'It is one of the most beautiful days of my career' – Maxim Van Gils sprints to victory on ‘crazy’ stage six of Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Maxim Van Gils claimed a dramatic victory on stage six of the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, out-sprinting Tobias Johannessen in a thrilling finish amidst challenging Alpine terrain. The 26-year-old Belgian, riding for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, described the day as “crazy” and one of the most beautiful of his career, especially meaningful given his recent recovery from a fractured pelvis. His teammate Luke Tuckwell secured third place on the stage and took over the overall race lead, signalling a significant shake-up in the general classification with just two stages remaining. The 182.3km stage from Saint-Vulbas to Crest-Voland was marked by a large breakaway group that held a commanding lead of over four minutes for much of the day, causing major disruptions in the peloton. Notably, young riders Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro made impressive moves late in the race, with Seixas now seventh overall and del Toro in tenth. Meanwhile, the previous race leader Alex Beaudin suffered a major setback, losing contact on the final climbs and dropping down the standings after holding the yellow jersey for five days—the longest any French rider has done so in this event since 1964. Van Gils reflected on the victory with pride, highlighting the team’s collective effort despite not entering the race with a designated star rider. He expressed personal joy in winning in the Dauphiné region, which holds special significance for him due to family ties. The win also underscores the depth and resilience of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who have capitalised on the chaotic stage to position themselves strongly in both the stage results and overall classification. The race conditions were hot and sunny, with riders averaging speeds of 47.5km/h over the mountainous course. The outcome of this stage has intensified the battle for the yellow jersey, now held by Tuckwell, a 21-year-old Australian who also leads the young riders’ classification. With the general classification dramatically altered, the final two stages promise to be fiercely contested as contenders jostle for the overall title in this prestigious early-season race.