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Tour de France 2016

Tour de France 2016 news: Greipel wins Stage Twenty-One, Hosking wins La Course

24th July 2016

André Greipel, by Nicola, Licence CC BY-SA 4.0

André Greipel won Stage 21 on the Champs-Elysées today, coming round Alexander Kristoff, to cross the line first. Froome finished safely, to confirm his overall win. Earlier, Chloe Hosking won the women's race, La Course. Read about Greipel wins Stage 21, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 1, Tour de France 2016: Mont St-Michel to Utah Beach

The Tour de France 2016 gets under way with a Grand Départ in the French département of La Manche. Mont Saint-Michel will provide a stunning backdrop to the start of Stage 1, and the riders will travel 188km to Utah Beach (Sainte Marie du Mont), historically significant as one of the Normandy landings beaches. The stage is flat, but may be affected by coastal crosswinds, and should result in a bunch sprint. Read about Stage 1, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 2, Tour de France 2016: St-Lô to Cherbourg

Cherbourg Ferry Terminal, by Alexandre Chassignon, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 2 starts in St-Lô, and makes its way through the Normandy countryside, known as the bocage Normand. Villages along the way include Hambye, Montpinchon, and the town of Coutances. The second part of the stage is alongside dunes on the Channel coast, through St-Germain-sur-Ay, Portbail, Barneville-Carteret, and Les Pieux. The climax of the race is at Cherbourg: after visiting the port, the riders must tackle a 3km, 14% gradient, climb of la Glacerie to the finish line. This could suit a puncheur, rather than an out-and-out sprinter, and it's not out of the question that there could be some time gaps amongst the GC contenders. Read about Stage 2, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 3, Tour de France 2016: Granville to Angers

Angers, by Phil Long, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Stage 3 starts in Granville, and heads east to Villedieu-les-Poêles. In a test of my keyboard skills, it then turns south on the D999 to another town which has a funny accent over the 'e', Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët. After Louvigné-du-Désert, it goes through Fougères, then Vitré and Argentré-du-Plessis. It'll give a nod to former Tour de France riders by passing through Ballots and Renazé, then continue to Segré. The approach to Angers is via la Pouëze, St-Clément-de-la-Place, and la Meignanne, and the stage is likely to finish with a bunch sprint to the line in front of the Town Hall in Angers. Read about Stage 3, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 4, Tour de France 2016: Saumur to Limoges

Overlooking Saumur, by Neil & Cathy Carey, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 4 starts in Saumur and goes south to Montreuil-Bellay, les Trois-Moutiers, Loudun, Châtellerault, Saint-Savin, and Montmorillon. It then passes from the Vienne département to the Haute Vienne, going through le Dorat (where there's an intermediate sprint), and becoming more hilly as it nears Limoges. At 232km, this is the longest stage of the 2016 Tour. There are two categorised climbs towards the end of the stage, but overall, it's flat enough to be likely to end in another sprint, in front of the Town Hall in Limoges. Read about Stage 4, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 5, Tour de France 2016: Limoges to le Lioran

Téléphérique le Lioran, by Sylvain Naudin, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 5 is the first mountain stage of the 2016 Tour de France. It leaves Limoges, and heads south east into the Massif Central - first the Millevaches Limousin area, then the Volcans d'Auvergne. Early in the stage, it goes through Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, home town of Raymond Poulidor. There's a sprint at Mauriac, then most of the climbing comes towards the end of this 216km stage - with the Col de Neronne, the Pas de Peyrol, the Col du Perthus, and the Col de Font de Cère, before the last 3km downhill to the village and ski resort of le Lioran. Read about Stage 5, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 6, Tour de France 2016: Arpajon-sur-Cère to Montauban

Montauban, by roberta, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Stage 6 is classified flat, although there are three short climbs. It goes south west from Arpajon-sur-Cère to join the river Lot at la Vieillevie, and continues to Flagnac. The first climb, the Col des Estaques, takes the race away from the Lot, and into the coal-mining country of Decazeville and Aubin. The next climb is out of Aubin towards the intermediate sprint at Montbazens. The riders then go to the historic ville bastide of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, and on to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the Aveyron gorges. The final climb is out of Saint-Antonin, then it's a fast run-in via Montricoux and Nègrepelisse to a probable sprint finish in Montauban. Read about Stage 6, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 7, Tour de France 2016: l'Isle Jourdain to Lac de Payolle

Col d'Aspin, by Tourisme Grand Tourmalet, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Stage 7 takes the riders to the Pyrenees, and includes a 12km climb of the Col d'Aspin, before a 7km descent to the finish at Lac de Payolle. This is classified as a mountain stage. Earlier in the day, the riders take a rolling route through villages on the Plateau de Lannemezan. There's a 4th Category climb of the Côte de Capvern, then a sprint at Sarrancolin. It's the Col d'Aspin, though, which could split the field, and the final descent might be significant too, in determining the stage winner, and affecting the General Classification. Read about Stage 7, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 8, Tour de France 2016: Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon

Col du Tourmalet, by Tourisme Grand Tourmalet, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Stage 8 starts in Pau and goes via the Catholic pilgrimmage town of Lourdes to the Pyrenees mountains. The intermediate sprint comes before all the climbs, at Esquièze-Sère. This is the main French Pyrenean mountain stage, and it includes four categorised climbs, starting with the toughest, the Col du Tourmalet (HC). Next comes the 2nd Category Hourquette d'Ancizan, followed by the Category 1 climbs of the Col d'Azet Val-Louron and the Col de Peyresourde. From there, it's a 15.5km descent to the finish at Bagnères-de-Luchon. Read about Stage 8, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 9, Tour de France 2016: Vielha Val d'Aran to Andorra Arcalis

Sant Julia de Loria, by Joan Valls, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 9 starts in Vielha Val d'Aran in Spain, just over the border from Bagnères-de-Luchon (where Stage 8 finishes). It's a Pyrenean mountain stage, and the climbing starts from the moment the flag goes down. The first part of the day is in Catalonia, Spain, with climbs of the Port de la Bonaigua (Cat. 1) and the Port del Canto (Cat. 1). Shortly after the race crosses into Andorra, there's an intermediate sprint in the Andorran capital, Andorra la Vella. Then, there are three more climbs - the Côte de la Comella (Cat. 2), the Col de Beixalis (Cat. 1), and the final climb to a summit finish at Andorra Arcalis (hors catégorie, and finishing at an altitude of 2,240m). The riders will probably be relieved that Stage 9 is followed by a rest day. Read about Stage 9, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 10, Tour de France 2016: Escaldes Engordany to Revel

Luzenac, viewed from the ruins of the Medieval Chateau de Lordat, by Nicolas Torres - Puy Virginie, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Stage 10 of the 2016 Tour is a hilly stage, covering 197km from Escaldes Engordany (in Andorra) to Revel (in the Aude département of the south of France). The big (Category 1) climb comes near the start of the stage, to 2,408m at the top of the Port d'Envalira. After that, there's 60km of downhill, before rolling terrain near the finish. The riders reach Revel, then they have to do a finishing circuit involving a Category 3 climb of the Côte de Saint-Ferréol. The survivors of that ascent will battle it out in a sprint for the stage win back in the centre of Revel. Read about Stage 10, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 11, Tour de France 2016: Carcassonne to Montpellier

Carcassonne, by Nelson Minar, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 11 of the 2016 Tour is a flat stage for the sprinters, over 162.5km from Carcassonne to Montpellier. Setting off from Carcassonne, it goes east, between the Canal du Midi and the Mediterranean to the south, and the Montagne Noire to the north. This is wine country, and much of the race is on small roads through vineyards, visiting villages such as Saint-Chinian and Murviel-lès-Béziers. There are two Category 4 climbs early in the stage, the Côte de Minerve and the Côte de Villespassans; the intermediate sprint is at Pézenas. It's likely to be a bunch sprint to the finish line at the Altrad Stadium in Montpellier. Read about Stage 11, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 12, Tour de France 2016: Montpellier to Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux seen from Mazan, by Véronique Pagnier, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 12 of the 2016 Tour leaves Montpellier and heads east through vineyards and past the Perrier mineral water source and bottling plant. It crosses the river Rhône, and goes to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where van Gogh lived for a year. Crossing the Durance at Cavaillon (famous for its melons), it passes the Montagne du Lubéron (associated with the book A Year in Provence), and continues to the perched village of Gordes. Here, the climbing starts, with the Côte de Gordes (Category 4) and the Côte des Trois Termes (Category 3). After that, Mont Ventoux looms, large, and an hors catégorie slog to the finish at 1,912m. Read about Stage 12, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 13, Tour de France 2016: Bourg-St-Andéol to la Caverne du Pont-d'Arc

Vol au dessus du Pont d'Arc, by Yann Coeuru, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Stage 13 of the 2016 Tour is an individual time trial, 37km from Bourg-Saint-Andéol to la Caverne du Pont-d'Arc. It starts with a climb out of Bourg-Saint-Andéol, gaining 314m in the first few kilometres, then continuing on a plateau to Saint Remèze. After the Col du Serre de Tourre, the route descends to the Gorges de l'Ardèche and the famous Pont d'Arc. It passes through the village of Vallon Pont d'Arc, and goes uphill to the finish at la Caverne du Pont-d'Arc. Read about Stage 13, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 14, Tour de France 2016: Montélimar to Villars-les Dombes Parc des Oiseaux

View of Romans-sur-Isère from Bourg-de-Péage, by Enneite, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 14 of the 2016 Tour is 208.5km up the Rhône valley from Montélimar to Villars-les-Dombes Parc des Oiseaux. There are three Category 4 climbs, which all come before the half-way point in the race. The intermediate sprint is at la Fayette, after 145.5km. Romans-sur-Isère is the main historic town of interest along the way. The Mistral blows down the Rhône valley about 50% of the time, so there could well be a head-wind. The finish is at a bird reserve, the Parc des Oiseaux, Villars-les-Dombes - set in a watery, and flat, landscape. Bank on a bunch sprint. Read about Stage 14, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 15, Tour de France 2016: Bourg-en-Bresse to Culoz

Stage 15 of the 2016 Tour is 160km in the Jura mountains from Bourg-en-Bresse to Culoz. There are six categorised climbs on the day, and really no respite - either the riders are going up, or they're going down. The intermediate sprint is on a rare piece of flat road at Hauteville-Lompnes. The major ascent on the stage is of the Col du Grand Colombier (hors catégorie). After the col, they join a 'finishing circuit', which involves descending to Anglefort, riding beside the river Rhône to Culoz, ascending part way up the Grand Colombier on the Lacets du Grand Colombier, descending to Anglefort again, and making a final dash along the river to Culoz and the finish line. It's a relatively short, but intense, stage, and it'll be important for the GC contenders that they don't have a bad day. Read about Stage 15, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 16, Tour de France 2016: Moirans-en-Montagne to Bern

Bern, by Martin Abegglen, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 16 of the 2016 Tour is 209km from Moirans-en-Montagne in the Jura, France, to Bern, Switzerland. Although the stage is classified as flat, it's rolling terrain in the Jura, and the riders reach an altitude of 902m at the border with Switzerland. From there, the race descends the Val-de-Travers to the Lac de Neuchâtel, and passes along the north western shore of the lake. The one categorised climb of the day, the Côte de Mühleberg (Category 4), comes as the race leaves the lake behind, and heads towards Bern. In Bern, the riders pass close to the river Aare, then climb away from it in the penultimate kilometre; the final kilometre, up Papiermühlestrasse to the Stade de Suisse, is flat. Read about Stage 16, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 17, Tour de France 2016: Bern to Finhaut Emosson

Château d'Aigle, by Tony Bowden, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 17 of the 2016 Tour de France is 184.5km from Bern to the Emosson dam, in Switzerland for the whole day. There are two Category 3 climbs in the Bernese Oberland, around the middle of the stage, then an intermediate sprint after 150km at Martigny. It's a tough end to the day's racing, with the climb of the Col de Forclaz (Category 1) closely followed by an hors catégorie climb to the finish at the Emosson dam. There could be a shake-up in the GC. Read about Stage 17, Tour de France 2016. 

Stage 18, Tour de France 2016: Sallanches to Megève

Stage 18 of the 2016 Tour is an uphill individual time trial, 17km from Sallanches to Megève. After an opening 4km on the flat, the rest of the route climbs - steeply up the Côte de Domancy, with a shallower gradient through Combloux and Demi-Quartier, then steeply again up the Côte des Chozeaux. The last little bit is downhill into the chic ski resort of Megève. Read about Stage 18, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 19, Tour de France 2016: Albertville to St Gervais Mont Blanc (Le Bettex)

Stage 19 of the 2016 Tour is an Alpine stage from Albertville to St Gervais Mont Blanc (Le Bettex). The main climbs are the Collet (and Col) de Tamié, the Col de la Forclaz (Montmin), the Col de la Forclaz (Queige), the Montée de Bisanne and Col des Saisies, and the Côte des Amerands and Montée de Bettex. This mountain stage will almost certainly split the field, and help decide the General Classification. Read about Stage 19, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 20, Tour de France 2016: Megève to Morzine

Stage 20 is another mountain stage in the Alps, and regarded as the Queen Stage of the 2016 Tour. The route from Megève takes in the climbs of the Col des Aravis, the Col de la Colombière, the Col de la Ramaz, and the Col de Joux Plane. The final part of the day is a 12km descent to Morzine. Afterwards, only the processional ride to Paris remains, so the rider leading at the end of Stage 20 will almost certainly win the Tour. Read about Stage 20, Tour de France 2016.

Stage 21, Tour de France 2016: Chantilly to Paris

 

Chris Froome in Paris during the 2013 Tour de France, by Eric Salard, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Stage 21 is the traditional final stage of the  Tour de France, with the GC already settled, and a prestigious stage win on the Champs-Elysées at stake. The riders start north of Paris in Chantilly, and wend their way to the outskirts of the city, before crossing the Seine to the Bois de Boulogne, then entering Paris via the Porte Maillot. They pass the Arc de Triomphe, and descend via place de l'Alma and place Concorde to the Louvre. Here, they begin 8 complete tours of the finishing circuit, up the Champs-Elysées, and back down to the Louvre via place de l'Alma. The ninth time over the line (part way up the Champs-Elysées) is the important one, which will determine the stage winner. Read about Stage 21, Tour de France 2016.

Grand Départ 2016

The Grand Départ of the 2016 Tour de France is in Normandy, with Stage 1 starting at Mont Saint-Michel, and finishing at Utah Beach. Stage 2 is from St-Lô to Cherbourg.

Tour de France 2016 news

Tour de France 2016 news: Izaguirre wins Stage Twenty, Froome assured of overall win

23rd July 2016

Ion Izaguirre, by Katie Chan, Licence CC BY-SA 4.0

Ion Izaguirre won Stage 20 today, on a descent from the Col de Joux Plane to Morzine. Chris Froome finished safely with his teammates and the other favourites, to make certain of victory in Paris tomorrow. Read about Izaguirre wins Stage 20, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Bardet wins Stage Nineteen, Froome falls

22nd July 2016

Romain Bardet, by Laurie Beylier, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Romain Bardet scored an impressive victory on a summit finish at Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc le Bettex today. On a dramatic day, he got a gap on the last descent, and overhauled Rui Costa on the final climb, holding off the yellow jersey group. Read about Bardet wins Stage 19, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Froome wins Stage Eighteen

21st July 2016

Chris Froome, by denismenchov08, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Chris Froome won the mountain ITT in Megève today. Tom Dumoulin, who raced much earlier, set a time which nobody was able to beat except for the yellow jersey from Team Sky. Read about Froome wins Stage 18, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Zakarin wins Stage Seventeen

20th July 2016

Ilnur Zakarin, by Dacoucou, Licence CC BY-SA 4.0

On a summit finish at Finhaut Emosson, in the Swiss Alps, Ilnur Zakarin won the stage. In the GC race, Riche Porte attacked near the end, and Froome finished on his wheel. Adam Yates was a few seconds back, but put time into Mollema and Quintana. Read about Zakarin wins Stage 17, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Sagan wins Stage Sixteen

18th July 2016

Peter Sagan, by Chris Doelle, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

On a stage which saw a long breakaway by Tony Martin and Julian Alaphilippe on the rolling roads of the Jura and into Switzerland, the race came back together for the finish in Bern. An uphill stretch before the final kilometre made this a race for the strong men, and Peter Sagan was the best of those remaining at the end. Read about Sagan wins Stage 16, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Jarlinson Pantano wins Stage Fifteen

17th July 2016

Jarlinson Pantano, by bert de boer, Licence CC BY 2.0

On a tough stage in the Jura, with six categorised climbs, the race came down to sprint between the two strongest breakaway riders - Rafal Majka and Jarlinson Pantano. Pantano came round Majka for the win. Read about Jarlinson Pantano wins Stage 15, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Cavendish strikes again on Stage Fourteen

16th July 2016

Mark Cavendish in his HTC Colombia days, by Brendan Rankin, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

After a long slog up the Rhône valley into the Mistral, Stage 14 came down to a bunch sprint, and Cavendish popped off Kittel's wheel and round him to win. Read about Cavendish strikes again on Stage 14, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Dumoulin wins Stage Thirteen

15th July 2016

Tom Dumoulin - Tour de France 2015, by Rob Schleiffert, Flickr, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

Tom Dumoulin won Stage 13 today, an individual time trial in the Ardèche. His time of 50min15 was 1min03 faster than second-placed Chris Froome. Read about Dumoulin wins Stage 13, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: de Gendt wins Stage Twelve

14th July 2016

Thomas de Gendt, by denismenchov08, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Thomas de Gendt won a shortened Stage 12 of the Tour de France 2016 at Chalet Reynard, short of the summit of Mont Ventoux. Behind de Gendt, there was utter farce in the GC battle, when the leading trio of favourites - Porte, Froome, and Mollema - were brought down by a motorbike which had to stop right in front of them, in big Mont Ventoux crowds. Read about de Gendt wins Stage 12, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Sagan wins Stage Eleven

13th July 2016

Peter Sagan, by Chris Doelle, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Peter Sagan won Stage 11 of the Tour de France 2016 in Montpellier today. This flat stage was affected by crosswinds. Tinkoff applied the pressure at the front, and a group of four including Sagan and Froome made a break, and held it to the line, with Sagan the fastest at the end. Read about Sagan wins Stage 11, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Michael Matthews wins Stage Ten

12th July 2016

Michael Matthews, Orica-BikeExchange, in the 2014 Giro d'Italia, by PaoNu, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Michael Matthews won Stage 10 of the Tour de France 2016 in Revel today. The breakaway was down to seven men near the end of the stage, and Matthews outsprinted the others, who included Peter Sagan and Edvald Boasson Hagen. Read about Matthews wins Stage 10, Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Dumoulin wins Stage Nine

10th July 2016

Tom Dumoulin, by Dacoucou, Licence CC BY-SA 4.0

Tom Dumoulin won Stage 9 of the Tour de France 2016 this afternoon. He was in the day's breakaway, and he attacked at the foot of the final climb, then time trialed his way to the summit finish at Andorra Arcalis, in apocalyptic rain and hail. Read about Dumoulin wins Stage 9, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Froome wins Stage Eight

9th July 2016

Chris Froome, after cycling through the Eurotunnel, by Jaguar MENA, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Chris Froome won Stage 8 of the Tour de France 2016 this afternoon, reaching the top of the final climb, the Col de Peyresourde, first, and attacking off the top, getting a gap, and holding it to the line in Bagnères-de-Luchon. Read about Froome wins Stage 8, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Cummings wins Stage Seven

8th July 2016

Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) in the 2015 Tour de France, by youkeys, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0

Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) scored a brilliant solo victory on Stage 7 of the Tour de France 2016 this afternoon. He was in the day's breakaway, then forged ahead on his own, extending his lead up the Col d'Aspin, and descending the final 7km to Lac de Payolle without incident. Read about Cummings wins Stage 7, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Cavendish wins Stage Six

7th July 2016

Mark Cavendish riding for Dimension Data, by Iggy, Licence CC BY-SA 4.0

Mark Cavendish won Stage 6 of the 2016 Tour de France this afternoon, his third win of the race so far. The break was caught with 22km to go, and from that moment a bunch sprint looked certain. Kittel was second, and Dan McClay third. Read about Cavendish wins Stage 6, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: van Avermaet wins Stage Five

6th July 2016

Greg van Avermaet, by Jérémy-Gunther-Heinz Jahnick, Licence CC BY-SA 3.0

Greg van Avermaet won Stage 5 of the 2016 Tour de France this afternoon. On the climbs towards the end of the stage, he dropped all his breakaway companions, and rode strongly to the finish. Van Avermaet takes the yellow jersey. Read about van Avermaet wins Stage 5, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Kittel wins Stage Four

5th July 2016

Marcel Kittel won Stage 4 of the 2016 Tour de France this afternoon, his first win in this year's race. In an uphill sprint in away from the river in Limoges, Kittel hit the front late, and just held off Bryan Coquard. Read about Kittel wins Stage 4, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Cavendish wins Stage Three

4th July 2016

Mark Cavendish in his HTC Colombia days, by Brendan Rankin, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Mark Cavendish won Stage 3 of the 2016 Tour de France this afternoon, making it two out of three in this year's race. In an uphill sprint in Angers, Cavendish got on André Greipel's wheel, and just - only just - managed to come round the German, in a photo finish. Read about Cavendish wins Stage 3, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Sagan wins Stage Two

3rd July 2016

Peter Sagan, by Chris Doelle, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Peter Sagan won the second stage of the 2016 Tour de France in an uphill sprint in Cherbourg this afternoon. He beat Julian Alaphilippe, Alejandro Valverde, and Dan Martin. Alberto Contador and Richie Porte both lost time. Read about Sagan wins Stage 2, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Cavendish wins Stage One

2nd July 2016

Mark Cavendish in his HTC Colombia days, by Brendan Rankin, Flickr, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

Mark Cavendish won the first stage of the 2016 Tour de France in a bunch sprint at Utah Beach, on the Channel coast in Normandy, this afternoon. He beat Marcel Kittel, Peter Sagan, and André Greipel. Read about Cavendish wins Stage 1, Tour de France 2016...

Tour de France 2016 news: Rowe and Stannard on Sky's Tour team

21st June 2016

After helping Chris Froome win the recent Critérium du Dauphiné, Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard seem certain to be selected for Sky's Tour de France 2016 team. Their role will be to keep Froome out of trouble and out of the wind on the flat stages and sections. Read about Rowe and Stannard on Sky's Tour team...

Tour de France 2016 news: Dutch Tour de France 2016 prospects

21st June 2016

Which Dutch riders will shine brightest in the Tour de France 2016? Dutch TV commentator Gio Lippens assesses the chances of Wilco Kelderman, Robert Gesink, Bauke Mollema, and Dylan Groenewegen. Read about Dutch Tour de France 2016 prospects...

Tour de France 2016 news: Pete Kennaugh doubtful for the Tour de France 2016

20th May 2016

Pete Kennaugh of Team Sky is doubtful for the Tour de France 2016, after he crashed during Stage 3 of the Tour of California, and broke his collar bone. Read more about Kennaugh doubtful for the Tour de France 2016.

Tour de France 2016 news: Contador can win Tour de France 2016

25th April 2016

Alberto Contador says that the only reason he is taking part in the Tour de France 2016 is to fight for overall victory. He has trained very hard, and is in top form. Read more about Contador can win the Tour de France 2016.