Tour de France 2026 Favourites stage 16: Evenepoel versus Ganna

fotobureau Cor VosMultiple world champions Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna are the leading favourites to win the individual time trial to Thonon-les-Bains, while Joshua Tarling will be hoping to steal the limelight. At the same time, the GC contenders also have a big day ahead of them. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 1 July

It has been a while since Filippo Ganna last got the better of Remco Evenepoel in a time trial. For that, we have to go back to the Vuelta a España in 2023. On that occasion, the Italian was 16 seconds quicker over a 25.8-kilometre course featuring a 600-metre climb at 6.5%, while the rest of the route was flat.

This time, the course is rather different, which plays even more into Evenepoel's hands. In fact, the route seems tailor-made for the Belgian. Right from the start, the riders tackle a 9.7-kilometre climb averaging 4.3%. It is uphill, but without brutally steep gradients, meaning the pace is likely to remain high and allowing Evenepoel to make the most of his aerodynamic advantage.

A descent followed by a flat to gently rolling section completes the 26.1-kilometre course.

Favourites 16th stage - 2026 Tour de France

*** Remco Evenepoel, Filippo Ganna, Joshua Tarling
** Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Juan Ayuso, Daan Hoole
* Thymen Arensman, Paul Seixas, Brandon McNulty, Edoardo Affini

Another interesting read: route 16th stage 2026 Tour de France.

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