Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast Tour de France 2026 Route Reaction
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Oct 24, 2025 Hosts dive into the 2026 Tour de France route, unveiling its backloaded design and fewer Pyrenees stages. They critique the Barcelona team time trial and discuss potential breakaway opportunities. The geography shapes the race dynamics, featuring climbs in the Massif Central and an Alpe d'Huez showdown. Predictions for podium finishes and jersey battles add excitement, while hosts evaluate the route's creativity and impact. With a mix of tactical analysis and lively debate, this conversation promises to stir the cycling enthusiast's imagination.
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Route Is Geographically Backloaded
- The 2026 route is visually and geographically very different, starting in Catalonia and backloading the hardest days into the final week.
- Fewer Pyrenean stages and a late cluster of Vosges/Alsace/Alps shifts decisive terrain toward the race end.
Presentation Guests Fueled Wildcard Talk
- At the route presentation Patrick and Benji noted the guest list was smaller and included Dylan Groenewegen, sparking wildcard speculation.
- Benji tracks team license changes and sees Unibet Rose Rockets' French license improving their wildcard odds.
Wildcards Influenced By Politics
- Wildcard invites appear influenced by politics and licensing shifts, not only sporting merit.
- Benji sees Unibet Rose Rockets and TotalEnergies as likeliest discretionary invites after ASO and licencing changes.