The Tour always calls upon its great champions. But even for legends, a victory in the Grande Boucle is practically a vital goal. This is the case with Mathieu Van der Poel, genetically designed to fly on the bike, the quintessential classics rider, champion of almost everything and several times over. But the Tour… Oh, the Tour! Only two stage wins appeared on his resume as he approaches 32 years old, a meager haul for Poulidor’s grandson. As if that weren’t enough, the design of this edition had left the Dutchman almost without opportunities. But amid the darkness, there was a ray of light. A 150-kilometer hell with a wall 25 kilometers from the finish in Ussel. A torture with constant ups and downs. Perfect for the classics specialists. Ideal for Mathieu van der Poel.

The Tour de France stages a race against the clock, the mountains, and physical wear every summer. This year, it is also competing against the heat. The organization decided yesterday to cut the first 30 kilometers of today’s stage after French authorities activated the red alert for high temperatures in the Corrèze department, where thermometers can approach 40 degrees. The route modification reflects how much the heat is affecting modern cycling. Hydration, physiological adaptation to high temperatures, and nutrition occupy as important a space as physical preparation or strategy. Riders consume more carbohydrates than ever, monitor their temperature, and look for any detail that allows them to delay fatigue.

57 days after lowering the curtain on the 2025-26 season, the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper opens its doors tomorrow to kick off the 2026-27 season. From 9:00 a.m., the non-international first team players are scheduled to undergo the usual medical check-ups. They will be welcomed by Hansi Flick, who cut short his vacation and returned to work on July 6 to start designing a preseason that will begin on Tuesday with a single morning training session. During the week, the team will alternate morning and evening sessions, as well as some days with double sessions.