SISU TOUR 2026 – STAGE 4 PREVIEW

Stage 4: Three Musketeers (France)

Tue 14 and Wed 15 July

One for all. All for one.

As the SISU Tour reaches its halfway point, the peloton arrives at one of the most iconic routes in France. Stage 4 takes riders onto Three Musketeers, a route that rewards versatility, resilience, and smart racing.

By now, the Tour has begun to reveal its contenders. The time trial specialists have shown their strength, the sprinters have had their chance, and the General Classification battle is beginning to take shape.

But before the riders face the legendary climb of Alpe d'Huez on Stage 5, they must first survive the Three Musketeers.

Route Preview

Three Musketeers delivers a little bit of everything.

The route winds through the French countryside, linking together several of the region's most notable climbs and rolling roads. Riders will encounter repeated changes in gradient, making pacing and positioning critical throughout the race.

The terrain is selective enough to create opportunities for attacks, yet not difficult enough to completely eliminate the strongest all-rounders. Teams and riders with ambitions of yellow will need to stay alert all day.

Expect the race to become increasingly aggressive as riders look to gain an advantage before the Queen Stage arrives.

Sprint Segments

Sprint du Cratère, Dos d'Âne Sprint, Pavé Sprint Reverse, Ballon Sprint Reverse, Dos d'Âne Sprint, Sprinteur Sprint, Sprint du Cratère, Marina Sprint Reverse and Sprinteur Sprint.

Mountain Goat Segments
Aqueduc KOM Reverse

Power Ups - Aero, Draft and Feather

Stage Facts

• Route: Three Musketeers

• Location: France

• Format: Road Race

• Key Challenge: Repeated climbing efforts and tactical positioning

• Rider Type Favoured: Strong all-rounders and punchy climbers

Coaching Corner: Five Tips for Success

1. Think ahead to Stage 5
Tomorrow's Queen Stage is looming large. Ride smart and avoid burning unnecessary matches.

2. Position before every climb
The race can split quickly on rolling terrain. Starting a climb near the front often means using less energy overall.

3. Stay patient
Not every attack is dangerous. Riders who panic and chase everything may find themselves empty when the decisive move happens.

4. Fuel consistently
The repeated surges and accelerations make this a surprisingly demanding stage. Small mistakes in nutrition can become costly later.

5. Watch the GC contenders
The riders fighting for yellow rarely move without reason. If the favourites are paying attention, you probably should be too.

What To Watch

Will the yellow jersey remain secure?

Can an opportunistic rider steal valuable seconds before the mountains?

Will teams begin to reveal their strategy for the Queen Stage?

Three Musketeers may not carry the prestige of Alpe d'Huez, but it could play a critical role in shaping the Tour. Riders who arrive in good position, conserve energy, and avoid mistakes will give themselves the best chance of success when the race reaches the mountains.

The Tour is entering its decisive phase.

The mountains are coming.

And every second matters.

Let's go racing!