Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Visma–Lease a Bike Wins Tour de France Opening Team Time Trial as Vingegaard Claims Yellow Jersey
Visma–Lease a Bike won the opening stage of the 2026 Tour de France, a team time trial in Barcelona, finishing 7.33 seconds ahead of Netcompany Ineos to hand Jonas Vingegaard the yellow jersey. The Ineos squad was hampered when Kevin Vauquelin punctured seven kilometres from the finish, disrupting their closing effort. Filippo Ganna recorded the fastest individual split of the stage. In the general classification, Vingegaard leads at 21:47, with Ganna 0:08 behind and Tadej Pogačar at 0:12. Wout van Aert was absent from the Visma roster due to illness.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
‘Now I Feel I Can Close This Chapter’ — Vingegaard Hails Yellow Jersey as Dream Come True After Two Tough Years
Jonas Vingegaard declared wearing the Tour de France yellow jersey “a dream come true” following Visma–Lease a Bike’s Stage 1 team time trial victory in Barcelona on July 4. The Danish rider told media: “Now I feel I can close this chapter” — a reference to two tough years of racing. Cycling Weekly reported on Vingegaard’s emotional reaction to reclaiming yellow at the race’s opening stage in Barcelona. He leads the 2026 Tour de France general classification at 21:47, with Filippo Ganna 0:08 behind him and Tadej Pogačar at 0:12.
Sources: Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
French One-Two in Men’s XCC Short Track at La Thuile; Rissveds Takes Women’s Honours
Axell Boichis of France claimed victory in the men’s XCC short-track race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in La Thuile, Aosta Valley, Italy on July 3, with compatriot Scott Martin in second place to give France a one-two result. British rider Charlie Aldridge was taken out of contention after a touch of wheels with his own teammate. In the women’s XCC race, Jenny Rissveds of Sweden won ahead of Jolanda Frei. Both results were reported by Cyclingnews from the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round in northern Italy.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Maryland Cycling Classic Cancelled for Third Time, Leaving Hole on North American UCI Calendar Before Montreal Worlds
The Maryland Cycling Classic has been cancelled for a third time in its six-year history, with its September 6 one-day race removed from the UCI calendar in North America. The men’s event was the only ProTour race on the US calendar this season. The cancellation is a particular blow to women’s racing in the region, as the women’s race, making its second appearance, has also been cancelled. John Kelly, former chairman from 2022 to 2025, and KOM Sports Marketing president Steve Brunner are working to reboot both races for 2027. The 2025 races drew an estimated 85,000 spectators and generated $11 million in economic impact.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ben O’Connor Rumoured to Be Rejoining Decathlon CMA CGM for 2027 Season
According to a report in L’Équipe, Ben O’Connor is set to return to Decathlon CMA CGM for the 2027 season, with the Australian rider said to be replacing Felix Gall, who is reportedly heading to Lidl-Trek. Cyclingnews reported that Decathlon CEO Vincent Serieys declined to comment on the transfer rumour. The reported move would be a return to the team for O’Connor. He won a stage of the 2025 Tour de France, crossing the summit of the Col de la Loze in the Alps. At the 2026 Giro d’Italia, O’Connor finished 16th overall, with illness disrupting his race.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
French Regions Authorised to Cancel Tour de France Stages in Extreme Heatwave Conditions
French Interior Minister Nuñez has issued guidelines to regional prefects authorising them to cancel Tour de France stages if extreme heatwaves threaten rider safety. Cyclingnews reported the protocol, which aligns with UCI rules: a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reading at or above 28°C puts the race in a red zone, triggering the UCI High Temperature Protocol. Race organiser ASO is conducting hourly weather monitoring along each stage route. The Tour’s publicity caravan is distributing 2.5 million hats, 550,000 cans of water, and 400,000 litres of water to spectators along the route.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Egan Bernal Makes Late Tour de France Selection in Surprise Swap for Netcompany Ineos
Former Tour de France winner Egan Bernal has been added to Netcompany Ineos’s 2026 Tour de France squad as a late selection after the team lost Oscar Onley to injury at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and chose not to include Carlos Rodriguez. Bernal, 29, described the call-up as “a bit of a surprise,” saying he had been preparing for the Vuelta a España. He will not aim for GC, targeting stage wins at his sixth Tour de France. Bernal finished 10th at the 2026 Giro d’Italia. He told reporters: “The Tour is the Tour, they give it high priority. I felt good, and they brought me here.”
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tour de France 2026 — GC After Stage 1
Stage 1 TTT Winner
Visma–Lease a Bike (21:47)
General Classification — Top 3
1. Jonas Vingegaard — 21:47 | Visma–Lease a Bike
2. Filippo Ganna — +0:08 | Netcompany Ineos
3. Tadej Pogačar — +0:12 | UAE Team Emirates-XRG
Stage 2 & MTB Results
Stage 2 (Today, July 5)
Tarragona → Barcelona — Results pending
UCI MTB World Cup La Thuile — July 3
Men XCC: Boichis & Martin (FRA 1–2)
Women XCC: Rissveds (SWE)
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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