Animal cell cycle-en — Kelvinsong, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
STAGE RESULT
Pogačar Smashes Pantani’s Nearly 30-Year Alpe d’Huez Record on Stage 19
Tadej Pogačar delivered one of the most remarkable Tour de France performances in decades on Friday, winning Stage 19 from Gap to Alpe d’Huez with a climbing time of 35 minutes 27 seconds, shattering Marco Pantani’s nearly 30-year-old record on the iconic climb. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader caught and dropped a leading breakaway including Lenny Martinez and Richard Carapaz inside the final kilometres, crossing the line alone for his fifth stage win of the 2026 Tour. Cyclingnews described his climbing speed as extraordinary. Hundreds of thousands of fans lined the 21 hairpins in what Cycling Weekly called a “crazy atmosphere.” Pogačar retains the yellow jersey.
GRAND TOUR
Carapaz Snatches Polka-Dot Jersey as Evenepoel Gains Ground on Del Toro in Stage 19
Richard Carapaz moved into the polka-dot mountains jersey after Stage 19, with the EF Education-EasyPost climber accumulating points through the day’s breakaway on Alpe d’Huez to edge ahead of Pogačar in the classification. In the general classification, Remco Evenepoel strengthened his grip on second place by putting additional time into third-placed Isaac Del Toro on the brutal summit finish. French teenager Paul Seixas, riding his debut Tour at just 19, retained a top-five GC position after the stage. Cycling Weekly reported that the yellow jersey picture at the top remains stable, though Saturday’s queen stage provides one last chance to alter the standings before Paris.
GRAND TOUR
Stage 20: Cyclingnews Calls It “A Death March, Maybe the Hardest Tour Stage Ever”
Cyclingnews described Saturday’s Stage 20 as “a death march, maybe the hardest Tour stage ever” — a 170.9-kilometre mountain monster from Le Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez with 5,420 metres of total elevation gain. The route includes the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, and Col de Sarenne before finishing at Alpe d’Huez — the second consecutive Alpe d’Huez summit finish of this Tour. Rain is forecast for parts of the stage, which could disrupt tactics and allow unexpected attacks from the breakaway. GC contenders must survive all five major climbs before the decisive reckoning on the famous 21-hairpin ascent.
TRANSFER
Pinarello Q36.5 Tables €13 Million Bid for Seixas — Potentially Cycling’s Biggest-Ever Contract
Paul Seixas, 19 years old and riding his debut Tour de France, has become cycling’s most explosive transfer story. Pinarello Q36.5 has reportedly tabled an offer of approximately €13 million per year for the French prodigy — which VeloNews described as potentially the largest contract in professional cycling history, exceeding Pogačar’s reported salary at UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Seixas is under contract with Decathlon CMA CGM through 2027, but UAE, Visma-Lease a Bike, Lidl-Trek, and Netcompany-Ineos have all been linked with the rider whose sensational Tour debut has made him the sport’s most coveted young talent. No decision has been confirmed.
WORLD TOUR
Lorena Wiebes Opens Tour de Pologne Women with Sprint Win Despite Crash-Hit Lead-Out
Lorena Wiebes opened the 2026 Tour de Pologne Women with a sprint victory on Stage 1, overcoming a crash-disrupted lead-out from her SD Worx-Protime team to claim the opening yellow jersey. Cyclingnews reported the wet conditions and a late crash disrupted the squad’s planned sprint train, but Wiebes maintained composure to outsprint the remaining challengers in the finale. The Tour de Pologne Women is positioned this year as a pre-Tour de France Femmes sprint tune-up, with Stage 2 running Saturday. Wiebes, the dominant sprinter in women’s WorldTour cycling, extended her already impressive wins total for the season with the opening-stage result.
GRAND TOUR
Stage 21 Paris Finale: Pedersen and Girmay Primed for Champs-Élysées Sprint Showdown
Sunday’s Stage 21 closes the 2026 Tour de France with a 133-kilometre procession from Thoiry to the Champs-Élysées in Paris, ending in a sprint on the iconic boulevard. The stage includes cobbled climbs through Montmartre before the final rush to the finish on the famous avenue. Cyclingnews noted Mads Pedersen and Biniam Girmay as leading sprint contenders for the finale, with the Eritrean champion’s form and Pedersen’s punchy sprinting ability making the outcome open. Pogačar is expected to complete his Tour de France victory in yellow with a ceremonial final kilometre on Sunday. The result in Paris sets the seal on the 2026 edition with one final day of racing.
INJURY
Visma Questions Motorbike’s Role as Vingegaard Crash Investigation Deepens
Cyclingnews reported that Visma-Lease a Bike raised serious questions about the motorbike involved in Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour de France crash, describing the moto’s behaviour at the critical corner as “a strange situation.” Vingegaard, who fractured his collarbone and required surgery after crashing out of Stage 15, accepted personal blame for entering the corner too fast. However, Visma team boss Richard Plugge pointed to inadequate road signage as a contributing factor. VeloNews also reported the crash controversy touched on questions around a doping control conducted in connection with the stage, adding further complexity to the incident’s aftermath and the debate over Tour de France safety protocols.
Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey NHL alumni jerseys in the lower concourse of the Kohl Center IMG 8420 — SecretName101, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
NHL
Blackhawks Would ‘Love to’ Bring Toews Back for Ceremonial One-Day Contract
The Chicago Blackhawks would like to bring back Jonathan Toews for a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Blackhawk, though nothing is confirmed yet. GM Kyle Davidson said the organization is “likely” to pursue the gesture, pointing to how Chicago previously honored Marian Hossa in the same manner. Toews, 38, retired on June 19 after returning last season with the Winnipeg Jets following two seasons missed due to health issues. He spent 15 seasons in Chicago after being selected No. 3 overall in 2006, winning three Stanley Cups alongside Patrick Kane in 2010, 2013, and 2015. “Jonathan is a Blackhawk for life,” Davidson said.
ANALYSIS
Tortorella Wants to Keep Coaching After Vegas Doesn’t Retain Him
John Tortorella says he still wants to coach — but has no job to return to. The 68-year-old was not retained by the Vegas Golden Knights after leading them to a 7-0-1 close to the regular season, winning the Pacific Division and taking the team to the Stanley Cup Final. Ryan Craig has since been named Vegas head coach. “I want to coach. I want to coach now,” Tortorella told The Athletic. He also defended his $100,000 fine for skipping a postgame press conference after eliminating Anaheim. “I was not going to hold up my hockey team,” he said. Tortorella ranks ninth all-time in NHL head coaching wins with 777.
TRANSACTIONS
Blue Jackets, Sillinger Avoid Arbitration With Three-Year, $13.875M Deal
The Columbus Blue Jackets and restricted free agent forward Cole Sillinger have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a three-year, $13.875 million contract worth $4.625 million per season. The 23-year-old posted eight goals and 25 assists for 33 points in 81 games last season — his second consecutive 33-point campaign. The deal is the second arbitration settlement Columbus reached this week, following goaltender Jet Greaves’ three-year, $15 million pact signed Thursday. Sillinger, the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has spent all five of his NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, accumulating 140 career points (51 goals, 89 assists).
TRANSACTIONS
Panthers, Schmid Avoid Arbitration With Two-Year Contract
Goaltender Akira Schmid and the Florida Panthers have reached a two-year contract, avoiding what would have been the 26-year-old’s first salary arbitration hearing. The Panthers acquired Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights on June 29 in exchange for a 2028 third-round pick. In 34 games last season with Vegas, Schmid posted a 16-10-6 record with a 2.59 goals-against average and .893 save percentage. “He has the size, athleticism and competitive drive that fits the identity of the Florida Panthers,” general manager Bill Zito said. Originally drafted by New Jersey in the fifth round in 2018, Schmid spent three seasons with the Devils before arriving in Vegas.
ANALYSIS
DeBoer Eyes Stanley Cup in First Full Season Behind Islanders Bench
Pete DeBoer enters his first full season behind the New York Islanders bench believing the team can make a quick turnaround. Hired in April after Patrick Roy was fired mid-losing streak, DeBoer went one win in four games to close the regular season — but was impressed by what he saw. The Islanders finished 43-34-5 and missed the playoffs despite a 91-point season. DeBoer cited the 2026 playoffs, which featured four first-time postseason teams in over five years, as evidence that rapid turnarounds are possible. He was effusive about Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer, calling him “future captain” material, and flagged the team’s 30th-ranked power play as the priority fix.
ROSTERNHL
Cammi Granato Shifts From Canucks Assistant GM to Senior Amateur Adviser
Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato is transitioning within the Vancouver Canucks’ front office, moving from assistant general manager to senior amateur adviser after parts of five seasons in the role. General manager Ryan Johnson announced the change Friday. Granato, who became the NHL’s first female scout with the Seattle Kraken, called it “the perfect time to transition.” Former Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford hired her in February 2022. Granato captained the U.S. women’s team to gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. The Canucks have undergone sweeping front-office changes, hiring the Sedin twins as co-presidents and Manny Malhotra as head coach after a last-place finish.
INTERNATIONALDRAFT
Maple Leafs Prospect Hopkins Earns Invite to Team Canada World Junior Summer Showcase
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins has earned an invitation to Team Canada’s 2026 World Junior Championship Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ontario, running July 26 to August 1. Canada named 31 players to the showcase roster, with Hopkins joining notable invitees including Caleb Malhotra, Daxon Rudolph, Carson Carels, and Keaton Verhoeff — three of whom were top-10 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Campbellville, Ontario centre was selected 86th overall by Toronto in the 2025 draft. Hopkins scored 50 points in 56 games last season, split between the Kingston Frontenacs and Guelph Storm. Canada is scheduled to face Sweden, Finland, and the United States during the event.
2014 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (13712612095) — Habeed Hameed, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
RACE RESULT
Hamilton Leads Ferrari 1-2 in FP2 as Colapinto Crashes at the Hungaroring
Lewis Hamilton led Ferrari to a dominant one-two in Hungarian Grand Prix second practice, recording a benchmark of 1:18.729 ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc by 0.148 seconds. Lando Norris was third for McLaren, half a second off the pace. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli had a troubled afternoon: having missed FP1 to allow Fred Vesti's mandatory rookie run, the Italian struggled with persistent rear brake locking in FP2 to end 13th, nearly two seconds adrift. Franco Colapinto added drama when he crashed at Turn 14 in the closing stages, bringing out a red flag to cut his session short.
RACE RESULT
Leclerc Fastest in FP1 as Aston Martin’s B-Spec Debut Ends in Mechanical Failure
Charles Leclerc set the pace in Hungarian Grand Prix opening practice, recording a 1:19.075 to lead Max Verstappen. However, the session was overshadowed by Aston Martin's troubled debut of its major 16-part upgrade: Lance Stroll suffered a suspension failure that ended his session prematurely. Leclerc himself also came to a halt late in FP1, reporting "something broke" on his Ferrari. Separately, Williams' Carlos Sainz was issued a formal warning by the stewards after impeding Verstappen on a flying lap approaching Turn 12 — Sainz had been unable to hear radio warnings because his radio cable had become disconnected.
TECHNICAL
Aston Martin’s 16-Part B-Spec Overhaul: Promising Data, Troubled Start
Aston Martin unveiled its most ambitious upgrade package in years at the Hungarian Grand Prix: a comprehensive 16-part overhaul developed under new technical director Adrian Newey. The reworked car was supposed to transform the struggling outfit's competitiveness, but the Budapest debut was immediately disrupted when Lance Stroll suffered a suspension failure in FP1. Despite the setback, Newey said the early running was encouraging and the team would analyse data overnight. Fernando Alonso ended FP1 13th in the new specification. Both drivers will have more running in FP3 on Saturday before qualifying.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Mercedes’ 10-Race Pole Streak Under Threat After Difficult Hungary Friday
Mercedes heads into qualifying at the Hungaroring with a question mark over its unprecedented 2026 pole position streak after a troubled Friday practice. George Russell was best of the Silver Arrows in fifth, nearly a second behind pace-setter Lewis Hamilton, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli struggled to 13th, nearly two seconds off the pace, plagued by rear brake locking. Mercedes has claimed pole at all ten rounds of 2026 so far. Deputy team principal Bradley Lord acknowledged there was "lots of work to do overnight, bit of head-scratching," though the team's long-run pace looked more competitive versus Ferrari and McLaren.
TECHNICAL
Ferrari Brings Upgraded Macarena Wing to Hungary After Hamilton Spotted the Gap
Ferrari arrived in Budapest with an upgraded version of its distinctive Macarena rear wing — a triple-element winglet arrangement inspired by the McLaren design first seen at Monaco. The push came after Lewis Hamilton noticed Ferrari had missed a similar design trick earlier this year. The upgrade appeared to pay immediate dividends, with Ferrari fastest in both Friday practice sessions. McLaren is also running a Macarena-style wing this weekend, though Oscar Piastri did not receive the new parts on Friday. The Australian is set to carry the upgrade from Saturday's FP3 session ahead of qualifying.
SAFETY
Belgian GP Stewards Admit They Should Have Penalised Leclerc for Piastri Clash
Formula 1's stewards at the Belgian Grand Prix have admitted they made a mistake by not penalising Charles Leclerc for his collision with Oscar Piastri at Spa-Francorchamps. The pair clashed at Les Combes on lap eight while disputing third place, with Leclerc squeezing Piastri to the track edge; the resulting contact left the McLaren with floor damage estimated to cost two to three tenths per lap. Sky Sports' David Croft reported the admission came during a pre-weekend meeting in Budapest, with former driver Anthony Davidson stating it was "100 percent a penalty." Leclerc himself acknowledged his defending had been "a bit too sketchy."
GRID NEWS
Newey Sidesteps Horner-to-Aston Martin Speculation: ‘I Can’t Comment Further’
Adrian Newey has played down speculation linking former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with a position at Aston Martin. Horner, 52, was relieved of his duties last July and has repeatedly been linked with the Silverstone-based outfit — a move that would reunite him with Newey after 20 years working together at Red Bull. In Budapest this weekend, Newey said: "I keep hearing about these rumours with Christian. I can't comment further. All I can say is that we are very happy with our senior management team." Horner has also been linked with a potential new team backed by Chinese manufacturer BYD.
CALENDAR
Malaysia in Talks for F1 Return as Bahrain Grand Prix Plan Falters
Formula 1 is in discussions with Malaysia about a surprise return to the 2026 calendar, with the Sepang International Circuit being considered for an October 4 slot. The move comes as the planned Bahrain Grand Prix has been thrown into doubt due to ongoing Middle East conflict, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi also potentially at risk. Malaysia last hosted the championship in 2017, and a return would mark a significant step for Asian motorsport. Discussions are described as exploratory, with any rescheduling requiring significant calendar adjustments during the second half of the season.
Drivers' Championship
- 1. Kimi Antonelli — 204 pts
- 2. Lewis Hamilton — 159 pts
- 3. George Russell — 154 pts
- 4. Charles Leclerc — 126 pts
- 5. Lando Norris — 103 pts
- 6. Oscar Piastri — 92 pts
Constructors' Championship
- 1. Mercedes — 358 pts
- 2. Ferrari — 285 pts
- 3. McLaren — 195 pts
- 4. Red Bull Racing — 151 pts
- 5. Alpine — 61 pts
- 6. Racing Bulls — 61 pts