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Sunday, February 22, 2026
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2025 Tour de France | 2025 Giro d'Italia
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. - Benjamin Franklin
Bill & Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2020: The Tour During Covid-19, Better Late Than Never is available in both Kindle eBook and Audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- February 22: Tour des Alpes Maritimes
- February 16 - 22: UAE Tour
- February 18 - 22: Volta ao Algarve
- February 18 - 22: Vuelta a Andalucia - Ruta Ciclista del Sol
Upcoming racing:
- February 25 - March 1: Giro di Sardegna
- February 28: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
- February 28: Faun Ardèche Classic
Latest completed racing:
- February 21: Classic Var
- February 16: Clásica Jaén
- February 13 - 15: Tour de la Provence
- February 15: Clasica de Almeria
- February 13 - 14: Vuelta a la Region de Murcia
- February 7 - 11: Tour of Oman
- February 4 - 8: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
- February 4 - 8: Etoile de Bessèges
We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from stage winner and GC leader Isaac del Toro's UAE Team Emirates:
Isaac Del Toro delivered one of the defining performances of the 2026 season today, riding to a powerful solo victory on Stage 6 of the UAE Tour atop Jebel Hafeet to take the stage win and the overall race lead for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
Isaac del Toro wins UAE Tour stage six.
The 10.8 km summit finish, featuring brutal gradients averaging around 6.6 % on the iconic climb, proved decisive as Del Toro made his final attack with approximately 2.5 km to go, distancing previous leader Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) and shrinking the gap to all of his rivals en route to the top. His constant accelerations proved too much for Tiberi, leaving the Italian behind and carrying him clear to the line – a gesture of strength that also reshuffled the general classification standings.
Isaac Del Toro: “It was a mental game and I had to keep trying and believe I could win. Today we had the mentality that we could do it. At 2.5km to go I gave it everything and then it was a matter of holding it. Today is one of the best victories of my career. When you win with a team performance like this it’s something amazing and I want to thank each one of my teammates. We still have one day left to defend the lead and we will fight for every kilometre to do that here in our home race.”
Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) chased hard to finish second on the day, with Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) taking third. Del Toro’s margin over his nearest contender now sits at 20 seconds as he heads into tomorrow’s final stage in Abu Dhabi wearing the red leader’s jersey.
And here's the UAE Tour report from Luke Plapp's Team Jayco AlUla:
Luke Plapp continued his strong start to the season as he secured a superb second place atop the 1,300-metre Jebel Hafeet, jumping up to third in the overall classification at the UAE Tour.
The young Australian talent delivered a consistent performance for Team Jayco AlUla on the race’s queen stage. He held off several attacks at the start of the long climb before launching a counterattack about three kilometres from the finish with only Isaac Del Toro able to hold him off.
Another shot of Isaac del Toro finishing stage six.
As the top of Jebel Hafeet loomed, Plapp passed the race leader Antonio Tiberi and Felix Gall, who had been part of an earlier attack. On the line, he was beaten by Del Toro by just 12 seconds.
Thanks to his second-place finish, Plapp has gained two places in the general classification, and going into the seventh and final stage, is now in third place overall.
Luke Plapp:
“Today was all about just trying to take it as easy as possible and stay cool during the stage. It was quite hot out there and the boys looked after me with water and ice all day. Getting to the last climb it was all about being as patient as possible and try to pace my effort all the way to the top. In the end, it worked out perfectly. I’m super proud about my stage today and hopefully we can defend third place in the GC tomorrow.”
David McPartland (Sport Director):
“Today’s goal was to try to improve on fifth place in the GC, and we’re very happy with our race. Plappy had a fantastic ride on the Jebel Hafeet climb, and I’m really happy for him and the team, both for second place on the stage and third overall.”
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We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from fifth-place Christophe Laporte's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
Christophe Laporte sprinted to fifth place in the fourth stage of the Ruta del Sol. The 33-year-old Frenchman tried to catch his rivals off guard in the final kilometres by slipping away from the peloton, but his brave move was ultimately reeled back in. Axel Zingle also contested the sprint and finished sixth. Tom Crabbe won the stage.
Christophe Laporte at the start of stage four. Sirotti photo
The fourth stage of the Ruta del Sol featured a demanding opening phase, with three riders quickly going up the road. However, the breakaway was never given much room to shine, as the teams with a sprinter kept the race firmly under control throughout the day.
In the closing kilometres towards the finish, the Dutch team moved to the front of the peloton, just as they had done in the third stage. With six kilometres to go, Laporte launched a surprise move, riding clear together with, among others, Tim Wellens. Unfortunately, their courageous effort was brought back, leading to a bunch sprint in which Laporte finished fifth and Zingle sixth.
“We had hoped for more today,” said team director Marc Reef honestly. “The plan was to go for the sprint with Christophe, but when Wellens attacked in the finale, Christophe followed him. The guys then did a great job switching their focus to Axel, but unfortunately he hit the front a little too early. Christophe still delivered a strong sprint, but of course we would have liked to take the win.”
And here's the Ruta del Sol stage four report from Paul Penhoët's Team Groupama-FDJ United:
The final sprint could have gone better for Paul Penhoët (10th) at the end of Stage 4 of the Vuelta a Andalucia, but Groupama-FDJ United nevertheless experienced a positive day on Spanish roads this Saturday. Romain Grégoire moved up to third place overall thanks to five bonus seconds collected in the final. The Frenchman now sits in an ideal position ahead of the final stage, also the most selective one.
Heading towards Pozoblanco, the peloton was set for another bunch sprint after 166 kilometres. However, a key factor came into play on this penultimate day of racing. “We clearly wanted to target the Golden Kilometre and the three bonus sprints located fifteen kilometres from the finish,” explained William Green. “We wanted to put ourselves in position for the general classification before the last stage, so we gave full commitment from the start of the race. We controlled until a small breakaway went, and then Valentin was really incredible today. He controlled three riders on his own from the start, then Maxime came to help later in the race.”
The peloton rounds a curve in Ruta del Sol stage four. Sirotti photo
Groupama-FDJ United took full responsibility for the chase throughout the day, consistently keeping the gap under two minutes. In the final hour of racing, nervousness rose, the breakaway was caught with 25 kilometres to go, and a fierce battle for positioning unfolded ahead of the three bonus sprints. “We arrived for the Golden Kilometre, and we gave 100% with the team,” William continued. “Romain then did a super job to take five seconds in total.”
More precisely, the rider from Besançon finished second in the first sprint and won the third one before returning to the peloton. Once that key moment had passed, the bunch sprint gradually took shape, despite a late attack from Tim Wellens and Christophe Laporte. Inside the final kilometre, Paul Penhoët found himself on the wheels of Bastien Tronchon and Clément Russo, but the run-in unfortunately did not unfold smoothly for the French sprinter.
“It’s a really frustrating final,” William added. “The win looked very possible, but in the last few hundred metres it became very dangerous, and at one moment, our sprint was over.” Paul Penhoët ultimately had to settle for tenth place, without being able to launch his effort. In the general classification, Romain Grégoire now sits third, 49 seconds behind race leader Ivan Romeo. “We’re in the game,” William concluded. “The climb on the final stage suits Romain perfectly — that’s no secret. If he arrives at the finish in a small group, we’ll already have a slight advantage, which could be important. We’re very satisfied with today and we’ll give everything tomorrow. We’re still in contention for the yellow jersey, and that’s why we came here.”
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We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from stage winner Paul Magnier's Team Soudal Quick-Step:
Paul Magnier earned Soudal Quick-Step’s second victory of the season in Lagos, where the penultimate stage of the race concluded, with another great sprint that put him again in the points jersey. The 21-year-old made it a perfect week for him and the Wolfpack in Portugal – a race where the team has enjoyed more than 30 victories since 2007 – and confirmed he is in good shape ahead of the Opening Weekend.
Despite the roads between Albufeira and Lagos containing a few hills and a strong breakaway going in the beginning, it was always going to be a day for the sprinters, and our squad did a tremendous job when it came to overhauling the attackers and keeping things together in the hectic closing kilometers.
Going under the flamme rouge, Magnier had two teammates with him, and he patiently waited for the last 150 meters to open his sprint, knowing timing would be key due to the strong headwind. As soon as he launched his effort, Paul put more than a bike length into his opponents and took a comfortable victory, our fifth in Lagos.
Paul Magnier wins Volta ao Algarve stage four.
“I had again a very strong team and they did a great job, controlling the breakaway. It wasn’t easy on the finishing stretch, as everybody was still fresh at the end of this stage and things quickly became hectic, but the guys brought me in a good position and I could launch my sprint at the right moment. I’m happy with these two stage victories, it’s been a great race for us and a major confidence-boost ahead of the Classics”, said Paul, who in Algarve won multiple stages in a race for the fifth time since turning pro.
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Here's the Algarve report from third-place Oded Kogut's NSN Cycling Team:
Oded Kogut and Hugo Hofstetter recorded season-best results on stage 4 of the Volta ao Algarve on Saturday, impressively finishing third and fifth respectively after a technical and messy sprint.
Wheel-surfing and improvization were key on the approach to the finish line in Lagos, with Kogut recovering well after being blocked in with around 200 meters to go, and Hofstetter sprinting with shoes loosened following an impact with another rider.
Oded Kogut at the start of 2025 UAE Tour stage five.
“It was really chaotic and super fast – this is what I like about sprinting,” says Kogut. “On one hand, I’m happy, but I came here to win and I didn’t win, so I’m quite upset about this.
“But I’ll try to stay optimistic and build my shape toward the next races of the season. I’m also super grateful for my teammates who really helped me to keep on Magnier’s wheel all the way to the finish. So I’m happy with the team, I’m happy with my shape now for February.
Despite having loose shoes, Hofstetter tried all he could to help Kogut on the approach to the line, and managed to find enough clear air to take fifth and add to the strength of today’s result.
“I’m happy and also I wanted to do more, so I feel it’s a bit in between,” says the Frenchman.
“I tried to like to position Oded in the best possible possible – I was well-placed at 3KM to go coming into the right turn, and then in the bottom of the downhill on the second last roundabout Oded was in my wheel.
“After he passed me, I fought for his wheel, but another rider hit my shoes. I had open shoes but I managed to stay in Oded’s wheel. I wanted to pass him as I had to legs to help him with a lead-out, but it was impossible.”
Sports Director René Mandri praised Kogut and Hofstetter for how they coped with the race situation. “It was a very hectic final 3KM as the pre-final was very slow with the teams blocking the road on the narrow part. We were ready for it and well placed,” he says.
“Oded and Hugo surfed the wheels well, but eventually Oded found himself boxed in. No lead-out was possible from this situation!
“Good job by both guys – it was a good step forward for Oded.”
And here are the Algarve Tour & UAE Tour reports from Team INEOS Grenadiers:
The INEOS Grenadiers safely negotiated the penultimate stage at the Volta ao Algarve on a day which saw the sprinters battle it out.
Energy conservation, before key positioning on the run into Lagos, were the order of the day, with the team coming through the test with their trio of GC riders holding station.
Kevin Vauquelin (fourth), Thymen Arensman (fifth) and Oscar Onley (sixth) all head into Sunday's finale with the chance to elevate themselves on the leaderboard.
Thymen Arensman winning 2025 Tour de France stage 19. Sirotti photo
The team were able to move to the fore late on, taking the stress out of the final lap, before finishing safely in the peloton. Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) won his second sprint of the event, while Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) maintained the overall lead.
Saturday also brought the penultimate stage at UAE Tour, which saw Josh Tarling and Peter Øxenberg enjoy a big day out in the breakaway.
The duo formed part of a seven-man move on the flat lead into the Jebel Hafeet climb. The group held an advantage of 1:20 over a rapidly advancing peloton at the foot of the climb, with Tarling and Øxenberg quickly accelerating clear.
Josh emptied the tank in support of his teammate, but the pair would be overhauled with 6km to go. Embret Svestad-Bardseng rode his way into the elite GC group, finishing 11th on the stage.
Isaac Del Toro (UAE Emirates - XRG) won at the summit to move into a 20-second race lead. Sunday's finale looks set to provide another bunch sprint opportunity.
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary