Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, June 6, 2026
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When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become. - Louis Pasteur
Bill McGann’s book Why Your Bike Is Made in Asia: My career in bicycles as I watched two continents squander an industry is available in print, Kindle eBook & Audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- June 7: Brussels Cycling Classic
- June 7 - 14: Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- June 10: Circuit Franco-Belge
Latest completed racing:
- June 1 - 5: Ethias-Tour de Wallone
- May 8 - 31: Giro d'Italia
- May 28 - 31:
Tour of Norway - May 20 - 24: 4 Jours de Dunkerque
- May 23: Veenendaal - Veenendaal
- May 19: Classique Dunkerque
- May 17: Rund um Köln
- May 16: Tour du Finistère
- May 10: Tro-Bro Léon
- April 26 - May 3: Tour of Turkey
- April 28 - May 3: Tour de Romandie
- May 1: Eschborn-Frankfurt
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We posted the report from stage & GC winner Ben Oliver's Modern Adventure Cycling Team with the results.
Here's the report from Riley Sheehan's NSN Cycling Team:
There he stood on the podium, about to receive the flowers for finishing second overall in the Tour of Wallonie, with the purple points jersey as an added reward. It should have been the greatest moment of his career.
But Riley Sheehan wasn’t smiling. In fact, he was in pain — both physically and emotionally. His shoulder and head were still hurting from the crash that had happened just minutes earlier, but emotionally, it hurt even more. Much more.
After all, just a fraction of a second before that crash, he was on the verge of the biggest victory of his career. No — something even more impressive.
The most dramatic showdown. The most aggressive race. The race in which he had been the man from start to finish.
Riley Sheehan winning 2023 Paris-Tours.
First came Stage 1, where a cruelly timed puncture cost him victory. Then Stage 2, where he was passed in the final meters. On the third he crashed. On Stage 4, an incredible solo attack earned him the race lead, putting him atop the general classification with a three-second advantage.
But today was shaping up to be the best chapter of all. With sheer determination and aggressive racing, he had successfully defended his lead, collecting five valuable bonus seconds at intermediate sprints.
Now, heading into the final sprint with a dozen riders around him, he carried tremendous momentum. All he had to do was finish the job. Nobody was going to take it away from him.
But suddenly, from nowhere, chaos erupted. Far to his right, two riders contesting the sprint touched shoulders. One of them — Ben Oliver (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) — managed to stay upright, win the sprint, and ultimately win the race overall.
Sheehan paid the highest price. Unable to avoid Kim Heiduk (Netcompany INEOS), who crashed directly in front of him, the American slammed violently into the barriers.
To his credit, Sheehan recalled the incident later with remarkable calmness and composure:
He says: “It was quite fast. We came down this descent. I mean, if you’re coming down into a final at 80kph and there’s a sprint for bonus seconds, it’s going to be chaos. And it was. There were guys coming from every side. I was coming out of a good run on the left side.
“I had an open gap, but something must have happened on the right side, because before I knew it, I was into the barriers and had a bunch of guys on top of me. I wish I had been able to sprint at the end, but here we are.”
There is no doubt it was as cruel as cycling can be. Yet the American was determined not to let disappointment overshadow what had been an outstanding week of racing. Instead, he chose to focus on the positives.
“Everything worked great until that happened,” he adds. “The guys rode amazingly. We went for the bonus seconds, we got them, and then they set me up perfectly for the finish and what could have been a great final sprint. It came pretty close to being a great day.”
It could have been perfect. And it would have been deserved — not only for the 25-year-old, but for the entire team.
Sports Director Dror Pekatch was quick to praise his riders, adding: “I couldn’t have asked for more — not from Riley, and not from his teammates.
“For five days, I witnessed seven riders giving 101 percent of their dedication, commitment, and aggression. This is team NSN’s DNA. As for Riley, if you puncture at a crucial moment, crash twice, lose opportunities that looked like winning sprints, and still finish second overall, that says everything.
“For me, Riley was the strongest rider in Wallonie, and we were the strongest team in the race. I couldn’t be prouder.”
At the end of the day, Sheehan will need to digest it all, and he certainly started the process while licking his wounds in the bus.
He adds: “Of course, I am extremely disappointed, frustrated, and full of emotions. I was feeling extremely well, and I was confident all day, especially with the team. I am really, really proud of the team; everyone was truly exceptional, and it was pure joy to try and win with this team.
“It’s quite heartbreaking to lose a race like this. I am proud of my efforts and did everything I could in my control.
“It’s a shame that three of the five days I was thrown out of contention. I must now focus on the 95% of the race, which was really amazing from all the staff and riders, and now move on to the next races.”
Here's the update from Ben Healy's Team EF Education-EasyPost:
Formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné, the French WorldTour stage race runs June 7-14, and EF Education-EasyPost will have a strong team on show with the Tour de France less than a month away.
Now fit and healthy after the injury that kept him out of the Ardennes Classics, Ben is excited to pin on a number for the first time in almost two months, with plenty of stages that suit his style of racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Ben Healy racing in 2025 Tour de France stage 12. Sirotti photo
Ben has recently spent time at altitude with several of his teammates, and following a short break at home in Andorra, he’s ready to go.
“My training resumed pretty quickly after what would have been the Ardennes, and since then it’s been smooth sailing. Missing those races was a disappointment, but if there’s a silver lining, it’s that April was probably a better time to have my reset before building towards the Tour. I’ve not missed any prep, and I’m good to go for the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and then, of course, the Tour de France,” Ben told us before making his way to France.
Having not raced since April, Ben isn’t putting too much pressure on his shoulders. There are stages within the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes that will see him test his form and level, but there’s also a really talented and hungry squad racing alongside him, with Alex Baudin, Georg Steinhauser, Michael Leonard, Alastair MacKellar, Sean Quinn, and Max Walker on the start list.
“Always, for me it’s hard coming into a race after a block without racing, but I’ll be taking it day-by-day and seeing how I come through by the end. There are no crazy ambitions for the week ahead, so it’s also about putting me in the best possible shape for the Tour,” Ben added.
“We got a really nice team with a few of the guys already enjoying top-tens in WorldTour stage races this season. We’ve got a strong squad for the team time trial as well, and I’m really looking forward to it".
For Head Sports Director Charly Wegelius, the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a chance for the team to turn the page after some bad luck and to focus on an important new chapter in the season. Michael Valgren’s recent stage win at the Giro d’Italia has given the team a huge boost and resonated through the entire organization.
“We’re looking to see how the riders are shaping up before the Tour. We know we won’t have complete answers yet, but we’re aiming for progress and signs that the work that the riders put in during their altitude camp is on track. We want to be competitive in stages at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and there’s the TTT that’s a good rehearsal for everyone involved, given that the Tour de France starts with that discipline,” Charly said.
In terms of Ben’s chances for the race, Charly agrees that his crash and injury in April provided an opportunity to take a break from racing before the major goals that are fast approaching.
“There’s also a chance that he’s a little further along than initially planned compared to this time last year, and that’s certainly a good thing. We know that Ben is feeling good, and I wouldn’t exclude an off-day somewhere in the race, but he’ll also have more good days than he had last year. We’ll see where everyone is at after the first stage, which is unusually hard for an opening stage, but I think that the race has the potential to open up and for our riders to be successful in targeting stages. With Ben, there are several stages that look great for him; there’s plenty for him to be going for,” Charly added.
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Here's the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes update from Michael Matthews' Team Jayco AlUla:
Australian Michael Matthews will return to racing at the Tour Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes as part of a powerful Team Jayco AlUla line-up.
The 35-year-old was forced to miss the spring classics season after a training accident in March, but the 10-time Grand Tour stage winner will make his comeback to action this weekend.
Matthews will line-up alongside compatriot Luke Plapp, who heads into the eight-day stage race off the back of a training block at altitude and a third place overall at the recent Tour de Hongrie.
Michael Matthews winning the 2025 Eschborn-Frankfurt race.
The Australian outfit have assembled a strong squad with the 28.4km team time trial on stage three in mind. TT specialists Luke Durbridge and Hamish McKenzie will be key cogs in the TTT effort alongside German powerhouse Jasha Sütterlin.
Having been forced to abandon the Giro d’Italia with illness, Felix Engelhardt makes his comeback, while versatile Italian Alessandro Covi completes the team.
Team Jayco AlUla Line-Up:
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Luke Durbridge (AUS)
Felix Engelhardt (GER)
Luke Plapp (AUS)
Michael Matthews (AUS)
Hamish McKenzie (AUS)
Jasha Sütterlin (GER)
Michael Matthews:
“I’m really excited to be back racing with the boys again. It’s been a tough few months since my crash and a lot of rehab and training to get back on the start line. It hasn’t been easy, but I had the goal with the team to be back for this race and to be ready for the Tour.
"Just to be here is already big motivation for me. I’ve done a good block of training in the last weeks leading into this race, obviously racing is different but that is what I love doing. I can’t wait to pin a number on again and line up with the guys, especially in the TTT.”
Luke Plapp:
“Altitude camp with the boys went amazing. We are super motivated and excited to start this TTT project at the Tour Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes and building towards the Tour! It’s the best discipline in cycling and one that the team has a rich history in!
"Personally, I’ve really enjoyed the consistency I’ve had in stage races this year and I’m looking forward to trying to continue that in one of the biggest stage races of the year before it’s all eyes on the Tour in July!
"It’s going to be great to have Bling back racing and I’m really looking forward to teaming up with him to have a great week in France.”
Mat Hayman (Sport Director):
“We’re looking forward to our final preparation race before the Tour de Fance, and not only that, it’s a great chance to really have a go at the team’s time trial – we’ve got a great team for that.
"Also, it’s great to see Michael Matthews back racing after such a bad crash. It’s a credit to him how hard he’s worked to get back, it was a big injury and he’s put in all the rehab work and all the effort to get back in time for the Tour de France.
"Plapp has had a good run recently and he’ll be key to our TTT team and testing himself in the mountains during the week.”
2026 Tour Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes – Race Details
Sun, 7th Jun – Sun 14th Jun (8 stages total, 3x hilly, 1x TTT, 4x mountain)
Maxim Van Gils' Team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe posted this Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes news:
111 days. The fact that there are exactly three consecutive ones between Maxim Van Gils' serious crash at the Clásica Jaén and his comeback is, of course, pure coincidence. On the other hand, there is hardly a more ambitious professional than the 26-year-old Belgian, for whom the number one symbolises what he has rarely been able to show in his time at Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe so far due to many setbacks.
"It's a bit like a false start. I haven't made any progress for a year and a half," said Maxim, when he was still in the middle of rehab and the next race still seemed miles away. "It's a bit annoying, because everything used to run smoothly and you went from race to race, from training to training, without any stress. Everything went by itself, in the flow of things. Now it's a bit like running into a wall. But that's part of it."
Maxim Van Gils at the 2025 Milano-Sanremo riders' presentation ceremony. Sirotti photo
Life rarely runs in a straight line, and cycling careers are similar. Maxim knows that too. And he likes it. "I like people who have a few ups and downs. They have goals - they don't achieve them, they're a bit sad, they try again, they encounter resistance, they try again. You can see the fire in these people. And I like that."
Maxim is one of these people himself. When things aren't going well, the fire burns all the hotter. Nevertheless, the time of setbacks should be over. He is ready for new heights. When the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes starts on Sunday, he will be part of the seven-man Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe squad alongside Dani Martinez, Luke Tuckwell, Haimar Etxeberria, Gianni Vermeersch, Callum Thornley and Finn Fisher-Black.
There are certainly easier races for a comeback than the eight-day tour formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné. None of the race days are without veritable mountains, even the team time trial has 400 metres of climbing over its 28 kilometres. In other words: exactly to Maxim's taste.
"I feel good," he says now that it's only a few days until he returns to racing. He has been training on the road again since the end of March, after which he made rapid progress. "I had a really nice training camp in Sierra Nevada with the team. I think it was probably my best. Definitely my best altitude training, but maybe also my best training camp since I turned pro. I can feel that my body is ready for the competition and I'm looking forward to returning to the peloton."
Not yet at 100 per cent, but not far away
Spending time with team-mates, travelling from hotel to hotel, having good days and bad, the emotions, but above all racing, fighting for results and suffering for them - these are the things that Maxim has missed in the three and a half months of rehab and getting back into shape. Taking it easy during this time was perhaps the biggest challenge of the long break, as he says. "You have to work hard to get fit again, but at the moment you can't do that because your form is below sea level. There were days when I trained for two or hours, was completely exhausted in the afternoon and had to pray to recover by the next day," he says, giving an insight into one of the most difficult phases of his career.
But that's over now. "Now I'm back at the level I left off at, maybe even a little above it. I have a good feeling for the Dauphiné. I'm certainly not in top form yet, but we're also looking at the whole summer, not just this race. Of course it's an important one, but it's also my first. That's why it might not be 100 per cent yet, but maybe 90.
Competitive type with Tour hopes
As competitive as Maxim is, there is only one goal: "You always want to win, don't you? Of course it will be very difficult, the starting field and course are at a high level. But if I could win a stage, that would be fantastic." The high demands on himself have one main reason. "I hope that I can still recommend myself for the Tour de France squad. It would be great to be there. Especially because there aren't many other races."
In the longer-term planning, Maxim sees himself at the start of the Clásica San Sebastian and at the two Canadian WorldTour races in Quebec and Montreal, with the latter being the dress rehearsal for the World Championships at the same venue this year. After that, there are plenty of Italian classics waiting to be ridden in October. But after a 111-day break, the racing calendar can't be full enough. Especially not for a competitor like Maxim Van Gils.
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And here's the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes preview from Team Bahrain Victorious:
With the Giro d’Italia just behind us, another group of Bahrain Victorious riders are ready to take on the first stage race in preparation for the next Grand Tour, the Tour de France: the newly named Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Aside from its new identity, which pays tribute to the host region and its ongoing commitment to the event, the race remains faithful to its traditional formula. Now in its 78th edition, it will feature eight stages from Sunday, June 8, to Sunday, June 15, across a predominantly mountainous and hilly route. Covering approximately 1,200 kilometres from Vizille to Plateau de Solaison, the race offers opportunities for breakaway specialists and climbers targeting the overall classification, but sprinters can also shine.
The opening stage and the final three stages will be demanding mountain tests, while the remaining four stages include a team time trial and three hilly stages, only one of which is potentially suited to the pure sprinters.
Sports Director Michal Golaś outlined the team’s ambitions:
“This year’s route is highly demanding, but we will take advantage of our riders’ different strengths to target results on several stages. We want to approach this race as if every day were a one-day race. Almost every rider in our lineup will have an opportunity to go for a result on the stage that suits them best.
"Mohorič will certainly be one of them. Bauhaus will be our main option in a bunch sprint, while Govekar could be a strong contender if the sprint comes from a reduced group. And why not, our young Van Mechelen if a breakaway makes it all the way to the finish.
"When it comes to the mountain stages and summit finishes, our man will be Buitrago. However, he is returning to racing after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia. Although his injuries were not serious, he had to rest for a couple of weeks. We’ll see how the first few days go and how he feels toward the end of the week.
Santiago Buitrago wins the 2026 Trofeo Laigueglia. Sirotti photo
"We will also keep an eye on the general classification, especially during the final weekend, when the overall standings will be decided. With the reliability of our road captain Arndt, I’m confident the boys will work well throughout the week to support Bilbao, who will be vigilant in avoiding any time losses in the general classification.”
Like Mohorič and Van Mechelen, Pello Bilbao will also pin on a race number for the first time in more than a month. The Basque rider completed his first racing block of the season with an excellent spring campaign, highlighted by sixth place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and a strong performance at Eschborn-Frankfurt, where he narrowly missed the podium.
“I’m eager to race again. As this is my final season, I’m trying to enjoy every moment and create good memories. I’ve trained well, although a minor health issue over the last few days means I may not start this race feeling at my very best. But it’s a long week, and although we face demanding stages right from the beginning, I hope to feel better day by day as we approach the crucial final weekend.”
With four summit finishes and plenty of climbing, the race promises plenty of action in the battle for the overall classification.
The challenge begins immediately with Stage 1 (Vizille – Saint-Ismier, 146.2 km), featuring five categorised climbs and almost 3,000 metres of elevation gain.
Stage 2 (Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux – Le Puy-en-Velay) will be the longest of the race at 237.3 km. Once again, riders will face five categorised climbs, although on paper they appear less demanding than those of the opening stage.
Stage 3 features a team time trial, serving as an important rehearsal ahead of the Tour de France. The 28.4 km course starts and finishes in Perreux and includes two short climbs that could prove decisive. The route concludes with a short but steep ramp of 0.8 km at 7%, which could significantly influence the final times.
Stage 4 (Le Puy-en-Velay – Montrond-les-Bains, 167.4 km) offers a rolling route divided into two distinct sections. The opening part is highly undulating, characterised by constant ups and downs. Riders will then tackle the remaining climbs in quick succession, with little opportunity to recover, for a total of six categorised ascents. The final 30 km are entirely flat.
Stage 5 (Saint-Chamond – Parc des Oiseaux, Villars-les-Dombes, 195.8 km) represents the final genuine opportunity for the sprinters before the race heads into its decisive mountain phase.
The crucial final block begins with Stage 6 (Saint-Vulbas – Crest-Voland, 182 km), featuring nearly 3,000 metres of climbing. After a relatively flat start, the first significant difficulties arrive around the halfway mark. Approximately 23 km from the finish, riders will face the demanding combination of the Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine (11.3 km at 5.1%) and the Côte du Crest-Voland (5.9 km at 7.7%), where the finish line is located.
Stage 7 (La Bridoire – Grand Colombier, 133.6 km) may be shorter, but it packs more than 3,700 metres of elevation gain and five categorised climbs. The stage concludes with a challenging summit finish atop the Grand Colombier, climbing 8.4 km at an average gradient of 10.2%.
The race concludes with Stage 8 (Beaufort – Plateau de Solaison-Brison, 120.1 km), the ultimate showdown for the general classification. Over just 120 km, riders will tackle more than 4,000 metres of elevation gain, including two first-category climbs, one Hors Catégorie ascent, and a demanding final climb. The decisive ascent to Plateau de Solaison-Brison is 11.3 km long at an average gradient of 9.1% and is set to determine the winner of the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Here's the team's news:
UAE Team Emirates-XRG are delighted to announce the contract renewal of Nils Politt, with the German rider extending his stay with the team through to the end of 2029.
Since joining the Emirati squad, Politt has established himself as one of the team’s most important road captains and classics specialists, playing a key role across Grand Tours, Monuments and stage races while contributing to many of the team’s biggest successes.
The 32-year-old German has become renowned for his strength, versatility and selfless work for teammates, proving instrumental in support roles during Grand Tours while also delivering impressive individual performances in the Spring Classics. His palmarès includes a stage victory at the Tour de France and numerous podium finishes at cycling’s biggest one-day races, including a memorable second place at Paris-Roubaix and third at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.
Nils Politt checking out the 2025 Tour of Flanders course before the race. Sirotti photo
Politt’s extension represents another important step in UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s long-term vision, retaining one of the peloton’s most experienced and dependable riders for the years ahead.
Nils Politt: “I’m really happy to continue with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. From the first day I arrived, I felt at home here and over the last years this team has become like a second family for me. The atmosphere inside this group is something special – everyone works hard together but also enjoys being together, and that makes a big difference during a long season.
"I feel appreciated here, both as a rider and as a person, and that made this decision very easy. We’ve already achieved so much together but I still feel there is a lot more to come. I’m excited to continue this journey with the team for the next years.”