Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
We could have saved the Earth but we were too damned cheap. - Kurt Vonnegut
Bill & Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2021: The Little Cannibal Dominates is available in both Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- June 7 - 14: Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Upcoming racing:
- June 14: Copenhagen Sprint
- June 14: GP Gippingen/Canton Aargau
- June 17 - 21: Tour de Suisse
- June 17 - 21: Baloise Belgium Tour
Latest completed racing:
- June 10: Circuit Franco-Belge
- June 7: Brussels Cycling Classic
- 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
Content continues below the ads
We posted the race organizer's report with the results.
Here's the report from stage winner Maxim Van Gils' Team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe:
Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe delivered a standout performance on stage 6 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with Maxim Van Gils taking victory on the summit finish in Crest-Voland and teammate Luke Tuckwell moving into the overall race lead.
Maxim Van Gils wins stage six. Sirotti photo
The first of three consecutive tough stages covered 182 kilometres from Saint-Vulbas to Crest-Voland and was shaped by a huge early breakaway. After only a few kilometres, a large group went clear, with Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe represented by Van Gils, Tuckwell, Gianni Vermeersch and Callum Thornley.
Tuckwell, who began the day 1:03 minutes down on race leader Alex Baudin, was the best-placed rider in the move on GC. The breakaway built a strong advantage, which grew to almost five minutes before the final two category 1 climbs.
On the Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine, the front group was reduced to around 20 riders, but Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe continued to drive the move and keep the opportunity alive. On the final climb to Crest-Voland, Van Gils managed to become part of a new leading group. Tuckwell then bridged across with 2.5 kilometres remaining and took over the work on the front, helping to set up the finale for his Belgian teammate while also riding himself into the virtual race lead.
A trio contested the finale, with Johannessen opening the sprint inside the last 250 metres, but Van Gils came past to take a commanding victory, his second win of the season. Tuckwell crossed the line six seconds later in third place, securing the yellow jersey.
“That is one of the most beautiful days of my career,” Van Gils said after the finish. “I think everyone saw my crash. Afterwards, I always stayed positive and kept training hard. To win here at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in the Dauphiné region. I love it here, and my girlfriend is from here. Today we rode on many roads where I train. I am very happy.”
For Tuckwell, the result marked one of the biggest moments of his young career. The 21-year-old Australian took over the overall lead by 1:12 minutes, while also moving into the white jersey as best young rider.
“It is my first year as a pro. I just have to enjoy it,” Tuckwell said. “I came into the race without big goals and just wanted to have fun. My sports director told me to enjoy it and try something. When something like this happens, it is a great opportunity. I will enjoy it now and then see what I can do in the next days.”
Here's the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes stage six report from fourth-place Pablo Torres' UAE Team Emirates-XRG:
Pablo Torres continued his solid return to competition with a strong fourth-place finish on Stage 6 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, while team leader Isaac Del Toro remained firmly in the general classification fight after the first real mountain test of the race.
Pablo Torres finishes fourth. Sirotti photo
The first major Alpine test of the race was won by Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull Bora hansgrohe) and proved to be one of the most decisive stages so far. A large breakaway of more than 50 riders established itself early in the day, with the peloton ultimately allowing the move to contest both the stage victory and a significant portion of the overall classification. As a result, the race was transformed on the long climb to Crest-Voland, where the strongest riders from the break battled for victory while the GC contenders fought behind.
Torres showed good awareness throughout the stage, and he was joined in the break by his French compatriot Benoit Cosnefroy. The 20-year-old Spaniard crossed the line in fourth place after a measured ride on the decisive climb, continuing an encouraging comeback following his knee surgery earlier this season.
Pablo Torres: “The legs felt good but it was a really hard and long stage. I was able to follow the best riders until the end but just suffered a bit at the line. I wasn’t able to take the win but I’m really happy with my performance. It was a huge breakaway, it felt almost like a peloton. The speed was so high all day. I’m happy as I didn’t expect to be so strong so early after coming back to racing. I’m excited to do a good job here and for the next races.”
The result marks another significant milestone for Torres, who only recently returned to racing after several months away from competition. Having spent much of the spring rehabilitating his knee injury, the young Spaniard has quickly demonstrated that he is rediscovering the form that made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in the peloton.
Meanwhile, behind the stage battle, Isaac Del Toro delivered another mature performance in the general classification group. The Mexican worked with other pre-race favourite Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) despite the upheaval caused by the large breakaway.
Del Toro now remains well positioned in 10th spot on GC, 3’22” behind race leader Luke Tuckwell (Red Bul Bora hansgrohe) heading into the decisive final stages, with the race still set to be decided in the mountains over the coming days.
Content continues below the ads
Here's the report from Clément Braz Afonso's Team Groupama-FDJ-United:
It was all about attacking! On the first mountain stage of the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes this Friday, the Groupama-FDJ United Cycling Team adopted a very aggressive approach. Following a frantic start, Maxime Decomble, Quentin Pacher, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet and Clément Braz Afonso all made it into a sixty-rider breakaway. The latter took the opportunity to collect additional points in the mountains classification, further consolidating his jersey, while also securing the team’s best result on the day with ninth place. His leader crossed the line in fifteenth position and, more importantly, climbed to third overall ahead of a tough weekend in the mountains.
Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet before the start of stage four. Sirotti photo
As a prelude to what promises to be a particularly demanding weekend at the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes, Friday’s sixth stage featured 3,000 metres of elevation gain. The first climbs came around the midway point of the race, before riders tackled two more ascents in the final, leading to the finish in Crest-Voland (6 km at 7.5%). For many, it was the last real opportunity for the attackers. As a result, an unusual scenario unfolded in the opening kilometres.
“We had decided to race aggressively and try to get into the breakaway because it looked like it could go all the way,” explained Thierry Bricaud. “Almost everyone was free to go up the road today, except Clément Berthet, who needed to stay with the favourites. We had to be opportunistic and wanted several riders in the move because we knew it could be a large group.” The gap between theory and reality proved minimal. After less than ten kilometres, a group of sixty riders did “break away” from the peloton. “It doesn’t happen often, but it can,” smiled Thierry. “We were very well represented with four riders, and then we had a rather crazy stage because of the different interests at play.”
At the front of the race, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet, polka-dot jersey holder Clément Braz Afonso, Maxime Decomble and Quentin Pacher were all part of the move, whose advantage quickly grew to two minutes. “Initially, Maxime did a lot of work in the breakaway,” Thierry continued. “He was dropped on the Col du Granier midway through the stage, and then we mostly stayed in the wheels until the foot of the final climbs. It was full gas all day long, and on top of that we had a favorable wind.”
More importantly, during the final hour of racing, the breakaway managed to gain a decisive advantage over the peloton, gradually extending its lead beyond four minutes. “Some teams rode very hard in the valleys,” said Clément. “They kept the pace extremely high, which allowed us to stay away until the finish. Personally, I’m quite happy with how the day unfolded. We didn’t have to spend too much energy before the final, and I was able to take mountain points without anyone contesting them.” After getting at the top of the first two classified climbs in first place, Clément Braz Afonso also claimed the points atop the Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine (11.5 km at 5%), the first climb of the final sequence. By the summit, only around twenty riders remained at the head of the race, including him and Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet.
Following a short descent, the riders tackled the last climb, where the decisive move came almost immediately. “We knew the stage win would come from the breakaway, but we also knew there were some very strong riders there, such as Van Gils and Johannessen,” Thierry explained. Four men broke clear, and the two Groupama-FDJ United riders were unable to follow. “We were hoping Guillaume could fight for the stage win, but unfortunately he wasn’t feeling quite as good in the final, so I played my own card,” said Clément, who finished ninth on the day, thirty-three seconds behind stage winner Maxim Van Gils.
His teammate from Normandy crossed the line in fifteenth place around thirty seconds later. “We were just missing a little something, but the riders were in the mix, and that’s what matters most,” added Thierry. “It also allows Guillaume to move up to third overall. We’re continuing our positive momentum.” “It’s been a great day for us overall,” confirmed Clément, who obviously strengthened his lead in the mountains classification. The team also retained its lead in the team standings despite the withdrawal of Kevin Geniets, who fell ill Thursday evening. Attention now turns to the two toughest stages of the race, beginning on Saturday with the summit finish atop Grand Colombier.
GC second-place Bruno Armirail's Team Visma | Lease a Bike posted this report:
Team Visma | Lease a Bike was prominently involved in stage six of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In the first real mountain stage, Bruno Armirail, Per Strand Hagenes, and Edoardo Affini animated the race by joining the early breakaway. Matteo Jorgenson held his own impressively among the favorites, maintaining his strong fourth place in the general classification. Armirail capped off his strong performance in the break with a fourteenth-place finish and moved up to second place overall. Maxim Van Gils ultimately crossed the finish line first in Crest-Voland.
The 182.3-kilometer stage from Saint-Vulbas to Crest-Voland marked the beginning of a demanding weekend. After a relatively flat opening section, the riders faced nearly 3,000 meters of climbing, with a challenging finale featuring two consecutive climbs that completely opened up the race. Wout van Aert did not start the stage following his victory yesterday. He is still experiencing significant discomfort in his elbow after his crash last week.
Bruno Armirail racing in pink in stage 16 of the 2023 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
From the very first kilometers, Team Visma | Lease a Bike was represented in the attack. Armirail, Hagenes, and Affini were part of a large breakaway group that managed to build a substantial advantage. As the race progressed over the final climbs, the battle for the stage victory intensified, but the riders continued to fight against the advancing favorites. “It was very good for us that Bruno, Per, and Edoardo were up the road,” Jorgenson said afterward. “Because of that, the other teams had to sacrifice more riders and spend more energy throughout the stage.”
The pace in the favorites’ group increased steadily on the final climbs. Jorgenson managed to stay with the best climbers in the peloton for a long time, delivering an important performance in the battle for the general classification. “It was crazy right from the start,” the American reflected. “I saw that group ride away and immediately knew it was going to be a tough day. At the beginning of the climb, I tried to hang on for as long as possible because the pace was incredibly high. I’m already looking forward to the next two days.”
Up front, Armirail continued to resist the charging favorites impressively. The Frenchman rounded off his strong day in the breakaway with fourteenth place on the stage and, thanks to that performance, moved up to second place in the general classification.
With Armirail now second overall and Jorgenson in fourth place, Team Visma | Lease a Bike heads into the decisive final weekend of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in an excellent position.
Content continues below the ads
Points classification leader Nadav Raisberg's NSN Cycling Team posted this report:
It does not matter how you score the points as long as you claim them, which is what Nadav Raisberg proved at the Tour Auvergne – Rhone-Alpes on Friday.
Raisberg extended his lead in the points classification to 16 with two stages remaining after winning the intermediate sprint on stage six from a 60-rider breakaway.
This was the fourth time in five road stages this week that he took maximum points at the day’s prime.
Nadav Raisberg in 2025.
“I was super focused at the beginning of the stage,” he says. “There was a big split in the peloton, almost from KM0, and I was at the front so I found myself in it.
“It was a good day for me to win the intermediate sprint.”
The Israeli sits on 62 points, with nearest rival – Raúl García Pierna (MOV) – on 46. With two category one climbs lying between the sprint and today’s finish line at Crest-Voland, Raisberg sensibly dropped out of the breakaway for the final 105 kilometers of stage six.
A maximum of 50 points remain on offer in the race’s final two stages.
Here's the report from Kévin Vauquelin's Team Netcompany INEOS:
Carlos Rodriguez and Kévin Vauquelin brought Netcompany INEOS home on a tough stage six of Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes as Maxim van Gils (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe) won the stage from the breakaway.
The duo lost time to their near rivals in a tumultuous mountain stage which was marred by crashes involving Oscar Onley and Josh Tarling, with the latter forced to abandon the race.
Van Gils won the stage from a large breakaway which the peloton was unable to reel in, with teammate Luke Tuckwell taking the race lead. The GC group behind splintered on the final climb with Rodriguez (now 20th overall) and Vauquelin (now 15th) crossing the line as part of chase groups.
Earlier, Dorian Godon and Tarling had escaped the bunch as part of a 60-strong group would go on to take the stage victory. The Netcompany INEOS duo helped the break extend its lead, until Tarling suffered a crash on the ascent of the Côte de Châtelard which would end his race.
Dorian Godon descending in stage five. Sirotti photo
Godon remained in the break until coming back to help his teammates position our GC riders ahead of the final pair of category one climbs. Good work on the flat to lead into the penultimate ascent by Sam Watson helped the team to the fore, with Laurens De Plus then hitting the front to set a strong tempo with Lidl-Trek to help bridge the gap of nearly five minutes to the break.
Rodriguez was then attentive to counter an attack from Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quickstep) on Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine which allowed Onley and Vauquelin to remain in the dwindling bunch.
However, Onley crashed on the descent heading to the final climb, but was able to continue after being assessed by the race doctor, riding at his own pace to the finish.
The GC group then splintered as the road went up again to Crest-Voland, with Vauquelin and Rodriguez battling to limit losses ahead of further mountain tests this weekend.
And here's the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes report from Team Soudal Quick-Step:
Our squad animated the stage from both the breakaway and the bunch.
Stage six, from Saint-Vulbas to Crest-Voland, was set to be a big day for the GC men, with a pair of first-category climbs stacked in the final 20 kilometers. Racing kicked off fully the moment the flag was dropped, and to the surprise of many, the peloton split just a few kilometers into the stage, leaving a massive 60-man group up the road. With a few exceptions, all teams were represented there, including Soudal Quick-Step, who had Ethan Hayter, Pepijn Reinderink, Martin Svrcek and Mauri Vansevenant.
The opening hour of the race was a fast one, and the breakaway managed to build a comfortable gap of almost five minutes by the time they took on the penultimate climb, which put them in a good position to fight for the stage victory, despite the fact that several squads were leading the chase. Many were expecting a move from the yellow jersey favorites on Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine, but instead it was Valentin Paret-Peintre who attacked one kilometer from the top, surging clear from the bunch and linking up with Reinderink and Vansevenant, who helped him build a 15-second gap over the depleted field.
Valentin Paret-Peintre signs autographs before the start of stage five. Sirotti photo
Paret-Peintre enjoyed held onto that margin until the final ascent, where the GC condensers attacked and caught him, setting out in pursuit of the remaining riders in the front group. The gap separating them proved to be too big, shaking up the overall standings in a way that nobody envisioned before the stage - that was eventually won by Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) - and this will make the final two stages of the race, which Valentin Paret-Peintre will start as the team’s best-placed rider, even more interesting.