{"id":2052574,"date":"2026-07-20T08:24:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T05:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2052574"},"modified":"2026-07-20T08:24:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T05:24:44","slug":"the-lost-art-of-time-trialing-is-the-tour-de-france-slowly-phasing-out-the-race-against-the-clock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2052574","title":{"rendered":"The lost art of time trialing \u2013 Is the Tour de France slowly phasing out the race against the clock?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-2500-80.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\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-80-80.png.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                                    I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column\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\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">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                                    Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis\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\/kRhqp35ujWWNTx56aJLcZF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kRhqp35ujWWNTx56aJLcZF-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 stage 10 preview: UAE set to use scene of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 2024 defeat at Le Lioran as &#8216;source of extra motivation&#8217;\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>The lost art of time trialing \u2013 Is the Tour de France slowly phasing out the race against the clock?<\/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 \/>\nZach Nehr <\/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=\"2026-07-20T08:24:44Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">TT kilometres per edition are slowly trending down as the GC becomes less favourable for all-rounders<\/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\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-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\">Is time trialing becoming less important at the 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\">5<\/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-159ce590-7f74-11f1-8acb-2132ea15382e\">The 1984 Tour de France had 191km of time trialling, while the 2026 Tour de France includes just 46km. That is a 76% reduction of time trial distance in just over 40 years. Of course, not all changes are bad \u2013 Tour riders used to smoke and race without helmets, for example \u2013 but this shift caught my eye.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve seen a dramatic shift in the focus and importance of time trialling in professional cycling, and in this piece, I set out to explore why. The further back you go, the crazier things get. So let&#8217;s start as far back as the 1930s when Gino Bartali won his first Tour de France.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-time-trials-have-changed-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">How much time trials have changed<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce7ca-7f74-11f1-bb09-7f6fca1f97c7-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the 1938 Tour de France, there were only 69km of time trialling, not too dissimilar from what we see in modern cycling. But there were also much longer stages throughout the Tour, including a 279km finale on stage 21 which Antonin Magne won in a time of eight hours, 54 minutes and 50 seconds. While the TT kilometres seem sparse, things change when you start to zoom in.<\/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<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-c15c4552-8414-11f1-966e-5fc56bee835d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">TT in this year&#8217;s Tour<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Preview: Tour de France stage 16 \u2013 A hilly 26km TT<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-c15c45ca-8414-11f1-880f-c7bc0a812a46\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stage 20b of the 1938 Tour was a 42km individual time trial. It was the kind of stage that you wouldn&#8217;t be shocked to see in a Grand Tour once every few years. But take a closer look at the stage name: 20b. This 42km ITT was one of <em>three <\/em>stages ridden that day. On July 30, 1938, the Tour de France peloton raced 48km on stage 20a, then 42km on stage 20b, and finally 107km on stage 20c. By the way, there wasn&#8217;t even a rest day between stage 20a, b, and c and the nine-hour finale to Paris for stage 21.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Professional cycling was a different sport back then, that much is clear. But things began to evolve as the sport modernised and became one of the biggest sporting events in the world.<\/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\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel battle it out for first yellow jersey in team time trial, but can Ineos spoil the GC party?<\/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\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Should cycling ban altitude training? How an obsession with peak performance is ruining racing<\/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\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-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 year of the team time trial \u2013 How teams have prepared for the Tour de France opening TTT from January to July<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the 1960s, race organisers began running shorter time trials. Instead of hour-long slogs, time trials became short, explosive efforts. Some were only eight kilometres long, and then came the introduction of the prologue: ultra-short time trials were often given at the beginning of a Grand Tour. But that didn&#8217;t take away from other time trial stages.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 1970 Tour de France included not one, not two, but <em>six <\/em>time trials over the course of three weeks. That is unfathomable in this day and age. Most Grand Tours only include two time trials, with the rare edition including three. Something needed to change&#8230; and change they did.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5 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\n<p id=\"elk-329ba02e-8414-11f1-872b-4b04c00fd42d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the 1980s, race organisers had fallen in love with the idea of long time trials. These weren&#8217;t 20, 30, or even 40-minute efforts. These were 60 to 90-minute individual time trials in the middle of the Tour de France. The 1984 Tour began with a 5km prologue, followed by a 51km team time trial on stage 3, and a 67km individual time trial on stage 7. That is a total of 123km of time trialling in the first week of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If that wasn&#8217;t enough, there was a 22km mountain TT on stage 16, and a 51km TT on the penultimate day of the race. If you were the best time triallist in the race, you could afford to lose a minute on every mountain stage and still win the yellow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The monster-length TT trend continued into the 2000s, and in the first Tour of the 21st century, there were 145km of time trialling spread across two ITTs and one TTT. While the opening TTT of the 2026 Tour was certainly exciting, it was only 20 kilometres long. Yet, there were still significant time gaps. The TTT in the 2000 Tour de France was 70km in length, which ONCE won in a time of just under one hour and 26 minutes. It&#8217;s difficult to imagine what this kind of time trial would look like in modern cycling, but as we ponder the question, answers emerge as to why race organisers might be doing this.<\/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\/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-2-2\" 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\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/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\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"why-are-race-organisers-shortening-time-trials-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Why are race organisers shortening time trials?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce8b0-7f74-11f1-9375-b32abb188fc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The tide began to turn in the early 2000s, and by 2010, time trialling kilometres in Grand Tours had been cut by more than 60%, according to ProCyclingStats.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We&#8217;ve even seen a few Tours de France where the total number of time trial kilometres was less than 1% of the total length of the race: the 2023 Tour included only 22.4km of time trials, which was 0.7% of the overall race length.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Professional cycling has seen a number of positive advancements over the years, including the introduction of a number of safety and rider-tracking measures. But shifting the focus away from time trials is hotly debated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Time trialling is at the core of the sport: may the fastest rider win. But in 2026, it also rewards the big-budget teams with access to wind tunnel testing, 3D-printed aero bars, and a number of other equipment upgrades. Time trials don&#8217;t necessarily reward the strongest rider in the race \u2013 they reward the fastest rider. And that can be about a lot more than just strength.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In a 40km time trial, you could have one rider holding 350w while another is holding 400w. But if the first rider is significantly more aerodynamic, they could beat the second rider by more than a minute. This seems just if the rider has worked hard to improve their aero position, but what if the differences are entirely mechanical? If one rider&#8217;s team can afford a faster time trial set-up, is that fair to both riders?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-329ba0ce-8414-11f1-a86a-93ccc39a6061\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The difference between a rider like TT World Champion Remco Evenepoel and someone on a small ProTeam is vast <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba15a-8414-11f1-b389-9d63e59fadb0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This discussion gets even bigger when you talk about measuring up the lower budget teams with the big-budget super teams. Reducing time trial kilometres is one of many ways that race organisers can close the gap, especially by using fewer team time trials. The TTT is becoming a lost art, but it has certainly shortened the GC gaps in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reducing TT kilometres also changes the GC picture entirely. Imagine that the 2027 Tour de France included 191 kilometres of time trialling like the 1984 edition. How many minutes could Remco Evenepoel gain on his GC rivals with that much time on the TT rig? We are talking about five to 10-minute gaps, maybe even more depending on the TT profiles. It would change the race, for better or worse, depending on what kind of rider you want to see win the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A final point that race organizers must consider is the viewer experience. It&#8217;s no secret that time trials can be boring to spectate. Even for the avid cycling viewer, it&#8217;s hard to sit down and watch an individual time trial for two to three hours. Throw in a few mountains or a breakaway stage at the Tour, and the viewer&#8217;s experience changes completely. The opening TTT in Barcelona was thrilling, and that could be the blueprint for keeping time trials in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"where-do-we-go-from-here-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Where do we go from here?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce98c-7f74-11f1-a4a6-8374cb693464\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Love them or hate them, time trials are an integral part of cycling&#8217;s history. They have changed quite dramatically over the years, but so has the sport as a whole. The future of time trials is uncertain, but it&#8217;s difficult to imagine them being phased out completely. Many of us have pondered whether we want to see more or less time trialling in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What it really comes down to is what we want to see as the future of cycling. Do we want to see time trial specialists rewarded with multi-minute advantages in Grand Tours? Or do we want the climbers and best all-rounders to have the best chance at winning the race? I&#8217;m not sure there is a correct answer here, but there is one more factor to consider.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-329ba1f0-8414-11f1-b579-f10b3bab46f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Time trialing is still an important part of the sport <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba272-8414-11f1-a968-bf0272534654\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Outside of the WorldTour, cycling is a massive sport. In fact, it is not only a sport, but indeed a way of life for millions of people around the world. The Tour de France means more than just the yellow jersey \u2013 it inspires the next generation of cyclists to explore this beautiful sport.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The brute fact is that time trial bikes are not accessible for the majority of cyclists around the world. TT bikes and gear are incredibly expensive, even more so at the professional level. We are talking about tens of thousands of Euros being spent on a TT rig that gets used a few times per year. Not only is the gap between the low and high-budget WorldTour teams widening, so is the gap between professional cycling and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">My idea? I will say it straight up: time trials in stage races should be ridden on road bikes. We can save the TT rigs for Worlds and National Championships where the time trial specialists are rewarded for their aero-focused efforts. But in stage races and Grand Tours, we would solve many problems by having TTs done on road bikes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It makes more sense to the casual viewer, it rewards the fastest rider of the day, and it makes cycling more accessible for millions of people around the world. While I don&#8217;t think we need to go back to 80km ITTs in the Tour, I do think we need to hold onto bike racing in its purest form: save the time trial.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba2f4-8414-11f1-a397-fd767afc9d9c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Zach Nehr<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Zach is a freelance writer, the head of ZNehr Coaching, and an elite-level rider in road, track, and e-racing. He writes about everything cycling-related, from buyer&#8217;s guides to product reviews and feature articles to power analyses. After earning a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Exercise Science at Marian University-Indianapolis, Zach discovered a passion for writing that soon turned into a full-fledged career. In between articles, Zach spends his time working with endurance athletes of all abilities and ages at ZNehr Coaching. After entering the sport at age 17, Zach went on to have a wonderful road racing career that included winning the 2017 Collegiate National Time Trial Championships and a 9th place finish at the 2019 US Pro National Time Trial Championships.\u00a0Nowadays, Zach spends most of his ride time indoors with NeXT eSport.<\/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\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel battle it out for first yellow jersey in team time trial, but can Ineos spoil the GC party?<\/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\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Should cycling ban altitude training? How an obsession with peak performance is ruining racing<\/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\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-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 year of the team time trial \u2013 How teams have prepared for the Tour de France opening TTT from January to July<\/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\/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\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide 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 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\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-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\">Tour de France 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I hope that it will be just as good&#8217; \u2013 19-year-old Paul Seixas heads into Tour de France final week within striking distance of GC podium<\/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\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-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 Tour de France is far from over &#8211; A triple header of mountains and 120 seconds are among the reasons why you should watch the last week<\/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\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-320-80.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;The main goal is to have Remco on the podium in Paris&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz ready to work for Evenepoel in Tour de France podium battle<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-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\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why were Tour de France riders tested in the middle of the night? Anti-doping body defends need to carry out &#8216;effective testing&#8217;<\/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\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-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\">Tour de France stage 16 time trial start times \u2013 When Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel and all the favourites will start their efforts<\/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\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-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 Tour de France is far from over &#8211; A triple header of mountains and 120 seconds are among the reasons why you should watch the last week<\/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\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York 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\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-320-80.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\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 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\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-320-80.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\">From &#8216;freak&#8217; injury to another shot at that &#8216;elusive&#8217; win \u2013 Fred Wright finally finds feet at Pinarello-Q36.5 at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.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;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<\/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\/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>\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\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg.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\">The Tour de France is far from over &#8211; A triple header of mountains and 120 seconds are among the reasons why you should watch the last week<\/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\">Laurens De Plus joins big-name domestiques heading to Decathlon CMA CGM as team look to build around Paul Seixas<\/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;The main goal is to have Remco on the podium in Paris&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz ready to work for Evenepoel in Tour de France podium battle<\/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;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s 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\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>The lost art of time trialing \u2013 Is the Tour de France slowly phasing out the race against the clock?<\/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 \/>\nZach Nehr <\/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=\"2026-07-20T08:24:44Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">TT kilometres per edition are slowly trending down as the GC becomes less favourable for all-rounders<\/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\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-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\">Is time trialing becoming less important at the 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\">5<\/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-159ce590-7f74-11f1-8acb-2132ea15382e\">The 1984 Tour de France had 191km of time trialling, while the 2026 Tour de France includes just 46km. That is a 76% reduction of time trial distance in just over 40 years. Of course, not all changes are bad \u2013 Tour riders used to smoke and race without helmets, for example \u2013 but this shift caught my eye.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve seen a dramatic shift in the focus and importance of time trialling in professional cycling, and in this piece, I set out to explore why. The further back you go, the crazier things get. So let&#8217;s start as far back as the 1930s when Gino Bartali won his first Tour de France.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-time-trials-have-changed-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">How much time trials have changed<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce7ca-7f74-11f1-bb09-7f6fca1f97c7-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the 1938 Tour de France, there were only 69km of time trialling, not too dissimilar from what we see in modern cycling. But there were also much longer stages throughout the Tour, including a 279km finale on stage 21 which Antonin Magne won in a time of eight hours, 54 minutes and 50 seconds. While the TT kilometres seem sparse, things change when you start to zoom in.<\/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<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-c15c4552-8414-11f1-966e-5fc56bee835d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">TT in this year&#8217;s Tour<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Preview: Tour de France stage 16 \u2013 A hilly 26km TT<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-c15c45ca-8414-11f1-880f-c7bc0a812a46\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stage 20b of the 1938 Tour was a 42km individual time trial. It was the kind of stage that you wouldn&#8217;t be shocked to see in a Grand Tour once every few years. But take a closer look at the stage name: 20b. This 42km ITT was one of <em>three <\/em>stages ridden that day. On July 30, 1938, the Tour de France peloton raced 48km on stage 20a, then 42km on stage 20b, and finally 107km on stage 20c. By the way, there wasn&#8217;t even a rest day between stage 20a, b, and c and the nine-hour finale to Paris for stage 21.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Professional cycling was a different sport back then, that much is clear. But things began to evolve as the sport modernised and became one of the biggest sporting events in the world.<\/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\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel battle it out for first yellow jersey in team time trial, but can Ineos spoil the GC party?<\/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\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Should cycling ban altitude training? How an obsession with peak performance is ruining racing<\/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\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-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 year of the team time trial \u2013 How teams have prepared for the Tour de France opening TTT from January to July<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the 1960s, race organisers began running shorter time trials. Instead of hour-long slogs, time trials became short, explosive efforts. Some were only eight kilometres long, and then came the introduction of the prologue: ultra-short time trials were often given at the beginning of a Grand Tour. But that didn&#8217;t take away from other time trial stages.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 1970 Tour de France included not one, not two, but <em>six <\/em>time trials over the course of three weeks. That is unfathomable in this day and age. Most Grand Tours only include two time trials, with the rare edition including three. Something needed to change&#8230; and change they did.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5 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\n<p id=\"elk-329ba02e-8414-11f1-872b-4b04c00fd42d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the 1980s, race organisers had fallen in love with the idea of long time trials. These weren&#8217;t 20, 30, or even 40-minute efforts. These were 60 to 90-minute individual time trials in the middle of the Tour de France. The 1984 Tour began with a 5km prologue, followed by a 51km team time trial on stage 3, and a 67km individual time trial on stage 7. That is a total of 123km of time trialling in the first week of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If that wasn&#8217;t enough, there was a 22km mountain TT on stage 16, and a 51km TT on the penultimate day of the race. If you were the best time triallist in the race, you could afford to lose a minute on every mountain stage and still win the yellow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The monster-length TT trend continued into the 2000s, and in the first Tour of the 21st century, there were 145km of time trialling spread across two ITTs and one TTT. While the opening TTT of the 2026 Tour was certainly exciting, it was only 20 kilometres long. Yet, there were still significant time gaps. The TTT in the 2000 Tour de France was 70km in length, which ONCE won in a time of just under one hour and 26 minutes. It&#8217;s difficult to imagine what this kind of time trial would look like in modern cycling, but as we ponder the question, answers emerge as to why race organisers might be doing this.<\/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\/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-2-2\" 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\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/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\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"why-are-race-organisers-shortening-time-trials-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Why are race organisers shortening time trials?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce8b0-7f74-11f1-9375-b32abb188fc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The tide began to turn in the early 2000s, and by 2010, time trialling kilometres in Grand Tours had been cut by more than 60%, according to ProCyclingStats.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We&#8217;ve even seen a few Tours de France where the total number of time trial kilometres was less than 1% of the total length of the race: the 2023 Tour included only 22.4km of time trials, which was 0.7% of the overall race length.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Professional cycling has seen a number of positive advancements over the years, including the introduction of a number of safety and rider-tracking measures. But shifting the focus away from time trials is hotly debated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Time trialling is at the core of the sport: may the fastest rider win. But in 2026, it also rewards the big-budget teams with access to wind tunnel testing, 3D-printed aero bars, and a number of other equipment upgrades. Time trials don&#8217;t necessarily reward the strongest rider in the race \u2013 they reward the fastest rider. And that can be about a lot more than just strength.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In a 40km time trial, you could have one rider holding 350w while another is holding 400w. But if the first rider is significantly more aerodynamic, they could beat the second rider by more than a minute. This seems just if the rider has worked hard to improve their aero position, but what if the differences are entirely mechanical? If one rider&#8217;s team can afford a faster time trial set-up, is that fair to both riders?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-329ba0ce-8414-11f1-a86a-93ccc39a6061\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The difference between a rider like TT World Champion Remco Evenepoel and someone on a small ProTeam is vast <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba15a-8414-11f1-b389-9d63e59fadb0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This discussion gets even bigger when you talk about measuring up the lower budget teams with the big-budget super teams. Reducing time trial kilometres is one of many ways that race organisers can close the gap, especially by using fewer team time trials. The TTT is becoming a lost art, but it has certainly shortened the GC gaps in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reducing TT kilometres also changes the GC picture entirely. Imagine that the 2027 Tour de France included 191 kilometres of time trialling like the 1984 edition. How many minutes could Remco Evenepoel gain on his GC rivals with that much time on the TT rig? We are talking about five to 10-minute gaps, maybe even more depending on the TT profiles. It would change the race, for better or worse, depending on what kind of rider you want to see win the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A final point that race organizers must consider is the viewer experience. It&#8217;s no secret that time trials can be boring to spectate. Even for the avid cycling viewer, it&#8217;s hard to sit down and watch an individual time trial for two to three hours. Throw in a few mountains or a breakaway stage at the Tour, and the viewer&#8217;s experience changes completely. The opening TTT in Barcelona was thrilling, and that could be the blueprint for keeping time trials in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"where-do-we-go-from-here-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Where do we go from here?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce98c-7f74-11f1-a4a6-8374cb693464\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Love them or hate them, time trials are an integral part of cycling&#8217;s history. They have changed quite dramatically over the years, but so has the sport as a whole. The future of time trials is uncertain, but it&#8217;s difficult to imagine them being phased out completely. Many of us have pondered whether we want to see more or less time trialling in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What it really comes down to is what we want to see as the future of cycling. Do we want to see time trial specialists rewarded with multi-minute advantages in Grand Tours? Or do we want the climbers and best all-rounders to have the best chance at winning the race? I&#8217;m not sure there is a correct answer here, but there is one more factor to consider.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-329ba1f0-8414-11f1-b579-f10b3bab46f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Time trialing is still an important part of the sport <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba272-8414-11f1-a968-bf0272534654\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Outside of the WorldTour, cycling is a massive sport. In fact, it is not only a sport, but indeed a way of life for millions of people around the world. The Tour de France means more than just the yellow jersey \u2013 it inspires the next generation of cyclists to explore this beautiful sport.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The brute fact is that time trial bikes are not accessible for the majority of cyclists around the world. TT bikes and gear are incredibly expensive, even more so at the professional level. We are talking about tens of thousands of Euros being spent on a TT rig that gets used a few times per year. Not only is the gap between the low and high-budget WorldTour teams widening, so is the gap between professional cycling and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">My idea? I will say it straight up: time trials in stage races should be ridden on road bikes. We can save the TT rigs for Worlds and National Championships where the time trial specialists are rewarded for their aero-focused efforts. But in stage races and Grand Tours, we would solve many problems by having TTs done on road bikes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It makes more sense to the casual viewer, it rewards the fastest rider of the day, and it makes cycling more accessible for millions of people around the world. While I don&#8217;t think we need to go back to 80km ITTs in the Tour, I do think we need to hold onto bike racing in its purest form: save the time trial.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba2f4-8414-11f1-a397-fd767afc9d9c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5 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__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Zach Nehr<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Zach is a freelance writer, the head of ZNehr Coaching, and an elite-level rider in road, track, and e-racing. He writes about everything cycling-related, from buyer&#8217;s guides to product reviews and feature articles to power analyses. After earning a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Exercise Science at Marian University-Indianapolis, Zach discovered a passion for writing that soon turned into a full-fledged career. In between articles, Zach spends his time working with endurance athletes of all abilities and ages at ZNehr Coaching. After entering the sport at age 17, Zach went on to have a wonderful road racing career that included winning the 2017 Collegiate National Time Trial Championships and a 9th place finish at the 2019 US Pro National Time Trial Championships.\u00a0Nowadays, Zach spends most of his ride time indoors with NeXT eSport.<\/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\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel battle it out for first yellow jersey in team time trial, but can Ineos spoil the GC party?<\/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\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Should cycling ban altitude training? How an obsession with peak performance is ruining racing<\/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\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-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 year of the team time trial \u2013 How teams have prepared for the Tour de France opening TTT from January to July<\/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\/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\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide 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 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\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-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\">Tour de France 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQVF9z4KYoFq6UrttWGUmT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I hope that it will be just as good&#8217; \u2013 19-year-old Paul Seixas heads into Tour de France final week within striking distance of GC podium<\/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\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-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 Tour de France is far from over &#8211; A triple header of mountains and 120 seconds are among the reasons why you should watch the last week<\/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\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8QL6NUnWwJiJ8GxQE4go47-320-80.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;The main goal is to have Remco on the podium in Paris&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz ready to work for Evenepoel in Tour de France podium battle<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5v6TCqyHT55MzjeE35gmMK-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\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why were Tour de France riders tested in the middle of the night? Anti-doping body defends need to carry out &#8216;effective testing&#8217;<\/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\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QcTQirwXfw9t527owdnbcc-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\">Tour de France stage 16 time trial start times \u2013 When Poga\u010dar, Evenepoel and all the favourites will start their efforts<\/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\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-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 Tour de France is far from over &#8211; A triple header of mountains and 120 seconds are among the reasons why you should watch the last week<\/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\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York 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\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-320-80.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\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 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\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-320-80.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\">From &#8216;freak&#8217; injury to another shot at that &#8216;elusive&#8217; win \u2013 Fred Wright finally finds feet at Pinarello-Q36.5 at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.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;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<\/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\/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>\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\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bfQauWLuZAGb6barKaJcVg.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\">The Tour de France is far from over &#8211; A triple header of mountains and 120 seconds are among the reasons why you should watch the last week<\/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\">Laurens De Plus joins big-name domestiques heading to Decathlon CMA CGM as team look to build around Paul Seixas<\/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;The main goal is to have Remco on the podium in Paris&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz ready to work for Evenepoel in Tour de France podium battle<\/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;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s 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\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>The lost art of time trialing \u2013 Is the Tour de France slowly phasing out the race against the clock?<\/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 \/>\nZach Nehr <\/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=\"2026-07-20T08:24:44Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">TT kilometres per edition are slowly trending down as the GC becomes less favourable for all-rounders<\/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\">5<\/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-159ce590-7f74-11f1-8acb-2132ea15382e\">The 1984 Tour de France had 191km of time trialling, while the 2026 Tour de France includes just 46km. That is a 76% reduction of time trial distance in just over 40 years. Of course, not all changes are bad \u2013 Tour riders used to smoke and race without helmets, for example \u2013 but this shift caught my eye.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve seen a dramatic shift in the focus and importance of time trialling in professional cycling, and in this piece, I set out to explore why. The further back you go, the crazier things get. So let&#8217;s start as far back as the 1930s when Gino Bartali won his first Tour de France.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-time-trials-have-changed-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">How much time trials have changed<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce7ca-7f74-11f1-bb09-7f6fca1f97c7-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the 1938 Tour de France, there were only 69km of time trialling, not too dissimilar from what we see in modern cycling. But there were also much longer stages throughout the Tour, including a 279km finale on stage 21 which Antonin Magne won in a time of eight hours, 54 minutes and 50 seconds. While the TT kilometres seem sparse, things change when you start to zoom in.<\/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<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-c15c4552-8414-11f1-966e-5fc56bee835d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">TT in this year&#8217;s Tour<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Preview: Tour de France stage 16 \u2013 A hilly 26km TT<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-c15c45ca-8414-11f1-880f-c7bc0a812a46\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stage 20b of the 1938 Tour was a 42km individual time trial. It was the kind of stage that you wouldn&#8217;t be shocked to see in a Grand Tour once every few years. But take a closer look at the stage name: 20b. This 42km ITT was one of <em>three <\/em>stages ridden that day. On July 30, 1938, the Tour de France peloton raced 48km on stage 20a, then 42km on stage 20b, and finally 107km on stage 20c. By the way, there wasn&#8217;t even a rest day between stage 20a, b, and c and the nine-hour finale to Paris for stage 21.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Professional cycling was a different sport back then, that much is clear. But things began to evolve as the sport modernised and became one of the biggest sporting events in the world.<\/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\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel battle it out for first yellow jersey in team time trial, but can Ineos spoil the GC party?<\/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\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yprDK5GCtNmciBsAoWqjPU-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Should cycling ban altitude training? How an obsession with peak performance is ruining racing<\/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\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JGNFQoAf8aa3pDw5s4Z5Qk-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 year of the team time trial \u2013 How teams have prepared for the Tour de France opening TTT from January to July<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the 1960s, race organisers began running shorter time trials. Instead of hour-long slogs, time trials became short, explosive efforts. Some were only eight kilometres long, and then came the introduction of the prologue: ultra-short time trials were often given at the beginning of a Grand Tour. But that didn&#8217;t take away from other time trial stages.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 1970 Tour de France included not one, not two, but <em>six <\/em>time trials over the course of three weeks. That is unfathomable in this day and age. Most Grand Tours only include two time trials, with the rare edition including three. Something needed to change&#8230; and change they did.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-HBjAyKup3rQXdppypkiKr5 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\n<p id=\"elk-329ba02e-8414-11f1-872b-4b04c00fd42d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the 1980s, race organisers had fallen in love with the idea of long time trials. These weren&#8217;t 20, 30, or even 40-minute efforts. These were 60 to 90-minute individual time trials in the middle of the Tour de France. The 1984 Tour began with a 5km prologue, followed by a 51km team time trial on stage 3, and a 67km individual time trial on stage 7. That is a total of 123km of time trialling in the first week of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If that wasn&#8217;t enough, there was a 22km mountain TT on stage 16, and a 51km TT on the penultimate day of the race. If you were the best time triallist in the race, you could afford to lose a minute on every mountain stage and still win the yellow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The monster-length TT trend continued into the 2000s, and in the first Tour of the 21st century, there were 145km of time trialling spread across two ITTs and one TTT. While the opening TTT of the 2026 Tour was certainly exciting, it was only 20 kilometres long. Yet, there were still significant time gaps. The TTT in the 2000 Tour de France was 70km in length, which ONCE won in a time of just under one hour and 26 minutes. It&#8217;s difficult to imagine what this kind of time trial would look like in modern cycling, but as we ponder the question, answers emerge as to why race organisers might be doing this.<\/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\/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-2-2\" 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\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/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\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tQ4HJiXNpeFtoiqgUhirtW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"why-are-race-organisers-shortening-time-trials-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Why are race organisers shortening time trials?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce8b0-7f74-11f1-9375-b32abb188fc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The tide began to turn in the early 2000s, and by 2010, time trialling kilometres in Grand Tours had been cut by more than 60%, according to ProCyclingStats.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We&#8217;ve even seen a few Tours de France where the total number of time trial kilometres was less than 1% of the total length of the race: the 2023 Tour included only 22.4km of time trials, which was 0.7% of the overall race length.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Professional cycling has seen a number of positive advancements over the years, including the introduction of a number of safety and rider-tracking measures. But shifting the focus away from time trials is hotly debated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Time trialling is at the core of the sport: may the fastest rider win. But in 2026, it also rewards the big-budget teams with access to wind tunnel testing, 3D-printed aero bars, and a number of other equipment upgrades. Time trials don&#8217;t necessarily reward the strongest rider in the race \u2013 they reward the fastest rider. And that can be about a lot more than just strength.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In a 40km time trial, you could have one rider holding 350w while another is holding 400w. But if the first rider is significantly more aerodynamic, they could beat the second rider by more than a minute. This seems just if the rider has worked hard to improve their aero position, but what if the differences are entirely mechanical? If one rider&#8217;s team can afford a faster time trial set-up, is that fair to both riders?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-329ba0ce-8414-11f1-a86a-93ccc39a6061\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/97qepSpy6R5SZn2G5soGp3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The difference between a rider like TT World Champion Remco Evenepoel and someone on a small ProTeam is vast <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba15a-8414-11f1-b389-9d63e59fadb0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This discussion gets even bigger when you talk about measuring up the lower budget teams with the big-budget super teams. Reducing time trial kilometres is one of many ways that race organisers can close the gap, especially by using fewer team time trials. The TTT is becoming a lost art, but it has certainly shortened the GC gaps in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reducing TT kilometres also changes the GC picture entirely. Imagine that the 2027 Tour de France included 191 kilometres of time trialling like the 1984 edition. How many minutes could Remco Evenepoel gain on his GC rivals with that much time on the TT rig? We are talking about five to 10-minute gaps, maybe even more depending on the TT profiles. It would change the race, for better or worse, depending on what kind of rider you want to see win the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A final point that race organizers must consider is the viewer experience. It&#8217;s no secret that time trials can be boring to spectate. Even for the avid cycling viewer, it&#8217;s hard to sit down and watch an individual time trial for two to three hours. Throw in a few mountains or a breakaway stage at the Tour, and the viewer&#8217;s experience changes completely. The opening TTT in Barcelona was thrilling, and that could be the blueprint for keeping time trials in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"where-do-we-go-from-here-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Where do we go from here?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-159ce98c-7f74-11f1-a4a6-8374cb693464\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Love them or hate them, time trials are an integral part of cycling&#8217;s history. They have changed quite dramatically over the years, but so has the sport as a whole. The future of time trials is uncertain, but it&#8217;s difficult to imagine them being phased out completely. Many of us have pondered whether we want to see more or less time trialling in Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What it really comes down to is what we want to see as the future of cycling. Do we want to see time trial specialists rewarded with multi-minute advantages in Grand Tours? Or do we want the climbers and best all-rounders to have the best chance at winning the race? I&#8217;m not sure there is a correct answer here, but there is one more factor to consider.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-329ba1f0-8414-11f1-b579-f10b3bab46f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/og9hTMRmG7QYHQXQwZdyME-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Time trialing is still an important part of the sport <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba272-8414-11f1-a968-bf0272534654\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Outside of the WorldTour, cycling is a massive sport. In fact, it is not only a sport, but indeed a way of life for millions of people around the world. The Tour de France means more than just the yellow jersey \u2013 it inspires the next generation of cyclists to explore this beautiful sport.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The brute fact is that time trial bikes are not accessible for the majority of cyclists around the world. TT bikes and gear are incredibly expensive, even more so at the professional level. We are talking about tens of thousands of Euros being spent on a TT rig that gets used a few times per year. Not only is the gap between the low and high-budget WorldTour teams widening, so is the gap between professional cycling and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">My idea? I will say it straight up: time trials in stage races should be ridden on road bikes. We can save the TT rigs for Worlds and National Championships where the time trial specialists are rewarded for their aero-focused efforts. But in stage races and Grand Tours, we would solve many problems by having TTs done on road bikes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It makes more sense to the casual viewer, it rewards the fastest rider of the day, and it makes cycling more accessible for millions of people around the world. While I don&#8217;t think we need to go back to 80km ITTs in the Tour, I do think we need to hold onto bike racing in its purest form: save the time trial.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-329ba2f4-8414-11f1-a397-fd767afc9d9c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/the-lost-art-of-time-trialing-is-the-tour-de-france-slowly-phasing-out-the-race-against-the-clock\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/buJnNYBaWLMc6ZoZELrAzR-2500-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column 2 Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa [&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-2052574","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\/2052574","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=2052574"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052574\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2052574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2052574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2052574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}