{"id":118032,"date":"2026-04-15T10:01:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T10:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/15\/pogacar-calls-shimano-bikes-wheelbarrows-after-roubaix-drama\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:01:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T10:01:18","slug":"pogacar-calls-shimano-bikes-wheelbarrows-after-roubaix-drama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/15\/pogacar-calls-shimano-bikes-wheelbarrows-after-roubaix-drama\/","title":{"rendered":"Poga\u010dar Calls Shimano Bikes &#8216;Wheelbarrows&#8217; after Roubaix Drama"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>Intriguing details emerge of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s disaster encounter with an outdated emergency bike at Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"border-border-light border-t py-base-tight\">\n<div class=\"flex h-4 justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-x-base-tight\">\n<div class=\"\"><button class=\"inline-flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full hover:cursor-pointer bg-bg-surface hover:bg-bg-light focus:bg-bg-dark text-primary border border-solid border-border-light aria-pressed:bg-brand-primary aria-pressed:text-text-surface py-very-tight px-base-tight gap-tight font-semibold font-utility-2 opacity-50\" aria-label=\"Loading audio\" aria-pressed=\"false\" id=\"article-listen-button\" disabled=\"\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" class=\"\"><title>Listen to this article<\/title><path d=\"M12.5265 16.2C12.2326 16.2 12.0122 16.1265 11.7184 16.053C11.2775 15.9061 10.9102 15.6122 10.6898 15.2449C10.4694 14.8775 10.3959 14.4367 10.5428 13.9959L11.5714 10.3959C11.6449 10.1755 11.7184 9.95509 11.8653 9.80815C12.0122 9.66121 12.1592 9.51427 12.3796 9.36733C12.6 9.29386 12.8204 9.2204 13.0408 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10.249C4.59182 10.249 4.51836 10.249 4.44489 10.249H4.37142C3.9306 10.3959 3.63672 10.6898 3.41631 11.0571C3.26938 11.351 3.19591 11.7184 3.26938 12.0857C3.34285 12.3061 3.34284 12.5265 3.41631 12.6735L3.71019 13.849ZM13.2612 10.3224C13.1877 10.3224 13.1877 10.3224 13.2612 10.3224C13.1143 10.3224 13.0408 10.3224 12.9673 10.3959C12.8939 10.4694 12.8204 10.4694 12.8204 10.4694C12.7469 10.5428 12.7469 10.6163 12.7469 10.6898L11.7184 14.2898C11.6449 14.4367 11.7184 14.5837 11.7918 14.7306C11.8653 14.8775 12.0122 14.951 12.0857 15.0245C12.3796 15.0979 12.5265 15.0979 12.7469 15.0979C12.9673 15.0979 13.1877 15.0245 13.3347 14.8775C13.5551 14.8041 13.702 14.6571 13.849 14.4367C13.9959 14.2898 14.0694 14.0694 14.1428 13.849L14.5102 12.6735C14.5837 12.5265 14.5837 12.3061 14.6571 12.1592C14.7306 11.7918 14.6571 11.4245 14.5102 11.1306C14.2898 10.7633 13.9959 10.4694 13.5551 10.3224H13.4816C13.3347 10.3224 13.2612 10.3224 13.2612 10.3224Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"hidden sm:inline\">Listen<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\"> (Photo: Etienne GARNIER \/ POOL \/ AFP))<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Updated April 15, 2026 04:51AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/tag\/tadej-pogacar\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a> got \u201cspaghetti legs\u201d and was outsprinted by Wout van Aert at <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/tag\/paris-roubaix\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Paris-Roubaix<\/a> after he pedaled a \u201cwheelbarrow\u201d across the heinous <em>pav\u00e9<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>At least, that\u2019s how the UAE Emirates superstar described his <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/roubaix-riddle-strikes-again-pogacar\/\" rel=\"noopener\">wild ride through the Hell of the North<\/a> on Sunday in quotes that have recently emerged from Slovenian media.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar\u2019s quest to complete the monument sweep began to unravel when he was forced to take a Shimano neutral service bike he believes was better suited to gardening.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had a front puncture for a while, but when I also had a puncture on the rear tire, I couldn\u2019t go any further, so I had to change my bike,\u201d Poga\u010dar told Slovenian outlet <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rtvslo.si\/sport\/kolesarstvo\/pogacar-se-zeli-po-roubaixu-najprej-resetirati\/779153\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>RTV Slo<\/em><\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI got some \u2018karjolo\u2019 [<em>slang for wheelbarrow \u2013 ed<\/em>] from Shimano,\u201d he quipped. \u201cI could ride a little, but I had to change the bike again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen the chase started, and I punctured again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar was forced to take a neutral service bike 120km from the finish Sunday when he punctured on the cobbles of Qu\u00e9r\u00e9naing.<\/p>\n<p>The UAE Emirates team car was way back, forcing King Pog to suffer what the peloton sees as \u201cthe last resort\u201d \u2013 riding a Shimano neutral service bike.<\/p>\n<p><iframe style=\"width:100%;border:none;display:block\" title=\"Script Content\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Poga\u010dar held back by wrong saddle height, bad wheels<\/h2>\n<p>Shimano cars are loaded with unbranded blue bikes that are fitted with different pedal systems and a dropper post. In theory, the cars can provide a lifeline to riders using any cleat system, and of any size.<\/p>\n<p>Only Poga\u010dar seemed to be unaware of the latter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was able to start my chase, but it had been a long time since I\u2019d ridden a Shimano bike. The saddle height wasn\u2019t right,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hln.be\/parijs-roubaix\/de-blauwe-kruiwagen-die-elke-renner-liever-mijdt-tadej-pogacar-niet-te-spreken-over-fiets-die-hij-kreeg-van-shimano-in-parijs-roubaix~a4a46dc4\/\" rel=\"noopener\">told Slovenian media<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe wheels weren\u2019t suitable for the terrain either. So I had to switch again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The rest is history.<\/p>\n<p>The Mercxk-chasing modern GOAT still had the legs to chase back to set up the thrilling final with Van Aert, but by then, his legs were noodles.<\/p>\n<p>A frantic pursuit and \u2013 who knows, maybe 6km riding a bike that didn\u2019t fit \u2013 had cooked his quads.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI still had hope in the sprint. But when I started the sprint my legs were like spaghetti,\u201d Poga\u010dar said in his finish line interview.<\/p>\n<h2>Shimano neutral service bikes: The last resort for the stranded<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_982661\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-982661\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2210685919.jpg?width=1080&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2210685919.jpg?width=2048&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2210685919.jpg?width=2048&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">The Shimano car, shown here at Amstel Gold Race 2025, is an emergency option for riders without team support.<\/span> (Photo: Jules van Iperen \/ EYE4images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Shimano doesn\u2019t build its own frames, so it sources its neutral fleet externally before it debadges them and daubs them in bold blue.<\/p>\n<p>The exact brand and model of bike is a closely-guarded secret, however, it\u2019s clear that they\u2019re no Pogi-approved Colnago Y1RS.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s widely believed they\u2019re a very dated Canyon Endurace.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to <em><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/sporza.be\/nl\/2026\/04\/13\/ze-bouwen-geen-fietsen-maar-hoe-konden-ze-pogacar-dan-redden-dit-is-het-goedbewaarde-geheim-van-de-blauwe-shimano~1776100424363\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Sporza<\/a><\/em>, former Roubaix champion turned Shimano driver Servais Knaven hinted that the need to fit a dropper post keeps the bikes in the past.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe use bikes with dropper posts, so the riders can easily adjust their saddle height using the handlebars,\u201d Knaven told <em>Sporza<\/em>. \u201cOtherwise, you have to use an Allen key all the time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, for the dropper we use, you need a round seatpost. They\u2019re rarely made these days,\u201d he said. \u201cShould we ever purchase new frames in the future, that would be a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar might hope those frames get an upgrade from \u201cwheelbarrows\u201d before he returns to the <em>pav\u00e9<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/pogacar-shimano-bikes-wheelbarrows-roubaix\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Intriguing details emerge of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s disaster encounter with an outdated emergency bike at Paris-Roubaix. Listen to this articleListen (Photo: Etienne GARNIER \/ POOL \/ AFP)) Updated April 15, 2026 04:51AM Tadej Poga\u010dar got \u201cspaghetti legs\u201d and was outsprinted by Wout van Aert at Paris-Roubaix after he pedaled a \u201cwheelbarrow\u201d across the heinous pav\u00e9. At least, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":118033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118032"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118032"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118032\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}