Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Friday, June 19, 2026
Grégoire Outguns a Rampaging Pogačar to Win Tour de Suisse Stage 2 From Breakaway
Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United) claimed a hard-fought stage 2 victory at the Tour de Suisse on Thursday, holding off a late charge from race leader Tadej Pogačar in Locarno. Grégoire was part of the day’s breakaway and maintained his advantage as Pogačar launched from the peloton on the steep closing climb with 9 kilometres to the finish. Marcel Camprubí finished second and Bart Lemmen third, while Pogačar’s grip on the general classification remained firm with a 2:50 lead over Richard Carapaz. The Frenchman summed up the effort after the finish, saying his team was “just full gas” throughout the demanding stage.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Longo Borghini Solos to Stage 2 Victory and GC Lead at Tour de Suisse Women
Elisa Longo Borghini soloed to victory on stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse Women on Thursday, attacking on the final climb in Locarno to seize the general classification lead from Femke de Vries, who said she “wasn’t strong enough” to match the winning acceleration. Steffi Häberlin finished second, with Marlen Reusser third. The stage also produced drama when GC rivals Reusser and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney missed a left turn with 4 kilometres remaining, costing them additional time in the general classification. Niewiadoma-Phinney confirmed the pair went the wrong way, saying when Reusser signalled the error, they had to turn back to minimise the gap.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Urška Žigart Fractures Jaw in Tour de Suisse Women Crash, Pogačar Left Shaken
Urška Žigart was taken to hospital with a fractured jaw following a crash during the opening stage of the Tour de Suisse Women. The Lidl-Trek rider came down at more than 50 kilometres per hour on an uneven road surface that destabilized several riders. Žigart received initial treatment at the finish before being transferred to hospital for further assessment. Her partner, men’s race leader Tadej Pogačar, visited her before stage 2 and appeared visibly affected. Pogačar acknowledged the situation was difficult, noting the crash was serious and that it was not easy for him ahead of his own racing. Cyclingnews reported Pogačar appeared shaken before the stage start.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cyclingnews (injury report)
Van Aert Ruled Out of Tour de France After Infected Elbow Requires Surgery
Wout van Aert has been ruled out of the Tour de France after a training crash elbow injury escalated into a serious infection requiring surgery. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider injured his elbow before the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and subsequently developed a wound infection that required medical intervention. Team head of performance Mathieu Heijboer confirmed the severity: “Intervention was necessary. Otherwise, he could have contracted sepsis.” Van Aert’s next scheduled appearance is the Vuelta a España. His absence is a significant blow to team leader Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour de France ambitions, as Van Aert had been expected to serve as a key domestique in the mountains.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Rajović Sprints to Stage 2 Victory at Tour of Slovenia After 30-Minute Neutralization
Dušan Rajović (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) sprinted to victory on stage 2 of the Tour of Slovenia on Thursday, outpowering Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in Ormž. The 181.8-kilometre stage from Radlje ob Dravi was neutralized for approximately 30 minutes after a mid-race crash required medical assistance from race doctors. Once racing resumed, the peloton continued to the sprint finish, where Rajović proved strongest. Nikiforos Arvanitou (United Shipping) completed the podium in third place. Despite finishing second, Pithie retained the overall race lead. The 2.Pro-rated event continues through June 21, with stage 3 from Maribor to Celje taking place on Friday.
Sources: Cyclingnews
Merlier Sprints to Stage 2 Victory and Race Lead at Baloise Belgium Tour
Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) sprinted to victory on stage 2 of the Baloise Belgium Tour in Knokke-Heist on Thursday, easily holding off Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) to claim the overall race lead. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) was third, caught behind Kooij’s lead-out in the final sprint. Merlier’s win came one day after losing the opening stage to Biniam Girmay (NSN) in a hotly contested bunch finish. The Belgian coastal race, rated 2.Pro, continues through the week and provides pre-Tour de France sprint preparation for riders eyeing stage opportunities in France. Girmay, winner of stage 1, remains second overall behind Merlier.
Sources: Cyclingnews
Tour de Suisse Men — GC after Stage 2
General Classification Top 3
1. Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) — Leader
2. Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) — +2:50
3. Bagioli (Lidl-Trek) — ~+2:29
Stage 2 Winner
Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United)
Race: June 17–21 · 5 stages
Tour de Suisse Women — GC after Stage 2
General Classification
1. Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) — Leader
2. Häberlin — GC gap TBC
3. Reusser — GC gap TBC
Stage 2 Winner
Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek)
Race: June 17–21 · 5 stages
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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