Prestigious French 'talent race' canceled this year

The organization of the Tour Alsace has bad news: the well-known French cycling race (2.2) will not take place this year. Logistical and financial problems—combined with the increasing complexity of ensuring safety—make continuing the event unfeasible.

This is especially a big setback for promising riders who want to make the step up to the pros. The Tour Alsace is known as one of the most prestigious stage races for young riders with professional ambitions.

A look at the roll of honor reveals some familiar names, including Thibaut Pinot (2011), Maximilian Schachmann (2016), and Tom Pidcock (2019). There is also one Dutch name among the overall winners: in 2010, a then-young Wilco Kelderman took the overall victory.

Obstacles
"Today is a very sad day, but we could no longer keep fighting against so many administrative and economic obstacles that endangered the race's future," explained race director Francis Larger in a press release.

It is unclear if the race will return to the cycling calendar in the future. Markel Beloki—the son of the well-known Spanish GC contender Joseba Beloki—won the (for now) last edition in 2025.