Tour de France heat wave pushes riders to the limit as Max Kanter finishes second

German rider Max Kanter narrowly missed a sprint win on the fifth stage of the 2026 Tour de France, finishing second behind Dutch cyclist Olav Kooij, with Belgium’s Tim Merlier third. The stage, run between Lannemezan and Pau, was marked by extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C and high humidity.

Riders coped with the conditions using cooling vests, ice packs in the neck, frequent water intake and post‑stage ice baths. The UCI temporarily allowed full hydration packs in designated zones, and riders and team staff called for discussions on shortening stages or moving start times to reduce health risks.

The heat added a new tactical element to the race, though the overall classification remained unchanged, with Norway’s Torstein Træen retaining the yellow jersey.