The 2026 Tour of Britain GC is a hilly stage race finishing with a hill-top or uphill finale, rewarding riders who can combine sustained climbing ability with punchy accelerations. Classified as a 2.Pro event, it attracts a competitive mix of established stars and ambitious challengers. With no stages yet run, the GC battle is wide open heading into the first day of racing.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Olav Kooij stands alone at the top of our picks. His recent win at the Baloise Belgium Tour and multiple top-3s in hilly conditions prove he can convert physical ability into actual results on terrain like this. In a field without a dominant climbing specialist, he is the rider everyone else will be marking.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Olav Kooij is the clear favourite here, backed by the strongest recent form in similar-profile races in this field — five top-3s and a stage win at the Baloise Belgium Tour demonstrate he can deliver on hilly terrain. His hills ability is among the best in this startlist, making him the natural pick to top the GC.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Tim Merlier occupy the second tier. Paret-Peintre is the best-suited rider on paper for this profile — arguably the strongest hills performer in the field — but his recent similar-profile results haven't yet reflected that potential. Merlier, meanwhile, has the actual results to back up his presence here, with three top-3s in comparable races recently showing he is in excellent form.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Aurélien Paret-Peintre boasts the highest hills rating in the entire field, giving him a strong theoretical edge on a hilly race ending in a hill finish. His recent similar-profile results haven't produced top finishes, but his raw suitability to this profile keeps him firmly in contention.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Tim Merlier has posted three top-3 finishes in similar-profile races recently, showing he can punch above expectations on undulating terrain despite his reputation as a sprinter. His consistent results in this profile make him a genuine GC threat.
★★
Dark Horses
Filippo Ganna, Lennert Teugels, and Thomas Champion form an intriguing trio of dark horses. Ganna is the biggest name, with a top-5 in similar conditions and the firepower of INEOS Grenadiers behind him. Teugels and Champion are less heralded but each earned a top-10 in similar-profile racing recently, suggesting they can cause problems on the climbs.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Filippo Ganna managed a top-5 in a similar-profile race recently, a notable result for a rider more celebrated for time trialling and classics. His all-round ability and team backing at INEOS Grenadiers give him genuine podium potential.
Tarteletto - Isorex
Tarteletto - Isorex
Lennert Teugels sneaked a top-10 in similar-profile racing recently and has solid hills credentials for a Rare-tier rider. He could be a surprise package if the race suits a persistent attacker.
St Michel - Auber93
St Michel - Auber93
Thomas Champion also picked up a top-10 in similar-profile conditions recently, and his climbing ability is notably strong for his hills score, suggesting he handles uphill finishes well. A dark horse worth watching on the final ascents.
★
Ones to Watch
The bottom tier is composed of riders who either lack recent similar-profile results or trail the frontrunners on the relevant physical attributes. Gianni Marchand, Oliver Mattheis, Marcus Sander Hansen, and Andrew Lydic are all capable of a strong stage or breakaway result, but none have the evidence — on paper or in recent races — to threaten the GC favourites.
APS Pro Cycling
APS Pro Cycling
Andrew Lydic has the lowest hills rating and no top results in similar-profile races to his name recently. He is a long shot, but a wildcard entry in a multi-stage GC format always carries some intrigue.
Tarteletto - Isorex
Tarteletto - Isorex
Gianni Marchand has entered a fair number of similar-profile races recently without cracking the top-10, but his hills ability is competitive and he could benefit from a tactical race. One to keep an eye on if the GC battle fractures early.
BHS-PL Beton
BHS-PL Beton
Marcus Sander Hansen has dipped into similar-profile races recently without registering a top result, and his hills rating lags behind most of the contenders. He is an outsider at best, though a GC format over multiple stages could give him time to emerge.
BIKE AID
BIKE AID
Oliver Mattheis has solid hills credentials relative to the lower-ranked riders in this field and carries decent climbing ability to boot. Without recent similar-profile results to point to, he remains an outsider, but his profile fits the parcours.
Verdict
Olav Kooij enters as the clear favourite on the back of a stage win at the Baloise Belgium Tour and consistent top-3 finishes in similar-profile races. Tim Merlier and Aurélien Paret-Peintre are the two most likely to challenge him, each bringing different strengths to a hilly showdown.