Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Wærenskjold Springs Surprise to Win Stage 11 in Nevers
Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) won stage 11 of the 2026 Tour de France from Vichy to Nevers, launching a long-range sprint effort to hold off Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). The Norwegian used the slipstream of early mover Cees Bol before slingshotting past him in the closing metres. Wærenskjold, who had finished second in Bordeaux earlier in the race, took his first Tour de France stage win in front of a crowd in Nevers. The result shocked many observers as the anticipated big-name sprinters were outmanoeuvred by the Uno-X Mobility fastman in the fourth pure sprint stage of the 2026 edition.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tour de France Stage 11 Smashes 27-Year Speed Record at 50.9kph
Stage 11 of the 2026 Tour de France from Vichy to Nevers set a new record for the fastest average speed in the race’s history, with the 161km stage completed at 50.9kph. This surpasses the previous mark of 50.356kph set in 1999. Yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogačar attributed the blistering pace to aggressive early attacks, including one from Mathieu van der Poel, which drove speeds unusually high. A light tailwind assisted the peloton throughout. Riders including stage winner Søren Wærenskjold described the narrow finishing roads as ‘very, very sketchy,’ raising questions about safety standards for sprint finishes at Grand Tour level.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Philipsen Relegated Then Reinstated in Tour de France Sprint Controversy
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) was relegated from third place after stage 11 of the Tour de France and then reinstated in a jury flip-flop that highlighted the difficulties of sprint officiating. Philipsen appeared to move into a Picnic PostNL rider in the final 500 metres of the sprint into Nevers, prompting the initial penalty. Milan Fretin (Cofidis) was briefly elevated to the podium before officials reversed the decision and restored Philipsen to his original third-place finish. The Belgian sprinter denied any intentional infringement, stating: ‘I didn’t do anything on purpose or anything wrong. I’m happy that they reconsidered it.’
Sources: Cyclingnews Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pogačar Leads Vingegaard by 3:36 After Eleven Stages
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) retains the yellow jersey and leads the 2026 Tour de France general classification after eleven stages, with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) lying second at 3 minutes 36 seconds. Remco Evenepoel sits third at 4 minutes 6 seconds. Pogačar built his lead through dominant attacks in the Pyrenees, including a stage win on the Col du Tourmalet on stage 6. The sprint stage 11 into Nevers left the overall standings unchanged, giving GC rivals a recovery day before the race enters its decisive Alpine stages in the third week. Young Mexican rider Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) holds the white best young rider jersey.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Green Jersey Is Pedersen’s to Lose With One Sprint Stage Left
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) leads the Tour de France points classification with just one flat sprint stage remaining, placing him as the strong favourite to claim the green jersey in Paris. Pedersen holds 319 points against Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) with 276 points, giving the Dane a lead of 43 points heading into stage 12 in Chalon-sur-Saône. Girmay closed the gap slightly on stage 11, finishing second behind Wærenskjold. With remaining stages favouring climbers in the Alps, Thursday’s stage 12 represents the final realistic opportunity for Girmay to substantially close the gap on Pedersen before Paris.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Visma Manage Illness Fears as Jorgenson Rides Masked in Week Two
Visma-Lease a Bike are managing health concerns as the Tour de France enters its second week, with Matteo Jorgenson arriving at the stage 11 start wearing a face mask and travelling separately from teammates after the team confirmed he was feeling under the weather. The American, who also crashed on stage 10, completed the stage in support of team leader Jonas Vingegaard. Vingegaard himself has worn a protective mask at recent stage starts as a precaution after battling illness during previous Grand Tours. The Dane currently trails Pogačar by 3 minutes 36 seconds in the general classification with the Alps to come.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tudor Left Without Answers for Alaphilippe’s Tour de France Struggles
Tudor Pro Cycling is without answers for Julian Alaphilippe’s difficult 2026 Tour de France, with team management left searching for reasons behind the French rider’s underperformance. The 34-year-old had targeted the Tour as a primary goal this season, even skipping the French national road championships to optimise his preparation. But a spring disrupted by illness and DNFs in the Classics, including an abandonment at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, appears to have carried over into July. Tudor’s officials have expressed cautious hope while acknowledging they cannot pinpoint the issue, with one quoted: ‘It’s as if he only has one or two rounds left.’
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
General Classification
GC Top 3 — After Stage 11
1. Pogačar — Yellow Jersey | UAE Team Emirates-XRG
2. Vingegaard — +3:36 | Visma-Lease a Bike
3. Evenepoel — +4:06 | Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
White Jersey (Best Young Rider)
Isaac del Toro — UAE Team Emirates-XRG
Points / Sprint Classifications
Green Jersey (Points)
1. Mads Pedersen — 319 pts | Lidl-Trek
2. Biniam Girmay — 276 pts | NSN Cycling
Stage 11 Winner
Søren Wærenskjold — Uno-X Mobility
Stage 12 Today: Magny-Cours → Chalon-sur-Saône (179km)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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