Czech Republic 07 May – 10 May 2026 Class 2.Ncup – Stages – UCI Class Nations’ Cup
Website http://zmj.cz
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Today is Thursday, May 7, 2026, which marks the official start of the 54th Course de la Paix Juniors (Junior Peace Race) in the Czech Republic. As a premier UCI Nations’ Cup event (2.Ncup), it is one of the most important dates on the junior cycling calendar.
Here is the program and stage schedule for the 2026 edition:
Race Schedule (May 7 – May 10, 2026)
| Date | Stage | Route | Distance | Type |
| May 7 | Stage 1 | Litoměřice – Úštěk | 110.2 km | Road Race |
| May 8 | Stage 2a | Třebívlice – Třebívlice | 8.8 km | Indiv. Time Trial |
| May 8 | Stage 2b | Roudnice n. L. – Terezín | 63.8 km | Road Race |
| May 9 | Stage 3 | Teplice – Olbernhau (GER) | 112.7 km | Queen Stage (Hilly) |
| May 10 | Stage 4 | Terezín – Terezín | 102.4 km | Road Race |
Key Highlights
- The Queen Stage (Saturday): Stage 3 from Teplice across the border to Olbernhau in Germany is historically the “decisive” day. It features significant elevation gain and technical descents that typically determine the General Classification (GC).
- Friday Double-Header: Stage 2 is split into two parts. The morning features a short, explosive individual time trial in Třebívlice, followed by a fast road stage into Terezín in the afternoon.
- Historical Hub: Terezín remains the heart of the race, hosting the finish of Stage 2b and the grand finale on Sunday.
Where to Follow
For live updates, results, and timing, you can check:
- Official Website: www.zmj.cz
- Live Tracking: ProCyclingStats or DirectVelo usually provide live gap updates for Nations’ Cup events.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Course de la Paix Juniors (Junior Peace Race) is one of the most storied and significant races in youth cycling. While it shares a name and a “peace” mission with the legendary amateur race of the Cold War era, it has carved out its own unique identity as the ultimate testing ground for future Tour de France champions.
Origins and Cold War Roots
The junior version of the race was founded in 1965, inspired by the success of the elite “Peace Race” (Závod Míru). The elite race was the “Tour de France of the East,” a massive event primarily contested by state-sponsored amateurs from the Eastern Bloc between Prague, Warsaw, and Berlin.
- First Winner: Fritz Germin (Austria) took the inaugural title in 1965.
- The “Peace” Motif: Symbolized by a white dove, the race was intended to promote friendship and solidarity among nations following World War II.
- Transition: While the elite race struggled financially and eventually folded in 2006, the Junior Peace Race thrived, transitioning from a regional Eastern Bloc event to a premier global competition.
The Path to the UCI Nations’ Cup
In the modern era, the race became part of the UCI Junior Nations’ Cup (Class 2.Ncup). This is the highest level of competition for 17- and 18-year-old riders, where they represent their national teams rather than trade teams.
Today, it is considered one of the “Triple Crown” events of junior cycling alongside Paris-Roubaix Juniors and the Tour de l’Avenir (for U23s).
A “Who’s Who” of Cycling Legends
If you look at the historical winners’ list, it reads like a prophecy of future WorldTour stardom. Winning the yellow jersey in Terezín almost guarantees a professional contract.
Notable Past Winners:
- Fabian Cancellara (1999): One of the greatest time-trialists in history.
- Michał Kwiatkowski (2007, 2008): One of only two riders to win the race twice.
- Mads Pedersen (2013): Went on to become World Champion in 2019.
- Brandon McNulty (2015): Now a key leader for UAE Team Emirates.
- Remco Evenepoel (2018): Dominated the race before his historic leap directly to the pros.
- Jan Jackowiak (2025): The most recent winner before the current 2026 edition.
The Unique “Peace Race” Atmosphere
The race is historically centered in the Litoměřice and Terezín regions of the Czech Republic.
- Terezín: Finishing the race in this fortress town is deeply symbolic, given its history as a Nazi concentration camp (Theresienstadt). The race serves as a powerful tribute to peace and remembrance.
- The Terrain: It is famous for its punishing “Queen Stage” in the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) and its technical time trials, which provide a complete test of a young rider’s capabilities.
With the 2026 edition currently underway (May 7–10), the race continues to honor its 60-year legacy of finding the next generation’s greatest champions.
