Philipsen sprints to victory as Alps loom in Tour's final push
Philipsen claims stage 18 as Tour enters decisive Alpine mountain stages.
Event / Sports
Tour of Spain 2026
Coverage of the 2026 Tour of Spain cycling race, including stages, competitor incidents, and related developments.
12 reported locations
Daily activity
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2026-08-10 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 May, 12:36 UTC
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What happened
2026 Tour de France will feature double ascent of Alpe d'Huez
The 2026 Tour de France will include two separate finishes atop Alpe d'Huez on consecutive days. The first ascent will use the classic 21-hairpin route (13.8 km at 8% average gradient), which has been climbed 33 times in Tour history. The second ascent on the following day will use the Col de Sarenne route (13 km at 7.2% average gradient), a previously unused Tour route that was tested during the 2017 Critérium du Dauphiné.
Stage 19 of 2026 Tour de France designated as mountainous challenge day
Stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France, scheduled for Saturday between Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez, will feature approximately 5,400 meters of elevation gain and will require climbers to traverse mythical Tour routes including Croix-de-Fer, Télégraphe, and Galibier passes. The stage is positioned the day before the race's final day in Paris, making it strategically important for the general classification.
Cycling group Les Bons Copains celebrates 20th anniversary with Tour de France attendance
The cycling association Les Bons Copains established a base camp at Gavarnie to attend the Tour de France, coinciding with the group's 20th anniversary. The group coordinated logistics and catering with support from local sponsors including Le Patio restaurant in Aureilhan, Cazenavette farm in Maubourguet, Capbarat bakery in Tarbes, and Benjamin Marchand plumbing in Lescurry.
Tour de France 2026 approaching final stages with three Alpine mountain stages
The 2026 Tour de France entered its final phase with three mountain stages in the Alps before the finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 27. These stages were expected to be decisive for the overall classification, with notable performances and potential changes in standings anticipated.
Tour de France 2026 stage 18 held from Voiron to Orcières-Merlette on July 23
The 18th stage of the 2026 Tour de France took place on July 23, 2026, running 185.2 kilometers from Voiron in Isère to Orcières-Merlette in Hautes-Alpes. The stage featured 3,900 meters of positive elevation gain with five climbs: Côte d'Engins (11.4 km at 5.4%), Côte de Monteynard (9.7 km at 5%), Côte des Terrasses (3.4 km at 6.6%), Côte de Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes (2.5 km at 6.9%), and the final climb to Orcières-Merlette (7.1 km at 6.7%).
Jasper Philipsen wins Tour de France stage with support from Mathieu Van Der Poel
Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen secured a stage victory at the 2026 Tour de France with crucial assistance from Mathieu Van Der Poel of Alpecin team, who positioned Philipsen for the win just meters from the finish line. Van Der Poel refrained from contesting the final sprint to give his teammate the victory.
Professional cyclists union protests night-time anti-doping controls
The professional cyclists union (CPA) denounced night-time anti-doping controls, stating they could impair athlete recovery during the most important and difficult race in the world calendar and contradict the intended objectives of anti-doping programs.
International Testing Agency conducts blood tests on all Tour de France riders during rest day
The International Testing Agency (ITA) conducted an extensive blood testing mission as part of the Athlete Biological Passport program on all remaining Tour de France riders during the rest day on July 20, 2026. The testing was carried out with support from French anti-doping agency (AFLD) personnel and complements pre-competition tests conducted before the July 4 start in Barcelona and tests during the race.
Night-time anti-doping tests on Vingegaard and Pogačar criticized as inhumane
Night-time anti-doping tests conducted on Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar between Saturday and Sunday were criticized as inhumane by numerous riders. These tests were conducted at unusual hours, contrasting with daytime testing performed on other riders during the rest day.
Tour de France course director warns of potential gaps after rest day time trial
Course director Thierry Gouvenou stated that the demanding 26-kilometer time trial following a rest day could produce significant time differences between contenders. He noted that the course offers no relief, requiring riders to produce immediate, maximum effort. Gouvenou referenced that Pogačar struggled in a similar situation during the 2023 time trial at Combloux, suggesting the back-to-back schedule (rest day followed immediately by time trial) may disadvantage certain riders.
Remco Evenepoel emerges as time trial favorite despite Pogačar's yellow jersey
Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel, who is second in the general classification and Olympic and world champion in time trials, is positioned as the primary favorite for the 16th stage. However, Tadej Pogačar, currently wearing the yellow jersey, is also expected to perform strongly on this course, as is Paul Seixas. The climbing profile and demanding nature of the course are seen as advantageous for general classification leaders rather than pure time trial specialists like Filippo Ganna.
Stage 16 time trial course set for July 21, 2026 Tour de France
The 16th stage of the 2026 Tour de France is a 26.1-kilometer individual time trial scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, running between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Léman. The course features three distinct sections: a 9.7-kilometer climb at 4.3% average gradient in the opening phase, followed by a rapid technical descent, then 7-8 kilometers of flat terrain. The first rider starts at 1:00 PM, with the final arrival (yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogačar) expected at 5:50 PM.
Valentin Paret-Peintre competes in stage 15 with home support from Annemasse
Valentin Paret-Peintre, from Annemasse, competed in stage 15 of the 2026 Tour de France and received support from his local fan club during the race.
Stage 15 includes col de la Croisette and col du Mont as significant climbs
Stage 15 features the col de la Croisette (4.6 km at 11.2% gradient) and col du Mont (2.1 km at 8.3% gradient) as major climbing challenges occurring more than 50 kilometers from the finish, positioned as potential decision points for the overall classification.
Stage 15 broadcast scheduled for July 19 on French television
Stage 15 of the 2026 Tour de France was scheduled to air on July 19 starting at 13:10 on France 2, France 3, and Eurosport 1, with an estimated finish time of 17:41.
Tour de France 2026 stage 15 takes place in Haute-Savoie on July 19
The 15th stage of the 2026 Tour de France took place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with a portion of the route passing through the Haute-Savoie department. The stage ran from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison, covering 183.9 kilometers with four mountain passes including one hors catégorie classification.
Stage 15 features Plateau de Solaison as final climb with extreme gradient
The final climb of stage 15 to Plateau de Solaison is 11.3 kilometers long with an average gradient of 9%, featuring consistently steep sections. The race director noted it is steeper than Alpe d'Huez with abrupt slopes throughout and minimal relief.
Tadej Pogacar wins stage 14 of Tour de France 2026 in the Vosges
Tadej Pogacar won stage 14 of the 2026 Tour de France in the Vosges region, maintaining the yellow jersey as the race leader.
Paul Seixas, 19-year-old white jersey wearer, competes in stage 15 with family ties to Haute-Savoie
Paul Seixas, a 19-year-old cyclist wearing the white jersey (best young rider), competed in stage 15 of the 2026 Tour de France. His grandparents are originally from Magland in Haute-Savoie, giving him local connections in the region.
Paul Seixas finishes in sixth place in Tour de France general classification
French cyclist Paul Seixas, competing in his first major Tour, positioned himself in sixth place in the general classification after the first week, less than 40 seconds behind third place. His team manager Dominique Serieys confirmed the result was in line with the team's plans for his development.
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2 alternative perspectives
Anti-doping tests on Tour stars spark athlete welfare debate
Anti-doping testing methods spark athlete welfare protests during Tour.
Evenepoel favored for Stage 16 time trial showdown in Évian
Evenepoel favored to win Stage 16 time trial despite Pogacar leading overall.
Pogacar wins Vosges stage as mountain showdown reaches Haute-Savoie
Pogacar dominates Vosges; Alpine stage 15 tests contenders in Haute-Savoie with extreme climbs.
Portugal, US advance to World Cup Round of 16 matchups
Portugal-Spain and US-Belgium confirmed for 2026 World Cup Round of 16 in US cities.
Van der Poel dominates stage seven as Pogacar solidifies yellow jersey lead
Van der Poel claimed stage 7 victory as Pogacar extends his overall lead heading into the Tour's second week.
Tour de France stage nine shortened thirty kilometers due to extreme heat
Stage 9 cut 30km short as extreme heat disrupts Tour de France race operations and regional celebrations.
Pogacar extends lead as Tour approaches decisive mountain stages
Pogacar leads the Tour with Pedersen holding the sprinters' jersey and Del Toro leading young riders.
Wildfire forces Tour de France stage three reroute in Pyrenees
Pyrenees wildfire forces stage three reroute at 2026 Tour de France.
Del Toro claims stage two as Vingegaard leads early Tour battle
Del Toro wins stage two; Vingegaard holds yellow jersey in early Tour racing.
Pidcock exits Tour de Suisse as final stage demands peak fitness
Pidcock withdraws from Tour de Suisse; final stage tests riders with 4,200m elevation gain.
Pogacar sharpens Tour de France bid with Tour de Suisse entry
Pogacar competes in Tour de Suisse starting Wednesday to prepare for the Tour de France.