The 2026 Tour de France begins Saturday June 27, departing from Bilbao, Spain for the first time in the race’s history, and will cover 3,402 kilometers across 21 stages before concluding in Paris on July 19, 2026.
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates enters as the heavy favorite after winning the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Tour, attempting to become the first rider since Miguel Indurain (1991-1995) to win three consecutive Tours.
Jonas Vingegaard, the 2022 and 2023 champion who has regained full fitness after a serious crash in the 2025 Tour, is expected to mount the strongest challenge to Pogacar in a rematch of one of cycling’s greatest modern rivalries.
2026 Route and Key Stages
The race opens with a rolling 185-kilometer stage from Bilbao before crossing the Pyrenees in the first week with two summit finishes. The Alps provide the definitive climbing stages in weeks two and three, including a Alpe d’Huez summit finish on Stage 17.
A 45-kilometer individual time trial on Stage 15 between Lyon and Macon will provide the biggest time gaps outside of the high mountains. Pogacar and Vingegaard are both exceptional time trialists, making the TT a potential race-deciding stage rather than just a formality.
The final stage into Paris on the Champs-Elysees follows tradition as a celebration stage where the race leader is not attacked. The race will be decided by the end of Stage 20, a summit finish at Plateau de Beille.
2026 Tour de France Top Contenders
| Rider | Team | Tour Wins | 2026 Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tadej Pogacar | UAE Team Emirates | 2 (2024, 2025) | Favorite |
| Jonas Vingegaard | Visma-Lease a Bike | 2 (2022, 2023) | Second favorite |
| Remco Evenepoel | Soudal Quick-Step | 0 | Third |
| Carlos Rodriguez | Ineos Grenadiers | 0 | Outside chance |
| Juan Ayuso | UAE Team Emirates | 0 | Domestique/opportunity |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Tour de France?
The 2026 Tour de France runs from June 27 to July 19, 2026. The race starts in Bilbao, Spain, and concludes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. It consists of 21 stages covering 3,402 kilometers. American viewers can watch on Peacock and NBC Sports.
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Tour de France?
Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates is the heavy favorite after winning the 2024 and 2025 editions. At 27, he is in the prime of his career. Jonas Vingegaard is his main rival; the Dane is returning to full health after a crash-interrupted 2025 season.
How long is the Tour de France?
The Tour de France is always 21 stages over 23 days, with two scheduled rest days. The 2026 edition covers 3,402 kilometers. The winner is the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all 21 stages. The yellow jersey represents the overall race leader on any given day.
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