Stage 2: "We would have liked to win, but we are completely on track"

In the current edition, Denk reports on the second stage of the 2026 Tour de France. "It was a really tough race from the very first minute. We would have liked to win, but we got our team leaders through safely. We are completely on track with both of them," says the 52-year-old. The day was somewhat dampened by a crash involving Maxim van Gils. "He crashed at the beginning of the stage and was actually planned to be a key helper for the finale. He is a bit banged up, missing some skin around the knee area. Everything is fine so far, but nobody has ever improved because of a crash," Denk says. The final part covers the third stage, which will be ridden on Monday. 196 kilometers must be covered between Granollers and Les Angles. "Tomorrow is definitely not a stage to catch your breath. For me, there are two scenarios. Either we see the first breakaway group make it through, or the general classification contenders will battle it out for the stage win. I don't want to make a definitive call on that; both are possible," Denk concludes. Photo: IMAGO / Photo News