Bradley Wiggins joins Armstrong in blaming Seixas and French media for Pogačar booing

Bradley Wiggins has weighed in on the chaotic booing of Tadej Pogačar at the 2026 Tour de France, pointing to French media and a controversial comment from rival cyclist Nelson Seixas as the root cause.

What happened at the 2026 Tour stage?

On stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France-held on 15 July in the French Alps-Pogačar faced relentless booing from spectators as he struggled in the final climb. The hostility peaked when fans chanted and jeered the Slovenian leader, forcing race officials to intervene. Pogačar finished 14th on the day, dropping further behind Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification.

Why does Bradley Wiggins say this is unusual?

Wiggins, speaking alongside Lance Armstrong on a podcast, called the booing “uncharted territory” for Pogačar. He argued that the French public’s reaction was stoked by local media narratives and a remark from Nelson Seixas, a Portuguese rider, who had criticized Pogaqar’s tactics earlier in the week. Armstrong, never shy about controversy, doubled down, calling the scene “a disgrace to cycling.”

How did Pogačar respond after the stage?

Pogačar downplayed the booing in his post-stage press conference, insisting he’s used to tough crowds. But he admitted the noise made it harder to focus on the race. His team later released a statement calling for “respectful debate” over cycling’s growing fan engagement-and distance from media-fueled drama.

What’s next for Bradley Wiggins and the Tour?

Wiggins, now a pundit for ITV4’s coverage, will analyze stage 13 alongside Chris Boardman. The Tour heads to the Pyrenees, where another explosive stage is expected. Meanwhile, Pogačar’s camp is reviewing security measures after the Alpine incident.