{"id":2019456,"date":"2026-06-30T15:16:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2019456"},"modified":"2026-06-30T15:16:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:16:09","slug":"sprinter-tim-merlier-spearheads-soudal-quicksteps-first-assault-on-tour-de-france-in-post-remco-evenepoel-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2019456","title":{"rendered":"Sprinter Tim Merlier spearheads Soudal-QuickStep&#8217;s first assault on Tour de France in post-Remco Evenepoel era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jMc5FYzaZrXPxXreaReGbG-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jMc5FYzaZrXPxXreaReGbG-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    This is Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s support squad for the Tour de France, as Visma-Lease a Bike confirm line-up\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for the yellow jersey\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Sprinter Tim Merlier spearheads Soudal-QuickStep&#8217;s first assault on Tour de France in post-Remco Evenepoel era<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline font-ui-heading text-[12px]\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-06-30T15:16:09Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n30 June 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">No Paul Magnier nor Mikel Landa in lineup, but 2025 Mont Ventoux winner Valentin Paret-Peintre returns for more climbing stages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit))] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tim Merlier wins stage 9 at 2025 Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-cd710330-b662-4e63-b153-f410add48344\">Experienced sprint ace Tim Merlier is set to carry much of the weight of Tour de France expectations for Soudal-QuickStep this summer, in what will be the Belgian squad&#8217;s first participation in three years in cycling&#8217;s biggest bike race without Remco Evenepoel.<\/p>\n<p>After Evenepoel signed for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe over the winter, Soudal-QuickStep have already remodelled their Spring Classics campaign to revive a traditional interest in the cobbled one-day races of the north. Following from that and with Merlier&#8217;s third win in as many years in Scheldeprijs as the high point, this summer the WorldTour squad were now looking to see what they could achieve in the Tour without their former GC leader.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cd710330-b662-4e63-b153-f410add48344-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whereas before the team looked more at the GC, now the top focus clearly remains on Merlier, with Team Manager Tom Steels saying, &#8220;the sprint stages remain our main goal&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With the changes that were made in the points classification, he could also get involved in the fight for green, especially as he has a strong squad for the bunch sprints.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are five to six opportunities for bunch sprints, albeit with the first coming relatively late on stage 5 to Pau. In all of them, Merlier will hope to rely on friend and lead-out men Bert van Lerberghe, Jasper Styuven &#8211; already a huge help to Soudal&#8217;s other top sprinter Paul Magnier in the Giro d&#8217;Italia &#8211; to add to his current tally of three Tour stage wins.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;A luxury problem to solve later&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Soudal-QuickStep not yet picking between top sprinters for Tour de France selection<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for the yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Talented all-rounder and former Paris-Roubaix winner Dylan van Baarle, as at home in the Classics as he is in stage races, will also be of prime assistance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the team announced on Tuesday, any lingering hopes French fans might have had that talented young racer Paul Magnier would follow up his runaway success at the Giro d&#8217;Italia by providing an extra sprint option on home soil were dashed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But if it made sense that as young a racer as Magnier would not be made to do two Grand Tours in a single year, there was also some disappointment for Basque fans when it emerged that veteran racer Mikel Landa, three times a top-five finisher in the Tour, the last as recently as 2024, would not be taking part either.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cI am very disappointed because I won\u2019t be there after already missing the Giro d\u2019Italia,&#8221; Landa, now 36 and struggling with a back injury since a crash in his Itzulia Basque Country home race, said in a team press release.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It\u2019s been a difficult year so far, and after struggling in the Tour de Suisse, I realized there\u2019s no point in trying to go to Le Tour. It\u2019s important now to rest and recover, and hopefully I will be at the start of the Vuelta in two months.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">No Poga\u010dar or Vingegaard but Paul Seixas faces test of Tour de France credentials against Del Toro, Ayuso and more \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who will join Paul Seixas at the Tour de France, and is there room for Olav Kooij? A closer look at the riders in line for selection at Decathlon CMA CGM<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Other climbers who have made the grade, though, include Valentin Paret-Peintre, last year&#8217;s winner on the Ventoux, and Belgium&#8217;s Louis Vervaeke and his compatriot Ilan Van Wilder. A key helper for Paret-Peintre last year on the upper slopes of the Ventoux, Van Wilder was set to take over from Evenepoel for Soudal&#8217;s GC hopes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Valentin, who is incredibly motivated and has improved in this past year, will try to be again a protagonist in the mountains, while Ilan will be our guy for the general classification, but the plan is for him to take it day by day,&#8221; Steels said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m happy to be back at the start after my successful debut last year and I hope to get another stage victory, but it would be nice also to fight for the polka-dot jersey,&#8221; added Paret-Peintre.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When possible, I will also try to help the team and give my best so that we can get as many victories as possible. Alpe d\u2019Huez stands out as the main attraction of the race, and it would be really nice to win there, especially as there are two opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-e0e0961d-5b12-469a-9e5b-82ac0e122c82\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">TDF teams guide<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"soudal-quickstep-for-the-tour-de-france-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soudal-QuickStep for the Tour de France<\/h2>\n<ul id=\"elk-71e0d95b-7589-44c3-b783-8add97fbc606\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<li>Pascal Eenkhoorn (Ned)<\/li>\n<li>Tim Merlier (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra)<\/li>\n<li>Jasper Stuyven (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Dylan van Baarle (Ned)<\/li>\n<li>Bert Van Lerberghe (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Ilan Van Wilder(Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Louis Vervaeke (Bel)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-1988453f-1e8d-415b-9ff9-35aa6bbe9bf1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A luxury problem to solve later&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Soudal-QuickStep not yet picking between top sprinters for Tour de France selection<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for the yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">No Poga\u010dar or Vingegaard but Paul Seixas faces test of Tour de France credentials against Del Toro, Ayuso and more \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will join Paul Seixas at the Tour de France, and is there room for Olav Kooij? A closer look at the riders in line for selection at Decathlon CMA CGM<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Keegan Swenson wins a fourth SBT GRVL while Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e makes late catch and pass of Sarah Lange in thrilling elite women&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Gravel World Series: Gabby Traxler and Carter Nieuwesteeg win in &#8216;gnarliest conditions&#8217; at Ghost of the Gravel in Canada<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Youth and experience on display as Bahrain-Victorious announce balanced squad for Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Irish National Championships: Seth Dunwoody edges Rory Townsend to win elite men\u2019s title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Italian National Championships: Elisa Longo Borghini continues to rule supreme with seventh road race title of career<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Streaming<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Save up to $372.60 on a NordVPN subscription \u2013 Lock down your Tour de France viewing from anywhere this summer<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Alpecin-Premier Tech Tour de France line-up provides powerful back-up for leading stage hunters Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has a million dollar Richard Mille watch for the Tour de France, but what are the chances of him actually wearing it?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Zipp\u2019s new wheels are allegedly faster than Scopes at a third of the price<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pinarello-Q36.5 launch limited edition kit for Tour de France as team leader Tom Pidcock returns to race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sprinter Tim Merlier spearheads Soudal-QuickStep&#8217;s first assault on Tour de France in post-Remco Evenepoel era<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Save up to $372.60 on a NordVPN subscription \u2013 Lock down your Tour de France viewing from anywhere this summer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Zipp\u2019s new wheels are allegedly faster than Scopes at a third of the price<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Win Fin, Flow Fork, Speed Sniffer: Specialized launches &#8216;fastest road bike ever made&#8217; in the S-Works Tarmac SL9<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Sprinter Tim Merlier spearheads Soudal-QuickStep&#8217;s first assault on Tour de France in post-Remco Evenepoel era<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline font-ui-heading text-[12px]\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-06-30T15:16:09Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n30 June 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">No Paul Magnier nor Mikel Landa in lineup, but 2025 Mont Ventoux winner Valentin Paret-Peintre returns for more climbing stages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit))] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tim Merlier wins stage 9 at 2025 Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-cd710330-b662-4e63-b153-f410add48344\">Experienced sprint ace Tim Merlier is set to carry much of the weight of Tour de France expectations for Soudal-QuickStep this summer, in what will be the Belgian squad&#8217;s first participation in three years in cycling&#8217;s biggest bike race without Remco Evenepoel.<\/p>\n<p>After Evenepoel signed for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe over the winter, Soudal-QuickStep have already remodelled their Spring Classics campaign to revive a traditional interest in the cobbled one-day races of the north. Following from that and with Merlier&#8217;s third win in as many years in Scheldeprijs as the high point, this summer the WorldTour squad were now looking to see what they could achieve in the Tour without their former GC leader.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cd710330-b662-4e63-b153-f410add48344-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whereas before the team looked more at the GC, now the top focus clearly remains on Merlier, with Team Manager Tom Steels saying, &#8220;the sprint stages remain our main goal&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With the changes that were made in the points classification, he could also get involved in the fight for green, especially as he has a strong squad for the bunch sprints.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are five to six opportunities for bunch sprints, albeit with the first coming relatively late on stage 5 to Pau. In all of them, Merlier will hope to rely on friend and lead-out men Bert van Lerberghe, Jasper Styuven &#8211; already a huge help to Soudal&#8217;s other top sprinter Paul Magnier in the Giro d&#8217;Italia &#8211; to add to his current tally of three Tour stage wins.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;A luxury problem to solve later&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Soudal-QuickStep not yet picking between top sprinters for Tour de France selection<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for the yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Talented all-rounder and former Paris-Roubaix winner Dylan van Baarle, as at home in the Classics as he is in stage races, will also be of prime assistance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the team announced on Tuesday, any lingering hopes French fans might have had that talented young racer Paul Magnier would follow up his runaway success at the Giro d&#8217;Italia by providing an extra sprint option on home soil were dashed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But if it made sense that as young a racer as Magnier would not be made to do two Grand Tours in a single year, there was also some disappointment for Basque fans when it emerged that veteran racer Mikel Landa, three times a top-five finisher in the Tour, the last as recently as 2024, would not be taking part either.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cI am very disappointed because I won\u2019t be there after already missing the Giro d\u2019Italia,&#8221; Landa, now 36 and struggling with a back injury since a crash in his Itzulia Basque Country home race, said in a team press release.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It\u2019s been a difficult year so far, and after struggling in the Tour de Suisse, I realized there\u2019s no point in trying to go to Le Tour. It\u2019s important now to rest and recover, and hopefully I will be at the start of the Vuelta in two months.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">No Poga\u010dar or Vingegaard but Paul Seixas faces test of Tour de France credentials against Del Toro, Ayuso and more \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who will join Paul Seixas at the Tour de France, and is there room for Olav Kooij? A closer look at the riders in line for selection at Decathlon CMA CGM<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Other climbers who have made the grade, though, include Valentin Paret-Peintre, last year&#8217;s winner on the Ventoux, and Belgium&#8217;s Louis Vervaeke and his compatriot Ilan Van Wilder. A key helper for Paret-Peintre last year on the upper slopes of the Ventoux, Van Wilder was set to take over from Evenepoel for Soudal&#8217;s GC hopes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Valentin, who is incredibly motivated and has improved in this past year, will try to be again a protagonist in the mountains, while Ilan will be our guy for the general classification, but the plan is for him to take it day by day,&#8221; Steels said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m happy to be back at the start after my successful debut last year and I hope to get another stage victory, but it would be nice also to fight for the polka-dot jersey,&#8221; added Paret-Peintre.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When possible, I will also try to help the team and give my best so that we can get as many victories as possible. Alpe d\u2019Huez stands out as the main attraction of the race, and it would be really nice to win there, especially as there are two opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-e0e0961d-5b12-469a-9e5b-82ac0e122c82\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">TDF teams guide<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"soudal-quickstep-for-the-tour-de-france-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soudal-QuickStep for the Tour de France<\/h2>\n<ul id=\"elk-71e0d95b-7589-44c3-b783-8add97fbc606\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<li>Pascal Eenkhoorn (Ned)<\/li>\n<li>Tim Merlier (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra)<\/li>\n<li>Jasper Stuyven (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Dylan van Baarle (Ned)<\/li>\n<li>Bert Van Lerberghe (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Ilan Van Wilder(Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Louis Vervaeke (Bel)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-1988453f-1e8d-415b-9ff9-35aa6bbe9bf1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A luxury problem to solve later&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Soudal-QuickStep not yet picking between top sprinters for Tour de France selection<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for the yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">No Poga\u010dar or Vingegaard but Paul Seixas faces test of Tour de France credentials against Del Toro, Ayuso and more \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will join Paul Seixas at the Tour de France, and is there room for Olav Kooij? A closer look at the riders in line for selection at Decathlon CMA CGM<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCZ8u8uUCDNe8jMM82YcAm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Keegan Swenson wins a fourth SBT GRVL while Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e makes late catch and pass of Sarah Lange in thrilling elite women&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qRJwCJNo8uUor3GSm8MWFF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Gravel World Series: Gabby Traxler and Carter Nieuwesteeg win in &#8216;gnarliest conditions&#8217; at Ghost of the Gravel in Canada<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GVCgyEFBeWAPvqGW9eWsi3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Youth and experience on display as Bahrain-Victorious announce balanced squad for Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Nytfb6kMapPQ5ugYEEppjg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Irish National Championships: Seth Dunwoody edges Rory Townsend to win elite men\u2019s title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d5VHnf4VDfsgishc6FRALK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Italian National Championships: Elisa Longo Borghini continues to rule supreme with seventh road race title of career<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HEsAUCouvKjnhYbwj5p3m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Streaming<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Save up to $372.60 on a NordVPN subscription \u2013 Lock down your Tour de France viewing from anywhere this summer<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5SAWPap96AJyYYLL5smv5f-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Alpecin-Premier Tech Tour de France line-up provides powerful back-up for leading stage hunters Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YQzwn7uhNbE9iKkJ3uqmCU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has a million dollar Richard Mille watch for the Tour de France, but what are the chances of him actually wearing it?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S7AJG6Q5Lzt8F7H2sdETYb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Zipp\u2019s new wheels are allegedly faster than Scopes at a third of the price<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t3egnEncW4vZV3Fj82UjZb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pinarello-Q36.5 launch limited edition kit for Tour de France as team leader Tom Pidcock returns to race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sprinter Tim Merlier spearheads Soudal-QuickStep&#8217;s first assault on Tour de France in post-Remco Evenepoel era<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Save up to $372.60 on a NordVPN subscription \u2013 Lock down your Tour de France viewing from anywhere this summer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Zipp\u2019s new wheels are allegedly faster than Scopes at a third of the price<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Win Fin, Flow Fork, Speed Sniffer: Specialized launches &#8216;fastest road bike ever made&#8217; in the S-Works Tarmac SL9<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Sprinter Tim Merlier spearheads Soudal-QuickStep&#8217;s first assault on Tour de France in post-Remco Evenepoel era<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline font-ui-heading text-[12px]\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-06-30T15:16:09Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n30 June 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">No Paul Magnier nor Mikel Landa in lineup, but 2025 Mont Ventoux winner Valentin Paret-Peintre returns for more climbing stages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit))] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-cd710330-b662-4e63-b153-f410add48344\">Experienced sprint ace Tim Merlier is set to carry much of the weight of Tour de France expectations for Soudal-QuickStep this summer, in what will be the Belgian squad&#8217;s first participation in three years in cycling&#8217;s biggest bike race without Remco Evenepoel.<\/p>\n<p>After Evenepoel signed for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe over the winter, Soudal-QuickStep have already remodelled their Spring Classics campaign to revive a traditional interest in the cobbled one-day races of the north. Following from that and with Merlier&#8217;s third win in as many years in Scheldeprijs as the high point, this summer the WorldTour squad were now looking to see what they could achieve in the Tour without their former GC leader.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cd710330-b662-4e63-b153-f410add48344-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Whereas before the team looked more at the GC, now the top focus clearly remains on Merlier, with Team Manager Tom Steels saying, &#8220;the sprint stages remain our main goal&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With the changes that were made in the points classification, he could also get involved in the fight for green, especially as he has a strong squad for the bunch sprints.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are five to six opportunities for bunch sprints, albeit with the first coming relatively late on stage 5 to Pau. In all of them, Merlier will hope to rely on friend and lead-out men Bert van Lerberghe, Jasper Styuven &#8211; already a huge help to Soudal&#8217;s other top sprinter Paul Magnier in the Giro d&#8217;Italia &#8211; to add to his current tally of three Tour stage wins.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zdXL3vHkyLC6NufjHpspRL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;A luxury problem to solve later&#8217;\u00a0\u2013 Soudal-QuickStep not yet picking between top sprinters for Tour de France selection<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WHEfA8PfrwjRikdcTccTK-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for the yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Talented all-rounder and former Paris-Roubaix winner Dylan van Baarle, as at home in the Classics as he is in stage races, will also be of prime assistance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With the team announced on Tuesday, any lingering hopes French fans might have had that talented young racer Paul Magnier would follow up his runaway success at the Giro d&#8217;Italia by providing an extra sprint option on home soil were dashed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3ohdZRMJ6pdWotQat3e6v5 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But if it made sense that as young a racer as Magnier would not be made to do two Grand Tours in a single year, there was also some disappointment for Basque fans when it emerged that veteran racer Mikel Landa, three times a top-five finisher in the Tour, the last as recently as 2024, would not be taking part either.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cI am very disappointed because I won\u2019t be there after already missing the Giro d\u2019Italia,&#8221; Landa, now 36 and struggling with a back injury since a crash in his Itzulia Basque Country home race, said in a team press release.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It\u2019s been a difficult year so far, and after struggling in the Tour de Suisse, I realized there\u2019s no point in trying to go to Le Tour. It\u2019s important now to rest and recover, and hopefully I will be at the start of the Vuelta in two months.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ty569jeaw6C8tRZavL46kT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">No Poga\u010dar or Vingegaard but Paul Seixas faces test of Tour de France credentials against Del Toro, Ayuso and more \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dCJ7PbwQNSKHZBXUTypNU4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who will join Paul Seixas at the Tour de France, and is there room for Olav Kooij? A closer look at the riders in line for selection at Decathlon CMA CGM<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Other climbers who have made the grade, though, include Valentin Paret-Peintre, last year&#8217;s winner on the Ventoux, and Belgium&#8217;s Louis Vervaeke and his compatriot Ilan Van Wilder. A key helper for Paret-Peintre last year on the upper slopes of the Ventoux, Van Wilder was set to take over from Evenepoel for Soudal&#8217;s GC hopes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Valentin, who is incredibly motivated and has improved in this past year, will try to be again a protagonist in the mountains, while Ilan will be our guy for the general classification, but the plan is for him to take it day by day,&#8221; Steels said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m happy to be back at the start after my successful debut last year and I hope to get another stage victory, but it would be nice also to fight for the polka-dot jersey,&#8221; added Paret-Peintre.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When possible, I will also try to help the team and give my best so that we can get as many victories as possible. Alpe d\u2019Huez stands out as the main attraction of the race, and it would be really nice to win there, especially as there are two opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-e0e0961d-5b12-469a-9e5b-82ac0e122c82\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">TDF teams guide<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"soudal-quickstep-for-the-tour-de-france-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soudal-QuickStep for the Tour de France<\/h2>\n<ul id=\"elk-71e0d95b-7589-44c3-b783-8add97fbc606\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<li>Pascal Eenkhoorn (Ned)<\/li>\n<li>Tim Merlier (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra)<\/li>\n<li>Jasper Stuyven (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Dylan van Baarle (Ned)<\/li>\n<li>Bert Van Lerberghe (Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Ilan Van Wilder(Bel)<\/li>\n<li>Louis Vervaeke (Bel)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-1988453f-1e8d-415b-9ff9-35aa6bbe9bf1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/sprinter-tim-merlier-spearheads-soudal-quicksteps-first-assault-on-tour-de-france-in-post-remco-evenepoel-era\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z7b6qdBEfJfYrt4NBWKY9H-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list 2 This is Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s support squad for the Tour de France, as Visma-Lease a Bike confirm line-up 3 Who will win the Tour de France 2026? Our definitive ranking of the favourites for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2019456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2019456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2019456"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2019456\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2019456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2019456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2019456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}