Following · 4–26 July 2026

Le Tour de France

The biggest bike race in the world. The 113th Tour starts in Barcelona with a team time trial, crosses the Pyrenees, climbs the Alps, finishes Alpe d'Huez twice in two days, and ends — as ever — on the Champs-Élysées.

Stages

21

Distance

~3,333 km

Start

Barcelona (ES)

Finish

Paris

Three things to watch for

4 July

Stage 1 · Barcelona team time trial

The first opening team time trial since 1971, and a Spanish Grand Départ to begin with. Time gaps land on day one — by the time the race crosses the Pyrenees on stage three, the GC has already been shaken.

24–25 July

Stages 19 & 20 · Alpe d'Huez × 2

Alpe d'Huez returns for the first time since 2022, and it features twice in two days. The general classification is decided here or nowhere — back-to-back ascents of the most theatrical climb in cycling.

26 July

Stage 21 · Champs-Élysées

The traditional Parisian sprint finale: laps of the Champs-Élysées, riders linking arms, jersey winners on the Tuileries cobbles. The bit you watch even if you've ignored the rest.

Recent winners

2025Tadej PogačarUAE Team Emirates 2024Tadej PogačarUAE Team Emirates 2023Jonas VingegaardJumbo-Visma 2022Jonas VingegaardJumbo-Visma 2021Tadej PogačarUAE Team Emirates 2020Tadej PogačarUAE Team Emirates

A short history

First held in 1903 by L'Auto — the newspaper printed on yellow paper, hence the maillot jaune — the Tour is cycling's most-watched, most-decorated, most-complicated three weeks.

It has been won by Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Armstrong (since erased), Froome, and now Pogačar and Vingegaard. Every July the race writes another chapter. Every July the crowds line the cols, eight people deep, in a way no other race quite matches.

Classification guide

The jerseys

Every Grand Tour has its own visual language. These are the jerseys riders fight for across three weeks — each one marking a different race within the race.

General classification

Maillot Jaune

The overall race leader and the Tour’s defining jersey.

Points classification

Maillot Vert

The sprinters’ prize, won through finishes and intermediate sprints.

Mountains classification

Maillot à Pois

The climber’s jersey, awarded for points over categorised climbs.

Young rider

Maillot Blanc

The highest placed eligible young rider on general classification.

Pro-team & French kit in stock

Rapha, Le Col, Café du Cycliste, POC, Maap — pro-team and French-tied brands. Here's what's available right now.