Last week in Cycling - October 6th

1. Pogačar Doubles Down: Europe’s Crown After Worlds Solo

Fresh off his dramatic solo win at the World Championships, Tadej Pogačar wasn’t satisfied. On October 5, he unleashed another long break — this time ~75 km from the finish — to win the 2025 European Road Championship in Guilherand‑Granges, France. 

Despite warnings (especially from Belgian coach Serge Pauwels) that such a move “would end badly,” Pogačar held firm, extending his legend beyond a single peak. Remco Evenepoel came in second, while Paul Seixas grabbed bronze. 

He later admitted that even rowdy roadside fans—and jostling tactics from rivals—weren’t enough to derail his plan.  His quote:

“If anyone can tell me how to beat Tadej today, I’d love to hear it.” 

Why it’s a big deal

• Pulling off a daring break on back‑to‑back championship stages (Worlds then Europeans) is borderline absurd in cycling logic.

• It reinforces his status: he’s not just strong, he’s strategic, audacious, and seemingly immune to collapse.

• The dynamic with Evenepoel continues to intrigue: when both are in form, tactics, timing, national pride, and alliances matter more than raw watts.

If we’re keeping score, that’s two championship jerseys in hand and another chapter added to his already compelling narrative.

2. Garmin Under Fire: Dual Legal Battles Erupt

Garmin, the name many cyclists trust for GPS, power, and data, now finds itself in something far less pleasant: two patent lawsuits, one from Strava, the other from Suunto. 

Strava claims Garmin infringed its patents on “segments” and heatmap technology (used for showing popular routes). Suunto has followed with its own suit, alleging Garmin violated some of its device/algorithm patents. 

If you squint, you might see this as “big tech fight over cycling’s digital skeleton.” If you grimace, you might see years of courtroom decisions threatening data, syncing, and your bike computer experience.

Why this matters

• Many cyclists depend heavily on Garmin–Strava integration; if that gets disrupted or hamstrung, the ripple effects will be felt.

• The case could set precedents for how wearable and cycling data are patented, licensed, and shared.

• From a user standpoint: possible changes in app compatibility, feature access, or even costs.

In short: the war isn’t just on climbs anymore — it’s in the backend, too.

3. Young Cross Champ Gets WorldTour Big Break at EF

EF Education–EasyPost is placing a bet on youth: they’ve signed Mattia Agostinacchio, the 18‑year‑old Junior Cyclocross World Champion, on a long-term deal. 

The Italian grabbed his CX world title in Liévin in dramatic fashion (a final‑lap surge and even a broken shoe).  He’s also shown promise on the road this season, including strong showings in youth stage races and time trials.  EF’s leadership says they’ll bring him to the WorldTour gradually — not throw him in and hope. 

Why this move catches attention

• The classic “cross-to-road” pipeline works harder when the rider shows explosive, versatile strength.

• Teams that cultivate talent early often reap dividends (loyalty, development, future leaders).

• It’s a window into how modern teams balance risk and investment: you don’t always take proven stars — sometimes you bet on the next wave.

For young riders across Europe, this is an aspirational moment: podiums in mud now could lead to the biggest roads soon.

4. Cycling Union Proposes Shorter Races to Reduce Protest Risks

In response to recent protests (especially those targeting Israel‑Premier Tech during the Vuelta), CPA president Adam Hansen floated a bold idea: shortening major road races to reduce exposure to demonstrations and safety risks. 

In Hansen’s view, the live broadcast platform is a magnet for protestors. He suggests that by limiting duration or removing “dead time,” the sport reduces opportunities for disruption — though he insisted this is not about suppressing protest in principle. 

He also reiterated that rider safety should be paramount, and pointed to past instances where riders were physically interfered with or threatened during live coverage.  The exclusion of Israel‑Premier Tech from Giro dell’Emilia (citing safety concerns) was also referenced as part of the reasoning. 

Why needed discussion

• The concept of altering race length is radical: it disrupts tradition, sponsor expectations, and strategy.

• But given increasing political activism intersecting sport, it’s not an idle proposal.

• If implemented, we might see rethinking of “classic distance,” bonus laps, or even time caps.

Protests in cycling are no longer fringe. The sport now must balance being a platform with being a safe space.

5. Portuguese Team Suspended for Doping Violations

In a sobering reminder that the doping shadow lingers, the Portuguese continental squad APHotels & Resorts‑Tavira‑SC Farense has been suspended for 20 days, after two anti‑doping rule violations tied to biological passport irregularities in 2023. 

The riders implicated — Venceslau Fernandes and Delio Fernández — are no longer racing professionally, but UCI and Portuguese anti‑doping authorities found enough evidence of “methods or substances prohibited” to trigger team‑level consequences.  The ban (23 October to 11 November 2025) follows UCI rules that penalize teams with multiple infractions in a 12‑month window. 

While in absolute terms this is a short suspension late in the season, its symbolic weight is strong — and it feeds into cycling’s ongoing dialogue about transparency, trust, and clean sport.

Broader implications

• It shows that even non‑WorldTour teams are subject to strict scrutiny—and that the policing net is broad.

• The timing reduces race impact, but the reputational damage may last.

• It also reminds riders and fans that biological passports remain among the sport’s most potent anti‑doping tools.

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

This week’s mix feels heavy — championship dominance, legal strife, protesting risk, youthful promise, doping backlashes — but that’s cycling in 2025: a sport still vibrant and messy.

• Pogačar is writing his own chapter in legend, and even skeptics have to pause.

• The Garmin lawsuits may reshape how we get and consume ride data — and those relationships are core to the modern cyclist’s life.

• Young talent investment (like Agostinacchio) shows where ambition and sustainability meet.

• The protest question is no longer peripheral — the sport must respond, even if the solutions unsettle tradition.

• Doping enforcement remains necessary to guard credibility, especially in lower tiers of the sport.

In the week ahead: Il Lombardia looms (11 October) as a climber’s dream and possible last chance for a monument win.  Track Worlds are around the corner in Santiago, Chile (22–26 October) for those with velocity in their legs. 

I’ll keep an eye on race drama, tech shifts (especially how the Garmin legal story unfolds), and sponsorship moves. Until next week — ride well (or at least enjoy the reading).