Oliveira third in Romandie opener

Ivo Oliveira made a sharp return to racing form by finishing third in the opening prologue at the 2026 Tour de Romandie.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider set an early benchmark on the 3.2km individual time trial course in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. His time stood for much of the stage before Dorian Godon of Ineos Grenadiers and Jakob Söderqvist of Lidl-Trek went quicker.

Godon won the stage in 3 minutes 35 seconds. Söderqvist finished six seconds back, with Oliveira given the same time in third.

It was a strong start for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, with Tadej Pogačar also placing inside the top 10. The Slovenian, riding his first Tour de Romandie, finished sixth, seven seconds down on Godon.

Pogačar’s ride came two days after his victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It also gives him a steady opening position in the general classification as he looks to follow teammate João Almeida, who won the Romandie title last season.

For Oliveira, the result carried extra meaning. The Portuguese rider had crashed at the Volta a Catalunya and suffered a fractured foot, which kept him off the bike for 12 days.

“I am happy with the result. I was expecting to do well because I like these kind of prologues.”

“But considering after Catalunya I had a crash and a fracture in the foot, this put me out of training for 12 days, I never thought that I would be at the start line in Romandie.”

“So to be here and also be in the fight for the win is pretty special.”

Oliveira said the team played a key role in getting him back to fitness in time for the race.

“I had a really good recovery with the team, they supported me a lot so it means a lot just to be here,” he said.

“I am happy, obviously I wanted to win, but nevertheless I am happy I could win and fight for the win, considering my bad luck in the last four weeks.”

Tour de Romandie 2026 prologue results