Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026: Van Gils oustprints Johannessen on uphill finish, Tuckwell new leader

fotobureau Cor VosIn stage 6 of the Tour of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the riders produce a race on two fronts. From the leading group, Maxim Van Gils sprints to the stage victory, while Luke Tuckwell claims the yellow jersey. Behind, Paul Seixas drives the pace on the final climb, with only Isaac del Toro able to follow the young Frenchman. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 6 Results – 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

1. Maxim Van Gils (bel) 4:06:53
2. Tobias Halland Johannessen (nor) s.t.
3. Luke Tuckwell (aus) + 0:06
4. Pablo Torres (spa) + 0:13
5. Raúl García Pierna (spa) + 0:33
6. Yannis Voisard (swi) s.t.
7. Jordan Jegat (fra) s.t.
8. Cristián Rodríguez (spa) s.t.
9. Clément Braz Afonso (fra) s.t.
10. Lennart Jasch (ger) s.t.

20. Isaac del Toro (mex) + 3:15
21. Paul Seixas (fra) s.t.
22. Matteo Jorgenson (usa) + 3:28
23. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 3:37
24. Juan Ayuso (spa) s.t.

34. Alex Baudin (fra) + 4:47

GC after stage 6

1. Luke Tuckwell (aus) + 1:12
2. Bruno Armirail (fra) + 2:00
3. Guillaume Martin (fra) + 2:34
4. Matteo Jorgenson (usa) + 2:37
5. Cristián Rodríguez (spa) + 3:04
6. José Felix Parra (spa) + 3:04
7. Paul Seixas (fra) + 3:06
8. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 3:15
9. Mattias Skjelmose (den) s.t.
10. Isaac del Toro (mex) + 3:22

Race report
The peloton splits soon after the start. Yellow jersey holder Alex Baudin and all the GC contenders find themselves on the wrong side of the split. There is little sign of a concerted chase, with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale the only team contributing at the front of the second group, and the gap grows to as much as 5 minutes.

At the top of the penultimate climb, the Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugine, the lead group features 22 riders. Among them are Maxim Van Gils, Georg Steinhauser, Tobias Halland Johannessen, Yannis Voisard, Guillaume Martin, Pablo Castrillo, Pablo Torres, Bruno Armirail and Luke Tuckwell.

Steinhauser attacks early on the final climb before Van Gils en Johannessen overhaul him. Torres and Tuckwell also bridge across to the leaders.

In the peloton, Seixas attacks and only Del Toro and Jorgenson are able to match his move. As the Frenchman continues to set a relentless pace, it proves too much for Jorgenson.

Up front, Torres cracks just before the flamme rouge, after which Halland Johannessen opens the sprint early. Too early, as Van Gils keeps him close to overhaul him in the final metres. Tuckwell finishes just behind the two and takes the yellow jersey.

Seixas crosses the line together with Del Toro, 13 seconds ahead of Jorgenson, while Skjelmose and Ayuso finish a further 9 seconds down.

Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.