For The Love Of Cycling

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🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

Stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France was always going to be about one thing: the sprint. The 179.1km stage from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône offered the fast men another opportunity before the race heads back into the mountains, and once again, it was Tim Merlier who came out on top.

Merlier claimed his third stage victory of this year's Tour, holding off Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen after a dramatic finale that was marred by a late crash.

While the general classification remained unchanged, the sprint hierarchy became even clearer: Merlier is proving to be the fastest finisher in France, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s closing in on the green jersey, which still very much remains up for grabs.

Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 12 of the Tour de France

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🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.

Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Stage 11 of the 2026 Tour de France looked destined to end in a routine bunch sprint, but what unfolded in the final kilometres left even Ned Boulting and David Millar almost speechless.

After the sprint teams controlled the race for much of the day, the breakaway was finally reeled in inside the closing kilometres as Picnic, Alpecin, Uno-X and Astana combined to set up the expected showdown. But the finale was anything but predictable.

How did it happen? Why did almost every sprinter get it wrong? And will we ever see a finish like that again? Ned and David break down one of the strangest bunch sprints the Tour has produced in years.

The episode also features a special conversation with Romain Bardet, reflecting on his career, his greatest Tour de France memories, and life after retirement.

Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 11 of the Tour de France.

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🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

_______________________________________________________________

🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.

Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_______________________________________________________________

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Stage 10 of the 2026 Tour de France marked the race's return from the first rest day with a 166.6km mountain stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran on Bastille Day. Featuring nearly 3,800 metres of climbing through the Massif Central, it was always expected to test the general classification contenders and once again, Tadej Pogačar delivered exactly what everyone had been anticipating.

When Pogačar attacked on the Col de Pertus, what unfolded was a narrative that we’ve all seen before, many times. Nobody could follow, and Pogačar swallowed up Richard Carapaz, who lead the race, with no problem at all. Jonas Vingegaard once again was the best of the race, but for the first time in a long time, looked very much amongst the rest. Is his nailed on 2nd place in doubt?

With the likes of Remco Evenepoel and the other GC contenders closing the gap, the battle for the remaining podium places is still very much alive, even if the fight for yellow is beginning to look increasingly one-sided. With the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas fighting behind- there’s still plenty to play for.

We also chat to Rob Gitelis, founder of Factor, who’s riding the entire route of the Tour de France a week early for Cure Leukaemia, as part of the Tour 21 charity challenge.

Support Rob’s Tour 21 challenge for Cure Leukaemia here: https://eu.factorbikes.com/news/rob-gitelis-tour-21 Every donation is being matched by Factor, doubling your impact.

Ned Boulting and David Millar breakdown Stage 10 of the Tour de France 2026.

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🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

_______________________________________________________________

🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.

Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Stage 9 of the 2026 Tour de France was tailor-made for the breakaway, with an parcours full of ups and downs that encouraged attacking racing from the very start. After a fierce battle to get up the road, a powerful group finally broke clear, and this time, the peloton didn’t see them again until the very end.

The headline act was Mathieu van der Poel, who proved strongest in the finale to claim the stage victory after spending the day in the break. Tom Pidcock was also among the race's biggest protagonists, riding aggressively throughout the stage and contributing heavily to the move, but ultimately falling short when it mattered most.

Behind them, UAE Team Emirates and INEOS Grenadiers both spent long periods driving the peloton, seemingly weighing up whether to bring the escapees back. In the end, both teams eased off, accepting that the stage wasn't worth the effort, and the breakaway survived all the way to the finish.

Away from the stage itself, Ned Boulting and David Millar discuss Primož Roglič's confirmed departure from Red Bull, where he ranks among the greatest riders of his generation, and what the move could mean for the final chapter of his career.

The episode also features one of David's favourite stories from his racing days, as he reflects on the toughest day he ever endured on the bike, a ride that has largely gone under the radar despite leaving a lasting mark on his memory.

Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 9

🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

_______________________________________________________________

🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.

Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France took the peloton 180.4km through the Dordogne, from Périgueux to Bergerac, for another day that was always expected to end in a bunch sprint.

After a relatively controlled stage, the sprint teams took charge in the closing kilometres before Tim Merlier once again proved he's the fastest finisher at this year's Tour. Biniam Girmay chased him home in second, with Olav Kooij taking third, while Jasper Philipsen could only manage fourth despite receiving the leadout help he needed.

The result leaves the battle for the green jersey finely poised. With Merlier, Pedersen, Girmay, Philipsen and Kooij all taking points from one another, is the points classification becoming the most unpredictable competition of this year's Tour?

Away from the racing, David Millar and Ned Boulting also discuss David's recent interview with L'Équipe, where they asked him: Is Tadej Pogacar ruining cycling? Is he clean?

Ned Boulting and David Millar break down Stage 8 of the Tour de France and more.

🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music

_______________________________________________________________

🏅 For The Love Of Cycling is presented by Science in Sport, a pioneer in endurance fuelling: Backed by science. Trusted by athletes.

Find out more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Science In Sport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_______________________________________________________________

🚴‍♂️ Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muc-Off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code FTLOC20 for 20% off
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