THEMOVE+ Podcast Summary
Episode: Remco's Stage Race Struggles Continue as Del Toro & Seixas Rise
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Spencer Martin
Guest: Johan Bruyneel
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the early 2026 pro cycling season, with special focus on rising talents Paul Seixas and Isaac Del Toro, and Remco Evenepoel's ongoing struggles in stage races. Spencer Martin and Johan Bruyneel break down recent happenings at the Volta ao Algarve, UAE Tour, and Ruta del Sol (Vuelta a Andalucía), offering insider analysis on race tactics, rider development, and team dynamics. The episode also touches on sponsorship shifts and the financial pressures facing WorldTour teams.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Paul Seixas’ Breakthrough at Volta ao Algarve
- [00:37] / [11:28] / [13:19] — Both hosts are emphatic about Seixas’ tactical and physical growth, likening his composure to legendary pros early in their careers.
- Stage 2 Recap: Seixas, at just 19, outmaneuvered older, more experienced rivals (notably João Almeida and Juan Ayuso) in a summit finish, showcasing a combination of race savvy and power.
- Quote [13:19], Bruyneel: “Today was definitely a demonstration of the class and the talent of Paul Seixas on all levels. Strengthwise, race savvy… he took the right line. Definitely a big, big, big victory and well deserved for him.”
- Quote [13:48], Martin: “…at 19, he looks a lot more polished than Pogacar did. If you go back and watch those early Pogacar wins, he kind of didn’t know what he was doing. This looked really studied and tactically astute.”
- Big Picture: There’s a sense that Seixas and Del Toro are part of a new generation about to leapfrog the “middle” group of current GC contenders.
2. Generational Shift Among Stage Race Stars
- [12:47] / [13:19] — Conversation that the likes of Ayuso, Almeida, Oscar Onley and others may be skipped over by the “super-talent” new wave (Seixas, Del Toro)—suggesting a rapid generational turnover.
- Quote [12:47], Martin: “Are these guys going to get skipped—like, Pogacar retires and it’s Del Toro and Seixas and there’s not going to be room for that middle generation?”
3. Remco Evenepoel’s Recurring GC Problems
- [28:27] onwards — The stark pattern: Evenepoel dominates time trials, but faces dramatic collapses on summit finishes.
- Recent UAE Tour: He wins the TT, but loses two minutes on the climb to Jebel Hafeet.
- Historical Context: This marks his fourth consecutive WorldTour stage race where he wins a TT, then is dropped on a crucial climb.
- Quote [41:48], Martin: “…this is the fourth straight World Tour stage race where he’s won the time trial, dropped on a climb… must be mental, right? [From the] time trials… we know the form is there.”
- Possible Causes: Hosts speculate about injuries (Basque crash, postal van crash), inability to adapt to long, steep climbs as opposed to explosiveness on shorter efforts, or even psychological barriers.
- Quote [42:27], Bruyneel: “For some reason he hasn’t done it yet… I can’t find that consistency in that level and I’m a bit puzzled.”
4. Isaac Del Toro’s Rapid Ascent
- [34:37] / [35:17] — Del Toro is lauded for pacing himself on the Jebel Hafeet climb, pushing huge watts in the final kilometers and moving into overall contention.
- Quote [35:17], Bruyneel: “That’s 7.4 watts per kilo… He knew what he was doing… He was on a mission.”
- His ability to handle pressure as team leader for the first time is a recurring theme.
5. Antonio Tiberi’s Victory & Redemption Arc
- [36:19] / [37:19] — Tiberi claims a rare win and the overall lead at UAE Tour. His career is recounted, including both accomplishments and the notorious “cat incident.”
- Quote [37:19], Bruyneel (joking): “Funny stories—the guy is most famous for killing a cat.”
- Both hosts agree Tiberi is now a serious podium threat for Grand Tours, underlining the predictive value of UAE Tour results for Tour de France success.
6. Sean Kelly Anecdote
- [02:22] / [03:42] — Johan describes a recent ride with cycling legend Sean Kelly in Spain, marveling at his enduring strength and legacy.
- Quote [02:22], Bruyneel: “He turned 70 this year… still strong, incredibly fit. The legend. My son said, second best rider of all time in the rankings.”
- Kelly’s career success and underrated status are discussed, with reference to his all-rounder versatility.
7. Team Transfer Markets & Financial Dynamics
- [54:14] onwards — Visma | Lease a Bike’s title sponsor issues and tightening budget.
- The environment is more challenging—rising costs, extravagant wages, and volatile sponsorship markets.
- Quote [57:18], Martin: “…a lot of their strategy looks like right now, it’s like, hey Matthew Brennan, you want to go win some races? The depth looks a little thin.”
- Comparison with the big spending of Ineos, Red Bull, Lidl-Trek, and what “team-building” means in an overheated market.
- Quote [59:25], Bruyneel: “7 million for Remco is crazy. 6 million for Oscar Onley is crazy. These are buyouts, not even salaries.”
8. Broadcast & Media Changes
- [06:23] — European and US cycling media rights now consolidated on HBO Max for major races (Giro, UAE Tour, etc.), streamlining viewing but disappointing for fans of earlier platforms.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “[Seixas] is already fine-tuned… He knows how to train, has his nutrition dialed in, knows how to race. There’s not much he has to learn except maybe learning his own body.”
— Johan Bruyneel [14:16] - “These are the big names—you know, the next level is Pogacar, Jonas, and Del Toro… there’s nothing else close to this.”
— Bruyneel [12:47] - “Del Toro paced himself perfectly. 470 watts average in the final nine minutes—7.4 watts per kilo.”
— Bruyneel [35:17] - “Five of the last seven UAE Tour winners have gone on to podium at the Tour de France—that matters for who wins next.”
— Martin [39:21] - “Remco is a natural leader. At this moment, I don’t think with Remco there should be another GC rider [on the team]. He wants to be the leader.”
— Bruyneel [49:18] - “10 million for Juan Ayuso is crazy… whatever it is, 7 million for Remco is crazy… these amounts don’t really make sense.”
— Bruyneel [59:21]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Time | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:37 | Opening: Seixas’ breakthrough, race wrap from Algarve | | 02:22 | Johan’s ride with Sean Kelly: legacy and impact | | 06:23 | Cycling broadcast/media rights shift to HBO Max | | 10:28 | Detailed breakdown: Algarve Stage 2 and Seixas’ win | | 14:40 | Upcoming TT analysis: who could win the Algarve overall | | 17:40 | Oscar Onley’s resilience & off-season challenges | | 18:18 | Ruta del Sol recap (Laporte, Romeo, lesser Spanish races) | | 22:44 | Sprint incident with Jan Christen and crash analysis | | 28:27 | UAE Tour analysis: Del Toro, Tiberi, and Remco’s collapse | | 34:37 | Del Toro’s pacing masterclass and wattage stats | | 41:48 | Deep dive: Remco’s recurring stage race issues | | 46:24 | The impact of injuries and possible explanations | | 49:18 | Red Bull’s leadership dilemma and Remco’s role | | 54:14 | Visma’s sponsorship crisis & market analysis | | 57:53 | Rider salaries, transfer fees, & bidding wars |
Other Memorable Moments
- [51:47] Brief cameo by Bruyneel's dog Bobby—“Our audience loves Bobby… he wants to be on camera.”
- [57:18] Spencer drawing a comparison between cycling and the overheated transfer market in soccer.
- [60:45] “You have to win the Tour or else everything is a disappointment… at that amount of money.”
Episode Tone
The discussion is lively, candid, and heavily analytical, peppered with insider anecdotes and the easy back-and-forth of two true cycling insiders. Both Spencer and Johan are willing to critique riders, teams, and even the sport’s financial machinery, but their enthusiasm for the latest crop of racers and for cycling history continually shines through.
In Summary
Ideal for listeners who want the nuance behind race results, THEMOVE+ lays out why Seixas and Del Toro are shaking up the pecking order, what’s (still) going wrong for Remco Evenepoel, the financial chess game between World Tour teams, and what to expect as the early 2026 season unfolds. The hosts leave us with a sense of both excitement for coming rivalries and realism about the sport’s economic pressures.
For next episode: Check back for the hosts’ wrap-up of Algarve, UAE Tour, and Andalusia results—including whether Evenepoel bounces back, and further debate on cycling’s new balance of power.