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Friday, October 16, 2026
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Current racing:
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Guangxi
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Holland
Upcoming racing:
- Oct 18: Chrono des Nations
- Oct 18: Veneto Classic
- Oct 18: Japan Cup road Race
Latest completed racing:
- Oct 14: Giro del Veneto
- Oct 11: Paris-Tours
- Oct 10: Il Lombardia
- Oct 8: Gran Piemonte
- Oct 3 - 7: Elite European Road Championships
- Oct 6: Tre Valli Varesine
We posted the stage two report from stage winner & GC leader Jakob Söderqvist's Team Lidl-Trek with the results.
Here's the report from Team Visma | Lease a Bike:
Team Visma | Lease a Bike put itself in a strong position for the remainder of the Eneco Tour with a solid performance in the time trial. Victor Campenaerts clocked the seventh-fastest time, while Christophe Laporte finished ninth. General classification leader Jakob Söderqvist claimed the time trial victory after also winning the prologue.
Following Tuesday evening’s ultra-short prologue and Wednesday’s bunch sprint in Ede, the riders faced another race against the clock on Thursday. With Laporte in third and Edoardo Affini in tenth in the general classification, the time trial was an important test for Team Visma | Lease a Bike ahead of the remainder of the six-day race. The six yellow-and-black riders faced a flat course of just over thirteen kilometers in Tilburg.
Jakob Söderqvist finishing his stage winning ride.
Before the general classification favorites took to the course, Campenaerts raced through the streets of Tilburg to set the fastest time. The Belgian couldn’t enjoy the hot seat for long, however, ultimately finishing seventh. With several time trial specialists in the field, Laporte’s goal was to limit his time losses as much as possible. The Frenchman did a solid job, recording the ninth-fastest time.
In the general classification, Campenaerts, Laporte and Affini remain within reach of leader Söderqvist. “We wanted to have as many riders as possible close to the top after the time trial. We managed to do that”, sports director Maarten Wynants says afterward. “Still, we had hoped to get a little closer today. But we also have to be realistic. Söderqvist really stood out and simply is a specialist in this discipline.”
With the prologue, a bunch sprint and Thursday’s time trial completed, the Eneco Tour has reached its halfway point. Friday brings a challenging stage in Limburg. “Now we will have to race aggressively, although that was always part of the plan. Victor, Christophe and Edo are all still in a good position. Everything is still possible”, Wynants concludes.
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We posted the report from stage winner Milan Fretin's Team Cofidis with the results.
Here's the report from Team Groupama-FDJ United:
The final WorldTour race of the 2026 season, the Tour of Guangxi, got underway on Tuesday on the other side of the world, with each of its first three stages ending in a bunch sprint. Despite some often chaotic finales, Matteo Milan (6th) on the opening day and Cyril Barthe (10th) on day three managed to secure top-10 finishes. Another sprint opportunity could arise on Saturday, while the general classification is expected to be decided on Sunday.
The Tour of Guangxi got underway on Tuesday with a short, 150-kilometre stage around Chongzuo featuring no significant difficulties. The peloton therefore had little trouble controlling and catching a three-man breakaway, setting up the first bunch sprint on Chinese soil. In the final five kilometres, Groupama-FDJ United moved up in force to the front position for its Italian sprinter, Matteo Milan. “We had a very solid team towards the finish, but Matteo was probably a little too far back in the lead-out train, which made him lose a few places,” explained William Green. “He still managed to move back up thanks to Tom in the final kilometre and found himself in an ideal position to launch his sprint. He started his effort almost at the same time as Magnier, and ultimately, it was the legs and power over the final 200 metres that made the difference.”
Milan Fretin wins Tour of Guangxi stage three. Photo: Getty images
While the Frenchman was clearly above the rest, Matteo Milan secured a solid sixth place on the line. “He did very good and understood the final well,” William added. “Unfortunately, he briefly lost contact with his teammates and had to spend some energy to move back up, but he is still young and learning. Sixth place is nevertheless a very nice result.”
Having secured his third WorldTour top-10 finish of the year, the young Italian was hoping to maintain his momentum on Wednesday, despite a more demanding stage heading towards Jingxi. “It was a really tough day, with a fight to get into the breakaway lasting 65 kilometres, and temperatures around 35 degrees,” William said. “There was also an eight-kilometre climb at 4% with 30 kilometres to go. Four of the best sprinters on the start line were dropped on that climb, and I expected to see Matteo very soon. But actually, he did his best-ever power on that climb and managed to hang on. That’s a very positive sign, and I’m really proud of him and the progress he’s made since the start of the season. Over the past few months, we’ve been working with him towards the goal of him being able to be at the finish on harder days. He did exactly that, even if it surely cost him some energy.” Several attacks also animated the closing stages, but Groupama-FDJ United remained well represented at the front before taking control of the peloton around five kilometres from the finish.
Shortly before the flamme rouge, however, the team was overtaken, and its sprinter was no longer able to fight his way back to the front of the bunch. “We executed our strategy well, and Matteo was more aggressive, but one rider still managed to get between him and our lead-out train,” William explained. “He was nevertheless in position to sprint with 500 metres to go, but his 10-second power was significantly lower than the day before, which explains why he finished 15th. He also got caught up in traffic, of course, but when you’re not feeling as strong, you tend to fight less for position. If he’d had the legs, he could have achieved a much better result. That said, we’re happy with both the team and Matteo. He gave it everything, and it looks good for the future.”
In the short term, another bunch sprint was expected on Thursday’s third stage in the Guangxi region. This time, however, the riders faced 212 kilometres and a few short climbs. “We knew it was going to be a demanding day, with the heat once again and some fatigue in the legs,” William explained. “There was a short climb 2.5 kilometres from the finish, and it was crucial to hold our position there. The plan was for Cyril to support Matteo, but if Matteo wasn’t there, for Cyril to do his sprint. The sprint was once again very hectic, and we eventually finished 10th with Cyril and 11th with Matteo. I think that’s our place, but we made a good effort.”
The first half of the Tour of Guangxi thus concluded with a second top-10 finish for the team, while the more demanding second half now lies ahead. “Honestly, I think we’ve done everything we could over these past three days, and we’re very happy with the squad,” William concluded. “Of course, nothing is ever perfect, and there are always details we can improve, but we’ve shown that we have a strong team. We just lack a little bit of power in the final kilometre to secure a really top result, but we’ve done what we needed to do. Tomorrow’s stage looks extremely demanding, and it will be difficult to control the race. I think it will be more of a battle between the GC teams. That could make for a very interesting stage, so we’ll need to be ready and have several options. Stage five could end in a sprint, but after tomorrow’s tough day, fatigue will start to take its toll. I’m not sure all the sprinters will still be in the peloton at the finish. Finally, on Sunday, it will all be about the general classification, with an uphill finish.”
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Here's the team's news:
Netcompany INEOS can confirm the signing of Riley Sheehan, who will join the team next season on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old burst onto the international stage with a breakthrough victory at Paris-Tours in 2023, becoming the first American to win the prestigious race.
Riley Sheehan wins 2023 Paris-Tours. ASO photo
He has continued to build on that success, adding victories at Circuit de Wallonie and taking the opening stage of this year’s Czech Tour.
Riley Sheehan said: “Joining Netcompany INEOS is a dream come true. It’s a team I’ve looked up to since I was young, and to now be part of such a successful and respected organisation is incredibly special.
“I believe I still have so much more to achieve in my career, and having the backing of this team is the perfect next step for me.
“I’m excited to get started, set ambitious goals and give everything I have to help the team win, while continuing to push myself to become the best rider I can be.”
Geraint Thomas, Director of Racing, said: “Riley is an exciting rider. He’s fast, technically very skilled and has the ability to perform across a range of terrain.
“We see him being a great addition to our Classics group, but he’s also a rider who can contribute right across the calendar. He brings plenty of versatility to the team, and we’re looking forward to helping him continue to develop.”
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
After his breakthrough Tour de France ride, Sean Quinn signed on for three more years with EF Education-EasyPost.
The 2024 American champion is stoked to keep racing alongside all of his friends on the squad. This summer, Sean returned from a tough knee injury and impressed at the Tour with a stellar raid to try to seize the yellow jersey, leaving him just a few seconds off the GC lead, plus standout mountain rides that helped the team win stages. He loves rocking up to races with his teammates.
Sean Quinn wins stage two of the 2023 Settimana Coppi e Bartali. Sirotti photo
“It’s just so fun being at races,” Sean said. “Once you find a group of people you work well with, it’s really nice if you can stay and try to achieve great things with people you care about and have built relationships with. I believe more in loyalty than there often is in cycling. We’ve had the right combination of signings in the few years I’ve been here, and at this point it’s just such a good time. Going to race with your friends is a lot easier than going to the office with your co-workers. I’m lucky to have built some really solid friendships in this team – it’s a special group to be part of, and the last two years have made it clear to me that the job is just more fun and more sustainable when you’re around good people who are also really good friends but want to work hard and grow together. I’m super happy to be here for the long run.”
Sean is still racing into his own. He’s a strong climber with a mean finishing kick, who already has three professional wins to his name, including the 2024 USA road race title. The stars-and-stripes band around his sleeve will always fill Sean with pride, but his great ambition is still to win a Tour de France stage.
“Sean went from having knee surgery in the spring to almost capturing the yellow jersey - and finishing top 20 in the Tour de France,” said EF Pro Cycling founder and CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “That shows great mental resilience and fight. With the foundation he put down in 2026, I think 2027 will be a breakthrough season for Sean.”
Sean knows that great results will come if he keeps focused on the process.
“I’ve come to a place where I realize the outcome isn’t really up to me – what’s in my control is putting my head down and doing the right work in the right way,” Sean said.
“Focusing on the process has gotten me pretty far. Especially with injury, it’s really hard to give yourself an outcome-based goal, because you just don’t know. It’s more about having a good group who care about your success. In the end, that’s the main goal: not just achieving something for yourself, but doing a ton of work with great people so everyone can feel collectively successful if it comes together. That’s what I’m striving for.”
Sean has found the right group at EF Education-EasyPost. The squad’s attacking style suits him. He loves rolling up to start lines and swapping ideas in the bus about how the team can light up races.
“It’s simple,” Sean said. “We’re trying to be the best breakaway team in the world. We bring a pretty unique roster to grand tours compared to other teams, and you can see it in the racing: every day we’re active in the breakaways, trying to win stages left and right. It’s a cool thing to be part of, because on a lot of other teams you’re just a small cog in a system targeting one specific goal. For us there’s an opportunity every day, and it feels like every day we try to take advantage of it.”
Bike racing can be hard, too. Sean has had to endure more than his share of tough times over the past few years, as he worked his way back from a knee injury that left him sidelined for most of 2025. The help he received from our team’s medical and performance staff was another big reason why Sean wanted to stay with EF Education-EasyPost.
“There are a lot of people here who helped me get through a really bad period,” Sean said. “I’d like to think we’re at the end of the tunnel with that, and this year, especially this summer, was a big step in the right direction. I’m hoping there’s another level I can reach next year with a more consistent run. 2025 was kind of a brutal year; I barely raced and spent most of my time doing rehab, not riding my bike. This summer was special just to be back in it – just being part of the team again meant a lot. Being able to do the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with proper training was a big one after a rocky spring. Then getting to the start line of the Tour de France is always a huge opportunity – the Tour is a different level than pretty much every race. Some days being there, climbing in the main selection, making the group when it’s only a handful of guys, and being able to help the team to some stage wins. Being part of a world-championship-winning team was a huge moment for me, too.”
At 26, Sean has some exciting years ahead of him. The future is looking bright as he races into his prime. Sean’s younger teammates will look to him for advice as they navigate the early years of their own careers. Sean will be a valuable leader, especially for our growing American contingent.
“The most important thing is just: don’t be a jerk,” Sean said. “Treat the people around you with respect, and listen to people who’ve done the things you want to do. It’s good to have your own opinion, but people are where they are because of the work they’ve put in, so it’s worth listening. I listened to my veterans when I was a neo-pro, and it helped me a lot. You don’t have to take every piece of advice – balance it out, take things with a grain of salt – but listen as much as you can, sift through the information, and don’t come into the team thinking you’re the smartest guy in the world. I’m still learning, and I don’t think that ever stops, so I don’t have all the answers for these guys. The best thing they can do is be a sponge, learn as much as possible, figure out what actually matters, and find a balance so they’re enjoying it too. It’s quite an international team - we have staff and riders from all over, so I’ve never really felt like it’s a super American team. But now we have a lot of American riders, so that’ll be an interesting dynamic with the new guys coming in next year. It’ll be fun.”