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IN BRIEF
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The season Peking Express 2026 The competition between the pairs was fierce and cutthroat. Anna and Anthony And Thelma and Claire : after the elimination of Laurent and Frédéric, the final, filmed at Bangkok and broadcast on May 22nd on M6, offered a final, suspenseful confrontation. The contestants had to complete a series of spectacular challenges — tasting at the floating market of Damnoen Saduak, resistance exercise at the top of the tower MahaNakhon and test Rangsit Boxing Stadium — while undergoing the mechanics of sprints applying the rule “Time is money”penalizing each second of delay with a €10 loss. After twelve episodes and stages in Thailand, China, and Nepal, where filming was interrupted by a political crisis, they finally Anna and Anthony who prevailed and won €86,150 ; casting for season 23 is already open.
After twelve action-packed episodes and several weeks of interrupted filming, the final of Peking Express 2026 delivered its verdict in Bangkok: an intense confrontation between the father-daughter duo Anna and Anthony and her Belgian childhood friends Thelma and ClaireThis article retraces the key moments of the race, the decisive challenges, the mechanics of the game that tested the nerves of the candidates, and the media and human impact of this edition.
The final in Bangkok: a high-stakes showdown
The final stage, filmed in the Thai capital, offered a spectacular backdrop and high-stakes challenges. The contestants had to complete a series of challenges at the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market, an endurance test atop the MahaNakhon Tower, and a showdown in the legendary Rangsit Boxing Stadium. These locations served as the stage for a final where every second counted.
Filming in Southeast Asia was not without external events: the region experienced various incidents and news stories that sometimes made headlines, such as the train accident involving a bus near a Bangkok station, which left several people injured (report), and enhanced security measures in the country (learn more), elements that may have influenced the logistical organization of the stages.
Key moments of the final stretch
Several sequences turned the race around: the tasting at the floating market tested the duos’ adaptability, while the challenge at the summit of MahaNakhon tested their stress management at height. It was in these final minutes, after a close race and strategic choices, that Anna and Anthony took the lead and secured the victory.
The trials that made the difference
The final challenges were designed to test the finalists’ versatility, composure, and adaptability. The tasting of local specialties at the floating market exposed the contestants to some unexpected flavors, while the high-wire endurance challenge demanded significant emotional control. The fight at Rangsit Boxing Stadium added a physical and spectacular dimension.
The combination of these challenges made it possible to assess not only endurance, but also the strategic ability to manage the beacons and the race mechanics specific to this edition.
Risks and logistics
Throughout the season, the production had to deal with filming stoppages and unforeseen events related to the countries crossed, particularly in Nepal where a political crisis temporarily interrupted the progress of the film crew, leading to itinerary adjustments.
The “time is money” rule: a mechanism that changed everything
This year, the mechanics of spins have incorporated the rule “Time is money” The first duo to activate the beacon incurs a financial penalty for their competitors, resulting in a loss of 10 euros per second of delay. This process has transformed time management into a real strategic and psychological challenge.
In practice, this rule added a dimension of constant calculation: slowing down to avoid an error could be costly, while speeding up to trigger the beacon could create pressure. The candidates had to constantly weigh speed against safety.
Consequences for the final
The mechanics made the final moments particularly tense. Even the slightest delays translated into significant financial losses, amplifying the tension right up to the finish. This intensification was widely commented on by the specialist press, with analyses and reports appearing immediately after the broadcast.
The journey of the duos: trajectories and twists and turns
Throughout the season, many duos crossed the finish line, but the two final pairs were able to distinguish themselves through different strategies. Thelma and ClaireBelgian childhood friends, demonstrated a strong bond and complementarity. Anna and AnthonyThe father-daughter duo from the North demonstrated a family dynamic and a growing determination.
Before the final, some notable eliminations punctuated the season: the exit of Laurent and Frédéric accelerated the rise of the two remaining pairs and created twists and turns that fueled the tension until the final stage (details on an elimination).
Routes and key stops
The race crossed the Thailand, there China and the Nepalwith iconic stages and powerful human encounters. The weeks of hitchhiking imposed by local constraints altered the initial plans but also offered opportunities for new challenges and unexpected encounters.
The crowning: Anna and Anthony, champions 2026
At the end of this explosive final, it’s Anna and Anthony who won the 22nd season of Beijing Express, pocketing the sum of 86,150 eurosTheir victory, achieved in the very last minutes of the race, allows them to succeed the previous winning duo, Nathalie and Charlotte, who were crowned in 2025.
Reactions were numerous: interviews and articles immediately covered the announcement. The website Ozap notably mentioned the record and the scale of their victory (Ozap article), while HuffPost and 20 Minutes offered comparative accounts of the final (Huffington Post, 20 minutes).
The winners also shared their feelings in interviews: a report of TV program reports that Anna and Anthony acknowledged that they owed their victory to the intensity of the competition and the choices made during the race (read the interview), and a lengthy interview published by Ouest-France details how the race was extremely close (complete interview).
Reactions, audience figures and media coverage
The victory generated significant media attention, with analytical articles and interviews with the finalists. Observers highlighted the dramatic effect of the rule. “Time is money” and the ability of the duos to absorb the pressure of the spins.
In addition, regional news was covered in parallel, such as the announcement concerning the King of Cambodia and his health (regional context), showing that the season took place in a dense and sometimes hectic media environment.
The rest of the show
The production team has already hinted at what’s next: Stéphane Rotenberg made a noteworthy announcement regarding the future and ambitions of certain editions, a sign that the show intends to continue reinventing itself and surprising the audience (read the ad).
Casting for the next season is already open, suggesting new teams ready to take on the challenge and face the mechanics now familiar to the public.
Assessments and outlook
At the end of this 22nd season, the race confirmed its formula: local challenges, strategic tension, and unforeseen logistical problems. The winning duo, Anna and Anthony, leaves with a significant sum and increased visibility, while Thelma and Claire They leave a strong mark through their solidarity and fighting spirit.
For the public, the season provided highlights, spectacular images, and unexpected twists. Stories from the road and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the filming also fueled the press: in-depth articles, reactions, and analyses proliferated (see, for example, the national report on the final result). Huffington Post and the 20 Minutes report here).
Finally, the season was also marked by regional news reports and incidents that served as reminders that filming abroad requires constant attention to safety and the evolving local context (accident in Bangkok, measures in Thailand).
For a detailed recap of the key stages and eliminations throughout the season, several articles have followed the news episode by episode, including accounts of the duos eliminated along the way (report on an elimination).
- Winners : Anna and Anthony
- Prime : €86,150
- Decisive : victory sealed in the final minutes of the final at Bangkok
- Strengths : composure in extreme situations (tour MahaNakhon(boxing ring) and penalty management
- Finalists : Thelma and Claire
- Highlights : remarkable performance in the floating market Damnoen Saduak and during physical challenges
- Key rule : mechanics « time is money » (beacon triggering a loss of €10/s (for the delay) weighed heavily
- Context : 12-episode season, journey in Thailand, China and Nepal disrupted by a political crisis
Peking Express 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the 2026 season of Beijing Express ?
A: Anthony and Anna They prevailed in the final minutes of the final and were crowned winners of the 22nd season.
Q: How much money did they win?
A: The winning duo took home the prize 86,150 euros, amount announced at the end of the final race.
Q: Who were the finalists competing against Anthony and Anna?
A: They faced the two Belgians in the final. Thelma and Clairechildhood friends, during a hard-fought duel.
Q: Where and when did the televised final take place?
A: The final was filmed in Bangkok and broadcast on M6 THE Friday, May 22 in the evening.
Q: What challenges marked the final?
A: The couples faced several major challenges: a tasting at the floating market of Damnoen Saduak, a resistance exercise at the top of the tower MahaNakhon (has 296 m) and a challenge to the mythical Rangsit Boxing Stadium.
Q: What racing mechanics made the competition more intense?
A: The season applied the rule of “Time is money” via spints : the first duo to arrive triggers a tag which makes you lose 10 euros per second lagging behind the other teams, which severely tested the nerves of the candidates.
Q: Were there any notable eliminations before the final?
A: Yes, including the elimination of Laurent and Frédéric in the final stretch of the adventure, which paved the way for the two remaining pairs.
Q: How many episodes and which countries were visited this season?
A: The season took place on twelve episodes and led the candidates through the Thailand, there China and the Nepal.
Q: Did the filming encounter any particular problems?
A: Yes, filming was interrupted for several weeks at Nepal due to a political crisiscausing delays on the road.
Q: Who were the previous winners and what was their prize money?
A: The previous winners, Nathalie and Charlotte (2025 season), had won 80,000 euros Anthony and Anna take over with a higher profit this year.
Q: Will there be a next season and how can I participate?
A: The production team has already announced the sequel: the season 23 is planned and the casting is open for interested candidates.