Tour du Limousin-Périgord 2026: Aranburu, Costiou and Gautherat lead the French challenge

A race that smells of FranceOn Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the Tour du Limousin-Périgord - Nouvelle Aquitaine will start, a French race of procontinental category that every year attracts a high-level field. The race will take place entirely on French soil, as tradition dictates, with a route that promises to be challenging and suited to attackers.At the start, 135 riders are expected, with numerous top teams ready to play their cards. Although technical details such as distance and elevation gain are not yet available, interest around the race is already high, especially for the quality of the names present.The expected protagonistsAmong the entrants, Alex Aranburu (Cofidis) stands out, coming off a season full of satisfaction. The Basque is the rider with the most solid palmarès among participants and represents the main reference for the overall classification. Alongside him, Cofidis can count on Sylvain Moniquet and Valentin Ferron, ready to support the captain.Groupama - FDJ United fields a competitive lineup with Ewen Costiou, David Gaudu and Brieuc Rolland. The French team aims to make a difference with multiple tactical options, relying on the freshness of its young riders and the experience of veterans.Decathlon CMA CGM Team relies on Pierre Gautherat, in great form in French races, and on Aurélien Paret-Peintre, an experienced rider capable of interpreting stage races well.Also worth watching are Kenny Molly and Maxime Jarnet of Van Rysel Roubaix, both winners of minor races this season, and Matys Grisel of Lotto Intermarché, author of two top-10 finishes in French classics.This year's results of the big namesAnalyzing the history of races held in 2026, interesting data emerges. Alex Aranburu has shown remarkable consistency: 3rd at the Circuito de Getxo - Memorial Hermanos Otxoa, 4th at the Gran Premio Miguel Indurain, 12th at Milan-Sanremo and 14th at La Flèche Wallonne. These results place him among the undisputed favorites.Ewen Costiou finished 9th at the Amstel Gold Race, one of the hardest races on the WorldTour calendar, proving he can compete at the highest levels. Pierre Gautherat took an excellent 2nd place at the Classique Dunkerque / Grand prix des Hauts de France and a 4th at Tro-Bro Léon, confirming his excellent condition.Among others, Kenny Molly won the Tintrio - Omloop van het Waasland, while Maxime Jarnet won the Grand Prix de la ville de Pérenchies and finished 4th at Tintrio. Matys Grisel obtained two 9th places, at Classique Dunkerque and Classic Velox Adélie de Vitré.Curiosity: among the entrants is also Émilien Jacquelin, a famous French biathlete, who with Decathlon CMA CGM Team will try to surprise on two wheels. — source: Entry list Tour du Limousin-Périgord 2026Favorites for the final victoryIn light of the results collected, the number one favorite is Alex Aranburu: his palmarès and his experience in WorldTour races make him the rider to beat. His skill in tough finishes and his ability to manage stage races put him in pole position.Right behind, Ewen Costiou represents the main threat. With a strong team like Groupama-FDJ, he can count on important tactical support and his athletic freshness. Pierre Gautherat is the third jewel: his placements in French classics show he knows how to be ready at the decisive moments.Kenny Molly and Matys Grisel should not be underestimated, both capable of entering the fight for the podium. The race promises to be balanced and full of twists, with French teams ready to battle on the roads of Limousin.