This INEOS rider came 47th in a Spanish road race and still won a National Champions jersey

In the week leading up to the Tour de France, it is customary for most national championships to be decided. This led to a rather remarkable story from Spain. Victor Langellotti, a non-Spaniard, finished 47th in the stage results, but in doing so became the national champion of Monaco. He was also the only competitor in that race.

That calls for some additional context. Victor Langelotti, 31, was born in Monaco in June 1995 and therefore competes under the Principality’s flag. The peloton hasn't had a Monégasque national champion before, until 2026.

It all started on Thursday, when Langellotti competed in Spain’s national time trial. The Spanish Cycling Federation has an agreement with Monaco's Cycling Federation, and so the INEOS rider—who finished 27th, more than 3 minutes behind Spanish winner Pablo Castrillo (Movistar)—became the very first Monegasque time trial champion.

His competitors? There weren’t any: Langellotti was, in fact, the only participant, and that was no different in Sunday’s road race. The INEOS rider crossed the finish line in 47th place in the day’s results, nearly eight minutes behind the surprise winner, Marcel Camprubí (Pinarello-Q36.5). At least the peloton now has a new champion’s jersey!