Grand Prix El Djazaïr 2026: preview and favourites for the Algerian race

Grand Prix El Djazaïr 2026: all set in Algiers On 5 October 2026, the city of Algiers will host the Grand Prix El Djazaïr, a procontinental race. The official startlist features 16 entrants, a small number that promises a potentially explosive and hard-to-control race. The expected protagonists The most represented team is Embrace The World, fielding six riders: Leo Charrois, Philipp Freyer, Lauric Immanuel Schwitzgebel, Sven Kolb, Florian Baumann, and Paul Kuhn. A numerical superiority that could prove decisive in the race dynamics. Completing the picture are Sam Van De Mieroop and Mees Willemsen for Universe Cycling Team, Arne Santy and Siebe Bauwens for Tarteletto - Isorex, and the Mali national team with Tiémoko Diallo, Tiemoko Diamoutene, Fidèle Cissé, Daouda Djire, Mamadou Coulibaly, and Siriki Diarra. This year's results: who arrives in the best form Among the entrants, only two have documented results in 2026. Leo Charrois (Embrace The World) is the most active: on 1 August he shone at the Tour Cycliste International de la Guadeloupe, earning a notable placing in a stage. Earlier in the season, he collected a series of strong performances at the Tour du Cameroun: a 1st place in a stage, a 3rd in the opening stage, and several other placings (7th, 7th, 9th) on subsequent days. Charrois is the only rider on the startlist with multiple notable placings in stage races in 2026 — source: historical rider database. The other name with a history is Arne Santy (Tarteletto - Isorex), who on 9 April finished 6th in a stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, a WorldTour-level race. An isolated but high-quality result. For the other 14 entrants, no placings appear in the historical database. The favourites for victory Leo Charrois is the number one favourite. His ability to be competitive over multiple days and in different contexts makes him the man to beat, especially with the support of a large team like Embrace The World. Arne Santy is the most credible alternative: his placing in a Tour of Britain stage proves he can compete at a high level. However, the data is less recent and less consistent than Charrois's. Keep an eye also on Mees Willemsen and Sam Van De Mieroop (Universe Cycling Team): despite no documented results, they represent a structured team and could insert themselves into the race dynamics. The same goes for Charrois's teammates, particularly Freyer and Schwitzgebel, who could exploit their numerical superiority. Tactical analysis With only 16 starters and one team fielding six riders, control of the race could be firmly in the hands of Embrace The World. If the route is selective, Charrois will have fresh men to set the pace; if flat, their numbers will allow them to control breakaways. Tarteletto - Isorex and Universe Cycling Team will have to anticipate or rely on the skills of Santy and his teammates. Podium prediction Leo Charrois — the most complete profile with recent results. Arne Santy — quality shown in a WorldTour race. A teammate of Charrois (Freyer or Schwitzgebel) — due to numerical superiority, but without individual evidence. The race promises to be open, but the available data point to Charrois as the man to beat.