Chrono des Nations 2026 Preview: The Season’s Final Solo Test Against the Clock

Chrono des Nations closes the season with a pure test of individual time trialing through the rolling Vendee countryside. Josh Tarling won the 2025 edition in record time (51:12, averaging 52.6 km/h), beating Jay Vine by 30 seconds and three-time winner Stefan Kung by over a minute. The roughly 45-kilometer course demands constant gear and effort adjustments across rolling terrain, with exposed sections where October crosswinds punish aerodynamic mistakes. The rising finish rewards riders who manage their effort across the middle third rather than burning matches early. Equipment choices carry real weight in cold, windy conditions, and riders who know this course hold a meaningful advantage.