Rate TdeF '26: what did you like, what would you fix?

[VinSumRox]

Enjoyed it overall, some excellent stages and a shame JV crashed out. Good seeing Evenopoel do well too.
Improvements:
Start earlier in the day to avoid the heat.
Control the hill top crowds.

 

[Binky]

I gave it a 6 - glad I watched, but not great.

Most of those points came from:

I cannot remember any other stages with special drama/pathos/redemption. Most GTs have at least 2 stages like that (the giro had several!).
Someone wins a stage a year after their team-mate dies. Or a crazy break only JUST makes it. Or bonkers counter-attacking from a small group for the last 10k. Or a really emotional surprise winner. Stuff like that.
(apart from Stage 21!)

Not tooo bothered about the Alpine crowd trouble; it wasn't dramatically worse than other years (with no serious affect on the race), plus we were treated to FANTASTIC feel-good coverage of the partying. So it balanced out!

Even Pogacar was having to wave fans out of the way. A flag waved too closely in his face could have resulted in him being knocked off bike etc which could have been end of Tour for him, no 5th win etc.
Question is then do the organisers wait until something really bad happens to one of the top riders before the situation is addressed or do something to prevent it.

I prefer the latter.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Agree, is Einer Rubio not a big enough name injured to warrant a change?

 

[matticus]

Agree, is Einer Rubio not a big enough name injured to warrant a change?

Nobody wanted Rubio to be injured - but riders have gone through rear windscreens on non-mountain stages too.