone due to the cost and complexity of fighting such cases.
• Johan’s Perspective:
  • “It’s surprising to me…they never do this with big names who have a lot, a lot, a lot of financial resources.” (22:49)
  • Panel decisions are unlikely to be overturned, and legal battles are costly.
• Notable Quote:
  “The Bio Passport is a good tool to monitor and to target certain athletes…But there’s a reason why no big champion with a lot of money has been put in this situation. Because if anybody who has a lot of resources, really good lawyers and a lot of time, challenges this, it falls.” — Johan (22:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Media Sensationalism:
  “If Patrick says it enough, Tadej will think maybe I shouldn’t do it.” — Spencer (07:06)
• On Cycling’s Many Disciplines:
  “There’s a reason why no big champion with a lot of money has been put in this situation.” — Johan (22:49)
• On the Business of Road Racing:
  “The road is…there’s no other discipline in cycling that is so famous, brings you more celebrity and money than the road.” — Johan (09:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Strava Rivalry Opener: 02:16–05:11
• Pogačar Tour Rumor: 05:18–07:18
• Media Distortion: 07:18–09:52
• Discipline Differences & Road’s Prestige: 09:52–14:23
• Red Bull Bike Issue: 15:22–16:43
• Lascano Suspension & Anti-Doping: 16:59–23:43

Conclusion

This episode of THEMOVE+ is a lively, insightful dissection of off-season cycling news, highlighting how rumors proliferate, how pro cycling’s ecosystem really works (from sponsorship politics to anti-doping), and how the culture of the sport plays out both in the media and inside the bunch. Spencer and Johan provide a candid, insider’s take on gossip, truth, and the business of cycling, all delivered with competitive banter and sharp analysis.

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