Tour de France 2026 peloton

[ReturnofthePan]

Chains are being greased and oiled as I type. Crush barriers being erected. “Special” sauces are being prepared…. all for the biggest push bike race in the world.

Is the MN peloton pumping some air in our tyres?

Bloody hell those crowds.

Just hearing a rider had to abandon because of the crowds too 😣

Well that was a bit of a seat gripper. Pantani’s record broken…

It strikes me as such an awful way to leave the race - nothing to do with you or how you feel, but totally beyond your control. You couldn't see where the road was at times today. I know it's like this - I've watched for many years, but I just wish the fans would be more careful.

Absolutely. Although you could see early on he was going to catch them 'easily', it was great to watch. I was happy Remco took a bit of time on 3rd too.

A truly incredible chase.

Yes, the crowds were horrible, the riders couldn't see where they were going and had to hope that the drunken eejits would get out of the way. Obviously someone didn't, that's terrible.
Happy for Remco that he did so well, but Pogacar's performance was truly amazing. I also loved to see Carapaz and his never say die attacks. A fantastic day.

Wow.

Tomorrow is the Queen stage.
My husband did it last weekend along with approximately 13000 others.

Good golly what a ride in yellow! I cannot fathom how any of them do that. We went up in a car the day before the race (a million years ago now) and it was INSANE then. There are many bad things I will say about my Ex H but he did drive us up that mountain, with most of those crowds plus an awful lot of cyclists, and it was an amazing feat in a car, how he did it without a nervous break down I will never know. So to do it on a bike, racing, with those (DRUNK) crowds at that pace is incredible. Chapeau to that man. To all of them who made it to the top! It's hard enough to walk in places.

Think that's my annual use of 'when we were there' over and done Pan

Thank you Losty , it’s a tale always worth retelling and part of MN peloton folk history.
I watched this one live and probs lost a few pounds in weight without moving off the sofa. I really doubted if Poggie could have caught the powerful group ahead but blow me. They seemed to run out of biscuits and Poggie got a fresh supply.

And there’s always room for more Alpe stories Losty as we do it all over again tomorrow. 😀🌼

It certainly looks wild.

Poor old Sepp Kuss

Yes, that was a real shame, and very scary. Another half metre along the road and he would have been over the edge, a heart stopping moment.

I was rooting for him to do well yesterday. Edited to say I've just realised something must have happened today - I've not seen today's show yet.

I'm listening to Ned and David's podcast after each stage, and found it really interesting yesterday that they said the 3 up front wouldn't have had a clue about how fast Pogacar was approaching because the race radio would have been useless with all the crowd noise. We were wondering why Carapaz et al were attacking and slowing over and over when their only hope was to work together. It was such a great chase. Pogacar is just stunningly good.

Really looking forward to today's highlights show.

It would have been hard to hear the race radio, but I'm not sure that's the reason. The history of the Tour is littered with tales of breakaways refusing to work together and so getting caught by the chasers. They would have known that Pog wouldn't let the Alpe go by without giving it a good try, given the form he is in and his love of attacking riding.

Yes, you've probably seen now that Kuss very nearly toppled over a cliff, so while he is, no doubt, disappointed not to have won the stage, he can be happy he's alive

Oh absolutely I've watched so many breakaways over the years mess it up by not working together. You think they'd learn, especially when they have Pogacar in the race! And to be fair they sometimes (often?) do. Just not this little group. They probably weren't expecting to be caught, assuming they probably knew how much time they had at the start of the climb. Pogacar is just superb.

Yes poor Sepp. But as you say, that fall today could have been far, far worse. I would have loved to see an interview with him afterwards.

OMG. Just watched it. Not exactly the same as the L’Étape du Tour as slightly longer and diverted down the road past the Le Pic Blanc hotel and then back up in a loop.
Sepp had some bad luck but avoided going over the edge.
I have been trying to avoid seeing news about this all day. So difficult !

Mads Pedersen had another amazing day yesterday to clinch the green jersey, and again after getting his intermediate sprint points he gave away his bottles before dropping back, and not just to team mates. Chapeau to him too.

Dontcha just love that ascent of Montmartre??

Oh my days!

What a finish! I reckon Philipsen could have won but he sat up and freewheeled over the line as he watched his chum MVDP win.

I'm living the excitement post-finish, I'm loving Orla being in a ballgown, I'm loving the exhausted joy from the interviewee riders

Wow, I'm shattered from just watching that, and hoarse! Amazing finale, and yes it had to be an evening gown for Orla 💃

Oof, even my little legs were going watching that last km, sweaty palms and everything, brilliant.

Thanks for getting me back into the Tour MN peloton, I'd forgotten how much I loved it. Thank you as well for the links to Ned and co, his podcasts have been excellent.

That was such an exciting finish! So pleased for MVdP.

Gripping!

I think that was my utter fave stage and finish of any stage race ever. Was convinced they would be caught, edge of seat stuff.
And thanks for the company with the thrills and spills. It’s been a blast, and to read of losty’s Alpe adventures AGAIN was a bonus, me dear. Hope you’re well.
the danger is now all other stages of all other races will pale…