Anthony Pothin (VC Saint-Denis) won the opening stage of the 2026 Tour de La Réunion, a 100.3-kilometer race from Saint-Denis to Sainte-Suzanne, as reported by DirectVelo. The first stage, held on August 4, saw Pothin complete the route in 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 27 seconds at an average speed of 41.375 km/h, edging out Antony Chamerat-Dumont (Mix VC de l’Ouest Reu/Vélo Sport Passion) and Solal Bénetière (Mix VC des Jeunes Cyclistes de Curepipe/Paris Cycliste Olympique). Tristan Hardy (Team Maurice MCB) retained the yellow jersey as overall leader, according to DirectVelo.
Race Details and Stage Breakdown
The 2026 Tour de La Réunion commenced on August 3 with a prologue, followed by a 100.3-kilometer stage from Saint-Denis to Sainte-Suzanne on August 4, one of several stages scheduled through August 9. The peloton averaged 41.375 km/h over the distance. The race featured 58 competitors in the first stage results. The event includes a prologue, a time trial, and six road stages, as outlined by DirectVelo.
Stage Results and Leader Classification
Pothin’s victory marked a strong start for VC Saint-Denis, with the team’s rider securing the stage win. Bénetière finished third, while Hardy maintained his overall lead. The top 10 finishers included riders from teams such as CC Saint-Louisien, Saint-André Cycling Team, and AC Passion Réunion. Hardy’s yellow jersey was secured after the stage.
The stage results highlighted the competitive nature of the event, with 58 riders finishing the race. The race also featured notable performances from riders like Guillaume Deurweilher (CC Saint-Louisien) and Geoffrey Galtier (Saint-André Cycling Team), who finished in the top 10, according to DirectVelo.
Detailed Stage Classification
The first stage’s classification included 58 riders, with Anthony Pothin (1st) finishing in 2h25’27, Antony Chamerat-Dumont (2nd) and Solal Bénetière (3rd) also crossing the line in 2h25’27. Tristan Hardy (7th) and other riders like Anthony Celeste (8th) and Juliano Ndriamanampy (9th) finished with the same time. Riders such as Torea Célestin (15th) and Emmannuel Ross (16th) trailed by 15 seconds, while Mohamed Houlder Fitahiantsoa (17th) and Jérémy Lenclume (18th) were 18 seconds behind. The race concluded with 58 riders finishing, as listed in the stage results.
Upcoming Stages and Race Structure
The Tour de La Réunion will continue through August 9. Stage 2 will take riders from Bras-Panon to Bras-Panon, covering 102.7 kilometers. Subsequent stages include a 114-kilometer route from Le Tampon to Le Tampon, a 9.8-kilometer individual time trial in Saint-Pierre, and a final stage in Le Barachois.
The race’s organizers have emphasized its return after a one-year absence, with the 2024 champion Aurélien expected to be a key contender.
The 2026 Tour de La Réunion is set to be an event in the cycling calendar, with Pothin’s early victory and Hardy’s leadership setting the tone for the competition. Riders will now prepare for the next stages, where the general classification could see shifts.
The race’s prologue, held on August 3 at the Vélodrome Gabriel Chefiare in Saint-Denis, covered 3.3 kilometers. The time trial, scheduled for August 7, will feature a 9.8-kilometer individual time trial in Saint-Pierre, followed by stages in Petite-Île, Trois-Bassins, and Le Barachois. The event’s return after a one-year absence underscores its significance in the regional cycling calendar.
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