Tadej Pogacar was impressed. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

During a bathroom break, the superstar is amazed

Cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar noticed the fastest Tour de France stage ever during a pee break.

July 15, 2026

From: dpa/det

“When we stopped to go to the toilet, it was incredible to get back on the road,” said the four-time Tour champion. “Oh, we’re actually going to get to the finish line quickly today,” the exceptional Slovenian athlete thought to himself.

The portal "Procyclingstats" recorded an average speed of 50,91 kilometers per hour. The previous record, outside of prologues and time trials, was held by Mario Cipollini during the fourth stage in 1999, which he won ahead of Erik Zabel. At that time, the average speed was 50,36 kilometers per hour.

Pogacar: Proud to be here

“It’s great to be part of the fastest Tour stage ever,” said Pogacar. The reason for this, he explained, was that the breakaway group had a good chance of disrupting the mass sprint. “Today, for example, there was a strong breakaway group. That’s why the pace has to be high,” Pogacar explained.

Pogacar is on course for overall Tour de France victory. © ANSA / GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO

Norwegian Søren Wærenskjold seized the fourth opportunity for sprinters at this year's Tour de France, triumphing in the mass sprint on the eleventh stage. He celebrated his first stage win after the 161,3-kilometer race between Vichy and Nevers in central France.

Controversy surrounding Philipsen placement

Dutchman Olav Kooij finished second. There was controversy surrounding Belgian top sprinter Jasper Philipsen, who once again failed to secure a stage win. The 28-year-old was initially demoted after finishing third. Shortly afterward, the jury reversed its decision, upholding an appeal from his team. Philipsen, who has had a poor Tour so far, thus returned to third place in the stage classification.