You have to be expertly fuelled to pull off a 100-kilometre attack in one of the biggest one-day races of the year. You need energy, plenty of energy. And the food has to be moreish, because you’re going to need to eat a lot of it.

What, then, is the secret power source behind rainbow jersey winner Tadej Pogačar’s heroics? Is it energy gels and bars? Possibly. Is it bicarb, the mushy gruel that Michael Woods was seen spooning out of a tupperware during the World Championships road race? Maybe. Or, is it a thick, fluffy, Italian sandwich bread?

In a post shared on X this week, F1 driver and friend of Pogačar Carlos Sainz revealed the secret nutrition of the world’s best cyclist: Pogaccia.

I know what you’re thinking… what is Pogaccia? Well, according to the picture Sainz shared, it’s focaccia bread topped with cold cuts of ham. Carbohydrates and protein – the perfect race-winning recipe.

The picture reminded me of a fun fact I saw shared on social media last year: Pogačar’s name comes from the word “pogača”, a Proto-Slavic term derived from focaccia. In other words, his name is actually – kind of – Tadej Focaccia. Don’t believe me? Look it up yourself.

Sainz also posted a video on X showing himself, Pogačar, and the Slovenian’s partner, Liv AlUla Jayco rider Urška Žigart, out on a recovery ride. In the video, the new world champion asks for his F1 companion’s opinion on his signature bread snack. “They say it’s good for a hangover,” Sainz responds. Pogačar concurs. “It’s good for a hangover, I can tell you that,” he says with a smirk.

It’s the sort of insight you get when you go on a ride two days after winning your first rainbow jersey. That’s also to say, presumably, two days after one of the biggest night-outs of your life.

Elsewhere on social media this week, Elisa Longo Borghini gets a pink car, fashion brand Prada enters the cycling helmet game, and Cat Ferguson proves dogs and cats can get along.

1. I’ll take two Pogaccias please and a can of coke

2. How about a Thomaccino? Geraintspresso? Ah, forget it

3. Who needs Pogaccia when you’ve got a tupperware of sludge?

4. It turns out it was all just a hidden camera prank

5. It’s called fashion, look it up

6. I’m stumped. Any guesses?

7. I’d have watched the Barbie movie if I knew this scene was in it

8. It may not be bright pink, but Josef Černý’s new whip is something special

9. Do all former world champions have to wear a rainbow dress on their wedding day? Is this UCI regulation?

10. Two years retired, and Alex Dowsett still can’t resist a ramp test

11. You’ve heard of Cat Ferguson, now let us introduce you to her race companion, Dog Ferguson

12. It’s nice to see Ben Stiller’s love of cycling stretches beyond Geraint Thomas fandom

13. Lachlan Morton is currently undergoing a record attempt for a lap of Australia. Does he have time to save injured birds? You bet he does

14. And finally, here’s Simon Geschke signing off on his pro career. A breakaway stalwart, he and his bushy beard will be missed