Algerian Radio
Belgian cyclist Yorben Lauryssen claimed the first stage of the 26th edition of the Tour d’Algérie Cycliste (TAC 2026), held this Friday in Oran. The race took place on a closed circuit over a distance of 126.7 km, featuring 120 riders.
Winning in a sprint finish, the member of the Belgian team Tarteletto - Isorex (CT) completed the course in 3:05:43. He finished ahead of South Africa's Alexander Francois Erasmus (Tshenolo Pro Cycling Team), who was credited with the same time, while Latvia's Olivers Jēkabs Skrapcis (Energus Cycling Team) completed the podium, finishing six seconds behind (3:05:49).
Regarding the top Algerian performance, Yacine Hamza finished in eighth place. With a time of 3:06:54, the rider from the Madar Pro Cycling Team trailed Lauryssen—the first yellow jersey holder of TAC 2026—by one minute and eleven seconds.
In addition to the leader's yellow jersey, the Belgian was awarded two other jerseys: the blue jersey for the stage winner and the green jersey for the best sprinter.
As for the other distinctions of the day:
- The Polka Dot Jersey (best climber) went to Germany's Heiko Homrighausen.
- The White Jersey (best young rider/espoir) will be worn tomorrow by South Africa's Erasmus.
- The Orange Jersey (most combative rider) and the Black Jersey (best Algerian rider) were awarded to Yacine Hamza.
On Saturday, the peloton will set off from "El Bahia" (Oran) to reach the "Pearl of the Maghreb," Tlemcen, for the second stage covering a distance of 152.5 km.
