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Lyon-Torino 2026 preview: a new race looking for its identity

Vauquelin, Gregoire, Bagioli, Aranburu and Madouas give Lyon-Torino a provisional favorites group for a race still defining how hard it wants to be.

Favorites

Kévin Vauquelin

Vauquelin and Gregoire are the strongest French anchors, with Andrea Bagioli, Alex Aranburu and Valentin Madouas covering the reduced-group finish.

Romain Grégoire

Romain Grégoire has the finish or punch to win if the final group stays small enough.

Andrea Bagioli

Andrea Bagioli fits the race because the decisive move should require durability before speed.

Alex Aranburu

Alex Aranburu becomes dangerous if the favorites hesitate before the last selection.

Valentin Madouas

Valentin Madouas can win from a reduced group if the race is harder than the sprint teams want.

Lyon – Torino 2026

Lyon-Torino is interesting because the race does not yet carry a fixed tactical script. That uncertainty can be useful: riders have to read the course instead of copying what worked last year.

Why this race matters

A new race needs a recognizable first identity, and a high-quality attacking winner would help establish it quickly.

Route and pressure points

The cross-border concept points toward all-rounders who can climb, descend and sprint from a small group.

Favorites for the win

Vauquelin and Gregoire are the strongest French anchors, with Andrea Bagioli, Alex Aranburu and Valentin Madouas covering the reduced-group finish. The current favorites card is led by Kévin Vauquelin, Romain Grégoire, Andrea Bagioli, Alex Aranburu and Valentin Madouas.

What could change the race

If teams treat it like a controlled one-day race, Kevin Vauquelin and Romain Gregoire can make it much harder than planned.

Recent context

Because the event is still new, 2026 is less about defending tradition and more about setting expectations.