Norwegian sprinter Soren Waerenskjold of Uno-X Mobility won stage 11 of the Tour de France in a frenzied sprint into Nevers, clocking the fastest average speed for a road stage in the race's history.
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Key facts
- Soren Waerenskjold won stage 11 from Vichy to Nevers.
- The stage was raced at an average speed of 50.91kph, the fastest road stage in the Tour's 113 editions.
- Waerenskjold rides for Uno-X Mobility.
- His win came five days after teammate Torsten Traeen crashed out of the Tour while in the yellow jersey.
- Tim Merlier won the following stage 12 in a chaotic sprint finish, his third stage victory of this year's Tour.
The records continued to tumble at the Tour de France as Norwegian sprinter Soren Waerenskjold won the 11th stage into Nevers in a frenzied sprint, according to the Guardian. His victory came at an average speed of 50.91kph, which Al Jazeera reported was the fastest road stage in the 113 editions of the race.
Waerenskjold, riding for Uno-X Mobility, took the win five days after his teammate Torsten Traeen crashed out of the Tour while wearing the yellow jersey on the Pyrenean stage to Gavarnie-Gedre, the Guardian reported. The result marked a notable turnaround for the team following that setback.
The stage set off from Vichy, with the Guardian’s live coverage noting a scheduled start of 12.50pm BST/1.50pm CEST. Before the finish, the day saw a breakaway that included Julian Alaphilippe before it was reeled in by the peloton.
The record-breaking pace fitted a pattern at this year’s race. The Guardian noted that race leader Tadej Pogacar had earlier shattered the record for the fastest climb of the Col du Tourmalet, adding to a Tour marked by fast times.
Ahead of the stage, questions surrounded Alpecin-Premier Tech’s sprint plans. The team’s boss, Christoph Roodhooft, told Hannah Walker on TNT Sports that his sprinter Jasper Philipsen was ‘feeling better … but that doesn’t mean he will win today,’ amid speculation over whether Mathieu van der Poel might sprint instead.
The following day, the sprinters returned to the fore as Tim Merlier came out on top in a chaotic sprint finish to win stage 12, clinching his third stage victory at this year’s Tour, the BBC reported.
Why it matters
The Tour de France is cycling's most prestigious race, and record-breaking speeds highlight how fast and competitive this year's edition has become. Waerenskjold's win also gave a boost to Uno-X Mobility after losing the yellow jersey to a crash days earlier.
Frequently asked questions
Who won stage 11 of the 2026 Tour de France?
Norwegian sprinter Soren Waerenskjold of Uno-X Mobility won stage 11 into Nevers in a sprint finish.
Why was the stage a record?
According to Al Jazeera, the stage was raced at an average speed of 50.91kph, making it the fastest road stage in the Tour de France's 113 editions.
Who won the next stage?
Tim Merlier won stage 12 in a chaotic sprint finish, the BBC reported, taking his third stage victory of this year's Tour.
Timeline
- Merlier clinches sprint finish to win stage 12 of Tour
BBC Sport: Tim Merlier comes out on top in a chaotic sprint finish to clinch his third stage at this year's Tour de France.
- Merlier wins sprint finish on stage 12 of Tour
BBC Sport: Tim Merlier comes out on top in a chaotic sprint finish to clinch his third stage at this year's Tour de France.
- Norway’s Waerenskjold wins fastest Tour de France stage in history
Al Jazeera: At an average speed of 50.91kph, Soren Waerenskjold's sprint was the fastest road stage in the 113 editions of the Tour.
- Wærenskjold wins fastest ever Tour de France stage in frenzied sprint to Nevers
The Guardian Sport: Alaphilippe gets in breakaway before being reeled in Pidcock’s rollercoaster ride continues on return to Tour The records keep tumbling in the Tour de France. After race leader Tadej Pogacar shattered the record for the fastest climb of the Col du Tourmalet, Norwegian sprinter Sø
- Tour de France stage 11: Søren Wærenskjold wins fastest-ever road stage in sprint finish – live
The Guardian Sport: Stage starts from Vichy at 12.50pm BST/1.50pm CEST ‘I have haters’: Pogacar brushes off boos | Email Luke Christoph Roodhooft , Jasper Philipsen’s boss at Alpecin-Premier Tech, tells Hannah Walker on TNT Sports that his sprinter is “feeling better … but that doesn’t mean he will
- Tour de France stage 11: Søren Wærenskjold wins fastest-ever Tour stage in sprint finish – live
The Guardian Sport: Stage starts from Vichy at 12.50pm BST/1.50pm CEST ‘I have haters’: Pogacar brushes off boos | Email Luke Christoph Roodhooft , Jasper Philipsen’s boss at Alpecin-Premier Tech, tells Hannah Walker on TNT Sports that his sprinter is “feeling better … but that doesn’t mean he will