Foix (France) (AFP) – Norwegian Torstein Traeen claimed the coveted race leader's yellow jersey as Denmark's Mads Pedersen won the fourth stage of the Tour de France on a day of Nordic delight on Tuesday.
Issued on: 07/07/2026 - 18:22
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Torstein Træen became the third Norwegian to wear the yellow jersey after Thor Hushovd and Alexander Kristoff © Jeff PACHOUD / AFP
Traeen stripped reigning champion Tadej Pogacar of the jersey just two days after Norway stunned five-time winners Brazil at the World Cup thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland.Pedersen, who was world champion in 2019, stormed to victory in a sprint finish ahead of Lidl-Trek team-mate Quinn Simmons in second with Spaniard Raul Garcia taking third at the end of the 182km stage from Carcassonne to Foix in scorching temperatures which topped 40C at one point.It was Pedersen's third stage victory at the Tour following one each in 2022 and 2023 and was enough to see him take the green points jersey.Traeen, who had started the day just over five minutes behind reigning champion Tadej Pogacar in the race lead, was part of an initial 34-man breakaway which formed around 25km into the stage.That had been whittled down to 10 over the day's final climb and Traeen came home in eighth.
