Tour Report 2026
Vive Le Tour! Vive Le Loop! Barcelona to Paris
The 2026 edition of Le Loop was an extraordinary three weeks – a journey of searing heat, one torrential hail storm, enormous climbs, long transfers, laughter, ice creams, friendships, determination and, above all, an incredible amount of resilience.
As always, it all began with that familiar arrival-day mix of nervous tension and excitement. Alumni re-acquainted themselves with friends and staff from previous tours, while new friendships immediately began to form. It’s exciting, fun and nerve-wracking in equal measure – but it’s a great vibe.
Around 60 riders rolled out for the Barcelona time trial, with experienced Loop alumni helping newcomers settle into life on tour. A gentle warm-up and a steep learning curve on how to follow our infamous yellow arrows, before the real challenge began.
The opening 4 days took us from the sun-baked Catalan coastline, where temperatures pushed beyond 40°C and keeping cool became almost as important as turning the pedals, into the mountains for nearly 200 kilometres and almost 4,000 metres of climbing. Starting in searing heat, we were caught out in a Biblical hail storm on a mountain pass that turned the descent into a skating rink.
That stage epitomised the spirit of Le Loop. The resilience, humour and camaraderie of the riders never wavered, despite relentless conditions. A very late arrival into Carcassonne after a LONG day was made all the sweeter by one important milestone: we had reached France!!
There we said goodbye to our Barcelona Start Loopers – bravo for all their incredible efforts on the road and in their fundraising – and welcomed our Pyrenees contingent. It was also where we met our first charity visitors on tour: Will and Connor from XO Bikes.
Connor’s deeply moving story of overcoming a childhood surrounded by violence and discovering hope and opportunity through XO Bikes resonated with everyone. His message was simple and powerful: change means accepting responsibility and choosing every single day to become a better person. A powerful reminder of why Le Loop exists – that every climb conquered, every mile ridden and every donation raised helps charities create opportunities for young people who need them most.
Then came the Pyrenees.
The iconic Cols d’Aspin and Tourmalet had been looming since Barcelona, but the cycling gods were smiling down on us. Instead of thick cloud that we’ve often experienced here, we had blue skies and views to die for. The final climb to the breathtakingly beautiful Cirque de Gavarnie, with alpenglow setting on the mountain peaks and an alfresco dinner outside the hotel, was a moment to savour.
The route then rolled on through transition stages, beautiful Dordogne and Perigord countryside, and the first of many opportunities for riders to develop ‘next level’ skills in keeping cool. Supermarket fridges, ice lollies, ice creams, water fountains and bags of ice shoved down jerseys all played their part!
Fresh legs joined us along the way, including teams from Frog Pubs and PwC, while others completed their final stages and headed home with plenty of miles and memories in the legs. Stage 9 brought 3,300 metres of climbing and proved that rolling climbs can be every bit as draining as the big mountains. But our riders kept their humour, dug deep and got the job done.
By the first rest day in Aurillac, it had been one of the toughest first halves in memory – not just for the route, but for the blistering heat and long transfers that take their toll and eat into proper recovery. Laundry, bike tinkering, eating, resting, more eating and more resting were the order of the day!
Stage 10 gave the Grand Loopers – those riding all 21 stages – a rare day on their own. By this point, natural sub-groups had formed: some riding hard to reach the hotel as quickly as possible for maximum recovery time; others taking their time, stopping at watering holes, taking photos and having fun. There’s no right or wrong way to do this – you ride the way that makes sense to you.
Then came the next wave of fresh blood. Second Half Loopers, Double and Double Double riders joined a tour that had really got into its groove, while familiar faces returned as well as first-timers to ride alongside us. William’s brothers and Trustees of WWMT, Monty and Rick Wates, also joined us on the road – always a brilliant reminder of the wider Le Loop family.
The heat, however, never let up. Riding 100+ miles a day in temperatures described as akin to riding into a hair dryer put a whole new slant on what is already a hugely challenging undertaking. We have nothing but respect for the sheer grit and determination of our Loopers. Heroes, every one.
And still, the atmosphere remained superb. Riders supported and encouraged each other, laughed at every opportunity and approached the challenges with a ‘glass half full’ attitude. There were long stages through parched and golden countryside, the beautiful Vosges, wooded climbs providing precious shade, whooping descents and, eventually, the stunning Plateau de Solaison.
The final climb of stage 15 – 11 kilometres of ascent – took us from woodland into the open mountains, with vertiginous views towards the Mont Blanc Massif. Dinner on the plateau terrace as the sun went down, cheering riders in as they gradually arrived, was a fitting end to another long, long stage. The second rest day was an absolute necessity before the final leg through the Alps and on to Paris.
And so to the final week.
The heatwave that had met us in Barcelona still hadn’t left us. With 37°C forecast for our first Alpine stage, we made the difficult but sensible decision to shorten the route (a decision made by the pro race organisers too). While riding every kilometre is the goal of every Looper, temperatures this high presented too great a risk.
The big story of the day, though, was the epic ride from our charity visitors Dan and Jayden from Free to Be Kids.
Dan’s talk on the rest day had reminded us all why we’re here: to provide opportunities for young people facing real disadvantage in life. Jayden is a fantastic young guy who grabbed the opportunity of Le Loop with 100% enthusiasm. Having first gone on a residential with the charity at the age of 10, he has grown into a leader and ‘big brother’ figure for younger kids going through the same system.
His relationship with Dan, his mentor, was a beautiful thing to see. Together, they took on stage 17 with energy, enthusiasm, positivity and determination. Nothing was going to stop Jayden riding all the way to the finish hotel, where they received a well-deserved hero’s welcome. What a total pleasure and honour it was to have them with us on tour. Chapeau gentlemen!
The Alps then delivered in full: our first Cat 1 climb, oven-like valley drags, long ascents, ski-station finishes and the high mountains. We were cheered on by Jonny Wates – another of William’s brothers and WWMT Trustee, before 100 kilometres of beautiful mountain roads brought us to the meaty end of stage 19 – the final 21 hairpins up Alpe d’Huez. A real bucket-list tick and no mean feat for every Looper who made it.
Then came the Queen Stage: 171 kilometres and an eye-watering 5,600 metres of ascent. After overnight thunderstorms, a series of enormous climbs took riders over the Croix de la Fer, Télégraphe and Galibier, before another route to Alpe d’Huez via the Col de la Sarenne. A long, long stage and a seriously tough one.
After fond farewells to our Mountains Week and Alps Loopers, there was still the Time Trial to ride (stage 16 which we’d switched for logistical reasons), a cooling swim by Lac Léman and one final transfer to Paris.
And finally … stage 21.
A relaxed and happy group gathered for the final 130 kilometres. No pressure – just the chance to savour all that had been achieved. Photos and lunch at Versailles, then the final run into Paris via Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower, where friends and family joined us to cheer everyone in. Finally, the ride up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
What an extraordinary three weeks it was.
As always, we celebrated with a dinner cruise on the Seine – speeches, drinks, food, laughter and a few tears. It gets emotional!
But as Trustee and Chairman Rick Wates reminded us, the story doesn’t end with the finish line in Paris. The incredible achievements of our riders have been transformed into something bigger through their fundraising. Over the three weeks, Loopers met young people and mentors from charities including Onwards and Upwards, Community Cycle Works and Free to Be Kids, and saw first-hand the extraordinary work they do.
Our charities change trajectories. They provide trusted adults who believe in young people before those young people believe in themselves. They create safe places where children are seen, heard and valued, building confidence, resilience and hope.
Sometimes all it takes is one person to say, “I believe in you.” And because of everyone here, many more young people will hear those words”.
To every rider who took part: thank you. Your extraordinary determination, fundraising and willingness to take on this challenge will help give more young people opportunities they might never otherwise have had. You should be incredibly proud.
And to anyone reading this and thinking about taking part in a future Le Loop: come and join us. It will be tough. There will be hills, heat, maybe hail or rain, laughter, friendships, perhaps a few ice creams and certainly plenty of memories. But you won’t be riding alone – and you’ll be part of something far bigger than the finish line.
Don’t just watch it; Ride it!
Vive Le Tour! Vive Le Loop!
