The 2026 Tour Divide commenced on June 12, 2026, with 221 riders setting off from Banff, Alberta, under overcast skies and light rain. The field was staggered in 10-minute intervals to prevent congestion, but the peloton quickly dispersed, with nearly 150 miles separating the front and rear riders within 12 hours.
French cyclist Victor Bosoni, starting in a later wave, surged to the front, making up a 20-minute deficit in just two and a half hours. He reported, “My pace is much faster than the others, and I didn’t feel like I was pushing myself too hard, so that’s a good sign.” Bosoni tackled the Koko Claims climb, a steep and rugged ascent, in about an hour, despite reports of rain and running water on the road. He continued to build a substantial lead, reaching Fernie, mile 156, before 6 p.m., where he spent only about 10 minutes resupplying before continuing south.
Approximately two hours behind Bosoni, Alex McCormack, Xavier Chiriboga, and Angus Young passed through Fernie. Young briefly stopped at the same grocery store, but McCormack and Chiriboga appeared to have made minimal stops. The race is long, and the outcome isn’t determined on the first day.
Unfortunately, German former professional Seb Breuer had to withdraw from the race at mile 50 due to a broken frame sustained after his bike was caught on a rock while crossing a river. He expressed his disappointment, stating, “I don’t know what to say.”
In the women’s category, 2024 champion Meaghan Hackinen took an early lead, arriving in Fernie in 11th position around 9 p.m., approximately 20 miles ahead of Karin Pocock. Hackinen briefly deviated from the route in search of lodging, as snow was reported on higher passes south of Fernie, and an overnight freeze was expected. Hackinen is aiming to reclaim her title and set a new women’s record, making her sleep strategy a key factor to watch.
The front of the race features an international contingent, with Hackinen (Canada), Bosoni (France), McCormack (United Kingdom), and Chiriboga (Ecuador) leading the pack. Colorado’s Collin Hart is the only American in the top ten, riding in eighth position upon entering Fernie. The leading riders are also notably young, with three of the top five in their 20s.
In the southbound race, five cyclists lined up at a chain-link fence along the Mexican border, with a few fans nearby ringing cowbells. One rider shouted, “All the way to Canada!” Organizers hope that holding both southbound and northbound races simultaneously will help manage the growing number of participants. Northbound riders are expected to face temperatures in the 80s and 90s on Saturday as they ride into the central New Mexico desert.
Back in Canada, cool temperatures and drizzling rain persisted into the early afternoon. Racer Peter Kraft reported that skies began to clear after the first pass, “and it’s been beautiful since then.” The clearing skies brought colder temperatures, which were expected to dip below freezing overnight. The chilly morning should give way to a warming trend, with intermittent clouds and temperatures in the 50s and 60s on Saturday.
The first day at the Tour Divide has long been a sprint out of the gate. The challenge sets in on day two, when racers begin to test the limits of how few breaks they can take and how much sleep they can forego. Last year, Swiss cyclist Robin Gremperle laid down the hammer and never let up. Will Bosoni and the others follow similar tactics this year? Stay tuned!
Photographer Eddie Clark provided early coverage with photos from the race. Due to road closures south of Canmore and the seasonal closure of Highway 40, he bypassed Banff and the Spray Valley section, instead intersecting the race on Elk River Road before riders began the climb toward Koko Claims. He spent most of the day following the race along that stretch. Conditions started relatively mild with light rain, but the weather deteriorated throughout the day as isolated cells merged into larger storms that brought hail and temperatures in the 40s. Riders near the front benefited from pushing south ahead of the worst weather, while those farther back appeared to bear the brunt of the storm.
Fresh snow at higher elevations seemed minimal, suggesting Koko Claims wasn’t as challenging as some had feared. Eddie narrowly missed Victor Bosoni in Fernie but caught Alex McCormack, who arrived second, and Xavier Chiriboga at a local 7-Eleven. According to locals, Bosoni spent only about five minutes in town before continuing south. Angus Young rolled through shortly afterward, although it appeared he may have opted for a stop at McDonald’s or the grocery store instead.
Stay tuned for more from the 2026 Tour Divide and be sure to follow along on the live tracking map.
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