Mads Pedersen won stage four of the 2026 Tour de France on July 7, sprinting to victory after a breakaway exceeding 150 kilometers in the 182 km route from Carcassonne to Foix, southern France [1, 2, 3]. Pedersen crossed the finish line in 4 hours, 10 minutes, and 45 seconds to claim the stage win.
Torstein Traeen took the yellow jersey as the new overall race leader after finishing eighth on the stage, leading the general classification by 7 minutes and 53 seconds over former leader Tadej Pogacar, who slipped to fourth place [1, 2, 3]. Traeen rides for Uno-X Mobility and is the third Norwegian in history to wear the Tour's yellow jersey [1].
Stage four was marked by extreme conditions with temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Tour organizers implemented emergency hydration and cooling measures. Riders were allowed to carry ice bags and extra drinks to combat the heatwave [1, 2]. "When we go to France or Spain we all know it’s going to be hot and we have a good cooling protocol," Pedersen said. "I’m pretty sure if it was dangerous or unhealthy there would be no racing," he added [2].
Traeen, a cancer survivor diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, returned to competitive racing after surgery. "I got 99 problems, but cancer ain’t one of them (any more)," he said. "Most of all I am grateful to perform at the Tour. It’s a pleasure to be here," Traeen added [2].
The stage’s podium was completed by Quinn Simmons in second place and Raul Garcia Pierna in third [1, 3]. The organizers kept close watch on riders’ health during the heat, though Pascal Chanteur of the Tour noted the measures were not a perfect solution. "It’s the least worst option. It’s not fixing the problem. When the temperature goes over 40 degrees, the government takes measures to protect the public. The riders are in the population, they’re working outside, exposed," he said [2].
The race continues with Traeen wearing yellow into stage five, where the competition remains poised amid lingering high temperatures and challenging terrain [1, 2, 3].
