Sixth in 2025, Johannessen heads to the Tour de France in even better form: 'Of course that's the dream'

Tobias Halland Johannessen is an attacker through and through, which made it all the more impressive that he finished sixth in the Tour de France last year. The Uno-X rider has shown plenty of fine things again this year, so he is certainly one to note for this year's Tour de France as well. IDL Pro Cycling spoke to the friendly Norwegian climber earlier this month.

When we spoke to him before the start of the fifth stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the strong Norwegian already knew that chances would come in the closing weekend. On stage 6 he slipped into a big breakaway and ended up second on the day. After two third places on stages 7 and 8, he duly came away with a fine fifth place overall.

That was despite losing time on day one, in the opening stage. "The first stage of this race was a bit shit, but that's the only really bad day I've had this year," Johannessen explained. The Norwegian did have an explanation for that off day. "It's always a bit strange to come back from an altitude camp, especially after a month and a half without racing."

Or at least: "I hope that was all it was. I've felt good since then." When we ask him about his 2026 season so far, we find an extremely satisfied Johannessen in front of us. "I think it's been a very good year so far. I'm happy with how it feels," he said positively.

And that — especially after he came to the fore with third places on the last two stages — is a very good omen for what's still to come. The Tour de France, after all, is now just around the corner. "I think I'm in better form than last year. I also feel more confident. All the training has been perfect too, so I think July will be fun."

Fine words, and they come with fine ambitions too. So what is Johannessen actually going for in July? "I definitely want to do better than last year. That's always the goal. As long as the feeling is good, I'm not too worried about my placing. After all, there are so many things that can happen," he said, declining to pin a concrete target on it.

Still, the climber from Drøbak knows very well what he is travelling to France — or, initially, Spain — for. "Of course the dream is a stage win, and then doing even better in the general classification. I think we'll just have to see. It's hard to know now how the legs will be throughout July. So, in any case, I think I'm in better form."