Stage 1 of the Czech Tour runs 163.2 km from Prague to Karlovy Vary on August 13, 2026, classified as a hilly stage with a flat finish. The profile favours riders who can handle repeated climbs before surviving a fast run-in to the line, rewarding all-rounders over pure climbers or sprinters. At 2.Pro level, the race attracts a competitive mix of ProTeam and continental riders looking for early GC positioning.
★★★★
Topfavoriet
Mikel Landa is the unanimous pre-race favourite. His Hills rating of 77 is joint-highest in the field, his Climbing score of 79 is unmatched, and Soudal Quick-Step will ride in his service. With La Vuelta approaching, he has every reason to arrive in peak condition.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the startlist with a Hills rating of 77 and a Climbing score of 79, making him the most complete hilly-terrain rider in the field. With Soudal Quick-Step's team strength behind him and La Vuelta on his near-term agenda, he'll be motivated to sharpen his form here.
★★★
Sterke Kanshebbers
Joe Blackmore matches Landa on Hills (77) and has the Sprint score (69) to contest a flat finish if the race comes back together. Jordan Jegat complements strong hilly stats with four top-10s in ten recent hilly races, making him the most consistent 3-star threat.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Joe Blackmore matches Landa's Hills rating of 77 and adds solid Cobbles (72) and Sprint (69) scores that suit a hilly stage with a flat finish. NSN Cycling has multiple cards to play, and Blackmore looks like their protected leader for GC ambitions.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jordan Jegat carries a Hills rating of 76 and has shown consistency across 10 recent hilly-profile races, posting four top-10 finishes and a best result of 7th. His balanced stats (Climbing 76, Sprint 67) make him dangerous on a stage that rewards all-rounders.
★★
Buitenbeentjes
Mats Wenzel's form data is the best in the entire field — an 11.2 average position over eight races and a podium — making him a genuine threat despite a slightly lower Hills rating of 73. Alessandro Fancellu and Andrew August both bring proven podium results in hilly races, with INEOS providing August excellent team infrastructure.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu leads the recent-form table with an average position of 14.9 over seven hilly races and a best finish of 3rd, showing he can genuinely compete at the sharp end. His Hills rating of 74 is competitive and he arrives confirmed for this race.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Andrew August (Hills 74, Climbing 74) has been consistent in hilly races with an 18.7 average position over six outings and a podium to his name, backed by the depth of INEOS Grenadiers. He's a reliable dark-horse pick if the team deploys him as a protected rider.
Kern Pharma
Kern Pharma
Mats Wenzel is the standout performer in recent form, averaging 11.2 across eight hilly-profile races with a best of 3rd and one podium from four top-10 finishes. His Hills rating of 73 is slightly below the top names, but his form data is the best in the field.
★
Om in de Gaten te Houden
Jack Haig and Mauri Vansevenant offer elite stats but arrive without recent hilly-race form data to validate their chances. Stefan de Bod's TT strength (72) could prove decisive on a day with decisive climbs, and Luca Covili's recent consistency in similar races gives him a credible outside shot.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Jack Haig brings a Hills rating of 76 and Climbing of 75, stats that place him firmly among the contenders, and INEOS Grenadiers' numerical advantage gives him ideal team support. He lacks recent hilly-race form data but his profile alone earns him a watchlist spot.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Luca Covili averages 15.8 in recent hilly races with a top-10 finish, backed by a Hills rating of 72 and Climbing of 73. He's one of the more form-proven outsiders in the field and worth monitoring for a late breakaway bid.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mauri Vansevenant scores 76 for Hills and 73 for Climbing, and Soudal Quick-Step's strong squad presence means he could benefit from a selective day if Landa struggles. His Sprint (66) and TT (65) are modest, limiting his chances in a bunch sprint scenario.
Modern Adventure
Modern Adventure
Stefan de Bod holds a Hills rating of 73 and an excellent TT score of 72, which could be decisive if the hilly sections split the peloton and time gaps are tight. He has a busy schedule but is confirmed for this race and capable of a surprise.
Verdict
Mikel Landa is the clear top favourite, combining the highest Hills rating in the field with world-class climbing credentials and a motivated Soudal Quick-Step team around him. Joe Blackmore and Jordan Jegat are the most dangerous challengers, while in-form Mats Wenzel could spring the biggest surprise.