France 04 Feb – 08 Feb 2026 Class 2.1 – Stages – Class 1
Website www.etoiledebesseges.com
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Mathieu Kockelmann is a professional cyclist from Luxembourg, born on January 31, 2004 (currently 22 years old). He is considered one of the brightest talents in Luxembourgish cycling, often compared to the country’s previous greats.
Professional Teams
Kockelmann’s career has progressed rapidly through the following teams:
- 2021: Crabbé Toitures–CC Chevigny Junior
- 2022: Team Auto Eder
- 2023–2024: Team Lotto–Kern Haus
- 2025: Lotto Development Team
- 2026 – Present: Lotto Intermarché (WorldTour). He joined the top-tier professional ranks in 2026 on a two-year contract.
Palmarès and Key Results
He is recognized for his strength in time trials and his tactical awareness in bunch finishes.
Major Victories
- Tour de Luxembourg (2025): Won Stage 2 in a surprise bunch sprint on home soil, beating established WorldTour riders.
- Tour de l’Avenir (2025): Secured a stage victory, which served as a major springboard for his professional contract.
- European Junior Championships (2022): 1st place in the Individual Time Trial (ITT).
- National Championships (Luxembourg): Multiple titles including the Junior Road Race (2021) and Junior Time Trial (2022).
- LVM Saarland Trofeo (2022): 1st place in the General Classification.
Notable Performances
- Giro d’Italia Next Gen (2024): Strong presence in the U23 version of the Giro.
- Paris-Tours Espoirs (2025): 8th place.
- UEC Road European Championships (2025): 11th in the U23 Time Trial.
Rider Profile
With a height of 1.83 m and weight of 70 kg, Kockelmann is a versatile rider. While he excels in the “race against the clock” (Time Trialing), his victory in the 2025 Tour de Luxembourg demonstrated his potential as a powerful sprinter and classicist.
Current Activity: As of February 2026, he has recently competed in WorldTour events such as the Tour Down Under, marking his debut season as a full professional.
Mathieu Kockelmann has just made a major splash at the 2026 Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard.
The 22-year-old Luxembourger, riding for Lotto-Intermarché, claimed a massive victory on Stage 2 (February 5, 2026). In what was only one of his first races as a full professional, he outsprinted some of the most established names in the peloton.
Stage 2 Highlights: Saint-Gilles to Domessargues
Kockelmann took the win in a thrilling, high-speed finish after a 162.8 km hilly route. Here is how the podium looked for the stage:
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1st | Mathieu Kockelmann | Lotto-Intermarché | 3h 32′ 48″ |
| 2nd | Dylan Groenewegen | Unibet Rose Rockets | s.t. |
| 3rd | Matteo Moschetti | Pinarello Q36.5 | s.t. |
- The Finish: The peloton caught the last breakaway rider, Arnaud Tendon, with only 200 meters to go. Kockelmann then powered through a “crazy” sprint to beat veteran Dylan Groenewegen by a hair in a photo finish.
- Significance: This marks Kockelmann’s first victory of the 2026 season and only the second time a Luxembourger has won a stage at this race (after Bob Jungels in 2015).
Photocredit: https://www.instagram.com/lottointermarche/
General Classification Impact
Following his Stage 2 win, Kockelmann has moved significantly up the rankings. While Tom Crabbe (Team Flanders-Baloise) retained the overall leader’s jersey, Kockelmann is now a serious threat for the final podium.
GC Standings after Stage 2:
- Tom Crabbe (Team Flanders-Baloise)
- Lukáš Kubiš (Unibet Rose Rockets) at 4″
- Clément Izquierdo (Cofidis) at 8″
- Mathieu Kockelmann (Lotto-Intermarché) at 10″
Kockelmann is proving that his 2025 breakthrough (where he won stages in the Tour de l’Avenir and Tour de Luxembourg) was no fluke. He looks to be one of the most exciting young talents to watch this season.
The 2026 Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard officially begins today, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. This 56th edition is a landmark year for the race as it seeks “redemption through safety” following organizational challenges in the previous year.
2026 Race Overview
The race consists of five stages covering a total of 640.3 km across the Gard region. Notably, the 2026 route excludes the famous Mont Bouquet climb, making the final time trial in Alès even more critical for the General Classification.
The 2026 Stages
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Key Feature |
| 1 | Feb 4 | Bellegarde → Bellegarde | 150.1 km | Punchy 10% uphill sprint |
| 2 | Feb 5 | Saint-Gilles → Domessargues | 162.8 km | Rolling hills |
| 3 | Feb 6 | Bessèges → Bessèges | 162.3 km | Most mountainous (2,034m D+) |
| 4 | Feb 7 | Saint-Christol-lez-Alès → Vauvert | 154.8 km | Sprinter’s opportunity |
| 5 | Feb 8 | Alès → L’Ermitage | 10.3 km | Final ITT (Steep hilltop finish) |
Today’s Action: Stage 1 (Bellegarde)
Stage 1 is currently underway. The finish in Bellegarde is famous for its narrow, steep final kilometer, which often creates small time gaps between the leaders.
- Favorites for today: Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R), Lukas Kubis (Unibet Rose Rockets), and Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets).
- Safety Measures: Organizers have significantly increased the security detail this year, deploying 30 motorcycles to protect the peloton and manage sensitive points on the course.
Key Contenders for the Overall Win
With the defending champion Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) leading the charge, several riders are aiming for the “Star” jersey:
- Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Hotels): Entering as a co-leader and strong GC prospect.
- Dylan Teuns (Cofidis): A veteran who excels on the hilly terrain of the Gard.
- Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R): After a breakout 2024-2025, he is a top favorite for the punchier stages.
- Alexandre Delettre (TotalEnergies): Always aggressive in French season-openers.
Broadcasting Note: In France, the race is being televised live on La Chaîne L’Équipe from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM CET daily.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard is a cornerstone of the professional cycling calendar, traditionally serving as the opening stage race of the French season. Held in early February in the Gard department of southern France, it is known for its mistral winds, rolling hills, and a decisive final time trial.
1. Origins and Evolution
The race was born from the passion of one man, Roland Fangille, a former cyclist and local figure in the town of Bessèges.
- 1971: The One-Day Start: The race was first held as a single-day event called the Grand Prix de Bessèges. The inaugural winner was French rider Jean-Luc Molinéris.
- 1974: Transition to Stage Race: Due to its popularity, it expanded into a multi-day stage race format.
- UCI Europe Tour: In 2005, it was integrated into the UCI Europe Tour as a 2.1 category race.
- Survival: Despite financial challenges that have seen many other French “February races” disappear (like the Tour Méditerranéen), the “Star” (Étoile) has remained a constant fixture for over 50 years.
2. Race Characteristics
The race typically consists of five stages. Because it happens so early in the year, the weather often plays a massive role—cold temperatures and crosswinds (the Mistral) frequently split the peloton.
- The Finish in Bellegarde: Stage 1 traditionally finishes with a sharp, punchy climb in Bellegarde, favoring “puncheurs.”
- The Mont Bouquet: In recent years, the climb of Le Mont Bouquet (4.6 km at 9.1%) has been introduced as the “Queen Stage,” often deciding the general classification before the final day.
- The Alès Time Trial: The race almost always concludes with an individual time trial in the city of Alès, which famously finishes with a steep climb up to the Sanctuaire de l’Ermitage.
3. Notable Winners and Records
The race has a prestigious roll of honor, featuring legends and modern stars:
| Era | Notable Winners |
| Early Years | Jean-Luc Molinéris (first 2-time winner), Jan Raas, Dietrich Thurau. |
| 1980s – 90s | Eddy Planckaert, Adrie van der Poel, Armand de Las Cuevas. |
| Modern Era | Thomas Voeckler (2011), Tim Wellens (2021), Neilson Powless (2023). |
| Most Wins | Jo Planckaert and Jean-Luc Molinéris (2 titles each). |
4. Current Context: 2026 Edition
As of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the 56th edition of the Étoile de Bessèges is currently underway.
- Dates: February 4–8, 2026.
- Defending Champion: Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), who won the 2025 edition with a dominant performance.
- 2026 Contenders: The field this year features riders like Paul Lapeira, Dylan Groenewegen, and Ewen Costiou, with the race starting today in Bellegarde.
Did you know? The race is called the “Étoile” (Star) because the original format involved stages that radiated out from the central town of Bessèges like the points of a star.
