The 2026 Tour de France is set to feature a strong contingent of North American riders, with a diverse range of talents and ambitions. The race promises to be an exciting spectacle, with the continent's eight riders racing to win stages, support yellow jersey contenders, and perhaps write a little Tour history of their own.
One of the most anticipated debuts is that of Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates-XRG), who will become the first Mexican to start the Tour since Miguel Arroyo in 1997 and only the third rider from the country ever to compete in the race. Del Toro, a 22-year-old from Baja California, has already established himself as one of the peloton's elite young stage racers after hitting second at last year's Giro d'Italia and winning the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes this season. His primary mission will be to help Tadej Pogačar chase another yellow jersey, but don't be surprised to see Del Toro be cut loose to chase a stage victory, challenge for the white jersey, or even ride into podium contention. Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek), Canada's lone Tour de France starter, is a late addition to Lidl-Trek's Tour squad after Giulio Ciccone opted to skip the race. After finishing fifth overall at the Giro d'Italia in his first season with Lidl-Trek, Gee-West had been expected to target the Vuelta a España. Instead, he's back at the Tour after finishing ninth overall in 2024 and assuring that the streak of having at least one Canadian in every Tour since 2019 continues. Lidl-Trek will lean on him in the mountains, where his engine should make him one of the team's most important helpers for Juan Ayuso.
Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), the highest-ranked American in the peloton, arrives with versatility and consistency. The Idahoan can climb, time trial, and be ever-steady across a three weeks, making him one of Visma-Lease a Bike's most versatile riders. His main job will be to help Vingegaard challenge Pogačar for the yellow jersey, and expect to see Jorgenson deep in the mountains to support the Dane when the race explodes. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), the most popular American rider in the peloton, is back for another Tour de France, and will sacrifice everything to help Vingegaard win the maillot jaune. Kuss has become cycling's ultimate super-domestique, playing a pivotal role in nearly every Visma Grand Tour triumph of the modern era. Matthew Riccitello (Decathlon-CMA CGM), the most promising young American Grand Tour rider of his generation, arrives to his first Tour de France with climbing ability and a steady rise in performance. Brandon McNulty (UAE Emirates-XRG), an all-rounder and trusted lieutenant for Pogačar, will be helping to control the tempo deep into the mountains. Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) returns for his second Tour after fighting through two difficult seasons, and the Californian joins an EF Education-EasyPost team focused almost entirely on hunting stage victories.
Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), a Coloradan and U.S. national champion, returns for his fourth Tour de France determined to finally claim the stage victory that’s so far eluded him. The 2026 Tour de France will feature a strong contingent of North American riders, with a diverse range of talents and ambitions. The race promises to be an exciting spectacle, with the continent's eight riders racing to win stages, support yellow jersey contenders, and perhaps write a little Tour history of their own.
