“This is the beginning of a new chapter”: Pinarello Q36.5 celebrates historic Tour de France debut
Cycling
Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team marked a historic milestone by making its first-ever appearance at the Tour de France as the 2026 edition began with a team time trial in Barcelona. The Swiss ProTeam finished 12th in the 19.6-kilometre opener, 57 seconds behind Team Visma | Lease a Bike, whose victory earned Jonas Vingegaard the first yellow jersey.
Team leader Tom Pidcock, who is said to target the GC, was the first Pinarello Q36.5 rider across the line and sits 18th overall, 57 seconds off the race lead. While the result left the team outside the fight for the stage win, it represented a landmark moment after years of building towards a Tour de France debut.
A milestone for the team
Team Principal Douglas Ryder described the opening stage as the culmination of years of work while stressing that the team's ambitions extend well beyond just reaching the Tour.
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“Today is a very proud day for everyone connected to this team. To stand on the start ramp of the Tour de France for the first time is a milestone that reflects years of ambition, commitment and belief. We have built this project step by step, with a clear vision, strong partners and a group of people who never stopped pushing to reach this level,” Ryder said.
“But this is not the end point. This is the beginning of a new chapter. We are here to race with purpose, to keep progressing, and to show who we are over the next three weeks. Today the team performed with focus and discipline in a very demanding opening stage, and now we look forward with confidence.”
Tom Pidcock at the 2026 Tour de France team presentation
Bogaerts pleased with solid start
Head of Performance Kurt Bogaerts praised the team's execution in the team time trial. “The boys did a good ride. Of course, in a team time trial every detail counts and there are always things you can improve, but the commitment was there from everyone. We stayed together, we kept the structure, and we finished with Tom in a good position.”
He also highlighted the importance of beginning the race on the right footing. “For us, this was also about starting the Tour in the right way. It is the first day, the first effort, and now we build from here. The race is long, and we know why we are here.”
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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