Latest news with #Chateauroux
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
5 Amazing Ways To Experience The Tour De France In 2026
UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar cycles to the finish line to win the 4th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images If you're like me, the month of July means 23 days of screen time as I'm glued to the daily drama of the Tour de France. The world's greatest cycling race, an epic contest between some of the world's greatest athletes, also doubles as a travelogue —a scenic tour of some of the most beautiful parts of the French countryside. This year's race is no exception, fueled by the incredible athletic performances of riders such as Tadej Pogačar (who has won the race three times), Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard, and Mathieu Van der Poel, among the 184 riders across 23 teams. The route for the 2026 Tour de France will be revealed in an official ceremony in Paris towards the end of October. But for devoted fans of the Tour, now is the time to plan for next year's event. CHATEAUROUX, FRANCE - JULY 13: Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of Jonathan Milan of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek - Green Sprint Jersey during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 9 a 174.1km stage from Chinon to Chateauroux ) / #UCIWT / on July 13, 2025 in Chateauroux, France. (Photo by Tim) Getty Images Thomson is at the head of the peloton for Tour de France trips, offering a variety of departures designed for cyclists to both ride and watch the world's most fantastic cycling race. Thomson, an official tour operator for the Tour, offers four departures ahead of the 2026 race: The Grand Départ and Opening Stages in Barcelona, the Alps Mountain Stages, the Pyrenees Mountain Stages, and the Race Finish in Paris. While details have yet to be announced, consider 2025, when they offered trips such as Mont Ventoux & Alps, a seven-day trip for $8,495, with a Specialized rental bike for an additional $550. On this 2025 departure, you could climb the legendary Mont Ventoux ahead of the peloton, then watch the race unfold, live on the roadside from Thomson's Private Hospitality Marquee. There was a day on the final mountain stage to La Plagne with an official ride across the Finish Line, a photo shoot on the Official Podium, and watching the Stage Finish live from the Official VIP Lounge. There was more riding on the most challenging climb in the Alps, the Col de la Loze, and mingling with pro riders and Tour celebrities. Next year promises a similarly packed itinerary once the details are announced in October. BAYEUX, FRANCE - JULY 10: 112th Tour de France 2025 - Stage 6. (Photo by Tim) Getty Images Trek Travel has also made a bid to take the lead in offering Tour de France Bike Tours. An Official Tour Operator of the Tour de France and Team Lidl-Trek, their rides provide access to key mountain stages and an exclusive viewing event to witness the thrilling race finale in Paris. In 2025, they provided a variety of trips, including the Tour de France Ultimate Experience: Ventoux to Alps to Paris 2025. Priced at $11,599 per person, this eight-day trip was rated Level 3 (three to five hours a day of riding), a choice of riding a Trek Domane SL 7 Gen 4 or a Trek Electric-Assist Domane+ SLR 7 (for an extra charge), and a choice of up to three daily routes. Accommodation was in luxury hotels, including Le Mas de Herbes Blanches, Four Seasons Hotel Megève, and Le Bristol Paris. This trip also includes a behind-the-scenes event with the Lidl Trek team, Official VIP Race Access passes to the Relais Étape hospitality zone of Stage 16 for the mountaintop finish on Mont Ventoux, and a chance to ascend the Géant de Provence, Mont Ventoux. ExperiencePlus! Roll with Bob Roll. ExperiencePlus! ExperiencePlus!: Roll with Bob Roll If you've been watching the Tour on Peacock, you're likely familiar with Bob Roll, who shares commentator duties with Phil Liggett on the daily broadcast. Roll is a former professional cyclist who competed in three Tour de France races, among many other signature cycling events around the world. Roll with Bob Roll is a five-day event from ExperiencePlus! In Moab, Utah, from November 6 to 9, 2025. Presented by Chip Chilson of Aspen Sports Performance, Roll with Bob Roll is an annual four-day gathering of athletes, trainers, and health professionals. The aim is to nurture a love of cycling and unlock participants' potential to live, ride, and play for as long as possible, regardless of age, cycling ability, or gender. During the second half of the event, you can meet and ride with Bob Roll. For a limited time, friends and customers of ExperiencePlus! can enjoy a 2-for-1 entry, offering the clinic for $1,995 per person instead of $2,595. Go to ExperiencePlus! For details. DuVine's Alps Challenge Bike Tour Taylor Burk / DuVine DuVine: Alps Challenge Bike Tour If you want to test your mettle, check out this ride from DuVine. The Alps Challenge Bike Tour is a six-day ride through the heart of the Alps, tackling France's most challenging and most famous climbs, including the Alpe d'Huez, Col du Galibier, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col d'Izoard, and Col de la Bonette. It's also a chance to soak up some of the TDF lore, riding through some of the most iconic climbs and villages in Tour history. Riding Colnago V4 road bikes with Dura-Ace Di2 shifting and Vision carbon wheels and wearing custom Rapha x DuVine jersey and bibs, it's a chance to experience the thrill of the TDF. Rated Level 4, the most challenging rides that DuVine offers, the price for 2026 is $5,995. The Chauteau de Chenonceaux, Loire Valley, France Bettmann Archive Butterfield& Robinson: Loire Valley Biking Not everyone who loves watching the Tour de France is a dedicated racer. Most viewers are more likely to take a leisurely pedal than do a century ride. So why not take that ride in France, with echoes of the Tour everywhere you look? Loire Valley Biking from Butterfield & Robinson is a six-day trip rated 2, meaning 25-30 miles per day of riding over relatively flat terrain that 'will include inclines and the occasional climb or two.' In other words, you don't need to be Tadej Pogačar to do this ride, which includes lunch at the Château de Chambord, accommodations at châteaux such as Château du Rivau, and private wine tastings. This pedal through the Loire Valley is priced at $5,995.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Merlier doubles up as Van der Poel denied epic win at Tour de France
CHATEAU, France: Tim Merlier won stage nine of the Tour de France at Chateauroux on Sunday after a heroic long-range escape from Mathieu van der Poel was caught in the final kilometer. There was no change atop the overall standings with Tadej Pogacar now holding a 54sec advantage over Remco Evenepoel in second with French starlet Kevin Vauquelin third. This was a second Tour win for Soudal Quick-Step sprinter Merlier this year, who was first across the line on stage three at Dunkirk. Merlier was led in by team leader Evenepoel. 'It's mad, we are supposed to be helping him (Evenepoel) but he's helping us,' Merlier said. 'I need to make it through the mountains now, I won't be any use to Remco there, but I want to help him in the other ones,' said the 32-year-old. On a sun drenched slog from the Chinon vineyards, Van der Poel and a teammate broke early and built up a lead of 5min 30sec on the flat roads to Chateauroux. Jonas Rickaert won the combativity award for accompanying Van der Poel to within 10km of the line before slumping over his handlebars. 'I'm really happy. That was one of his (Rickaert) dreams, to win the combativity award and that's why we went,' Van der Poel explained. 'In the end we nearly made it but we hadn't expected to get that far,' he said of his 173km breakaway at an average speed on 49.9kph. As with many heroic exploits, their epic escape was ultimately doomed to a gut wrenching narrow failure. But with his gung-ho all-in style Van der Poel grew his Tour de France legend here despite being caught with 700m to go, the plaudits will be both his and Merlier's. 'It's hard to not be able to finish it off, but we put on a good show,' said the Dutch rider. As Van der Poel was reeled in, it looked as though Jonathan Milan would win a second consecutive stage but Merlier got ahead with 30m remaining as Milan finished second with Arnaud De Lie completing the podium. Road signs in honor of British cycling great Mark Cavendish had been placed at entry points to Chateauroux — reading Cavendish City — in homage to the now-retired 40-year-old, after he won three stages there in 2008, 2011 and 2021. Pogacar's Tour de France defense took a hit Sunday as his key teammate Joao Almeida threw in the towel two days after his nasty fall at the Mur de Bretagne, where he fractured a rib. 'It's a big loss he was in good shape. He's our hero. I was suffering today so I understand how he must have felt. Every respect to him,' the Slovenian said. Stage 10 should shake up the race with eight classified climbs in the Massif Central on the July 14 French national holiday. After finishing in the peloton on Sunday, Pogacar was already looking ahead to Monday's mountainous 165.3km slog. 'Visma have a strong team for tomorrow and I think Jonas (Vingegaard) will be ready,' Pogacar said of his great Danish rival. 'There will be attacks from the main contenders, it's up and down all day. 'I'm pretty confident in my team though. I'm looking forward to the hard stages,' added the 26-year-old three-time champion.
SBS Australia
3 days ago
- Sport
- SBS Australia
Tour de France: Tim Merlier wins another stage as Van der Poel's efforts denied
Tim Merlier won stage nine of the Tour de France at Chateauroux on Sunday after a heroic long-range escape from Mathieu van der Poel was caught in the final kilometre. There was no change atop the overall standings with Tadej Pogacar now holding a 54sec advantage over Remco Evenepoel in second with French starlet Kevin Vauquelin third. This was a second Tour win for Soudal Quick-Step sprinter Merlier this year, who was first across the line on stage three at Dunkirk. Merlier was led in by team leader Evenepoel. "It's mad, we are supposed to be helping him (Evenepoel) but he's helping us," Merlier said. "I need to make it through the mountains now, I won't be any use to Remco there, but I want to help him in the other ones," said the 32-year-old. On a sun drenched slog from the Chinon vineyards, Van der Poel and a teammate broke early and built up a lead of 5min 30sec on the flat roads to Chateauroux. Nearly made it Jonas Rickaert won the combativity award for accompanying Van der Poel to within 10km of the line before slumping over his handlebars. "I'm really happy. That was one of his (Rickaert) dreams, to win the combativity award and that's why we went," Van der Poel explained. "In the end we nearly made it but we hadn't expected to get that far," he said of his 173km breakaway at an average speed on 49.9kph. As with many heroic exploits, their epic escape was ultimately doomed to a gut wrenching narrow failure. But with his gung-ho all-in style Van der Poel grew his Tour de France legend here despite being caught with 700m to go, the plaudits will be both his and Merlier's. "It's hard to not be able to finish it off, but we put on a good show," said the Dutch rider. Belgian Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates, Spanish Marc Soler of UAE Team Emirates and Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates pictured in action during stage nine. Source: AAP / Jasper Jacobs / Belga / Sipa USA As Van der Poel was reeled in, it looked as though Jonathan Milan would win a second consecutive stage but Merlier got ahead with 30m remaining as Milan finished second with Arnaud De Lie completing the podium. Road signs in honour of British cycling great Mark Cavendish had been placed at entry points to Chateauroux -- reading Cavendish City -- in homage to the now-retired 40-year-old, after he won three stages there in 2008, 2011 and 2021. Pogacar's Tour de France defence took a hit Sunday as his key teammate Joao Almeida threw in the towel two days after his nasty fall at the Mur de Bretagne, where he fractured a rib. "It's a big loss he was in good shape. He's our hero. I was suffering today so I understand how he must have felt. Every respect to him," the Slovenian said. Stage 10 should shake up the race with eight classified climbs in the Massif Central on the July 14 French national holiday. After finishing in the peloton on Sunday, Pogacar was already looking ahead to Monday's mountainous 165.3km slog. "Visma have a strong team for tomorrow and I think Jonas (Vingegaard) will be ready," Pogacar said of his great Danish rival. "There will be attacks from the main contenders, it's up and down all day. "I'm pretty confident in my team though. I'm looking forward to the hard stages," added the 26-year-old three-time champion. The place to watch the 2025 Tour de France — live, free and exclusive — plus the fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is right here on the SBS On Demand Hub .
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Merlier doubles up as Van der Poel denied epic win at Tour de France
There was no change atop the overall standings with Tadej Pogacar now holding a 54sec advantage over Remco Evenepoel in second with French starlet Kevin Vauquelin third. This was a second Tour win for Soudal Quick-Step sprinter Merlier this year, who was first across the line on stage three at Dunkirk. Merlier was led in by team leader Evenepoel. "It's mad, we are supposed to be helping him (Evenepoel) but he's helping us," Merlier said. "I need to make it through the mountains now, I won't be any use to Remco there, but I want to help him in the other ones," said the 32-year-old. On a sun drenched slog from the Chinon vineyards, Van der Poel and a teammate broke early and built up a lead of 5min 30sec on the flat roads to Chateauroux. 'Nearly made it' Jonas Rickaert won the combativity award for accompanying Van der Poel to within 10km of the line before slumping over his handlebars. "I'm really happy. That was one of his (Rickaert) dreams, to win the combativity award and that's why we went," Van der Poel explained. "In the end we nearly made it but we hadn't expected to get that far," he said of his 173km breakaway at an average speed on 49.9kph. As with many heroic exploits, their epic escape was ultimately doomed to a gut wrenching narrow failure. But with his gung-ho all-in style Van der Poel grew his Tour de France legend here despite being caught with 700m to go, the plaudits will be both his and Merlier's. "It's hard to not be able to finish it off, but we put on a good show," said the Dutch rider. As Van der Poel was reeled in, it looked as though Jonathan Milan would win a second consecutive stage but Merlier got ahead with 30m remaining as Milan finished second with Arnaud De Lie completing the podium. Road signs in honour of British cycling great Mark Cavendish had been placed at entry points to Chateauroux -- reading Cavendish City -- in homage to the now-retired 40-year-old, after he won three stages there in 2008, 2011 and 2021. Pogacar's Tour de France defence took a hit Sunday as his key teammate Joao Almeida threw in the towel two days after his nasty fall at the Mur de Bretagne, where he fractured a rib. "It's a big loss he was in good shape. He's our hero. I was suffering today so I understand how he must have felt. Every respect to him," the Slovenian said. Stage 10 should shake up the race with eight classified climbs in the Massif Central on the July 14 French national holiday. After finishing in the peloton on Sunday, Pogacar was already looking ahead to Monday's mountainous 165.3km slog. "Visma have a strong team for tomorrow and I think Jonas (Vingegaard) will be ready," Pogacar said of his great Danish rival. "There will be attacks from the main contenders, it's up and down all day. © 2025 AFP
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Tim Merlier sprints to stage 10 victory in Chateauroux as Tadej Pogacar loses key Tour de France lieutenant
Tim Merlier out-sprinted Jonathan Milan to victory on stage nine of the Tour de France after Mathieu van der Poel almost pulled off an audacious win in Chateauroux. Van der Poel had rolled off the front of the peloton alongside team-mate Jonas Rickaert at the start of the 174km stage from Chinon in what looked a certain suicide mission, but the Dutchman held off the chasing pack until the final few hundred metres. The Alpecin-Deceuninck adventure had forced rival teams to burn their lead-out men in a furious chase through crosswinds in the final 30km of the stage, and with the sprint trains thoroughly depleted the quick men had to fend for themselves at the finale. Saturday's stage winner Milan had good position on the barriers but Merlier went long and the European champion pipped the Italian to the line. "It was really hard," said Merlier, who also won stage three into Dunkirk. "Five minutes (to Van der Poel) is a lot but we tried to chase and also the other teams start to help, the pacing was quite high at the front, but it was hard for all the guys. The bunch was nervous. "In the end we just went all in and I'm happy I can win my second stage here." There has been debate in recent days about the long-term value of flat sprint stages in the Tour, with the fight for UCI points meaning fewer teams can be tempted into breakaways, but this one certainly delivered some drama. Chateauroux, this week dubbed 'Cavendish City' in honour of Sir Mark, who took the first of his Tour-record 35 career stage victories here in 2008, has only ever known sprints in its history in the race, but Van der Poel did his best to break that streak. When he and Rickaert went early, it looked like a play purely for the intermediate sprint points, but they rolled through that line early in the day and just kept going, building a lead of more than five minutes. Even as teams furiously fought for position in the wind behind, the lead still held at 50 seconds with 10 kilometres to go as splits appeared in the peloton. Rickaert fell back with six kilometres left and it became a straight fight between the powerful but shattered Van der Poel and some disorganised lead-out trains behind. It would go the peloton's way, but Van der Poel got at least one wish with Rickaert being named the most combative rider of the day. "We wanted to go for it today because it's his dream to be on the podium of a Tour de France," Van der Poel said. "It's hard not to be able to finish it off but we put up a good show today." There was no change at the top of the general classification, with Tadej Pogacar remaining 54 seconds clear of Remco Evenepoel. Jonas Vingegaard is behind Kevin Vauquelin in fourth, one minute 17 seconds off yellow. However, there was a blow for Pogacar as key lieutenant Joao Almeida abandoned the race as a result of injuries suffered on stage seven.
