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Stage 21 of the Vuelta saw chaos, with the peloton calling for the stage to be neutralised in the face of safety concerns. Today's final stage was slightly different to previous years, taking place in Grenada rather than Madrid. Ned Boulting and David Millar dive into the causes for neutralisation and what that means for the race. Claiming his first ever Grand Tour victory in his home country, Enric Mas is your 2026 Vuelta a España winner! Ned Boulting and David Millar reflect on what a journey it's been for the 31 year old from Mallorca. In addition to this, Ned and David list a few of the young riders that have impressed them the most during this year's Vuelta. Plus, has David's son finally caught up to him?? Thanks for joining us throughout our daily coverage, it's been an absolute pleasure. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Absolute chaos ensued during Stage 20 of the Vuelta a España, the penultimate stage of this Grand Tour, but is it already over? Today’s route is renowned for being brutal. Taking us 186.6 kilometres from La Calahorra to Collado del Alguacil across just shy of 4900 metres of climbing, this was no easy race. The gradients are extreme. The race starts of gently, with the first climb at Puerto de Blancares only averaging a 3.7% incline, however once the riders pass on to the Alto de El Purdue, that’s when the ride gets extreme. With gradients of 9-11%, including a section at 17%, today’s stage was thrilling. Are the results already decided as we finish the Queen stage of the Vuelta? Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 20 of the Vuelta a España. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The finish line of the Vuelta a España is almost in sight as we finish Stage 19 on a hilly route from Vélez-Málaga to Peñas Blancas. Estepona. The route takes us 211km along the coast, before heading up into the hilly region, where riders face a total ascent of 4190 metres. Today proved an emotional and a nostalgic one, particularly for Eddie Dunbar, following a crash in a training camp earlier this year. What has been ten years in the making all made up for it today with a stage victory! With Enric Mas still starting the day in the red jersey, we get into what tomorrow’s Stage 20 really means for him and the rest of the riders on what promises to be a brutal stage towards the end of the Vuelta a España. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 19 of the Vuelta a España. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta a España reaches a crucial point on Stage 18 as the race turns against the clock, with 32.1km between El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez de la Frontera. With Enric Mas starting the day in red, Felix Gall in second and Primož Roglič sitting third overall, the time trial represented a huge opportunity for the Slovenian to close the gap. Roglič had historically had the advantage over Mas against the clock, but the Spaniard had more than two minutes in hand and needed to limit his losses to keep the lead. At the front of the stage, Stefan Küng produced a huge ride to set the fastest time, holding off the challenge of the other time-trial specialists. Wout van Aert had been one of the main threats to his time but faded slightly towards the finish, leaving Küng to claim a major Vuelta victory. The real drama came further down the road as the GC riders completed their rides. Roglič put significant time into Enric Mas, but not enough to take the red jersey. Mas finished just 12th fastest on the day, losing a little over half a minute to Roglič and successfully defending his overall lead. Félix Gall dropped from second to third overall, with Roglič moving into second. We get into Küng's brilliant stage win, Roglič's attempt to take control of the GC, Mas' successful defence of the red jersey and what the time trial means for the final stages of the Vuelta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Brennan's remarkable Vuelta a España debut reaches another level as he takes his fifth stage win of the race in Sevilla. Stage 17 covers 185km from Dos Hermanas to Sevilla and looks tailor-made for another bunch sprint. A two-man breakaway of Enzo Paleni and Sinuhe Fernández spends much of the day out front, but Visma-Lease a Bike and Cofidis keep the escape within reach as the kilometres tick down. There is a brief moment of tension when crosswinds create a split in the peloton, but none of the major GC contenders are caught out and the groups eventually come back together. With the break still fighting on inside the final 20km, Visma take control once again, determined to give Brennan another opportunity. Paleni is finally caught with just a few kilometres remaining, and after a flurry of late attacks, the sprinters' teams regroup for the finish. Uno-X lead the sprint, but Brennan produces another perfectly timed finish to come around Magnus Cort and hold off a late charge from Jordi Meeus. Meeus takes second, with Cort third, as Brennan becomes the first rider to win five stages on his Grand Tour debut since Fernando Gaviria in 2017. We get into Brennan's extraordinary run of victories, Visma's control of another sprint stage, the late crosswind scare and how the finale unfolded in Sevilla, while Enric Mas safely protects the red jersey ahead of tomorrow's crucial time trial. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta a España heads towards another sprint finish on Stage 16, with 181km taking the race from Cortegana to La Rábida. Most of the climbing comes in the opening half of the stage before the route flattens out, setting up another opportunity for the fast finishers. A five-man breakaway gets clear early, with Kevin Vermaerke, Valentin Madouas, Simon Dalby, Jasha Sütterlin and Roland Thalmann spending much of the day out front. But Visma-Lease a Bike keep the escape firmly under control, gradually bringing the gap down as the finish approaches. There is some late tension as the race heads towards Palos de la Frontera, with narrow roads, roundabouts and the threat of crosswinds creating plenty of nervousness in the peloton. A crash also causes a brief split, but the main sprinters make it back into position and the break is finally caught with 23km remaining. From there, it is all about the sprint. Visma take complete control of the finale, with Wout van Aert delivering a superb lead-out before Matthew Brennan launches his sprint. Nobody can come around the young Belgian, who takes his fourth stage win of the Vuelta and makes it six victories for Visma-Lease a Bike in this race. Bryan Coquard finishes second, with Vito Braet third. Ned Boulting and David Millar get into Brennan's incredible Vuelta, Visma's dominance, and a big breakdown of the Men's Lloyds Tour of Britain. 'Mûr de Ned' Hill Climb: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nsf-mur-de-ned-hill-climb-tickets-2000039132886 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta a España takes on one of its most extreme days yet as temperatures force organisers to dramatically shorten Stage 15. Originally scheduled to cover 181km from Palma del Río to Córdoba, the stage was reduced to just 110.2km under the race's high-temperature protocol, removing a huge chunk of the route and much of the day's planned climbing. Even with the reduction, the riders were facing temperatures around 40°C, with Matthew Brennan reporting conditions of up to 44°C on the opening climb. Despite the shortened route, the racing was anything but straightforward. The fight for the breakaway was fierce from the start, before the day's escape was gradually whittled down on the climbs. As the peloton fragmented, Wout van Aert launched his own move to join the front group, setting himself up for another chance at victory. Van Aert then had to survive a series of late attacks from his breakaway rivals before beating Thibau Nys in the sprint in Córdoba, with Alessandro Romele taking second. It's Van Aert's second stage win of this Vuelta and his eighth victory of the season.Behind, the GC contenders finished safely together, meaning Enric Mas retains the red jersey with the overall top 10 unchanged. We get into the extreme heat, the decision to shorten the stage, the brutal racing despite the reduced distance, Van Aert's perfectly judged finish and what was another important day for the GC battle. We also hear from Ned Boulting on the ground at Stage 5 of the Men's Lloyds Tour of Britain. Pete Kennaugh and David Millar break down Stage 15 of the Vuelta a España. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Watch out Pogačar, there’s a new Slovenian rider on the block, and his name is Jakob Omrzel! Stage 12 takes the race 16.6km from Vera to Calar Alto, taking place entirely in the province of Almeria, which is the first time the Vuelta has taken place here since 2022. Today, riders faced another mountain day, with a huge 4,568 metres of elevation gain on the route. We get into the young talent of Jakob Omrzel, Wout van Aert’s strive for both jerseys, and of course, Enric Mas’s lead in the general classification. Plus, we break down Stage 2 of the Tour of Britain thanks to Ned’s tour of hotel rooms across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire! Pete Kennaugh and Ned Boulting break down Stage 12 of the Vuelta a España. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Brennan is having a fantastic first Grand Tour. Stage 11 takes the race 153.8km from Cartagena to Lorca on a mostly flat day, with just one climb standing between the peloton and another expected bunch sprint. The breakaway gets clear early, but Visma-Lease a Bike never let them build much of an advantage, keeping the escapees firmly within reach. The only real test comes with 40km to go as the race hits the Alto de Aledo. The pace ramps up, riders are dropped, and there are a few attacks, but the main sprinters survive, setting up another showdown in Lorca. And once Visma hit the front in the closing kilometres, the outcome looks almost inevitable. Wout van Aert leads out Matthew Brennan perfectly, and the young Brit delivers again, comfortably beating Bryan Coquard to take his third stage win of the Vuelta. We get into Brennan's hat-trick, Visma's brilliant lead-out, the late climb and attacks, and why the team continues to look almost unstoppable in the sprints. And we also hear from Ned Boulting on the ground Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain. Pete Kennaugh and David Millar break down Stage 11 of the Vuelta a España. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta enters a new chapter without Tadej Pogačar, and Stage 10 produces one of the closest finishes of the race so far. The 184.7km route from Alcaraz to Elche de la Sierra was a hilly one, with several climbs packed into the second half of the stage. With Pogačar now out of the race, UAE take a different approach, while the likes of Visma and Cofidis try to control the breakaway and set up their fast finishers. The break manages to stay clear deep into the finale, but the gap is steadily squeezed down as the road gets tougher. Attacks fly in the closing kilometres, with the escape finally reduced to just a handful of riders and the peloton closing fast behind them. It comes down to a frantic finish, with Bastien Tronchon and Magnus Cort fighting to stay away. They are caught right on the line, but Tronchon has done enough to take the victory, with Cort second and Thibau Nys third. We get into a dramatic day of racing, the battle between the breakaway and the peloton, the late attacks and an absolutely nail-biting finish in Elche de la Sierra. We also take a look ahead to the Men's Tour of Britain which has some of the fastest sprinters in the world lining up tomorrow for Stage 1. Pete Kennaugh, David Millar and Ned Boulting break down Stage 10 of Vuelta a España. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tadej Pogačar is out of the Vuelta a España following a crash. Stage 9 takes the race 187.4km from La Vila Joiosa/Villajoyosa to Alte de Aitana, Costa Blanca across a mountain stage that has an elevation gain of 4,945m. With Movistar team rider Enric Mas holding the red jersey following yesterday's events, will he be able to maintain his position? The peloton face six categorised categorised climbs, with more elevation than any other stage, and a summit finish at the Alto de Aitana in this stage of the Vuelta a España. Ned Boulting and David Millar provide an update into Tadej Pogačar's injuries and also break down the latest stage of the Vuelta a España, which had a beautiful ebb and flow throughout the race. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta has turned completely on its head. Stage 8 was supposed to be a relatively straightforward 171km run from Puçol to Xeraco, but with 32km still to race, everything changed when race leader Tadej Pogačar went down hard in the middle of the peloton. Pogačar, who had held the red jersey since winning the opening time trial in Monaco, was left sitting on the road as the race doctors and UAE team staff attended to him. With deep cuts to his left shoulder and face, he eventually left the race in an ambulance with his arm in a sling, bringing his Vuelta to a sudden and dramatic end. It's Pogačar's first abandonment from a Grand Tour and his first DNF since 2023, and it completely changes the shape of the race. Enric Mas takes over as the new race leader, although the Spaniard chooses not to wear the red jersey on the podium out of respect for Pogačar. What does this mean for the Vuelta podium, and what does it mean for Pogačar’s goals of winning the big 3? Ned Boulting breaks down Stage 8 of the Vuelta a España. -------------------------------------------- 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andreas Leknessund takes his first Grand Tour stage victory in Stage 7 of the Vuelta a España Stage 7 takes the race 149.7km from Vall d’Alba to Ramón Valdelinares, over the mountains with an ascent of 12,300 ft. The route starts off reasonably gently, but after 52 kilometres, the riders approach the first of the five mountain classifications of the day. With UNO-X securing a Norwegian one-two, Andreas Leknessund wins stage 7: his first Grand Tour stage victory! Team-mate Johannessen ensures that Norwegian one-two on a day doused in mourning for Norway due to the passing of King Harald, making that victory feel particularly memorable. We get into Leknessund’s attack, stats between Brennan, Pogačar & Merckx, and Pete even manages to sneak in a Christmas mention in August! Ned Boulting and Pete Kennaugh break down Stage 7 of the Vuelta a España. -------------------------------------------- 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pogačar is making this Vuelta look very difficult for everyone else. Stage 6 takes the race 177.5km from Alcossebre to Castelló, with a punchy route that builds towards a brutal finale, including a gravel section with gradients reaching 20%. And, once again, the red jersey decides he wants to race it like a one-day Classic. With UAE driving the pace and the break beginning to disappear, Pogačar launches his attack on the final climb and quickly opens a gap over the rest of the GC contenders. He hits the gravel alone and starts pulling away, but Enric Mas refuses to let him disappear. The Spaniard produces a huge chase and eventually makes contact with Pogačar near the top. The two then work together over the final kilometres, with Mas putting himself in position to move into second overall. But there is a heart-in-mouth moment on the descent as Pogačar runs off the road after misjudging a corner, coming to a complete stop before getting back on his bike and rejoining Mas. Pogačar still has enough left to beat him in the final sprint and claim his third stage victory in just six days.  We get into Pogačar's attack, Mas' brilliant fightback, the chaos of the gravel and that near-crash on the descent, before looking at what another victory means for the GC race. Ned Boulting and Pete Kennaugh break down Stage 6 of the Vuelta a España. --------------------------------- 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Brennan is having some Grand Tour debut. Just two days after taking his first Vuelta stage win, the 21-year-old Visma rider does it again in Roquetes, producing another brilliant sprint to make it two stage victories from the first five days of his first three-week Grand Tour. Stage 5 takes the race 173.3km from Falset through the Costa Daurada and into the Terres de l'Ebre, with strong winds making for a nervous day and several splits in the bunch. Ethan Hayter finds himself on the wrong side of one of those echelons before fighting his way back into contention and eventually taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint. The finale looks set for a chaotic sprint, but Visma have Brennan perfectly positioned. Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte deliver a superb lead-out, putting Brennan in exactly the right place for the final few hundred metres. Jordi Meeus and Vincenzo Albanese come closest, but Brennan finishes the job to claim another win. We look at Brennan's remarkable start to the Vuelta, the strength of that Visma lead-out, Hayter's eventful day and what the result means for the race as Pogačar continues to hold a commanding lead in red. Ned Boulting and Pete Kennaugh breakdown Stage 5 of the Vuelta a España. --------------------------------- 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pogačar has just put some serious daylight between himself and the rest of the Vuelta field. After yesterday's stage was wiped out by the weather, the race gets straight back into the mountains in Andorra, with just 104.8km on the menu but more than 2,800 metres of climbing. And it turns into another statement ride from the world champion. Pogačar attacks on the Collada de Beixalis with the race already being blown apart behind him. He then keeps extending his advantage over the final climbs and descents, eventually arriving in Andorra la Vella completely on his own to take the stage by 2:39. Behind him, the fight for the remaining podium places is much closer, with 20-year-old Jarno Widar taking second ahead of Félix Gall. Primož Roglič finishes seventh on the stage but moves into second overall, while Enric Mas, Sepp Kuss, Oscar Onley and Richard Carapaz all remain within striking distance of the podium. We look back at Pogačar's latest show of strength, the battle behind, and what a three-minute lead this early in the Vuelta means for everyone trying to stop him. Ned Boutling and Pete Kennaugh break down Stage 4 of the Vuelta. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta heads into the mountains, but Stage 3 ends in extraordinary circumstances. The 174km route from Gruissan to Font-Romeu was set to provide the first real mountain test of the race, with the riders finishing at almost 2,000 metres above sea level. Instead, a brutal hailstorm on the final climb forces the race to be neutralised before the decision is eventually made to cancel the stage altogether. We get into the chaotic scenes as the weather closes in, riders are forced to take shelter and Tadej Pogačar plays a key role in bringing the racing to a halt. And our very own David Millar has his own story to tell, having cycled through the hailstorm to get to the race and watch the riders go by, only to get caught right in the middle of the chaos himself. Ned Boulting and Pete Kennaugh break down Stage 3 of the Vuelta. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Brennan is a Grand Tour stage winner! The 21-year-old Visma rider takes a brilliant victory in Manosque on Stage 2 of the Vuelta, winning a fast and chaotic finish after 214.3km from Monaco through the hills of Provence. Ethan Hayter made a huge bid for the red jersey, attacking out of the bunch and building a gap of more than a minute before the peloton began to bring him back. He took the six bonus seconds available at the intermediate sprint, putting himself into the virtual race lead, but the effort ultimately wasn't enough to stay clear. With Hayter caught and the pace exploding in the final kilometres, Pogačar, Van Aert and the other fast finishers all came to the fore before Brennan produced the winning sprint. We break down Brennan's victory, Hayter's aggressive attempt to take red, the frantic run-in to Manosque and the early GC picture after two days of racing. Plus, Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan join us with an update from the final stage of the Women's Tour of Britain in Royal Leamington Spa. ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tadej Pogačar takes the first red jersey of the 2026 Vuelta, but he has to work right to the line to edge out Ethan Hayter by just nine tenths of a second. We get into an incredibly tight battle at the top, Hayter's near-miss, and Pogačar's decision to throw everything at the technical final section. There's also a hugely emotional ride from Josh Tarling, who takes on the opening stage just days after the death of his younger brother Finlay, as well as early looks at the likes of Wout van Aert, João Almeida, Primož Roglič and Enric Mas. So, what can we actually read into the first day? Who has started the Vuelta in good shape, and what does that opening time trial tell us about the three weeks ahead? We also hear from Ned Boulting from the finish line of Stage 4 of the Women's Tour of Britain. Pete Kennaugh and David Millar break down Stage 1 of the Vuelta.  ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vuelta a España is almost here, and there’s no great mystery over the favourite. Tadej Pogačar arrives as the overwhelming man to beat, with the real question being who can join him on the podium. Ned Boulting, Lizzie Deignan and Pete Kennaugh look ahead to this year’s Vuelta, discussing Pogačar’s dominance, the riders who could challenge for second and third, the parcours and the stages that could shape the race. They also look ahead to the Women’s Tour of Britain, with Lizzie drawing on her own experience of racing the event, while the trio discuss the riders, route and storylines to watch this year. Who will take the remaining podium places behind Pogačar? Which stages could prove decisive? And what can we expect from this year’s Women’s Tour of Britain? All that and more on For The Love Of Cycling. ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Demi Vollering has done it! She is now a two-time Tour de France Champion after a dramatic final stage around Nice. It all came down to this. The final stage of the Tour de France Femmes was a brutal 99.2km mountain stage around Nice, featuring four ascents of the Col d’Èze and 2,100 metres of climbing, and with just eight seconds separating Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney at the start, there was everything to race for. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan are on the ground in France to dissect a dramatic final day that saw the race explode on the climbs. Zoe Bäckstedt drove the pace on the front in support of Niewiadoma-Phinney, while riders were dropped one by one as the favourites were whittled down. Marlen Reusser, sitting third overall, was eventually distanced before a crash on the descent dealt a devastating blow to her hopes of finishing on the podium. Elisa Longo Borghini took advantage, moving into third overall. Then came the final ascent of the Col d’Èze. Niewiadoma-Phinney attacked, Vollering followed, and the two went clear of the remaining contenders. Vollering then made her move, opening a gap over her closest rival before extending her advantage on the descent into Nice. Demi Vollering crossed the finish line to win the stage and, more importantly, secure her second Tour de France title, becoming the first rider to win the race twice. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 9 of the Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift delivered a dramatic finale on the road to Nice, with a long breakaway eventually caught and the GC contenders battling it out on the final climbs. Demi Vollering launched a decisive solo attack on the steep final ascent, breaking clear of Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney and Elisa Longo Borghini before holding on to win the stage by 17 seconds. The victory also saw Vollering take the Yellow Jersey, with Niewiadoma-Phinney just eight seconds behind in the overall standings — the closest top two ever heading into the final stage of the Tour. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mont Ventoux rarely disappoints, and Stage 7 was no exception. The first summit finish of this year's Tour de France Femmes delivered a thrilling battle between the race favourites, with the general classification turned on its head on the slopes of the Giant of Provence. After Demi Vollering's early acceleration reduced the lead group to just the main contenders, Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney seized her moment, attacking with 9km remaining. As Marlen Reusser and Vollering hesitated behind, the Canyon//SRAM rider steadily increased her advantage, holding her effort all the way to the summit to claim a famous stage victory. Behind her, the fight for every second continued to the line, leaving just 15 seconds separating the top two in the overall standings with two stages still to race. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan breakdown Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes 2026. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift delivered a thrilling Classics-style battle, with relentless attacks and a late breakaway deciding the stage. After an early escape was reeled in, a select group featuring Cédrine Kerbaol, Puck Pieterse and Elisa Longo Borghini forged clear before Kim Le Court-Pienaar bridged across from the Yellow Jersey group. The Mauritian champion produced a powerful long-range sprint to claim her second Tour stage victory, while Longo Borghini climbed to fourth overall. Behind, the main GC favourites finished together, allowing Marlen Reusser to retain the Yellow Jersey ahead of the race's decisive showdown on Mont Ventoux. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift delivered the first major mountain battle of the race, with relentless climbing from the start. Puck Pieterse dominated the Queen of the Mountains competition, while the general classification fight exploded on the final climbs. Demi Vollering's decisive attack on the Mont Brouilly split the favourites before she, Marlen Reusser and Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney battled all the way to Belleville-en-Beaujolais. Vollering sprinted to the stage win, while Reusser held on to the Yellow Jersey and tightened the fight for the overall lead. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift saw the riders take on a crucial 21km individual time trial from Gévrey-Chambertin to Dijon. After Sigrid Haugset's stunning solo victory the day before, all eyes were on whether she could defend the Yellow Jersey against the race's strongest time trial specialists. Marlen Reusser lived up to her status as the reigning world champion, producing a dominant ride to win the stage and take over the overall lead. Demi Vollering delivered an impressive performance to finish just 18 seconds behind Reusser, while Haugset fought hard but lost more than three minutes to surrender the race lead. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift exploded into life with attacks from the opening kilometres. Lucinda Brand was among the first to go on the offensive before a powerful 10-rider breakaway formed featuring Lotte Kopecky, Liane Lippert, Lucinda Brand and several other big names. Kopecky later launched a solo attack with 76km remaining, but it was Norwegian champion Sigrid Haugset who held the race in her hands, leading the road and putting herself in contention for both the stage victory and the Yellow Jersey. We also cover the key moments from the day, including attacks from Lippert and Adegeest, Demi Vollering's crash, Dina Boels' abandonment, and how the battle unfolded heading into the final climbs. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lorena Wiebes made it two wins from two at the Tour de France Femmes, but Stage 2 was anything but routine. The road to Geneva was animated from the outset, with repeated attacks over the climbs before Lidl-Trek threw a late tactical punch through Riejanne Markus, whose solo move asked serious questions of SD Worx-Protime. As Markus continued to dangle just ahead of the peloton deep into the finale, SD Worx were forced to commit everything to the chase, leaving Wiebes to fend for herself when the race finally came back together. It didn't matter. The yellow jersey found a gap exactly when she needed it, producing another explosive finish to beat Elisa Balsamo and Marianne Vos, strengthening her grip on the race lead in the process. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan break down Stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes. Plus, Ned meets up with David Millar to talk about one of the more surprising partnerships in cycling this year: Factor Bikes' collaboration with SpongeBob SquarePants.  _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tour de France Femmes is underway, and Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan are on the ground bringing you daily coverage the roadside. The opening stage from Lausanne to Lausanne was set to be a sprint, but the race delivered plenty of drama before the finish. A series of attacks, a reduced peloton and a technical run into the final climb put the pressure on early, with some of the biggest names in the race forced to show their cards. Lorena Wiebes proved she can do far more than just survive a tough finish, riding the final climb with the GC contenders before launching a brilliant sprint to take the first stage win and the first yellow jersey of the race. Behind her, Demi Vollering claimed third place and four valuable bonus seconds, an early reminder that every second could matter in the fight for the overall title. Ned and Lizzie break down the opening day, including the huge effort from breakaway rider Nikola Nosková, the crashes that disrupted the stage, the tactics from the major teams, and what we can already learn about the riders aiming for the podium in this year’s Tour de France Femmes. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar looks unbeatable. In this episode, David Millar and Ned Boulting give you the definitive origins story of potentially the greatest rider of all time. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ EXCLUSIVE 15% off your first SAILY purchase!  Download SAILY in your app store and use our code ‘LoveOfCycling' at checkout. Full details at ⁠⁠https://saily.com/loveofcycling⁠⁠ 🚴 ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tour de France 2026 Stage 21: Van der Poel defeats Pogačar in epic Paris finale as the Tour comes to a close The 2026 Tour de France concluded with a spectacular finish on the streets of Paris as Mathieu van der Poel edged out Tadej Pogačar after an unforgettable duel over the Montmartre climbs and onto the Champs-Élysées. With the yellow jersey already secured, Pogačar still refused to settle for a ceremonial ride into Paris, attacking once again and producing one final battle that perfectly summed up this year’s race. We break down the tactical showdown between two of the sport’s biggest stars, how Van der Poel held his nerve to claim one of the most prestigious stage victories in cycling. We also reflect on the wider story of the 2026 Tour de France as Pogačar secured a fifth overall title, putting together another remarkable three-week performance that combined outright dominance with moments of selfless teamwork, including his support of teammate Isaac Del Toro in the fight for the final podium. From breakout stars and unforgettable stages to the biggest talking points of the race, we look back on everything that made this Tour so memorable. And with the men’s race now complete, we take a look ahead to Tour de France Femmes. We preview the riders and stages to watch, the key storylines, and what you can expect from our daily coverage over the coming week. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ EXCLUSIVE 15% off your first SAILY purchase!  Download SAILY in your app store and use our code ‘LoveOfCycling' at checkout. Full details at ⁠https://saily.com/loveofcycling⁠ 🚴 ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richard Carapaz produced a stunning ride to win the Tour de France’s ultimate queen stage on Alpe d’Huez, completing a brilliant final week by taking his second victory of the race and sealing the polka-dot jersey. But the Ecuadorian’s triumph came after a dramatic finale, with Sepp Kuss looking destined for a famous stage win before crashing twice on the descent into the finish and seeing his hopes disappear. We break down a brutal day in the Alps, from the huge 5,600 metres of climbing to the battle for the breakaway, as Kuss, Carapaz, Jai Hindley and others fought for the stage victory on the final climbs. After Kuss’ heartbreak, Carapaz seized the opportunity and powered clear to claim a memorable win on one of the Tour’s most iconic climbs. Mads Pedersen once again showed his trademark panache, fighting his way into the breakaway and securing the points needed to all but seal the green jersey. The Dane’s willingness to attack even on the toughest mountain stages underlined one of the most impressive points-classification rides in recent Tour history. Behind, Tadej Pogačar swapped his usual attacking role for that of super-domestique, setting the pace on the Galibier and the final climbs to protect UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Isaac Del Toro’s third place on GC. The yellow jersey sacrificed his own ambitions of another stage win to help his teammate, creating one of the most fascinating moments of the race. We also discuss Paul Seixas’ superb ride to defend fourth place overall, the French teenager continuing to announce himself as one of cycling’s brightest future stars, while Remco Evenepoel launched a late move in search of victory and strengthened his grip on second place. Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan Breakdown Stage 20 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ EXCLUSIVE 15% off your first SAILY purchase!  Download SAILY in your app store and use our code ‘LoveOfCycling' at checkout. Full details at https://saily.com/loveofcycling 🚴 ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France delivered one of the greatest spectacles in modern cycling. A 127.9km mountain stage from Gap to Alpe d'Huez, with 3,500 metres of climbing, always promised fireworks, but what unfolded on the Tour's most iconic climb exceeded every expectation. Richard Carapaz, Lenny Martinez and Sepp Kuss looked set to fight for the stage after an elite breakaway survived deep into the final ascent. But behind them, Tadej Pogačar had other ideas. Launching a devastating attack from the GC group, he rode alone up Alpe d'Huez, hunting down the breakaway one rider at a time before attacking again inside the final kilometre to claim one of the most memorable victories of his career. He didn't just win on cycling's most famous climb, he set the fastest ever ascent of Alpe d'Huez. It was a performance that felt almost impossible to comprehend. Was this the greatest ride of Pogačar's career? Is it one of the finest individual performances the Tour de France has ever witnessed? We break down every moment of an unforgettable afternoon in the Alps. We also discuss Carapaz's remarkable back-to-back mountain raids, Lenny Martinez's outstanding ride into second place, Remco Evenepoel strengthening his grip on second overall, and how the battles for the podium and polka-dot jersey have been transformed heading into the final weekend. Carapaz's efforts also moved him into the lead of the King of the Mountains competition, setting up a thrilling fight for the jersey. Ned Boulting and David Millar Breakdown Stage 19 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal: ⁠https://nordvpn.com/loveofcycling⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌍 ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France was another huge day in the Alps, taking the riders 185.2km from Voiron to Orcières-Merlette with 3,900 metres of climbing. On paper, it looked like another day for the GC contenders—but instead, the breakaway finally had its moment. A world-class group fought all day for the stage, with Richard Carapaz, Matteo Jorgenson, Mauro Schmid, Valentin Paret-Peintre and Tobias Halland Johannessen all sensing a rare opportunity. When the attacks finally came on the final climb, it was Carapaz who made the decisive move, riding clear on the slopes to claim EF Education-EasyPost's first stage victory of the Tour after weeks of relentless attacking. Behind, the general classification battle never truly ignited, despite Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe setting a hard tempo on the final climb. Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas all crossed the line together, meaning the fight for yellow—and the battle for the remaining podium places—remains delicately poised heading into the Tour's decisive mountain stages. However, there were signs that UAE Team Emirates-XRG may not be quite as invincible as they have looked. Brendan McNulty abandoned the race through illness, Adam Yates was dropped long before the finale, and for the first time in the high mountains, Pogačar looked noticeably lighter on support. Is that simply the cost of three demanding weeks, or is there finally an opportunity for his rivals to exploit? Elsewhere, Mads Pedersen strengthened his grip on the green jersey by comfortably taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint, putting himself back in control of the points classification after Jasper Philipsen's victory the previous day. Ned Boulting and David Millar Breakdown Stage 18 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal: https://nordvpn.com/loveofcycling Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌍 ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 17 of the 2026 Tour de France looked like a day for the sprinters on paper, but the 174.7km route from Chambéry to Voiron, featuring 2,200 metres of climbing, ensured nothing was ever going to come easy. Instead, it produced one of the most chaotic and entertaining stages of this year's Tour. The breakaway split apart time and time again as riders attacked from every direction. Jasper Stuyven looked to have timed a brilliant solo move to perfection, while Mads Pedersen emptied himself in pursuit of intermediate sprint points to strengthen his grip on the green jersey. With the race exploding behind, it looked as though the attackers might stay away. But Alpecin had other ideas. Emiel Verstrynge, Edward Planckaert and, above all, Mathieu van der Poel produced one of the finest team performances of the Tour. Van der Poel chased down every dangerous move in the closing kilometres before delivering a flawless lead-out, allowing Jasper Philipsen to finally deliver on the expectation that has followed him throughout this race. When he launched his sprint, nobody came close. The result keeps the green jersey battle alive. Pedersen extended his advantage at the intermediate sprint, but Philipsen's stage victory means the points classification is still far from settled heading into the final week. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 17 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal: https://nordvpn.com/loveofcycling Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌍 ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 16 of the 2026 Tour de France brought the race's only individual time trial: 26.1km from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains, featuring a punchy parcours with 500 metres of climbing that suited the all-rounders far more than the pure specialists. Remco Evenepoel reminded everyone why he is one of the greatest time triallists of his generation, storming to victory on Belgium's National Day to claim his 26th career TT win. Tadej Pogačar limited his losses superbly to finish second, while Mattias Skjelmose produced an excellent ride for third. Paul Seixas continued his remarkable Tour with fourth, narrowly ahead of Isaac Del Toro as the battle for the white jersey edged even closer. The overall classification remains largely unchanged. Pogačar still holds a commanding lead, while Evenepoel strengthened his grip on second place, with Jonas Vingegaard now out of the race after the crash on Stage 15. Behind them, however, the fight for the final podium position between Del Toro and Seixas is becoming one of the defining battles of this Tour. The biggest moment of the day came when Florian Lipowitz crashed heavily midway through his ride, forcing him to abandon the race. His exit reshapes the top 10, promotes a host of riders up the standings, and opens the door for Yannis Voisard to move into the overall top 10. We also discuss why this wasn't a course designed for pure time trial specialists. Filippo Ganna and Josh Tarling delivered the performances many expected, but on a climbing-heavy route, they were never likely to challenge for victory against riders like Evenepoel and Pogačar. And we caught up with Pete Kennaugh at the XDS-Astana team hotel on the rest day to hear his thoughts on how the race has unfolded so far, and we tackle the burning question: Was Jonas Vingegaard’s crash a result of the doping test that woke him up in the middle of the night? Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 16 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 15 of the 2026 Tour de France was another huge day in the mountains, taking the riders 183.9km from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison with 3,950 metres of climbing. A blockbuster route produced another elite breakaway featuring Ben Healy, Tom Pidcock, Quinn Simmons, Richard Carapaz and, unusually, Adam Yates, who was sent up the road as a satellite rider for Isaac Del Toro. But none of that would become the biggest story of the day. Jonas Vingegaard crashed out of the Tour de France, bringing an abrupt end to one of cycling's greatest rivalries. His withdrawal transforms the fight for the podium, but it also raises fascinating questions about Tadej Pogačar. With his biggest rival no longer in the race, did Pogačar choonot to launch the kind of devastating attack many were expecting? Is that the greatest mark of respect he can give? And could this have been the final Tour de France of one of the defining riders of his generation? Despite the strength of the breakaway, UAE once again brought the race back together. With Del Toro and Pogačar driving the chase, the yellow jersey even sacrificed his own chances to try and deliver a stage victory for his teammate. In the end, it wasn't enough. Remco Evenepoel outsprinted Del Toro and Pogačar to take the stage, leaving us asking another question: have we ever seen the rider in yellow work so selflessly to try and win a stage for a teammate? Elsewhere, Jasper Philipsen reignited the battle for the green jersey by taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint, meaning the battle for green could go all the way. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 15 of the Tour de France. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 14 of the 2026 Tour de France was the kind of day that felt decided before the racing had even begun. A brutal mountain stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering, covering 155.3km with 3,800 metres of climbing, was always going to be a major test for the GC contenders. Before the stage, Tadej Pogačar was asked how UAE Team Emirates would approach the day. His answer was simple: "the guys know what to do." It was a quote that carried a sense of inevitability, a reminder that everyone knew what was coming, and there’s nothing they can do about it. Chapeau to Tobias Halland Johannessen and Richard Carapaz for making it as far as they could up the final climb, the Col du Haag, but they got swept up by the GC big hitters in the end. But when the decisive moments arrived, Pogačar once again showed why he is the dominant force of this Tour. When he made his move, nobody could follow, and he rode to his 25th Tour de France stage victory and his fourth win of the 2026 race. Behind him, the battle for the podium is becoming one of the most exciting stories of the Tour. Jonas Vingegaard, Paul Seixas, Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, Juan Ayuso and Isaac Del Toro are separated by small margins, and second place is looking far less secure than it did earlier in the race. We also ask what is happening at Netcompany-INEOS. A team with such a strong Tour de France history has struggled to make a significant impact this year, why have they been unable to influence the race? Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 14 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 13 of the 2026 Tour de France was a day for the breakaway, with the peloton content to let the move go on a relentlessly fast route that was raced at full gas from start to finish. Despite easing the pressure on the escapees, the speed never relented, making it one of the hardest-fought breakaway stages of the race so far. Tom Pidcock was once again one of the biggest animators of the day. On the stage's biggest climb, he drove the pace at the front of the breakaway, trying to distance Kevin Vauquelin, Tim Wellens and Brandon McNulty. He committed fully to the move, but left his attack just too late and couldn't shake his rivals before the finale. One of the biggest talking points came from behind the leading groups. Mads Pedersen spent a huge amount of energy riding on the front for Lidl-Trek to help bring back the second breakaway, protecting the team's position in the team classification despite wearing the green jersey and needing to save energy to retain it. We also analyse how the stage-winning move finally came together, assess the rides of the top three finishers, and look at how Pidcock's aggressive performance has moved him further up the general classification ahead of another crucial mountain stage. In the second half of the episode, David Millar shares his thoughts on the questions that continue to surround Tadej Pogačar and doping in modern cycling, offering his perspective as someone who has experienced the sport from both sides of its most controversial era. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 13 of the Tour de France 2026. ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

_______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music Stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France was always going to be about one thing: the sprint. The 179.1km stage from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône offered the fast men another opportunity before the race heads back into the mountains, and once again, it was Tim Merlier who came out on top. Merlier claimed his third stage victory of this year's Tour, holding off Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen after a dramatic finale that was marred by a late crash. While the general classification remained unchanged, the sprint hierarchy became even clearer: Merlier is proving to be the fastest finisher in France, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s closing in on the green jersey, which still very much remains up for grabs. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 12 of the Tour de France ______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 11 of the 2026 Tour de France looked destined to end in a routine bunch sprint, but what unfolded in the final kilometres left even Ned Boulting and David Millar almost speechless. After the sprint teams controlled the race for much of the day, the breakaway was finally reeled in inside the closing kilometres as Picnic, Alpecin, Uno-X and Astana combined to set up the expected showdown. But the finale was anything but predictable. How did it happen? Why did almost every sprinter get it wrong? And will we ever see a finish like that again? Ned and David break down one of the strangest bunch sprints the Tour has produced in years. The episode also features a special conversation with Romain Bardet, reflecting on his career, his greatest Tour de France memories, and life after retirement. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 11 of the Tour de France. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 10 of the 2026 Tour de France marked the race's return from the first rest day with a 166.6km mountain stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran on Bastille Day. Featuring nearly 3,800 metres of climbing through the Massif Central, it was always expected to test the general classification contenders and once again, Tadej Pogačar delivered exactly what everyone had been anticipating. When Pogačar attacked on the Col de Pertus, what unfolded was a narrative that we’ve all seen before, many times. Nobody could follow, and Pogačar swallowed up Richard Carapaz, who lead the race, with no problem at all. Jonas Vingegaard once again was the best of the race, but for the first time in a long time, looked very much amongst the rest. Is his nailed on 2nd place in doubt? With the likes of Remco Evenepoel and the other GC contenders closing the gap, the battle for the remaining podium places is still very much alive, even if the fight for yellow is beginning to look increasingly one-sided. With the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas fighting behind- there’s still plenty to play for. We also chat to Rob Gitelis, founder of Factor, who’s riding the entire route of the Tour de France a week early for Cure Leukaemia, as part of the Tour 21 charity challenge. Support Rob’s Tour 21 challenge for Cure Leukaemia here: https://eu.factorbikes.com/news/rob-gitelis-tour-21 Every donation is being matched by Factor, doubling your impact. Ned Boulting and David Millar breakdown Stage 10 of the Tour de France 2026. _______________________________________________________________ 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 9 of the 2026 Tour de France was tailor-made for the breakaway, with an parcours full of ups and downs that encouraged attacking racing from the very start. After a fierce battle to get up the road, a powerful group finally broke clear, and this time, the peloton didn’t see them again until the very end. The headline act was Mathieu van der Poel, who proved strongest in the finale to claim the stage victory after spending the day in the break. Tom Pidcock was also among the race's biggest protagonists, riding aggressively throughout the stage and contributing heavily to the move, but ultimately falling short when it mattered most. Behind them, UAE Team Emirates and INEOS Grenadiers both spent long periods driving the peloton, seemingly weighing up whether to bring the escapees back. In the end, both teams eased off, accepting that the stage wasn't worth the effort, and the breakaway survived all the way to the finish. Away from the stage itself, Ned Boulting and David Millar discuss Primož Roglič's confirmed departure from Red Bull, where he ranks among the greatest riders of his generation, and what the move could mean for the final chapter of his career. The episode also features one of David's favourite stories from his racing days, as he reflects on the toughest day he ever endured on the bike, a ride that has largely gone under the radar despite leaving a lasting mark on his memory. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 9 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France took the peloton 180.4km through the Dordogne, from Périgueux to Bergerac, for another day that was always expected to end in a bunch sprint. After a relatively controlled stage, the sprint teams took charge in the closing kilometres before Tim Merlier once again proved he's the fastest finisher at this year's Tour. Biniam Girmay chased him home in second, with Olav Kooij taking third, while Jasper Philipsen could only manage fourth despite receiving the leadout help he needed. The result leaves the battle for the green jersey finely poised. With Merlier, Pedersen, Girmay, Philipsen and Kooij all taking points from one another, is the points classification becoming the most unpredictable competition of this year's Tour? Away from the racing, David Millar and Ned Boulting also discuss David's recent interview with L'Équipe, where they asked him: Is Tadej Pogacar ruining cycling? Is he clean? Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 8 of the Tour de France and more. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sprinters were back in the spotlight on Stage 7 of the 2026 Tour de France, with a flat run into Bordeaux offering another nailed-on bunch sprint. After a controlled day in the peloton, the sprint teams took charge exactly as expected, delivering another high-speed finish in one of cycling's most famous sprinting destinations. When the lead-out trains peeled away, it was Tim Merlier who once again proved he's the fastest finisher in the race, timing his sprint to perfection to take victory. But while Merlier continues to impress, the questions are beginning to grow around Jasper Philipsen. Has he simply been beaten by a faster rider, or is there something missing from the sprinter who once dominated finishes like these? Away from the sprint, Ned and David also revisit the fallout from Stage 6, discussing the tension between Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz on the Tourmalet, the questions over why they weren't working together, and whether that decision ultimately cost them valuable time. The episode also includes a reflection on Mark Cavendish's extraordinary Tour de France career, with Ned and David sharing their own personal experiences of covering and racing alongside him, what made him such a dominant force, and whether cycling will ever see another sprinter control the Tour in the way Cavendish once did. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 6 of the 2026 Tour de France took the riders over the Col du Tourmalet, the climb that has featured more times than any other in the history of the race, and for good reason - it delivers days like this. As the Tour's first major mountain stage, it was always likely to shape the general classification, and it did exactly that. Torstein Træen started the day with a lead of almost eight minutes, but there was never any real doubt that Tadej Pogačar had his sights set on the stage and the maillot jaune. Isaac Del Toro set a blistering pace while he could, but it wasn’t long before Pogačar launched his trademark acceleration, even if this time it was earlier than usual. One by one, the competition cracked. Jonas Vingegaard was the only rider able to respond initially, but even he eventually let the gap grow to 30 seconds over the summit and more than a minute by the end of the descent. Pogačar wasn't finished there. He attacked the descent with the same aggression, extending his advantage all the way to the finish to take the stage, reclaim the yellow jersey, and put more than 2 minutes 30 seconds into his biggest rival and the rest. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 6 of the Tour de France 2026 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sprinters finally got their chance to make their mark on the 2026 Tour de France, and after a long day on the roads of southern France, the fastest men in the world delivered exactly the spectacle everyone was anticipating. The one rider determined to delay the inevitable was Baptiste Veistroffer, who spent almost the entire stage riding solo off the front of the race. His brave breakaway finally came to an end with just 14km remaining, as the sprint teams took complete control and lined up for a frantic finish. What followed was classic Tour de France chaos. High speeds, nervous positioning, crashes and near misses turned the final kilometres into a battle of survival before the fastest man in the race powered through the carnage to claim the stage victory. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 5 of the Tour de France 2026. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 4 of the 2026 Tour de France was always expected to be a day for the breakaway, and that's exactly how it unfolded. A 34-rider move escaped early and stayed clear, setting up a fascinating tactical battle between some of the strongest breakaway riders in the race. Biniam Girmay bested rivals Jasper Philipsen and Mads Pedersen to the intermittent sprint points and then sat up. He was never interested in the stage, but Lidl-Trek were the team of the day. Mads Pedersen, Quinn Simmons and their teammates were in complete control. It was inevitable that one of them would take the stage. While Lidl-Trek celebrated the stage victory, the yellow jersey also changed hands as another rider moved into the overall race lead. Tadej Pogacar was clearly happy to allow this. Ned Boulting and David Millar breakdown the action 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France saw the race cross the Spanish border into France for the first time, with a 195.9km route from Granollers to Les Angles. Now the race really begins. On paper, it wasn’t expected to be a decisive GC stage, but that’s becoming increasingly rare in the modern peloton, and once the road pitched upwards, the biggest names were right at the front. UAE Team Emirates produced a tactical masterclass in the finale. Isaac Del Toro emptied the tank with a huge pull on the final climb before Tadej Pogačar launched to take the stage victory, the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard, and the first real psychological blow of this year’s Tour. Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 3 of the Tour de France 2026 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barcelona delivered another brilliant day of racing as Stage 2 of the 2026 Tour de France finished in the Catalan capital for the second day running. The race exploded on the final climbs, with all of the biggest favourites battling it out at the front. But when victory was within reach, Tadej Pogačar chose not to sprint for himself, instead allowing a teammate to take one of the biggest wins of his career. Ned Boulting, Lizzie Deignan and David Millar breakdown Stage 2. 🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music _______________________________________________________________ 🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.  Find out more at: ⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠ _______________________________________________________________ 🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices