A route that punishes hesitationSpeaking in quotes collected by the Canadian Cycling Magazine following the route presentation, Evans said the 2026 race will demand total commitment from day one. “From the opening team time trial, GC contenders will have to be at their best immediately,” he explained. “It’s a tough first week and a brutal final stretch with two finishes on Alpe d’Huez — that’s rare. It’ll be hard to control the lead and even harder to defend it.”
The Australian, who knows better than most the fine margins of a Tour campaign, believes the defining moments will arrive in the final mountain block. “The last stage has 5,600 metres of climbing — probably the hardest mountain stage in living memory. When it gets that hard, the riders who are on will still be flying, and the others will be walking zombies. Instead of losing two or three minutes, they’ll lose 15.”
Cadel Evans won the Maillot Jaune back in 2011
Barcelona to Alpe d’Huez – no easy days
Evans praised the Grand Départ in Barcelona as a “spectacular” setting but warned that what follows will be far from scenic. He singled out Stage 6 to Gavarnie-Gèdre and Stage 14 to Le Markstein Fellering as particularly punishing before pointing to Stage 20 — Alpe d’Huez — as the one that “stands out” most. “A brutal day across terrain that’s close to my heart,” he said.
O’Grady, a two-time Tour stage winner and 2007 Paris-Roubaix champion, echoed those sentiments. “It’s an explosive edition from day one. You can’t hide — you’ve got to fight from Barcelona to Paris,” he said. “Climbing Alpe d’Huez twice could destroy legs and decide the Tour.”
The pair also reflected on the controversial decision to use individual timings for the opening team time trial — a format that mirrors Paris-Nice earlier this year. “It erodes the spirit of a team time trial but is fairer in some ways,” said Evans. O’Grady admitted he remains fond of the discipline, adding: “I’ve got a soft spot for TTTs, but this one’s going to be something different.”
Pogacar’s playground?
The tone of Evans’ remarks leaves little doubt about who he believes will thrive on such a demanding parcours. Pogacar, a four-time Tour champion and reigning world road race winner, has built his legend on races that punish hesitation and reward consistency — precisely the traits this course demands.
As Evans put it, “You can’t Pog-proof the Tour.” The 2026 edition, with its early aggression, relentless climbing and colossal final mountain stage, may only confirm that truth — and once again, leave the rest of the peloton chasing shadows.