Tarling sets the early benchmark in Stage 16 time trial on Lake Geneva

The first rider rolled off the start ramp at noon, and Josh Tarling of Netcompany-Ineos has set the quickest time so far, clocking 34mins 21secs. Filippo Ganna, his Netcompany-Ineos teammate, crossed the line four seconds slower, while Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche) is currently third.

Stage 16 of the Tour de France 2026 unfolded along the shores of Lake Geneva, covering the Évian to Thonon-les-Bains time-trial route on 21 July 2026. The course provided a demanding test against the clock for specialists and general classification contenders alike. Riders began the run one by one from the midday start, with early benchmarks being set as the field spread out across the course. Conditions and course features put a premium on power and pacing over the solo effort.

Josh Tarling established the provisional best time of 34mins 21secs, recording the leading mark for the moment. His performance sits at the top of the leaderboard after the initial wave of competitors completed the course. The Netcompany-Ineos rider’s effort forced the following starters to chase down that target as the stage continued.

Filippo Ganna came home four seconds adrift of Tarling and was unable to overhaul his teammate’s mark. Ganna’s time sits directly behind Tarling’s on the provisional classification, leaving the two Netcompany-Ineos riders occupying the top positions as other riders finish. Their close margins underline how small differences on the clock can separate the leading riders in a standalone effort.

Huub Artz of Lotto-Intermarche occupies third place in the standings for the stage at the present moment. His result placed him behind the Netcompany-Ineos pair on the provisional podium. With the field still completing the course, Artz’s position remains subject to change as later starters cross the line.

These early times will serve as the benchmarks for the remainder of the day’s starters, defining the targets that late runners must better to move up the provisional classification. The Évian to Thonon-les-Bains time trial has thus produced tightly packed top times, and the leaderboard will settle as more competitors complete the route.