Stage One: Barcelona Team Time Trial
The 2026 Tour de France begins in Barcelona with a 19.6km team time trial, the first since 2019. Riders pass landmarks like La Rambla and Sagrada Familia, but times are taken individually at the uphill finish. Teams will shed non-climbers early, favoring lighter riders in the finale. Jonas Vingegaard's Visma, Remco Evenepoel's Red Bull, and Tadej Pogacar's UAE Emirates are expected to excel.
Stage Two: Tarragona to Barcelona
Stage two covers 168.5km from Tarragona to Barcelona, featuring the Costes de Garraf and the second-category Côte de Begues. Three loops of the Montjuïc circuit, a traditional Tour of Catalonia finale, include a climb every 12km. This suits punchy riders like Mattias Skjelmose or Mathieu van der Poel, though Pogacar, Evenepoel, and Primoz Roglic have won here.
Stage Three: Granollers to Les Angles
Stage three runs 195.9km into the Pyrenean foothills with a first-category pass and a longer third-category climb. The 1.7km finish at 7% requires precise positioning. Biniam Girmay could win if his NSN team controls the break.
Stage Four: Carcassonne to Foix
Stage four is 181.9km with two second-category climbs. Breakaway specialists like Magnus Cort or Michal Kwiatkowski may prevail, with a final climb at Le Pradet 12km from the finish.
Stage Five: Lannemezan to Pau
Stage five covers 158.3km, offering sprinters their first target. Jasper Philipsen, with 10 Tour stage wins, and Tim Merlier, with three, are favorites. Philipsen's lead-out includes Van der Poel and Kaden Groves.
Stage Six: Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre
Stage six is 186.2km with climbs including Aspin and Tourmalet before the second-category drag to Gavarnie. The stage suits a breakaway climber like Lenny Martinez.
Stage Seven: Hagetmau to Bordeaux
Stage seven covers 175.1km to Bordeaux, a historic sprint finish. Philipsen won here in 2023 and is favored again.
Stage Eight: Périgueux to Bergerac
Stage eight is 180.4km for sprinters, with only minor climbs. Philipsen, Merlier, Girmay, or Mads Pedersen are potential winners.
Stage Nine: Malemort to Ussel
Stage nine covers 185.5km with 3,300m of climbing. A breakaway win is likely, with Pello Bilbao or Richard Carapaz as contenders.
Rest Day: Cantal Region
Monday 13 July is a rest day.
Stage 10: Aurillac to Le Lioran
Stage 10 is 166.6km with seven categorised climbs, including Puy Mary and Col de Pertus. This Bastille Day stage tests contenders like Pogacar and Vingegaard, with French hope Paul Seixas.
Stage 11: Vichy to Nevers
Stage 11 covers 161.3km, flat for sprinters. Wind could split the race.
Stage 12: Nevers/Magny Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône
Stage 12 is 179.1km with lumpy roads that may trouble sprinters. Girmay's NSN could apply pressure.
Stage 13: Dole to Belfort
Stage 13 is 205.8km, the longest, with the Ballon d'Alsace near the finish. Tom Pidcock may win.
Stage 14: Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering
Stage 14 covers 155.3km with the Grand Ballon and Col du Haag. Pogacar or Vingegaard could win.
Stage 15: Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison
Stage 15 is 183.9km with steep climbs. Valentin Paret-Peintre may win from a break.
Rest Day: Haute-Savoie Region
Monday 20 July is a rest day.
Stage 16: Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains (ITT)
Stage 16 is a 26.1km individual time trial with a second-category climb. Evenepoel is favored.
Stage 17: Chambéry to Voiron
Stage 17 covers 174.7km with uphill start. Girmay or Michael Matthews could win.
Stage 18: Voiron to Orcières-Merlette
Stage 18 is 185.2km. Ben Healy may win from a break.
Stage 19: Gap to l'Alpe d'Huez
Stage 19 covers 127.9km with 21 hairpins. Thymen Arensman could win.
Stage 20: Le Bourg d'Oisans to l'Alpe d'Huez
Stage 20 is 170.9km, the hardest, with Croix de Fer, Galibier, and Col de Sarenne. Decisive for overall.
Stage 21: Thoiry to Paris Champs-Élysées
Stage 21 covers 133km with Montmartre climb. Pedersen or Van der Poel may win.
