Austrian climber Gregor Mühlberger will miss the 2026 Tour de France following an intensive preparation period, leaving his team, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, to finalize their roster ahead of the Grand Départ in Barcelona. The 32-year-old rider, who recently supported teammate Felix Gall to a second-place finish at the Giro d’Italia, announced his withdrawal via social media after missing key lead-up events to focus on altitude training.
Mühlberger’s absence creates a vacancy in the team’s lineup, sparking speculation regarding the potential inclusion of Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij. While the team has confirmed that young talent Paul Seixas is recovering from a recent crash and continuing his form at altitude in Les Arcs, France, the final support roster remains subject to change as the start date approaches.
Mühlberger’s withdrawal from the Tour
The decision to withdraw comes as a significant setback for Mühlberger, who had prioritized the Tour de France over the Tour de Suisse and the Austrian Road Championships. According to his public statement, the rider had completed a dedicated altitude training camp in France with the team, aiming for a peak performance in the Grand Tour.
“I put everything into the preparation at the team altitude camp in France. Full focus, full discipline, no shortcuts and everything was going to plan,” Mühlberger wrote on Instagram. “Which makes this even harder to accept: sometimes sport gives you no warning and no chance to show what you prepared for. I won’t be on the start line in Barcelona, only watching and cheering for my teammates from home. It’s devastating, but that’s sport.”
Mühlberger’s previous form at the 2026 Giro d’Italia, where he finished 15th overall while assisting Gall, had marked him as a key component of the team’s climbing contingent. His absence forces a tactical re-evaluation for the squad as they prepare for the high mountains.
The case for Olav Kooij
With a spot now open, the team may look to bolster its stage-win potential by calling upon Olav Kooij. The Dutch sprinter has demonstrated strong form in recent weeks, securing three consecutive victories following a season start delayed by a viral illness.
Kooij’s most recent success came at the Baloise Belgium Tour, where he claimed a victory against a competitive field that included Tim Merlier of Soudal-QuickStep and Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech. The win required a technical finale, with Kooij navigating through the pack to secure the top step of the podium. Regarding his prospects, the rider expressed an eagerness to compete against the world’s elite sprinters during the Tour.
While reports indicate that Kooij is included on the preliminary start list, he is notably absent from the start list for the road race at the Dutch Road Championships scheduled for this Sunday. This scheduling decision has fueled further internal discussion about whether the team will pivot toward a sprinter-heavy strategy, particularly as Paul Seixas continues his recovery from a recent training crash.
Team preparations and next steps
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale has maintained a focus on the recovery of Paul Seixas, who is entering his debut Tour de France. The team has confirmed that the young Frenchman is currently training at altitude in Les Arcs, signaling that he is expected to be fit for the start in Barcelona. The final composition of the team remains the primary administrative hurdle for the management team with only one week remaining before the Grand Départ.
The official start list for the 2026 Tour de France is expected to be finalized by the team in the coming days. Fans and analysts are awaiting the team’s final announcement regarding the replacement for Mühlberger as the peloton prepares to congregate in Barcelona for the opening stages.