The sprinters have survived the final Pyrenean showdown. Now they are rewarded with a fine treat: stage 7 of the Tour de France 2026 is tailor-made for them between Hagetmau and Bordeaux, with just 850 metres of elevation gain and a single classified climb (the Côte de Béguey, 1.2 kilometres long at an average gradient of 4.4 per cent). There is a strong likelihood of a bunch sprint at the end of the 175.1-kilometre stage. It would be the second in three days following the one in Pau, won by Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM).
The Dutchman arrives in the Landes region buoyed by his first Grand Tour victory, and he will be looking to cement his place among the elite once and for all. To do so, he will need to fend off attacks from Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Biniam Girmay (NSN), who were left frustrated in Pau where they finished 5th and 6th. Bordeaux has often favoured sprinters... including Philipsen in 2023, the last time the Tour stopped here.
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) fared slightly better (3rd), but the Belgian will be aiming for nothing less than victory in the capital of the Gironde. Max Kanter (XDS Astana) missed out on the win by a single place in Pau. The German has been one of the most consistent riders this season (seven podium finishes), and only Kooij has managed to prevent him from claiming his first stage win in a Grand Tour.
Wearing the green jersey, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) lacks the raw speed of his rivals, but he will be looking to pick up as many points as possible to wear the jersey for one more day. 95 points will be up for grabs on the stage, including 70 at the finish. They will go to the strongest rider… or will they? Watch out for surprises from breakaway specialists who have anticipated rush hour, or who are tactically astute in the final stretch. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve managed to outwit the sprinters’ teams.
