{"id":2047411,"date":"2026-07-16T21:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T18:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047411"},"modified":"2026-07-16T21:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T18:20:00","slug":"right-now-the-fight-is-for-the-podium-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe-prepare-for-two-handed-gc-game-in-tour-de-frances-long-weekend-of-mountain-stages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047411","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-2100-80.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\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ-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                                    As it happened: Breakaway holds off charging bunch on Tour de France stage 9 as former world champion wins in Ussel\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\/aUZGFkr3rDhTqjXbqj5iCP-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aUZGFkr3rDhTqjXbqj5iCP-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                                    As it happened: GC race explodes into life on the climbs of the Massif Central during stage 10 of the Tour de France\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\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-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\">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                                    Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10\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>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T21:20:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Two severe climbing stages in Vosges followed by northern Alpine trek<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" 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-[color: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\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.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\">Remco Evenepoel climbs with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammates on stage 10 at 2026 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\">3<\/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-cc68f392-8157-11f1-94b9-ddc21c3d742a\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe&#8217;s double leadership will use this long weekend&#8217;s trio of mountain stages to intensify their battle for the Tour de France podium, management say, with the co-leadership between Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz offering a huge strategic advantage other teams with just one leader do not enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>While Red Bull recognise that race leader and multiple Tour winner Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is currently operating in another league to the rest of the field, they believe the fight for a top-3 position has got much more open.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cc68f392-8157-11f1-94b9-ddc21c3d742a-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) remains the top favourite for the runner-up spot, nothing can be ruled out at this point in the game, Head of Sport Patxi Vila told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. Or as he put it, &#8220;We&#8217;ll fight him for second, but we&#8217;ll do so very calmly&#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\">Of the three upcoming mountain stages, Vila believes that Saturday is the most interesting in terms of collective strategy for teams. That being the case, on paper Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with two leaders, should automatically start with an advantage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On Saturday, it all depends on how we start the stage, either the breakaway will get going right away or at least by the time we get to the top of the [long opening climb of] Grand Col du Gran Ballon. How big a break forms is another huge factor, too. But wherever it happens, the start will be much more important that day than on either of the other two.&#8221;<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-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\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in 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-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\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-150-80.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;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On Friday, stage 13 from Dole to Belfort kicks off the mountain battle with a very long but flat northerly trek, 205.2km, that culminates in a single ascent of Ballon d&#8217;Alsace, 25 kilometres from the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is in marked contrast to Saturday&#8217;s stage, which features what is in effect the first major summit finish of the 2026 race at Le Markstein, with the final climb of the Col du Haag peaking out just four kilometres from the actual finish line. This is preceded by the long opening ascent of the Col du Gran Ballon, the Col du Page (Cat.2), then a repeat of the same northerly approach to the first-category Ballon d&#8217;Alsace as on Friday. All in all, it will likely see the field in tatters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe 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\">Finally, on Sunday&#8217;s stage 15, a very long buildup from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison precedes a very difficult final 40 kilometres &#8211; first the Cat.1 Col de la Croisette and then a short third category, prior to the last ultra-hard ascent to the Solaison &#8211; 11.3 kilometres at 9%.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The three stages are very different, although I don&#8217;t think too much will happen tomorrow [Friday]. Maybe somebody will have a bad day but on a single eight-kilometre climb, we&#8217;re not likely to see too much action,&#8221; Vila argues.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Saturday is way harder, particularly because it has a way harder start, and it will be one where riders are very heavily dependent on their teams, and tactically it offers the most.<\/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\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-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\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe announce full Tour de France team and &#8216;dual leadership approach&#8217; around Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz<\/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\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-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;There is already something going on in the bunch&#8217; &#8211; Threat of illness after cold, wet Giro d&#8217;Italia stage 5 more concerning than 6:22 deficit for Visma-Lease a Bike<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Sunday basically comes down to what will happen in the last 30 kilometres, the hardest part is the right at the finish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having two leaders in such varied terrain is always an advantage, Vila tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, particularly when &#8211; as in the case of Evenepoel and Lipowitz &#8211; they are very different kinds of riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It gives us options, because while it&#8217;s always difficult to manage two different guys, on this occasion and in these kinds of climbs, they complement each other.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Each one has their strong points, even if they&#8217;re both top performers in all areas. Their having different characteristics helps you to manage the situation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s clear when it comes to recovery from long, hard climbs, Lipo is the one who&#8217;s best, and that&#8217;s what the stages are all about this weekend.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But the same time, Remco has matured a lot as a climber, you could see how he handled things on the Tourmalet and stage 10. He&#8217;s a different kind of Remco to the Remco he used to be,&#8221; Vila argues.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In terms of their rivals, Poga\u010dar is all but out of reach, given he&#8217;s already at 3: 35 on his closest pursuer, Vingegaard. But the time gap between Vingegaard, and Lenny Mart\u00ednez (Bahrain Victorious) in ninth is considerably less, just 2:58. So as Vila says, the fight right now in the Tour is between those who want to be on the podium next to the leader, rather than against the leader himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Let&#8217;s try and win that battle and if we&#8217;ve got enough strength and strategy to win that one, we&#8217;ll go onto the next,&#8221; Vila says. &#8220;But right now, Tadej is a long way away from us, even if &#8216;hasta el rabo, todo es toro&#8217;,&#8221; he added, a Spanish expression that is hard to translate, but which basically means &#8216;it ain&#8217;t over, &#8217;til it&#8217;s over&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It does not seem like he&#8217;s got any problems. That said, there&#8217;s still the weekend and all the Alpine stages to come. So although he&#8217;s looking good right now, we&#8217;re still up there in the battle too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for Vingegaard, Vila believes that for all his recent setbacks in the Tour, the Dane&#8217;s palmares, and his whole dramatic run of success in 2026, from Paris-Nice through to the Volta a Catalunya and Giro d&#8217;Italia, can&#8217;t be ignored.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;OK, he&#8217;s close to the rest of the field right now in the race, and that&#8217;s a big deal. But this year he&#8217;s not lost a single race he&#8217;s taken part in. We have to remember the type of rider he is. So let&#8217;s try to fight him but calmly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In the only really tough mountain stage we&#8217;ve had to date, he showed he was able to do a lot more than everybody bar Tadej. What happened on stage 10&#8221; &#8211; where the Dane lost a little time to his podium rivals &#8211; &#8220;could be due to a lot of things: the rest day, the climbs were shorter. But he&#8217;s still top favourite number 2.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p 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><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<p>Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe<\/p>\n<p>UAE Team Emirates-XRG<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe 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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-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\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in 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\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-320-80.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;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/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\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-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\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe announce full Tour de France team and &#8216;dual leadership approach&#8217; around Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz<\/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\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-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\">&#8216;There is already something going on in the bunch&#8217; &#8211; Threat of illness after cold, wet Giro d&#8217;Italia stage 5 more concerning than 6:22 deficit for Visma-Lease a Bike<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in 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<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 Teams &amp; Riders<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in 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\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-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\">How long will US riders&#8217; Tour de France stage win drought continue? Dubious streak reaches 100 stages<\/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\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-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;We go bananas&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek honour fair play code but throw cat among pigeons with barrage of attacks on the Tour de France sprinters&#8217; teams<\/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\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-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;He was our big hope for the win&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France leader Fern\u00e1ndo Gaviria exits with broken collarbone<\/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\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-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\">Multiple riders crash in high-speed, domino-effect sprint incident on Tour de France stage 12<\/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\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-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;It&#8217;s my Achilles heel, some of us just aren&#8217;t built for it&#8217; \u2013 Ben Healy&#8217;s attacking exploits have been stifled at the Tour de France, but he senses the moment to strike<\/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 Features<\/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\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-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\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/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\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France tour of revenge is almost complete \u2013 Which demons are still left to slay?<\/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\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar surpasses Chris Froome&#8217;s yellow jersey haul \u2013 who is next to beat in the Tour de France record books?<\/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\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-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\">Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/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\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-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\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Subscribe and watch our Seka Spear video review before anyone else<\/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\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vive la France: Lapierre rolls out Bastille Day frameset at the 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>\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\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.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\">&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/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\">How long will US riders&#8217; Tour de France stage win drought continue? Dubious streak reaches 100 stages<\/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\">&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/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\">&#8216;We go bananas&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek honour fair play code but throw cat among pigeons with barrage of attacks on the Tour de France sprinters&#8217; teams<\/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\">&#8216;He was our big hope for the win&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France leader Fern\u00e1ndo Gaviria exits with broken collarbone<\/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>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T21:20:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Two severe climbing stages in Vosges followed by northern Alpine trek<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" 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-[color: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\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.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\">Remco Evenepoel climbs with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammates on stage 10 at 2026 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\">3<\/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-cc68f392-8157-11f1-94b9-ddc21c3d742a\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe&#8217;s double leadership will use this long weekend&#8217;s trio of mountain stages to intensify their battle for the Tour de France podium, management say, with the co-leadership between Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz offering a huge strategic advantage other teams with just one leader do not enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>While Red Bull recognise that race leader and multiple Tour winner Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is currently operating in another league to the rest of the field, they believe the fight for a top-3 position has got much more open.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cc68f392-8157-11f1-94b9-ddc21c3d742a-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) remains the top favourite for the runner-up spot, nothing can be ruled out at this point in the game, Head of Sport Patxi Vila told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. Or as he put it, &#8220;We&#8217;ll fight him for second, but we&#8217;ll do so very calmly&#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\">Of the three upcoming mountain stages, Vila believes that Saturday is the most interesting in terms of collective strategy for teams. That being the case, on paper Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with two leaders, should automatically start with an advantage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On Saturday, it all depends on how we start the stage, either the breakaway will get going right away or at least by the time we get to the top of the [long opening climb of] Grand Col du Gran Ballon. How big a break forms is another huge factor, too. But wherever it happens, the start will be much more important that day than on either of the other two.&#8221;<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-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\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in 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-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\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-150-80.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;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On Friday, stage 13 from Dole to Belfort kicks off the mountain battle with a very long but flat northerly trek, 205.2km, that culminates in a single ascent of Ballon d&#8217;Alsace, 25 kilometres from the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is in marked contrast to Saturday&#8217;s stage, which features what is in effect the first major summit finish of the 2026 race at Le Markstein, with the final climb of the Col du Haag peaking out just four kilometres from the actual finish line. This is preceded by the long opening ascent of the Col du Gran Ballon, the Col du Page (Cat.2), then a repeat of the same northerly approach to the first-category Ballon d&#8217;Alsace as on Friday. All in all, it will likely see the field in tatters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe 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\">Finally, on Sunday&#8217;s stage 15, a very long buildup from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison precedes a very difficult final 40 kilometres &#8211; first the Cat.1 Col de la Croisette and then a short third category, prior to the last ultra-hard ascent to the Solaison &#8211; 11.3 kilometres at 9%.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The three stages are very different, although I don&#8217;t think too much will happen tomorrow [Friday]. Maybe somebody will have a bad day but on a single eight-kilometre climb, we&#8217;re not likely to see too much action,&#8221; Vila argues.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Saturday is way harder, particularly because it has a way harder start, and it will be one where riders are very heavily dependent on their teams, and tactically it offers the most.<\/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\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-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\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe announce full Tour de France team and &#8216;dual leadership approach&#8217; around Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz<\/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\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-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;There is already something going on in the bunch&#8217; &#8211; Threat of illness after cold, wet Giro d&#8217;Italia stage 5 more concerning than 6:22 deficit for Visma-Lease a Bike<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Sunday basically comes down to what will happen in the last 30 kilometres, the hardest part is the right at the finish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having two leaders in such varied terrain is always an advantage, Vila tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, particularly when &#8211; as in the case of Evenepoel and Lipowitz &#8211; they are very different kinds of riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It gives us options, because while it&#8217;s always difficult to manage two different guys, on this occasion and in these kinds of climbs, they complement each other.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Each one has their strong points, even if they&#8217;re both top performers in all areas. Their having different characteristics helps you to manage the situation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s clear when it comes to recovery from long, hard climbs, Lipo is the one who&#8217;s best, and that&#8217;s what the stages are all about this weekend.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But the same time, Remco has matured a lot as a climber, you could see how he handled things on the Tourmalet and stage 10. He&#8217;s a different kind of Remco to the Remco he used to be,&#8221; Vila argues.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In terms of their rivals, Poga\u010dar is all but out of reach, given he&#8217;s already at 3: 35 on his closest pursuer, Vingegaard. But the time gap between Vingegaard, and Lenny Mart\u00ednez (Bahrain Victorious) in ninth is considerably less, just 2:58. So as Vila says, the fight right now in the Tour is between those who want to be on the podium next to the leader, rather than against the leader himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Let&#8217;s try and win that battle and if we&#8217;ve got enough strength and strategy to win that one, we&#8217;ll go onto the next,&#8221; Vila says. &#8220;But right now, Tadej is a long way away from us, even if &#8216;hasta el rabo, todo es toro&#8217;,&#8221; he added, a Spanish expression that is hard to translate, but which basically means &#8216;it ain&#8217;t over, &#8217;til it&#8217;s over&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It does not seem like he&#8217;s got any problems. That said, there&#8217;s still the weekend and all the Alpine stages to come. So although he&#8217;s looking good right now, we&#8217;re still up there in the battle too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for Vingegaard, Vila believes that for all his recent setbacks in the Tour, the Dane&#8217;s palmares, and his whole dramatic run of success in 2026, from Paris-Nice through to the Volta a Catalunya and Giro d&#8217;Italia, can&#8217;t be ignored.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;OK, he&#8217;s close to the rest of the field right now in the race, and that&#8217;s a big deal. But this year he&#8217;s not lost a single race he&#8217;s taken part in. We have to remember the type of rider he is. So let&#8217;s try to fight him but calmly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In the only really tough mountain stage we&#8217;ve had to date, he showed he was able to do a lot more than everybody bar Tadej. What happened on stage 10&#8221; &#8211; where the Dane lost a little time to his podium rivals &#8211; &#8220;could be due to a lot of things: the rest day, the climbs were shorter. But he&#8217;s still top favourite number 2.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p 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><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<p>Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe<\/p>\n<p>UAE Team Emirates-XRG<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe 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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-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\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in 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\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-320-80.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;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/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\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-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\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe announce full Tour de France team and &#8216;dual leadership approach&#8217; around Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz<\/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\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-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\">&#8216;There is already something going on in the bunch&#8217; &#8211; Threat of illness after cold, wet Giro d&#8217;Italia stage 5 more concerning than 6:22 deficit for Visma-Lease a Bike<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in 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<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 Teams &amp; Riders<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in 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\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HqeD9rjJNvYNgMhHqCmLfe-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\">How long will US riders&#8217; Tour de France stage win drought continue? Dubious streak reaches 100 stages<\/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\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Yii3LHu2F3uqSDwqznZHQS-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;We go bananas&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek honour fair play code but throw cat among pigeons with barrage of attacks on the Tour de France sprinters&#8217; teams<\/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\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/78Zt9DZFg4ADrvNyhkRSUi-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;He was our big hope for the win&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France leader Fern\u00e1ndo Gaviria exits with broken collarbone<\/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\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zppqc7ycvVr8QYmaMbUgZk-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\">Multiple riders crash in high-speed, domino-effect sprint incident on Tour de France stage 12<\/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\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tfiztf2XjjNW32B9GvXMVg-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;It&#8217;s my Achilles heel, some of us just aren&#8217;t built for it&#8217; \u2013 Ben Healy&#8217;s attacking exploits have been stifled at the Tour de France, but he senses the moment to strike<\/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 Features<\/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\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-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\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/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\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France tour of revenge is almost complete \u2013 Which demons are still left to slay?<\/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\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar surpasses Chris Froome&#8217;s yellow jersey haul \u2013 who is next to beat in the Tour de France record books?<\/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\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-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\">Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/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\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-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\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Subscribe and watch our Seka Spear video review before anyone else<\/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\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vive la France: Lapierre rolls out Bastille Day frameset at the 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>\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\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.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\">&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/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\">How long will US riders&#8217; Tour de France stage win drought continue? Dubious streak reaches 100 stages<\/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\">&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/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\">&#8216;We go bananas&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek honour fair play code but throw cat among pigeons with barrage of attacks on the Tour de France sprinters&#8217; teams<\/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\">&#8216;He was our big hope for the win&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France leader Fern\u00e1ndo Gaviria exits with broken collarbone<\/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>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T21:20:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Two severe climbing stages in Vosges followed by northern Alpine trek<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" 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-[color: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\">3<\/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-cc68f392-8157-11f1-94b9-ddc21c3d742a\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe&#8217;s double leadership will use this long weekend&#8217;s trio of mountain stages to intensify their battle for the Tour de France podium, management say, with the co-leadership between Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz offering a huge strategic advantage other teams with just one leader do not enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>While Red Bull recognise that race leader and multiple Tour winner Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is currently operating in another league to the rest of the field, they believe the fight for a top-3 position has got much more open.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cc68f392-8157-11f1-94b9-ddc21c3d742a-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) remains the top favourite for the runner-up spot, nothing can be ruled out at this point in the game, Head of Sport Patxi Vila told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. Or as he put it, &#8220;We&#8217;ll fight him for second, but we&#8217;ll do so very calmly&#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\">Of the three upcoming mountain stages, Vila believes that Saturday is the most interesting in terms of collective strategy for teams. That being the case, on paper Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with two leaders, should automatically start with an advantage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On Saturday, it all depends on how we start the stage, either the breakaway will get going right away or at least by the time we get to the top of the [long opening climb of] Grand Col du Gran Ballon. How big a break forms is another huge factor, too. But wherever it happens, the start will be much more important that day than on either of the other two.&#8221;<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-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\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in 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-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\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-150-80.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;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On Friday, stage 13 from Dole to Belfort kicks off the mountain battle with a very long but flat northerly trek, 205.2km, that culminates in a single ascent of Ballon d&#8217;Alsace, 25 kilometres from the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is in marked contrast to Saturday&#8217;s stage, which features what is in effect the first major summit finish of the 2026 race at Le Markstein, with the final climb of the Col du Haag peaking out just four kilometres from the actual finish line. This is preceded by the long opening ascent of the Col du Gran Ballon, the Col du Page (Cat.2), then a repeat of the same northerly approach to the first-category Ballon d&#8217;Alsace as on Friday. All in all, it will likely see the field in tatters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-aT7o7y97dkDfrVbZ82e5Pe 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\">Finally, on Sunday&#8217;s stage 15, a very long buildup from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison precedes a very difficult final 40 kilometres &#8211; first the Cat.1 Col de la Croisette and then a short third category, prior to the last ultra-hard ascent to the Solaison &#8211; 11.3 kilometres at 9%.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The three stages are very different, although I don&#8217;t think too much will happen tomorrow [Friday]. Maybe somebody will have a bad day but on a single eight-kilometre climb, we&#8217;re not likely to see too much action,&#8221; Vila argues.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Saturday is way harder, particularly because it has a way harder start, and it will be one where riders are very heavily dependent on their teams, and tactically it offers the most.<\/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\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/emy9d3Pz2Bn5opRnPDhAhY-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\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe announce full Tour de France team and &#8216;dual leadership approach&#8217; around Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz<\/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\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TEPsgfEEDD85mo6y8xjp4L-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;There is already something going on in the bunch&#8217; &#8211; Threat of illness after cold, wet Giro d&#8217;Italia stage 5 more concerning than 6:22 deficit for Visma-Lease a Bike<\/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\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LeuhxLoRDDyKT2yQhETJBF-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;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Sunday basically comes down to what will happen in the last 30 kilometres, the hardest part is the right at the finish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having two leaders in such varied terrain is always an advantage, Vila tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, particularly when &#8211; as in the case of Evenepoel and Lipowitz &#8211; they are very different kinds of riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It gives us options, because while it&#8217;s always difficult to manage two different guys, on this occasion and in these kinds of climbs, they complement each other.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Each one has their strong points, even if they&#8217;re both top performers in all areas. Their having different characteristics helps you to manage the situation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s clear when it comes to recovery from long, hard climbs, Lipo is the one who&#8217;s best, and that&#8217;s what the stages are all about this weekend.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But the same time, Remco has matured a lot as a climber, you could see how he handled things on the Tourmalet and stage 10. He&#8217;s a different kind of Remco to the Remco he used to be,&#8221; Vila argues.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In terms of their rivals, Poga\u010dar is all but out of reach, given he&#8217;s already at 3: 35 on his closest pursuer, Vingegaard. But the time gap between Vingegaard, and Lenny Mart\u00ednez (Bahrain Victorious) in ninth is considerably less, just 2:58. So as Vila says, the fight right now in the Tour is between those who want to be on the podium next to the leader, rather than against the leader himself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Let&#8217;s try and win that battle and if we&#8217;ve got enough strength and strategy to win that one, we&#8217;ll go onto the next,&#8221; Vila says. &#8220;But right now, Tadej is a long way away from us, even if &#8216;hasta el rabo, todo es toro&#8217;,&#8221; he added, a Spanish expression that is hard to translate, but which basically means &#8216;it ain&#8217;t over, &#8217;til it&#8217;s over&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It does not seem like he&#8217;s got any problems. That said, there&#8217;s still the weekend and all the Alpine stages to come. So although he&#8217;s looking good right now, we&#8217;re still up there in the battle too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for Vingegaard, Vila believes that for all his recent setbacks in the Tour, the Dane&#8217;s palmares, and his whole dramatic run of success in 2026, from Paris-Nice through to the Volta a Catalunya and Giro d&#8217;Italia, can&#8217;t be ignored.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;OK, he&#8217;s close to the rest of the field right now in the race, and that&#8217;s a big deal. But this year he&#8217;s not lost a single race he&#8217;s taken part in. We have to remember the type of rider he is. So let&#8217;s try to fight him but calmly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In the only really tough mountain stage we&#8217;ve had to date, he showed he was able to do a lot more than everybody bar Tadej. What happened on stage 10&#8221; &#8211; where the Dane lost a little time to his podium rivals &#8211; &#8220;could be due to a lot of things: the rest day, the climbs were shorter. But he&#8217;s still top favourite number 2.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p 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><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/right-now-the-fight-is-for-the-podium-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe-prepare-for-two-handed-gc-game-in-tour-de-frances-long-weekend-of-mountain-stages\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-2100-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Breakaway holds off charging bunch on Tour de France stage 9 as former world champion wins in Ussel 2 As it happened: GC race explodes into life on the climbs of the Massif Central during stage 10 of the Tour de France 3 Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar [&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-2047411","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\/2047411","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=2047411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047411\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2047411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2047411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2047411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}