Grégoire denies Pogačar with a perfect sprint in Locarno

Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United) claimed a stunning victory on stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse 2026, expertly outsprinting a select group in a chaotic lakeside finale in Locarno. A survivor of the day's breakaway, the Frenchman used race leader Tadej Pogačar's slipstream before launching on the inside of the final bend to secure the win.

Marcel Camprubí (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) finished second, with Bart Lemmen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) taking third from the small group that contested the victory.

Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) finished eighth but was the main animator of the finale, launching a powerful attack on the last climb that distanced his general classification rivals and tightened his grip on the yellow jersey.

A strong 14-rider breakaway formed early, including eventual winner Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United), Filippo Zana (Soudal Quick-Step), and Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek). The group worked well to build a lead of over two and a half minutes on the hilly route to Locarno.

In the peloton, UAE Team Emirates-XRG calmly marshalled the chase for Tadej Pogačar. The race exploded on the final climb with 8.6 km to go, when Nils Politt set a furious pace before Pogačar launched a searing attack that fractured the group of favourites.

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step), and Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) were among those unable to hold the wheel. Pogačar bridged to the remnants of the breakaway, but in the final 200 metres, Grégoire used the inside line on the final bend to come around the Slovenian and take the win.

• Romain Grégoire's win was a lesson in tactical acumen and resilience. To survive a long day in the break and still possess the clarity and power to outsprint the world's best rider in the final metres is a mark of a top-tier talent.
• While Pogačar missed out on a second stage win, he was the day's biggest winner in the overall classification. His attack was a brutal assertion of dominance that none of his rivals could match, further cementing his lead.
• The UAE Team Emirates train continues to look unstoppable. The setup for Pogačar's attack, particularly the huge turn by Nils Politt, was perfectly executed and showed the team can control the race on any terrain.
• It was a difficult day for other GC contenders. The ease with which Carapaz, Landa, and Van Wilder were distanced suggests the fight for the podium may already be a race for second place.