Cancer Survivor Torstein Træen Wins Yellow Jersey

Topic: Road Cycle Racing

Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 5:07 am

Torstein Træen is wearing the yellow jersey, four years after having cancer.

Torstein Træen is the new leader of the Tour de France after a 181-kilometer stage.

The 30-year-old Norwegian was part of a 10-man breakaway that contested the final sprint.

Træen, who had testicular cancer in 2022, is the third Norwegian to wear the yellow jersey.

Træen said, 'It's hard for me to understand how big this is.'

Træen said, 'I can see how special it is from my coach's and friends' faces.'

Træen said, 'I don't understand what's happening now, but in a couple of days, it will sink in. The Tour is the biggest race, and I just have to enjoy it.'

Team Uno-X Mobility continued Scandinavia's excellent sporting summer.

Træen noted that it had been a big week for Norwegian sports, with the football team beating Brazil.

Træen said, 'I think we are inspired by Norwegian culture.'

Træen said, 'You can see it in football and other sports.'

Træen said, 'We are just friends doing this on the team.'

The Norwegian is not a favorite for the overall race, but he has worn the red leader's jersey before.

On a hot day, the peloton let a break escape as they survived the conditions.

The peloton, including the favorites, finished 12 minutes and 59 seconds behind Pedersen.

Mads Pedersen won the stage, beating everyone in the final sprint.

Previous leader Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard are now fourth and fifth overall.

Pedersen said, 'It was a masterpiece in teamwork.'

Pedersen said, 'Mathias and Quinn were machines from the start to the finish line.'

Pedersen said, 'What a team effort, what a team win today.'

Træen's success seemed far away in 2022 when he was diagnosed with cancer.

Human chorionic gonadotropin is on the banned list as it stimulates testosterone production.

ABC Sport Daily covers the biggest sports story of the day.

Træen's team boss told him to see a doctor as soon as possible because hCG is also an indicator of testicular cancer.

After scans and surgery, a 15mm tumor was removed.

The Cancer Council notes that testicular cancer is less than 0.1% of all cancer deaths in Australian men.

The five-year survival rate for men with testicular cancer is approximately 98% with early treatment.

The Tour de France was won seven times by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, but his wins were later annulled.

The ABC of SPORT

Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 5:07 am

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