Most asked questions about Tour de France

The 113th edition of the Tour de France promises to be a spectacular showcase of cycling prowess, covering an impressive 3,333 kilometres over 21 demanding stages.  

This year's route offers something for every type of rider, with a carefully balanced mix of terrain that will test the complete cyclist. 

The race features seven flat stages perfect for the sprinters, four challenging hilly stages, and eight gruelling mountain stages that will separate the true contenders from the rest of the peloton. Among these mountain stages, five will finish at altitude, including iconic climbs to Gavarnie-Gèdre, Plateau de Solaison, Orcières-Merlette, and the legendary Alpe d'Huez. 

Adding to the variety, riders will face one team time trial and one individual time trial, whilst two rest days provide crucial recovery time during this three-week odyssey. 

The 2026 Grand Départ begins in Barcelona, Spain, on 4th July, the third time the Tour has started in Spain, following San Sebastián (1992) and Bilbao (2023). 

Stage 2 travels 182 kilometres from Tarragona to Barcelona, before Stage 3's 196-kilometre journey from Granollers to Les Angles marks the race's return to French soil. The route then traverses 7 regions and 29 departments before the traditional Paris finish on 26th July. 

What's particularly exciting about this year's route is that 10 of the 37 host towns will be welcoming the Tour de France for the very first time, bringing fresh energy and new landscapes to cycling's greatest spectacle. 

2026 Tour de France route breakdown¹:

Few symbols in sport carry as much weight as the coloured jerseys of the Tour de France. Each one tells a different story of excellence, representing distinct challenges within the same race. 

At the end of each stage, the leaders of these classifications receive their jerseys to wear the next day. When a single rider leads multiple classifications, there's a clear order of precedence: yellow trumps green, which takes priority over polka-dot, with white bringing up the rear.   

The jerseys aren't the only prizes worth fighting for. Two further accolades recognise different dimensions of racing excellence. 

The combativity award celebrates the day's most courageous performer. A panel of judges selects the rider who showed the greatest attacking flair and determination during the stage. This warrior earns the privilege of wearing a red race number the following day, whilst an overall 'most combative rider' receives recognition in Paris. In 2025, Ben Healy (EF Education–EasyPost) earned this title for his attacking spirit throughout the race. 

• The team classification, awarded since 1930, identifies the strongest collective unit. Calculated by totalling the times of each squad's three fastest finishers on every stage, the leading team wears yellow race numbers as a badge of honour. In 2025, Visma-Lease A Bike took this prestigious team award. 

Come Saturday 4th July in Barcelona, 184 riders from 23 teams will gather at the start line. But what does it take to compete, and how does the intricate dance of the peloton lead to one single winner? 

Getting ready for the Tour de France isn't just demanding, it's all-consuming. Across three punishing weeks, cyclists face roughly 100 hours in the saddle racing at full intensity. And that's purely riding time. It doesn't account for warm-ups, recovery sessions, media obligations, or the endless transfers between stage starts and finishes. 

The preparation matches the race's intensity. Throughout the season, professional cyclists blend endurance rides stretching beyond 100 hours (designed to replicate the Tour's relentless nature), high-intensity interval work to build resilience against fatigue, altitude training camps to sharpen performance, and careful study of crucial stages. 

The physical toll is extraordinary. During a single mountain stage, a rider might torch anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 calories, a staggering energy output that demands precision nutrition planning and adequate recovery. 

Though individual names claim the headlines, cycling is fundamentally a team sport. Each eight-rider squad arrives with clearly defined roles that reveal the strategic depth of professional racing. 

The main group of riders racing together is called the peloton, a constantly shifting formation that's crucial for maintaining speed and conserving precious energy. Within this group, riders position themselves strategically to benefit from riding closely behind teammates to reduce air resistance. This technique can save significant energy over the course of a stage, which is why you'll often see the peloton working as one cohesive unit. 

Within each team, there are some key figures: 

• Team leader: The protected rider with the best chance of winning overall or taking stage victories, supported by the entire squad. You can identify the team leader by their bib number: they wear the lowest number within their squad, with number 1 reserved for the previous year's champion.  
  It's worth noting that the team leader isn't always the same person as the team captain. Whilst the leader is typically the strongest rider pursuing glory, the captain handles overall team management and race strategy. In some cases, a particularly experienced rider may serve as captain, guiding tactical decisions even if they're not the one chasing victory.  
  Importantly, the team leader isn't necessarily chasing overall victory: they might be a sprinter or specialist pursuing different objectives based on the team's strategy and the rider's strengths. 
• Domestiques: The selfless workers who shield their leader from wind, chase down attacks, fetch supplies from team cars, and sacrifice personal ambitions for team success.  
• Specialist roles within the peloton include: 
  • Grimpeurs: Mountain specialists who excel on steep ascents. Typically lightweight riders capable of explosive accelerations on the toughest climbs. 
  • Sprinters: Powerful athletes built for bursts of speed at stage finishes. Usually the heaviest riders with strong builds and explosive fast-twitch muscles. 
  • Rouleurs: Versatile all-rounders who maintain high speeds on flat terrain. Solid performers across most disciplines, they're the workhorses who can drive the peloton's pace for extended periods. 
  • Puncheurs: Riders who thrive on rolling terrain with short, sharp climbs. They possess the fast-twitch power for punchy ascents without the endurance of pure climbers. 
  • Time-trial specialists: Masters of pacing and aerodynamics who excel at racing alone against the clock on relatively flat courses. 
  • Lead-out riders: Expert sprinters in their own right who build blistering speed to launch their designated sprinter in the final metres. 

The Tour de France winner is determined by the General Classification (GC): the rider who completes all 21 stages in the lowest cumulative time claims the famous yellow jersey and overall victory. 

Whilst individual stage wins bring prestige and prize money, it's consistency across three punishing weeks that ultimately crowns a champion. Each stage is timed from start to finish, and these times accumulate as the race progresses. The rider with the fastest overall time standing on the podium in Paris takes cycling's greatest prize. 

However, the nature of competition throughout the race is wonderfully complex and varies depending on which jersey riders are chasing. This multi-layered racing dynamic, with different classifications being contested simultaneously, is part of what makes the Tour de France such compelling viewing. 

The 2026 Tour de France offers a total prize pool of €2.3 million, which will be distributed amongst teams and riders based on their achievements throughout the race. The overall winner of the individual classification will receive a substantial €500,000. 

The 2026 Tour de France promises a thrilling clash of cycling's finest talents. All eyes will naturally fall on Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, whose recent rivalry has captivated the cycling world. 

Yet they'll face formidable opposition. Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič arrive hungry for Tour glory, whilst rising German talent Florian Lipowitz represents the next generation knocking at the door.  

As with every Tour, there's also the tantalising possibility that new stars could emerge, seizing their moment on cycling's biggest stage and writing their own chapter in the race's storied history. 

Whether you're planning to experience the excitement roadside or follow from the comfort of your home, there are numerous ways to enjoy the 2026 Tour de France. 

The first decision is what kind of experience you're after. On flat stages, the peloton will flash past at breathtaking speed, a thrilling but fleeting spectacle. For a more immersive experience, position yourself on a mountain climb where riders ascend more slowly, allowing you to witness the drama unfold in greater detail. 

Wherever you choose, arrive several hours early. Roads close well in advance, and early arrival secures you a prime viewing spot whilst giving you time to soak up the festive atmosphere. You'll also catch the famous Caravan parade, a vibrant procession of promotional vehicles that passes roughly an hour or two before the riders. Keep your eyes peeled for the VELUX vehicles as they celebrate the race! 

Pack essentials: water, snacks, sun cream, and a compact folding chair if permitted. Most importantly, always respect rider safety: stay well back from the road and never obstruct their path. 

If you can't make it to Spain or France this year, you can still catch every moment of the action. The Tour de France's global appeal is reflected in its broadcasting reach: the race is televised in 190 countries. 

Why not enhance your viewing experience by creating a comfortable, light-filled space at home? You can welcome in all the daylight while regulating the indoor temperature to stay cool, even on the sunniest of days.  After all, there's something special about settling in for a full day of Tour coverage in your own cosy environment. 

For real-time updates and detailed insights, the official Tour de France website and mobile app offer live tracking, comprehensive stage profiles, and up-to-the-second results. This allows you to follow the race kilometre by kilometre, monitoring breakaways and time gaps just as the team directors do from their cars. 

The partnership between VELUX and the Tour de France is built on shared values that extend far beyond simple sponsorship. 

Daylight and fresh air sit at the very heart of what VELUX does. The name itself embodies this mission: "VE" for ventilation and "LUX" for light, fundamental elements that enhance health and well-being in our homes. 

This alignment with the Tour de France's celebration of physical excellence, endurance, and outdoor achievement creates a natural synergy. Cycling is an outdoor sport that champions health and well-being, values that resonate deeply with VELUX's own commitment to bringing nature's essential elements indoors. 

Throughout the race, you'll spot the VELUX logo on every rider's bib across the Tour de France, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. We're also proud supporters of the Lanterne Rouge, the final rider in the General Classification. Our backing of this position celebrates the remarkable endurance required simply to complete all 21 stages, reflecting the inclusive spirit that defines both the Tour and the VELUX brand. 

VELUX brings unique experiences to the millions of fans lining the routes. 

Look out for us in the legendary 10-kilometre Caravan parade that precedes the riders each day. Our distinctively designed vehicles showcase our heat protection solutions in a fun, engaging way, creating what we like to call "the best place to be in the Tour" amidst warm July temperatures. It's a celebration on wheels that everyone can enjoy. 

You'll also find VELUX in the start and finish villages along the route. We invite you to visit our home-inspired settings, where you can participate in engaging activities whilst enjoying some of the finest views the Tour has to offer. It's the perfect spot to relax and immerse yourself in the incredible atmosphere of the race. We'll also be distributing red bucket hats to help spectators stay protected from the heat whilst showing their support.