Welcome to Escape Collective. Please select your language.
Please note that this is an automated translation and it will not be perfect. All articles have been written in English and if anything appears to not make sense, please double check in English.
Tune’s Nano Road CS hubs introduce a new patented angle
German-based component company Tune is expanding its new Nano hub range, now offering a road-specific version to join the pre-existing gravel options.
The new Nano Road range consists of six new wheelsets, including the Nano Road 35, 45, and 60 with steel spokes, plus the carbon-spoked Nano CS Road in the same three depth options. All the new wheels offer a 120 kg rider limit and hooked rims with a 24 mm internal width. Wheelset weights begin at 1,280 grams with steel spokes (from €2,290 a pair) or from 1,180 grams with carbon spokes (from €2,790 a pair).
At the centre sit the new Nano Road hubs, claimed to weigh just 278-288 grams for the pair, and priced at €750 with steel bearings. Available in black or silver, the hubs are available with steel or carbon spokes. The carbon spoke version introduces a patented technology that allows the spoke to settle more freely to better align with the direction of the rim hole. Tune intends for its ball-milled spoke geometry to allow a straighter spoke path (which helps in durability) with a wider variety of rims.
2026 Tour was the fastest in history
It was yet another Tour de France for the record books as the average speed of the 2026 edition – 43.326 km/h – broke the record set one year prior of 42.849 km/h.
The 2026 Tour also saw the single fastest stage in race history, stage 11, where aggressive riding and a cross/tailwind saw winner Søren Wærenskjold cross the line first after averaging 50.91 km/h. Other records broken include the fastest ascent of Alpe d'Huez, with overall winner Tadej Pogačar knocking more than a minute off the previous best time, set by Marco Pantani in 1995.
Visma's Plugge says overnight tests 'not a sign of suspicion'
After overnight doping tests roiled the 2026 Tour de France, Visma-Lease a Bike manager Richard Plugge has attempted to clarify things, saying that the International Testing Agency informed him that the tests were not intended to cast doubt on the team.
"We understood that these tests should not be seen as a sign of suspicion towards us, nor interpreted as proof of a rule violation, at least not for our team," Plugge said, according to L’Equipe.
The ITA itself has not commented outside of a statement to The Guardian last week, where the testing authority rejected accusations of favoritism. "Our decisions are based on facts, risk assessments, performances, scientific results and insights, intelligence and investigations, as well as data analysis," the agency said. "This approach enables us to act as precisely and impartially as possible, independently of any external influence, political interest or opinion.”
Plugge added that the clarification he says the team received is welcome, but could have been better handled. "It is good to have so much testing, but the way it was done damaged our team's image and the integrity of our sport, because it brought the 'D-word' back into the conversation," he said.
It's still unknown where knowledge of the testing arose from: a source within anti-doping authorities or within the teams themselves. There is no indication yet that the ITA leaked its own testing, and Plugge did not explain the apparent contradiction between the assurance he says the team received and UCI rules that require a standard of "serious and specific suspicion" to carry out overnight tests.
GC times to be taken before Montmartre on Tour stage 21
After Saturday's change to the stage 21 route due to the need to deploy emergency services elsewhere, Tour de France organiser ASO has made another amendment: with rain forecast – though not as torrential or lasting as in 2025 – and the inherent risk on the cobbled Montmartre climb, GC times will be taken before the first ascent, so just over 40 km from the line.
As it did last year, this precaution is likely to alter the outcome of the stage with pure GC riders able to stay away from danger, though it's unlikely to put off the likes of Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel.
Seixas reveals pre-Tour recon crash and brief illness that his team kept under wraps
Paul Seixas appeared to be bitterly disappointed after a foiled attempt to climb onto the Tour de France podium on Saturday's Queen Stage, but nevertheless, the 19-year-old will ride onto the Champs-Élysées secure in fourth overall at his very first Grand Tour. And with the three-week race now behind him, it has emerged that the young Frenchman did so despite facing even more adversity on top of his heavy Dauphiné crash.
L'Équipe has reported that Seixas crashed during a reconnaissance ride in Barcelona on 1st July, three days before the opening TTT, explaining the presence of fresh bandages at the Grand Départ. Then a few days later, Seixas struggled through a head cold for a few days in the opening week.
On both matters, it was apparently Seixas's own request that led the team to keep things tightly under wraps.
Carapaz named Most Combative Rider of the 2026 Tour
Richard Carapaz will get to visit the podium on the Champs-Élysées twice after being named Most Combative Rider of the 2026 Tour de France, adding to his mountains classification title.
Carapaz won the overall combativity prize after a public vote over 10 riders – won by Mads Pedersen – was combined with the verdict of the race jury, rewarding his particularly determined stage-hunting and polka-dot campaign that has included four days in the breakaway and two stage wins in the third week.
'Don't expect to see me back' – Alaphilippe is racing his last Tour de France
Blink and you'd miss it – amid the post-stage mayhem atop Alpe d'Huez after stage 20, Julian Alaphilippe had a quiet word with Eurosport, and indicated that this Tour de France may just be his last.
"Nothing is official, but don’t expect to see me back,” Alaphilippe told Eurosport after finishing stage 20 alongside Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL).
Alaphilippe's stage 20 finish was one of the better results of his Tour, during which breakaways were his sole objective. However with 29th at Alpe d'Huez, 26 minutes after stage winner Richard Carapaz, it was still a fairly quiet showing for the man who defined a generation of French cycling.
Moments after delivering this strongly suggestive soundbite, he elaborated a little: "I’m not thinking about tomorrow. I’m thinking about nothing at all. All I really want is to hold my son in my arms,” Alaphilippe told Cyclingnews among others. Before adding, with finality, "I feel happy to finish this Tour, it’s certainly my last one."
The 34-year-old still has a contract with Tudor Pro Cycling until the close of 2027, but Saturday afternoon's quotes indicate he is considering an early transition into his next chapter.
Pogačar relishes role as Del Toro's domestique on Tour's queen stage
Overall Tour de France leader Tadej Pogačar said at the finish of stage 19 and the start of stage 20 that a primary objective for the last mountain day of the race was to solidify his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Isaac del Toro's podium place and lead in the best young rider classification. With a seven-minute advantage himself, Pogačar could easily turn his attention to other matters, and Del Toro's Tour was chief among them.
After the pair handily achieved both objectives on the final climb of the Col de Sarenne, Pogačar expressed satisfaction in his role as a superdomestique for his young protégé. "It was an honour to ride for Isaac during that last hour and a half," Pogačar said at the finish. "I did it with pleasure, and now I realise just how hard it is to work for someone else."
Pogačar took control of the elite contenders group on the final climb and after a strong dig by Paul Seixas' Decathon-CMA CGM team, Pogačar's acceleration shed the young Frenchman, who later said he had cracked on the climb. At the finish, Pogačar and Del Toro were content to let Remco Evenepoel surge ahead, and Del Toro was by equal turns exhausted and euphoric at the finish line. As the pair of teammates crossed, they performed a brief "horns" celebration in homage to Del Toro's surname, and laughed and hugged as they rolled through the finish.
'Pogi not starting': Evenepoel jokes about what it will take to win the Tour
Remco Evenepoel has had, by all measures, a very good Tour de France. With two stage wins and his best-ever finish of second to race leader Tadej Pogačar, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe leader has cemented his leadership place in the team, confirmed his potential, and arguably ridden better in the final week of a Grand Tour than ever. But even he knows that's not enough to beat the best rider of his generation.
When asked at the finish of stage 20 how he might take the last step up to the top of the podium, a clearly relaxed Evenepoel joked, "Pogi not starting." While said with a smile, it also acknowledged the reality of the current Tour regime.
"I always aim for the highest possible result and try to win. I did everything I could," he said after attacking late to finish second on the stage and gain back a bit of time on GC. But when pressed on whether he was serious about Pogačar's dominance, Evenepoel didn't shy away from the topic. "For the next few years, I think it is [reality]. Unfortunately."
UAE's Matxin Fernández expresses horror for involvement in Rubio's Tour-ending crash
On the morning after stage 19 of the Tour de France and its dramatic finish up the Alpe d'Huez, UAE sports director Joxean 'Matxin' Fernández has shared his side of the incident that saw Movistar's Einer Rubio crash hard into the back of the team vehicle Matxin was driving, resulting in the Colombian's necessary withdrawal from the race and 20 stitches to his facial injuries.
"Today I feel the need to explain what happened from my position inside the car on yesterday’s stage," Matxin began in a personal Instagram post on Saturday morning. "In the final kilometres of Alpe d’Huez, with thousands of fans very close to the road and a huge pressure of its own from a crucial stage of the Tour, a spectator unexpectedly swept in and fell right under our vehicle. My only reaction was to slow down right away to avoid running over it. It was only a few tenths of a second in which I was only thinking about avoiding a much bigger tragedy.
"After the braking we heard a strong impact behind us, but amidst the noise, tension, crowd and responsibility of continuing to protect the leader of the race, it wasn't until we reached the finish line when I knew the extent of the crash and that Einer had to abandon the Tour. Immediately I called the Movistar team, its directors, runners... to worry and ask about it all.
"I fully understand that, by seeing only a part of the images, criticism and questions can arise. But those of us who live cycling from the inside know that, in such extreme situations, decisions are made in fractions of a second and 'always seeking to protect people's lives.'
"I am deeply sorry for the consequences of this accident. If my decisions at that moment have ended up affecting a cyclist in the squad, I can only say that I am deeply hurt. At the same time, I think it's important to remember that the safety of riders, teams and fans also depends on the responsible behavior of those who enjoy this sport from the road.
"All my support and love for Einer, I'm deeply sorry about what happened and wish from the heart to see you again very soon competing where you deserve, it hasn't been and is not an easy day for me and I needed to pass it on to you."
New US tariffs on bikes take effect today
New Section 301 tariffs of 10% and 12.5% came into force in the US today, covering nearly all major bike-sourcing countries including Taiwan, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia, as well as the EU. The Trump administration imposed the tariffs on the grounds that these economies fail to adequately prohibit or enforce a ban on importing goods made with forced labour.
The new tariffs apply to nearly all of US imports, according to the US Trade Representative, with a few exclusions for agricultural, aerospace, defence and medical goods.
The new rates replace the temporary Section 122 tariff, which was imposed after the US Supreme Court ruled in February that the administration's earlier use of emergency powers (IEEPA) to set tariffs was unlawful. That Section 122 tariff was due to expire today, 24 July 2026.
Yet, the exact mechanism for the new tariffs stacking on top of the existing ones remains unclear. For Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and China, for example, the new rate is added on top of an existing duty. For the EU and Taiwan, it isn't additive: the memo caps the combined rate at 10%. Whether the new rate stacks on China's existing 25% Section 301 tariff remains unclear.
Cycling industry body PeopleForBikes has been campaigning against the tariffs since the proposal stage, pushing for bike-specific exclusions and, separately, for relief from the existing 25% tariff on Chinese imports.
'I didn't have the legs to do anything': Seixas reflects on Alpe d'Huez stage
France's hopes for a podium finish in its home Grand Tour took a hit Friday as Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) shipped a few more seconds to UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Isaac del Toro on the Alpe d'Huez stage.
In the end the deficit was small, but Seixas said afterward that he simply couldn't respond to the accelerations. "It was really terrible," Seixas told media at the finish. He highlighted fans for creating what he called a "magical atmosphere" on the climb, but added that he didn't have the form to match. "This was really one of the hardest days I've ever experienced on the bike," he said.
Seixas is in a battle with Del Toro for the final podium spot and the white jersey of best young rider. He is now 24 seconds behind the Mexican, who is also riding in service of race leader Tadej Pogačar. There is one major mountain stage left, Saturday's queen stage that takes in the Col de Croix de Fer, the double climb of the Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier, and finishes atop Alpe d'Huez after a novel ascent of the Col de Sarenne, a back way into Alpe that was used one time as a descent for a Tour stage but has never featured in the race as a climb.
Movistar's Rubio DNFs Tour after crashing into UAE team car
Einer Rubio's Tour de France hit an abrupt end on stage 19 when the Spanish rider's ascent of Alpe d'Huez was brought to a rude and violent stop by the UAE Team Emirates-XRG car.
The team car had to stop suddenly due to fan interference on the climb, and Rubio, just behind, smashed into the back hatch at full speed. The Colombian climber was immediately in distress, with photos from the scene later showing a significant amount of blood on the road. He did not finish the stage. Post-stage, his Movistar team said Rubio required 20 facial stitches.
Pre-stage, riders and directors had voiced concerns about the massive and unruly crowds on Alpe d'Huez. Numerous riders were wary of fan interference, and while there are no initial indications that there was anything intentional in the Rubio incident, it matters little to him since the outcome is the same.
Pogačar smashes Alpe d'Huez climbing record
The last time Tadej Pogačar climbed Alpe d'Huez in a race, in the 2022 Tour de France, defensive tactics meant he crossed the line more than three minutes slower than the all-time record for the climb, set 31 years ago by Italian climber Marco Pantani.
But in the 2026 Tour, Pogačar attacked relatively early in the climb, springboarding off the work of his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Felix Großschartner to drop his rivals with more than 8 km left to climb. The result? Pogačar clocked 35:27 for the ascent, smashing the old record (36:50) by almost a minute and a half.
Pogačar was not alone in breaking the record. He caught the remnants of the day's main breakaway high up on the climb and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) crossed the line six and nine seconds behind, respectively. Visma-Lease a Bike's Sepp Kuss, another breakaway survivor, was 1:14 down, meaning those are now the fastest four times on Alpe.
Tour teams wary of fan chaos on Alpe d'Huez
The 2026 Tour de France is set for a climactic finale on the Alpe d'Huez this weekend, starting with a traditional summit finish from Le Bourg d'Oisans on Friday's stage 19. The peloton will then return to the same finish, though not the whole climb, after a mammoth final mountain stage on Saturday.
Epic crowds are always to be expected on the infamous mountain, but this year more fans than ever have flocked to the mountainside, with many of them pitching up days, if not a whole week before. Such was the saturation of people that the ASO and local police closed the Alpe d'Huez to all vehicles attempting to access via the Bourg-d'Oisans south roundabout at 2pm on Thursday afternoon.
As pictures and videos emerge of the festive scenes on the mountain – including overnight – some in the peloton have expressed concern about safety and/or the fans' possible impact on the race, including Remco Evenepoel, who said on Thursday, "I look forward to discovering the climb, but it is also sometimes daunting when you see how narrow it sometimes is. On a popular climb like Alpe d'Huez, they would be better off hanging ropes from below and then barriers for the last five kilometers."
The expected chaos has also seen Richard Plugge resurface his past suggestion that big climbs like the Alpe d'Huez should be ticketed. The Visma-Lease a Bike boss told Het Laatste Nieuws, "I can only hope that the fans behave themselves a bit along the side of the road. Because it is becoming more and more of a problem ... Right now, there are also quite a few people standing here who think it’s Carnival, who are guzzling beer all day and at some point don’t know what they are doing anymore. That is really going to become a problem."
New Shimano RX710 gravel shoe brings premium features to a mid-tier price point
Nearly a year ago, Shimano introduced the S-PHYRE RX910, the brand's first top-tier gravel-specific shoe. The new RX710 gravel shoe from Shimano brings many of the RX910's features – such as dual Boa closure dials, a carbon sole, lower stack height than Shimano's mountain bike shoes, and Shimano's pontoon cleat system – to a lower price point. While the S-PHYRE RX910 version is US$480 | €419.95 | £419.95, the new RX710 is US$300 | €255 | £270.
From the S-PHYRE version, Shimano includes their pontoon lug system, which has replaceable lugs surrounding the cleat. In most off-road shoe and pedal systems, the shoe lugs beside the cleats are what sit on the pedals and give you stability, while the cleat just holds you to the pedal. As those lugs wear with riding or especially walking use, rocking, or play, can develop between the shoe and pedal. This system not only allows replacement of those lugs, but also insets them closer to the cleat, keeping most walking wear on the other lugs.
Like most cycling shoe brands, Shimano has their own stiffness indicator scale, which seem to be arbitrary numbers to show value in more expensive shoes. The S-PHYRE RX910 ranks a 12/12 on Shimano's stiffness scale, while the RX710 gets a 9/12. Shimano claims that the 9/12 is plenty stiff to maintain high performance, and will increase comfort on longer gravel rides.
Sizing availability is a bit wider range on the RX710 than the flagship RX910. In standard width, the RX710 comes in EU 38-50 with half sizes 39.5-46.5; in wide, 38-48 with half sizes 39.5-46.5; and in narrow width, 36-44. There are three colors: Sand White, Black, and Navy.
Michael Valgren linked to transfer to Netcompany-Ineos
EF Education-EasyPost's Michael Valgren is set to move to Netcompany-Ineos next season, reports Het Laatste Nieuws. The Dane has enjoyed one of his best seasons in years with stage wins in both the Giro d'Italia and Tirreno-Adriatico.
The 34-year-old has spent the past six seasons with EF. In 2022 he suffered career-threatening injuries following a crash at Route d'Occitanie, including a broken pelvis and torn MCL, ACL and meniscus in one knee. His Tirreno win was his first victory since the crash.
Evenepoel: Decathlon will attack for the final podium place
Remco Evenepoel is in a good situation heading into the crucial brace of final mountain stages of the Tour de France. He's firmly in second overall and on Sunday was the only rider to stay with race leader Tadej Pogačar and Isaac del Toro.
But with Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates-XRG outfit suffering from illness, Evenepoel predicted after Thursday's stage that Decathlon-CMA CGM would try to take advantage, as Paul Seixas is just 20 seconds behind Del Toro in both the race for the final podium spot and the white jersey of best young rider.
"I'm not going to take crazy risks to jeopardize my second place," Evenepoel told Sporza. "I think that a team like Decathlon-CMA CGM will now pull out the stops to attack Del Toro's third place," and in particular to see if Del Toro is next in line for UAE's sick bay.
Evenepoel predicted a crazy Alpe d'Huez stage Friday, noting that the massive crowds expected could shape the race by hemming riders in on the climb, and that he expected aggressive racing. With UAE below full strength, he said, "There will be less control in the peloton and that will make the course different."
ITA rejects accusations of favoritism in anti-doping tests
The International Testing Agency has responded to accusations that its controversial nighttime testing at the Tour de France has favored certain riders. Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) said he was among those tested before 6 am and called out what he said was selective testing that appeared to favor French contender Paul Seixas.
"It would be good to guarantee equal treatment for everyone," he said. "After all, we know that this French rider, who is well placed in the general classification, didn’t undergo that [night-time] test." As a matter of protocol to respect anonymity of those tested, anti-doping authorities almost never comment on who has been tested, making it impossible to verify or falsify Mohorič's claim about late-night tests unless Seixas or his Decathlon-CMA CGM team choose to comment. (According to media reports, the ITA tested every rider in the race on Monday's rest day, but inside normal testing hours of 6 am to 11 pm.)
But the ITA rejected the overall accusation of favoritism in a public statement to The Guardian. "The ITA is responsible for the strategy of the anti-doping programme for the Tour de France, not the AFLD [the French anti-doping agency - Ed.]," the agency told The Guardian. "We have our own sample collection personnel for the doping controls."
The ITA said its testing decisions are based on factors like risk assessments, intelligence, bio-passport analysis and other evidence but that it operates free of external influence. "AFLD might occasionally support the ITA with additional sample collection personnel, if needed, for instance during the testing mission on Monday evening but the decision who is tested when remains with the ITA," the statement said.
Orbea launches foundation to formalise its social and community work
Orbea has announced Orbea Foundation, a new organisation to run its own community projects and back third-party initiatives. The Basque company said that the foundation formalises the activity that its taken part in since 1969, when it became a worker co-operative.
"As a cooperative, we have always believed that lasting change comes through collaboration and by combining our strengths. We see this in projects that create opportunities wherever they take place, from trail-building initiatives that generate economic value in the Pyrenees to programmes that promote more sustainable mobility. Orbea Foundation has been created to strengthen that commitment and help us go even further alongside those who share our purpose," Arrate Vidarte, director of Orbea Foundation, said in the press release.
The foundation will work across several areas: sustainable mobility; sport and wellbeing; education, economic activity and cooperativism; social justice; and cultural and sporting heritage. Organisations wanting to read more about the application process and opportunities can contact the foundation through the Orbea Foundation website.
Pogačar reveals extent of teammate Adam Yates' struggles
Adam Yates is a key member of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG's support around Tour de France leader Tadej Pogačar. But the Briton is struggling through a bout of illness at the worst possible time: just ahead of a trio of key mountain stages that could deliver Pogačar a record-tying fifth Tour win.
Yates was ninth on Sunday's Plateau de Solaison stage but fell ill since and has been struggling. "Adam was sick yesterday, he felt sick in the morning and throughout the day, so he suffered like a dog yesterday," Pogačar said post-race. Yates was dropped early and needed the help of teammate Tim Wellens to come home more than 26 minutes behind stage winner Jasper Philipsen. According to team manager Mauro Gianetti, Yates was vomiting after the Tuesday time trial and couldn't eat properly.
Gianetti dismissed concerns that a virus might be going through the team, which arose when Isaac del Toro was briefly dropped when the fight to establish the breakaway was underway. Del Toro regained the field and finished with the pack, and Gianetti said there is no cause for concern.
UCI issues statement backing nighttime testing
Amid the ongoing controversy over intrusive late-night anti-doping testing, the Union Cycliste Internationale weighed in Wednesday affirming its support for the checks.
"The UCI of course acknowledges that night-time testing can disrupt riders' rest and recovery, and wishes to reiterate that carrying out such controls outside normal hours remains an exceptional measure, reserved for limited and justified circumstances," the organization wrote in a statement. "While fully aware of how onerous such a measure is for riders, the UCI nevertheless underscores that these controls serve an overriding interest: the fight against doping."
The UCI underscored that it had given testing authority to the International Testing Agency in 2021 to ensure independence. "With this in mind, the UCI fully supports the ITA's use of every means at its disposal to carry out its mission as effectively as possible, in compliance, naturally, with the World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), UCI Regulations, and legislation applicable in each country for the conduct of controls (as in the present case, with the approval of the competent judge) and/or the gathering of intelligence," the statement read.
Kelsey Media buys BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and MBUK
Kelsey Media, a UK publisher with over 60 titles, including 220 Triathlon, has acquired the cycling portfolio of Our Media, the Bristol-based publisher. The deal covers BikeRadar, and print titles Cycling Plus and MBUK, along with the associated newsletters, communities and content archives.
Commenting on the deal, Steve Kendall, Kelsey Media's CEO said: "This acquisition represents an exciting milestone for our business and demonstrates our confidence in the long-term strength of the cycling market. These brands have built trusted relationships with passionate audiences over many years.
"Cycling continues to attract highly engaged communities, and we are committed to delivering exceptional content and experiences that inform, inspire, and connect riders. We will look to invest in audience engagement, digital innovation, events, memberships, and new commercial opportunities."
Our Media's chief executive Andy Marshall said the decision to sell the assets followed a review earlier this year, which concluded that the titles would be better served under new ownership.
The sale is the latest in a run of ownership changes for these titles. Future Publishing sold the group – then BikeRadar, Cycling Plus, MBUK and Procycling – to Immediate Media in 2014. The Bristol-based specialist titles, including the cycling portfolio, were split into their own business unit in 2021 and rebranded as Our Media the following year.
Rohan Dennis barred from children's school after staff behaviour warnings
The Advertiser reports that former Olympian and time trial world champion Rohan Dennis has been barred from entering his children's primary school in Adelaide for term 3 following multiple warnings over his behaviour toward staff.
According to The Advertiser, Dennis unsuccessfully appealed the ban, which can last up to one school term. The school, which The Advertiser is not naming, issued the notice, which was not related to a criminal matter or any physical behaviour.
An Education Department spokeswoman said barring notices keep schools free from violence and abuse, with breaches carrying fines of up to $7500. The maximum barring order was recently doubled to six months. Barring a parent does not stop their child attending, with schools arranging safe drop-off and collection.
The barring notice emerged days after Dennis pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified with his children in the car. He faces up to 12 months' jail, plus possible activation of his suspended 17-month sentence over the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins.
Broken collarbone confirmed for Lipowitz after stage 16 crash
Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe has confirmed that its co-leader Florian Lipowitz broke his collarbone in the crash that ended his Tour de France on stage 16.
Lipowitz was on track for a top-five finish after a lightning fast descent in the middle section of the individual time trial that kicked off the final week, but as he took the first turn in the finish town of Thonon-les-Bains, he slide out and crashed hard against the kerb and into the barriers. The incident ended Lipowitz's second Tour de France, 12 months after he finished third at the 2025 race.
He leaves behind a team that endured mixed fortunes on stage 16 as Remco Evenepoel took his second consecutive stage win, and solidified his second-place overall, with fives stages to go.
Van der Poel signals a likely breakaway for Wednesday's stage 17
Mathieu van der Poel is certainly capable of putting in a good time trial, but on Tuesday's stage 16 of the Tour de France he cruised home well down in 96th place, almost six minutes down to winner Remco Evenepoel (for reference, about 20% slower).
But it wasn't a bad day for the Alpecin-Premier Tech leader. With the team's sprint stage win ambitions largely foiled for Jasper Philipsen, Van der Poel signaled post-stage that the idea instead is to go all-in on Wednesday's stage 17, a course that looks promising for a breakaway.
"It was also a nice time trial, actually something that should suit me, but we decided quite early that we would save for tomorrow and Sunday," he told Dutch NOS television. Van der Poel won stage 9 from a breakaway, but he also suggested that Wednesday could be crucial for Philipsen in his underdog bid to get the green jersey off Lidl-Trek's Mads Pedersen. "It may be the last chance, so we decided to put everything on tomorrow," said Van der Poel, who predicted a vigorous fight for the break. "The first 50 or 60 kilometers in particular will be difficult," he promised.
'It's my own responsibility': Arensman addresses missing start time
Thymen Arensman suffered an unusual own goal at the Tour de France when he rolled down the start ramp of the stage 16 time trial more than 10 seconds after his scheduled start. The Dutch all-arounder, a pick for a top time on the stage, finished seventh on the day but likely would have gone one spot higher had he not been late to the start house.
There are past instances of riders missing their start, most famously defending Tour champion Pedro Delgado showing up minutes late to the prologue in 1989. But today, most teams use soigneurs, mechanics or other staff to help ensure riders are where they need to be on time, and with UCI rules requiring that riders be in the start zone 10 minutes before their scheduled start so that commissaires can check bikes, missed starts are exceptionally rare.
In brief remarks to media post-stage, Arensman addressed the issue. "It's my own responsibility," he said, but then appeared to deflect a bit. "I was in the [start] zone, but neither the team soigneur nor anyone from the UCI gave any indication that I needed to go." Arensman said he channelled the frustration into his ride, and in the end Remco Evenepoel was again peerless in the TT. But Arensman was still disappointed. "It's a shame, but there's little I can do about it now," he said. "The team and I just need to learn from it."
McNulty brake-checked by apparently angry motorist on his way to stage 16 ITT
Brandon McNulty was making his way to the Tour's stage 16 start in Évian-les-Bains, for which he had been considered an outside favourite, when an apparently angry motorist caused the American to collide with the back of the car.
"Brandon rode his time trial bike to the start. A motorist apparently got angry, drove past him and then went full brakes the moment Brandon was riding behind him. He therefore slammed on the car," team boss Mauro Gianetti told Eurosport.
"It seems the damage is not too bad for Brandon, but of course this is not fun. Fortunately, he did not suffer serious injuries and was given the green light to continue on his way.”
2027 Haute-Savoie Super Worlds schedule is out
A year out from the second edition of the UCI Cycling World Championships, the UCI has released the competition schedule. The Haute-Savoie department is picking up the mantle from Glasgow, Scotland, which held the first 'Super Worlds' in August 2023, combining all cycling and para-cycling disciplines except cyclocross in one two-week event.
The second Super Worlds will take place from 24 August-5 September 2027, during which time 288 rainbow jerseys will be handed out across 16 venues. While most events will take place in the Haute-Savoie, the track cycling competition will run at the Paris Olympic venue at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
25-29 August (Wednesday-Sunday) – Age-group and Para-Cycling Road Races
29 August (Sunday) – Elite Men's Road Race
5 September (Sunday) – Elite Women's Road Race
26-30 August (Thursday-Monday) – Track Racing
1-5 September (Wednesday-Sunday) – Para Track Cycling
Start times for the stage 16 Tour de France time trial
The first – and only – individual time trial of the 2026 Tour de France is on Tuesday, July 21. The course isn't long at just 26.1 km, but it starts with a long, draggy climb, which will making pacing tricky.
Riders start in reverse order of general classification and go off at 90-second intervals until the top 15 riders on GC, who are given two-minute intervals. Here are the start times of notable stage contenders and the top of the overall classification:
Stage start: 13:00 CET / 07:00 EST / 21:00 AEST
Stage contender start times (note - :30 spacing is rounded to earlier whole minute):
Josh Tarling (Netcompany-Ineos) – 13:25 CET / 07:25 EST / 21:25 AEST
Edoardo Affini (Visma-Lease a Bike) – 13:37 CET / 07:37 EST / 21:37 AEST
Daan Hoole (Decathlon-CMA CGM) – 13:43 CET / 07:43 EST / 21:43 AEST
Filippo Ganna (Netcompany-Ineos) – 13:58 CET / 07:58 EST / 21:58 AEST
Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla) – 15:01 CET / 09:01 EST / 23:01 AEST
Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike) – 15:06 CET / 09:06 EST / 23:06 AEST
Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) – 15:19 CET / 09:19 EST / 23:19 AEST
Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) – 15:54 CET / 09:54 EST / 23:54 AEST
Tobias Foss (Netcompany-Ineos) – 16:06 CET / 10:06 EST / 00:06 AEST
Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) – 16:25 CET / 10:25 EST / 00:25 AEST
Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 16:40 CET / 10:40 EST / 00:40 AEST
Top 15 riders start at two-minute intervals. Davide Piganzoli (Visma-Lease a Bike) starts at 16:47 CET / 10:47 EST / 00:47 AEST, and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is last to go at 17:15 CET / 11:15 EST / 01:15 AEST.
