The Czech Tour start list has gained another major name. French UCI ProTeam TotalEnergies, a well-established force in the international peloton with experience from the biggest races in the world, will line up at the Czech Republic’s largest stage race. Its participation is further confirmation of the growing prestige of Czech Tour, which enters the UCI ProSeries category for the first time this year.
The French squad is known for its attacking style, experienced riders and competitors capable of seizing opportunities in demanding stages. Cycling legend Peter Sagan also ended his professional career in the colours of TotalEnergies, while the team currently relies on riders such as Jordan Jegat, who finished inside the top ten overall at last year’s Tour de France.
“TotalEnergies’ participation is very good news for Czech Tour. This is an experienced ProTeam with a clear racing identity and the kind of rider quality that can really make an impact on our route. This year we face the toughest edition in the race’s history, so we want teams on the start line that know how to race actively and deliver a great spectacle for the fans. TotalEnergies fits that vision perfectly,” says race director Leopold König.
In 2026, Czech Tour moves up to the second-highest category of the world cycling calendar. UCI ProSeries status brings stronger competition, greater interest from foreign teams and an even more valuable opportunity for Czech riders to test themselves. On home roads, WorldTour squads, strong ProTeams and the best domestic teams will all meet in direct competition.
For fans, the arrival of TotalEnergies is another promise of attractive racing. The French team has experience from Grand Tours and the classics, and could bring riders to the Czech race capable of fighting for stage wins, collecting points on demanding terrain or lighting up the race with a well-timed breakaway. The final line-up will be confirmed closer to the start.
Czech Tour will take place from 13 to 16 August and will offer four days of top-level cycling across the Czech and Moravian regions. As last year, the opening stage will take the peloton from Prague to Karlovy Vary, where a bunch sprint is expected to decide the day. After that, however, the race will belong mainly to fans of long climbs. Stage 2 links Mladá Boleslav with the iconic summit of Ještěd, the third day brings a demanding route from Pardubice to Dlouhé stráně in the Jeseníky mountains, and the finale will once again follow the route from Kroměříž to the summit of Pustevny in the Beskids.
The start list already includes, alongside ProTeams and continental squads, two WorldTour teams: Netcompany INEOS and NSN Cycling Team. With TotalEnergies now confirmed, the peloton gains another strong international element. In addition to top-class cycling, fans can also look forward to a rich accompanying programme at the starts and finishes of each stage.
Foto: @TeamTotalEnergies
