Island Cycling Race Kicks Off With Demanding Route; Teen Leader Eyes Title Defense
Cyclists face steep climbs and tactical sprints on opening road stage across the island.
Tristan Hardy, an 18-year-old from Mauritius riding for team MCB, claimed the yellow jersey on Monday after winning the prologue time trial at the velodrome. Now 78 cyclists prepare to take on the first road stage of the 2026 Tour de La Réunion on Tuesday, August 4, with Hardy wearing the leader’s jersey into what promises to be a demanding day across the island.
The opening road stage runs 96.12 kilometers from Saint-Denis to Sainte-Suzanne, with 997 meters of climbing and 859 meters of descent packed into an estimated two hours and thirty minutes of racing. Seventeen teams will roll out from the Stade de l’Est in the Primat district of Saint-Denis shortly before 1 p.m., heading first toward Sainte-Marie along the RN2 before swinging toward the coast through Duparc and La Mare.
The route is built to spread honors across different categories of riders. Three sprint points, called “rushes” locally, will decide the green jersey for the best sprinter. The first falls at Ravine Saint-Jean near Sainte-Suzanne at the 17-kilometer mark, with points awarded to the top three finishers at each location, letting riders build their standings progressively through the day.
After passing through Cambuston and reaching the Saint-André coastline, the peloton hits the stage’s most repetitive and tactically loaded section: a 12.4-kilometer circuit between Bras-Panon and Saint-Benoît, completed four times in succession. The second and third sprint points both land at the Limites interchange in Bras-Panon, the second at the 46-kilometer mark and the third on the very next lap.
The final kilometers turn northward toward Sainte-Suzanne via Chemin Morin and Bras des Chevrettes. Three kilometers before the finish, a category-two mountain point will be contested, awarding the white jersey with red polka dots to the best climber and rewarding those who can handle the elevation gain in the closing stretch.
The finish line sits at Stade de Deux Rives in Bagatelle. Cycling analyst Sébastien Autale sees the undulating terrain as a genuine test of concentration. “It is nonetheless a hilly test where riders must avoid being caught off guard,” Autale said. “If the pace accelerates early, gaps can open quickly, and attention is essential. Those who fell short in today’s prologue will certainly attempt to make up ground.”
The 2026 edition is the 79th running of the island tour, which continues through August 9. Whether Hardy can defend his early advantage against riders hungry to reverse Monday’s result is the question that will shape the week ahead. Coverage is available across Réunion La 1ère’s television, radio, web platforms, and social media channels, with live broadcasts scheduled throughout the competition.
Q&A
What is the distance and elevation profile of Tuesday's opening road stage?
The stage runs 96.12 kilometers from Saint-Denis to Sainte-Suzanne with 997 meters of climbing and 859 meters of descent, estimated to take two hours and thirty minutes.
How many cyclists are competing in the 2026 Tour de La Réunion?
78 cyclists from 17 teams are competing in the race.
What tactical features does the route include?
The route includes three sprint points called 'rushes' for the green jersey, a 12.4-kilometer circuit completed four times, and a category-two mountain point three kilometers before the finish for the white jersey with red polka dots.
Who is leading the race and what is their background?
Tristan Hardy, an 18-year-old from Mauritius riding for team MCB, claimed the yellow jersey after winning Monday's prologue time trial at the velodrome.