Pierre Barbier claimed victory in the opening stage of the Tour of Thailand 2026. After 108.6 kilometers of the inaugural stage starting and finishing in Nong Khai, the twenty-eight-year-old French rider from Terengganu Cycling Team (his team this year after spending 2025 with the now-defunct Wagner Bazin) secured the anticipated decisive sprint ahead of Estonian Oskar Nisu from China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team (3rd) and Alexander Salby (Li Ning Star), the latter finishing second after attempting to attack 300 meters from the line.

For Barbier, this marks his second victory of the season following his success in Turkey at the Grand Prix Alaiye in late February and, simultaneously, the first yellow jersey as leader of the short Asian stage race, which will see him start tomorrow with a 4-second advantage over Salby, 6" over Nisu, and 7" over Luke Mudgway (Li Ning Star) and Peerapol Chawchiangkwang (Thailand Continental Cycling Team), who by winning the two intermediate sprints scheduled for this first day, secured 3 seconds of time bonuses that (especially in the case of the former) could prove decisive for the final general classification.

"It wasn't easy, especially because of the heat we found here: I come from Paris and the sun at this time of year doesn't beat down as hard as it does here. How did I prepare to face this tropical climate? By doing heat training on the rollers at home," said a visibly hot but satisfied Barbier after the finish line.

"We stayed focused throughout the stage and I wanted to win both for my family and for my team, and having managed to do so, we can say that, in the end, this was a good day for us," emphasized the class of '97 rider from Beauvais who, excellently positioned on the final straightaway, managed to stay clear of the crash that, 500 meters from the finish, ended up involving 7 riders who were all credited with the winner's time due to the neutralization rule.

FINISHING ORDER

1. Pierre Barbier (FRA/Terengganu Cycling Team) - 2:20:32

2. Alexander Salby (DAN/Li Ning Star) s.t.

3. Oskar Nisu (EST/China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team) s.t.

4. Jesper Rasch (NED/China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team) s.t.

5. Eduard-Michael Grosu (ROM/FNIX - SCOM - Hengxiang Cycling Team) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Pierre Barbier (FRA/Terengganu Cycling Team) - 2:20:32

2. Alexander Salby (DAN/Li Ning Star) at 4"

3. Oskar Nisu (EST/China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team) at 6"

4. Luke Mudgway (NZL/Li Ning Star) at 7"

5. Peerapol Chawchiangkwang (THA/Thailand Continental Cycling Team) at 7"

Photo credit: Tour of Thailand