The first time trial of this year's Tour comes earlier than usual, perhaps because of the absence of a prologue. The stage is also just over half the distance as usual, being just 29-kilometre in length. The stage route, as well as being short, is very flat so – weather permitting – speeds should be high. The stage should appeal to the specialists, but gaps should be small so none of the favourites for the overall classification will be able to take too much time out of their rivals.
The Tour has visited Cholet just twice before, the last time when Dutchman Jeroen Bliijlevens (TVM) out-sprinted Italian Nicola Minali (Riso Scotti) and Ján Svorada (Mapei-Bricobi). By picking up time bonuses throughout the stage, Australian Stuart O'Grady (then GAN, now CSC) took the first maillot jaune of his career. The town sits on the banks of the Moine river and is most famous for the production of linen fabrics.
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Who is stuck on the sidelines with the Tour de France underway? – Pro cycling injury list 2026
From Wout van Aert to Urška Žigart we take a look at the WorldTour, Women's WorldTour and ProTeam riders currently out of racing while recovering from injuries -
'Scary that a car can do that to you so easily' – Lukas Nerurkar hit while training at home in England
EF Education-EasyPost rider's injuries include broken collarbone and fractured vertebra -
Peerless Pogačar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard's losing battle brings podium scramble into focus – GC analysis
Bar incident of injury, the fifth yellow jersey seems to be sewn up for imperious Slovenian, as he returns to Le Lioran with a bang -
'We can fight for second' – Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France's second week with renewed alliance
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammates are working well together again at the start of the second week in Le Lioran
