Stage 11: Tour only in August? “I like Pogačar’s proposal”

In the latest edition, Denk reflects on Stage 11 of the 2026 Tour de France. “The way the stage unfolded was exactly what I expected, but not the finale. The fact that the sprint teams only managed to organize themselves so late is, for me, a clear indication that everyone is already completely exhausted. Normally, that happens much earlier,” says the 52-year-old. At Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, all riders reached the finish safely and without any issues. “The medical data also looks good, and all key indicators are in the green,” emphasizes the team manager. The feature story focuses on Tadej Pogačar’s proposal to revolutionize the racing calendar. Denk is clearly enthusiastic about the idea. “I think it’s great that such an icon is addressing this so openly. If the riders support it, a Tour de France in August is certainly conceivable. The Spring Classics have to stay, but everything else should be open for discussion.” The final part looks ahead to Stage 12, which will take place on Thursday. The riders will cover 180 kilometers between Magny-Cours and Chalon-sur-Saône. “The sprinters don’t have many opportunities left in this Tour. I think we’ll see another bunch sprint tomorrow,” Denk concludes. Photo: IMAGO / Photo News