TAOYUAN, Taiwan – March 16, 2026 – Catalan rider Jordi López of Euskaltel-Euskadi came incredibly close to a stage win at the Tour de Taiwan on Sunday, finishing second in the race’s queen stage. The 123.3-kilometer stage, featuring three second-category climbs culminating in a finish line ascent, saw López narrowly beaten by Lotto’s Matthew Fox. This performance further solidifies Euskaltel-Euskadi’s position as the leading team in the general classification.
Fox, 23, secured his first professional victory, edging out López in a sprint to the finish line after a grueling climb. The final sprint saw approximately twenty riders vying for the win, with Matys Grisel (Lotto Intermarché), Iván Cobo (Equipo Kern Pharma), and Lorenzo Quartucci (Burgos Burpellet BH) rounding out the top five.
“Estamos contentos con la etapa,” López said, according to his team. “The truth is that I knew this finish from other years – I won in 2023 and was second last year. The team did a great job: first, with Paul riding hard to make the race tougher, and then Louis was attentive to all the breaks so I had the opportunity to sprint at the finish. It’s a shame not to have been able to receive the victory by so little, but the work was excellent and we have to be satisfied.”
The Euskaltel-Euskadi team demonstrated strong teamwork throughout the stage. López highlighted the contributions of Paul, who set a punishing pace, and Louis Sutton, who diligently monitored breakaway attempts to position López for the final sprint. This coordinated effort underscores the team’s strength and tactical prowess in the Tour de Taiwan.
Beyond López’s impressive second-place finish, Euskaltel-Euskadi enjoyed a strong showing overall. Louis Sutton finished sixth, and Xabier Isasa secured ninth place. In the general classification, López currently sits in second place, just four seconds behind the race leader. Sutton and Isasa also remain firmly in contention, holding ninth and tenth positions respectively, both ten seconds off the lead.
The team’s consistent performance has propelled Euskaltel-Euskadi to the top of the team classification, demonstrating their collective strength and strategic riding. This leadership position sets them up well for the remaining stages of the race.
Looking ahead, López remains focused on the overall competition. “In the three stages that reach next, we have to keep riding together and be attentive because everything will be decided by a few seconds. We will strive to be in the fight and observe how far People can go,” he stated. The upcoming stages are expected to be varied, potentially leading to mass sprints or smaller group finishes, with bonus seconds playing a crucial role in the general classification battle.
Monday’s stage will cover 146 kilometers, starting at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and finishing near the Kaohsiung National Stadium. The first half of the stage features a consistent uphill gradient, including a second-category climb of 2.7 kilometers at a 5.9% grade. This challenging terrain will likely test the riders’ endurance and tactical acumen.
The Tour de Taiwan is proving to be a tightly contested race, with small time gaps separating the top contenders. The bonus seconds available at stage finishes and intermediate sprints will undoubtedly be critical in determining the final outcome. Riders and teams will need to be strategic and opportunistic to maximize their chances of success.
In other news, the Kern Pharma team announced that their sponsorship will conclude at the conclude of the current season after seven years. The team, which began as a UCI Continental team in 2020, has grown into a UCI ProTeam, fostering young talent and achieving notable successes, including a strong showing at the 2024 Vuelta a España and a recent victory for Iván Cobo at the Region on Dodecanese GP. The team is now seeking a new sponsor to continue its development.
The Tour de Taiwan continues to deliver exciting racing and compelling storylines. With Euskaltel-Euskadi in a strong position and the general classification remaining open, the final stages promise to be filled with drama and suspense. Fans can follow the race for updates and results as the riders battle for the overall title.
The next stage, departing from the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, will be a key test for the general classification contenders. The uphill first half and potential for a sprint finish will require a balanced strategy and strong teamwork.
