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Paul Seixas is three minutes late for his press conference. Inside a side room of Barcelonas former Sant Pau hospital, a grand auditorium with yellow tiles on the ceiling and stained glass windows, the suspense is building. The 90 or so chairs are not enough for the more than 150 journalists that have turned up. Those that came last are standing along the wings, waiting cross-armed for the rider of the moment: Frances teenage darling, the youngest Tour de France debutant in 89 years. Hushed whispers announce Seixass arrival. Fresh-faced and dressed in a white shirt and cream chinos, he could be mistaken for a teenager on work experience as he files through the crowds. He steps up onto the small stage, drops into a chair, and relaxes his body against the armrest. Alone, he then looks out to the back of the room, where 10 television cameras point back at him. Its unheard of for the Tour to host a pre-race press conference for a 19-year-old debutant. These events are usually only reserved for the reigning yellow jersey, world champions, and multiple stage winners in two hours, Tadej Pogaar will sit in the same seat. But the furore around Seixas demanded the occasion.How does he feel, then, at the centre of it all? Its a bit particular, Seixas says, rushing his words slightly. Its true that the Tour brings a new dimension, and this is the proof of that. Its a new experience for me. Seixas sat alone in front of the media in Barcelona on Thursday evening. (Image credit: Getty Images)Such is the excitement in Barcelona around the Decathlon CMA CGM rider that the French media couldnt contain their questions before he arrived; in Mathieu van der Poels press conference, held just before, one reporter asked the Dutchman what he expected of the races youngest rider, purely because the two share French ancestry. Hes capable of doing great things, Van der Poel said. He has shown he has the level to compete with the best. That same belief is shared in the room. This spring, the world watched Seixas finish runner-up to Tadej Pogaar at Strade Bianche and Lige-Bastogne-Lige. People were in awe when he won Flche Wallonne in April, soaring up the final climb as if shot out of a canon. One journalist begins his question by comparing Seixas to Lamine Yamal, the FC Barcelona footballer, who at 18 years old is already among the best in the world. The rest of the room laughs, but the parallel isnt so far-fetched. Does the hype faze Seixas at all? It appears not. The priority is the general classification, he says, focused, two days before the Grand Dpart. He may be the youngest rider on the start list, but hes here to win; hes been saying the same ever since his Tour participation was announced in May. What position [I can finish], I dont know yet, he says. But I wont take any risks for anything else other than the general classification.The risks, perhaps, are a nod to his crash at last month's Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes. Seixas left his final tune-up race early, his arms bandaged in gauze after crashing into a ravine. It was a mistake on my part It happens, he says of the crash, but theres no worry about any painful after-effects. Instead, stepping into the unknown of a three-week Grand Tour, hes approaching the race as he would any other: with the will to learn, and a desire to win. Of course there are different ways to win on a course like this, Seixas says. I will see how it goes, how I can perform, at which level, and in which place.The cycling world will watch closely, too.

Mathieu van der Poel enters the 2026 Tour de France with early opportunities, a familiar green jersey mission alongside Jasper Philipsen and a Barcelona opening that could suit Alpecin-Premier Tech immediately. CyclingUpToDate were present at the Dutchmans pre-Tour press conference to document ever...

23 teams line up in Barcelona for the team time trial around the Catalonian capital that opens the 2026 Tour de France this weekend. Once again the race pits the big budget super teams against the minnows of the sport, getting by on a budget that's a fraction of the size. Tadej Pogaar is not only the strongest rider in the peloton, he is supported by the strongest team. But only three teams are starting the race with a realistic goal of taking home the yellow jersey at the end, the rest will be battling for stages, classification jerseys or just some TV time. Below is our guide to all the teams, what their goals are, and how they might go about achieving them. Read more: Tour de France 2026 | Tour de France 2026 start list | Tour de France 2026 routeUAE Team Emirates-XRG(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)Visma - Lease a BikeRed Bull - Bora hansgrohe(Image credit: Getty Images)Netcompany-IneosAlpecin-Premier TechBahrain VictoriousDecathlon CMA CGM(Image credit: Getty Images)EF Education-EasyPostGroupama-FDJ UnitedJayco-AlUlaLidl-TrekMads Pedersen is back at the Tour and hunting for stages (Image credit: Getty Images)NSN CyclingPinarello Q36.5Soudal Quick-StepUno-X MobilityMovistarCaja Rural-Seguros RGAPicnic PostNLXDS AstanaTotalEnergiesIntermarch Lotto Tudor Pro CyclingCofidis

Remco Evenepoel has arrived at the 2026 Tour de France with immediate ambitions in Barcelona, a new coach behind him and Red Bull BORA hansgrohe building their GC challenge around both him and Florian Lipowitz. CyclingUpToDate were present at the Belgians pre-Tour press conference to document e...

Plans for the first 15km section of the West Clare Railway Greenway, between Kilrush and Kilkee via Moyasta, have been submitted to An Coimisin Pleanla by Clare County CouncilClare County Council said it is developing the West Clare Railway Greenway as an accessible route which will support active travel and provide new opportunities for recreation, tourism and connectivity between places of work, education and leisure.The proposed greenway will follow the route of the former West Clare Railway, where feasible, Clare County Council said on its website.West Clare Railway was a narrow-gauge railway that operated between 1887 and 1961. The railway, which stretched 85km, started in Ennis and went via Ennistymon, then down the coast via Milltown Malbay before splitting off towards two termini at Kilrush and Kilkee. The drawings for the greenway route include diversions away from the old railway alignments to avoid houses and farmyards on or near the old railway.While the council has done prep work on other sections of the full route, the planning application today only relates to the section between Kilrush and Kilkee, amounting to just over 15km.IMAGE: The phase 1 route. MAIN IMAGE ABOVE: A photo of part of the route showing a former railway bridge at Moyasta.The council said it Will continue to advance the Voluntary Land Acquisition Process, including farm accommodation works in parallel with the required statutory process agreed in the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways.That process includes applying for Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) for land that cannot be acquired through the voluntary process, and documents have been published to seek permission for CPOs from the national planning board.The council said that the move to submit a planning application follows five years of preparatory work, including engagement with landowners, farming representatives and the local community. The council said that all affected landowners have been consulted in advance of the publication of notices. Alan Farrell, deputy chief executive and director of service for housing with Clare County Council, said he wanted to thank all those involved, including landowners, representative bodies, stakeholders and members of the public, for their ongoing support and cooperation in helping to progress the scheme to this important milestone.He said that the greenway delivery team had worked closely with all parties throughout the process and that the work carried out to date demonstrated Clare County Councils commitment to meaningful stakeholder engagement and to addressing any concerns as the project progresses.IMAGE: The Kilrush to Kilkee route is just one of four sections of the planned overall greenway. The provision of a greenway in this location will enhance access to the wider West Clare region while highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism, active travel, built heritage and the natural environment. Experience elsewhere in Ireland has shown that greenways can also act as powerful economic drivers, supporting sustainable tourism, creating local employment and helping to revitalise rural economies, said Farrell.He added: By attracting both domestic and international visitors, they generate ongoing revenue for local hospitality and recreation businesses while supporting long-term community health and development. This project also provides an opportunity to promote the historical and educational significance of the former West Clare Railway and to showcase the scenic character of the surrounding area.IMAGE: An artists impression of a section of the greenway.Details according to the plansAccording to the plans, the greenway will typically be 3 metres wide with an asphalt surface and 1m green or other verges on each side. The width of the route will narrow down at constraints, including at former railway bridges or embankments. According to a description of the plans: Two trailheads are proposed along the route, one at Moyasta and the larger of the two at Kilrush. These trailheads will incorporate car parking, bike stands, picnic areas, bins, toilets and other ancillary facilities.The plan outlines that bridges, retaining walls, culverts, farm access paths, farm crossings, and public road crossings and access points will be needed for the route. Livestock-proof fencing with native hedgerows is proposed for sections of the development that border or run through what is currently private farmland, while existing fencing and hedging will be retained where possible.The application documents also stated that, along the former rail corridor, mature vegetation will be preserved where possible, while New and supplementary native planting will be installed along verges and other suitable screening and boundary treatments as required along the route.Full details of the project, including CPO maps, general maps and reports can be found at westclarerailwaygreenway.ie/section-1.IMAGE: Proposed Kilrush trailhead.IMAGE: Proposed Moyasta trailhead.The car park trailheads at Kilrush and Moyasta.

Tadej Pogacar refused to reduce the 2026 Tour de France to another straight duel with Jonas Vingegaard as he arrived in Barcelona for his latest yellow jersey defence. CyclingUpToDate were present at the UAE Team Emirates XRG leaders pre-Tour press conference to document every word. Asked whether...

UPDATED July 2, 2026 BY Guest Author IN Journey to the East no comments From Seoul To Sapporo: The Journey We SharedArjuna Boucher-Pertuisot was the Content Creator on the 2026 Journey to the East Cycling Tour.After thousands of kilometres, countless bowls of rice, endless vending machines, ferry crossings, mountain climbs, quiet roads, busy cities, and more than a few well-earned onsen, the Journey to the East has officially reached its final destination: Sapporo, Japan.What began in the energetic streets of Seoul became much more than a cycling tour. It became a moving community between riders, staff, bikes, duffel bags, snack stops, laundry missions, early mornings, tired legs, and unforgettable views. For Sheila Morehouse, the tour was a chance to discover two countries at the perfect speed. The Tour dAfrique helped me confirm that biking is the perfect speed and manner in which to explore a country. Japan and Korea were complete unknowns to me, so this seemed like a great opportunity to learn a lot in a really granular way. For Vince Waite, the journey was also about challenging expectations. I came here to challenge myself with another expedition tour, and to challenge my stereotypes of Japan. And for many riders, that is exactly what the tour became: a chance to move through South Korea and Japan slowly enough to notice the details: one climb, one meal, one ferry, one convenience store stop, and one unexpected conversation at a time.The Challenge of the RoadThe Journey to the East was beautiful, but it was not always gentle. There were long riding days, steep climbs, changing weather, city transfers, ferries, and the daily challenge of waking up and doing it all again. Riders had to adapt constantly.. to new roads, new countries, new food, new routines, and sometimes to legs that were clearly asking for a rest day. But this is also what makes the wins feel even bigger. For Giselle, each day came with its own uncertainty, but also its own reward. Every day I thought I was not sure I would be able to ride every day, let alone complete the hills. Most proud to finish and think of the mountains as only hills.Vince also found himself changing through the climbs. Steep ascents previously created anxiety for me, and I came to look forward to them. That is the magic of a long tour. A climb becomes a hill. A hard day becomes a story. A fear becomes something you know how to ride through. For Sheila, the challenge was not only physical. It was also about letting go a little. Im proud of overcoming some of my Point A to B tendency, choosing love over EFI, and getting up the climbs.Some riders were chasing every kilometre. Some were chasing the experience. Most were trying to find their own balance between the two.The Moments Along the WayThere were plenty of big highlights: arriving in Busan, seeing Mount Fuji on a clear day, cycling through the Japanese countryside, reaching Hokkaido, and finishing near Lake Shikotsu before rolling into Sapporo. But the small moments may be the ones people remember most. A perfect lunch stop. A quiet road through rice fields. A surprise view after a climb. A convenience store snack that saved the energy. A shared table at dinner. A joke that somehow lasted for weeks. A rider overcoming a challenge they were not sure they could complete.When asked about her favourite moments, Sheila did not choose just one. Every downhill was an amazing multi-sensory experience. Every single little kid I played with, every single onsen for better or worse and being able to ride with Vince this time around were all favourite moments. For Vince, one of the best parts of the tour was also one of the simplest. My favourite moment was riding with Sheila and matching our very different styles of riding so that we could stay together. And Giselle found her favourite memories in the shared rhythm of the group. Riding with our tribe through the many gorgeous winding paths, with canopy over the road, lakes, mountains, and gorges. In the end, a tour like this is not remembered as one single highlight. It is remembered as hundreds of little moments that slowly become something much bigger.Two Countries, Many SurprisesSouth Korea and Japan offered two very different but equally memorable chapters. In Korea, riders found smooth bike paths, riverside riding, busy cities, and a cycling culture that made moving through the country feel easy and exciting. Vince remembered Korea for the amazing bike paths, while Giselle was struck by how polite, respectful, and shared the country felt.Japan brought a new rhythm. The tour moved through islands, mountains, forests, fishing towns, rice fields, temples, shrines, hot spring towns, and some truly impressive hotel dinners. One day might include a tough climb in cold weather, and the next might end with riders walking around in the traditional clothing yukata, before a multi-course meal. For Vince, experiencing Japan completely changed the way he viewed the country. Japan has literally broken all my stereotypes. I have found it to be a loving, kind place of magnificent beauty.A Tour Built by PeopleOf course, no tour like this happens by accident. Behind every riding day was a team of staff working early mornings, late evenings, and all the hours in between. Bags had to be moved. Routes had to be pre-checked. Lunch had to be made. Hotels had to be ready. Riders needed answers, support, encouragement, and sometimes just a calm voice saying, Yes, youre going the right way. The staff were at all time the invisible engine behind the journey, but the riders brought the magic.Some brought humour, others their wisdom. Some brought unstoppable climbing legs, others contributed with their excellent snack strategies. And many brought stories from past tours. Together, they created the spirit of the trip. As Sheila put it, one of the things she will miss the most is: Our cool, quirky group riders and staff overeating to try every new food and drink, and the freedom to just ride and explore. Giselle echoed the same feeling: Ill miss the camaraderie and freedom that comes with every day riding. That freedom was everywhere on Journey to the East. It was in the open roads, the daily discoveries, and the rare simplicity of having one main job each day: ride your bike and see what happens.What We Take With UsAt the end of a journey like this, it is easy to talk about the goals achieved: distances we passed, destinations that were reached, and elevation that was climbed. Those numbers matter, but they do not tell the full story. The real story is in the people. It is in the rider who overcame more than they ever thought they would. The friendships built over shared ups and downs. The jokes that only makes sense to the people who lived them. The comfort of miso soup, ramen, onsens, and, as Giselle reminded us, automatic toilets.The Journey to the East was not just about crossing South Korea and Japan by bike. It was about discovering what happens when a group of people commits to moving forward together, one stage at a time. From Seoul to Sapporo, it was one incredible ride.RELATEDTOURJourney to the East While South Korea and Japan are close neighbors, their lands and cultures are completely unique. Cycling across these countries, one after the other... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "From Seoul To Sapporo: The Journey We Shared" Cancel reply

The 2026 Tour de France is sure to spring up many battles across the various classifications and jerseys, among those is the most prestigious - the polka dot jersey for the King of the Mountains. The KOM classification is awarded to the rider who picks up the most points over the top of classified c...

Chris Froome has officially announced his retirement from professional cycling, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful Grand Tour careers in modern history. The four-time Tour de France winner confirmed the decision ahead of this year's Tour after spending several months without a t...