A Comprehensive Guide to the 2026 Tour de France Stages

Stage-by-Stage Breakdown

Stage 1: July 4 – Barcelone-Barcelone

Type: Team Time Trial
Distance: 12 miles
First Start: 11:05 a.m. EST
Last Finish: 1:16 p.m. EST

The Tour kicks off with a Team Time Trial in Barcelona, tracing routes past the Sagrada Familia and the Olympic Stadium. The fastest team claims the first yellow jersey.

Stage 2: July 5 – Tarragone-Barcelone

Type: Hilly
Distance: 105 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:45 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:26 a.m. EST

This stage has challenging hills in the latter part, leading up to Montjuic Castle, and influences battles for both the King of the Mountains and green jerseys.

Stage 3: July 6 – Granollers-Les Angles

Type: Mountain
Distance: 122 miles
Neutralized Start: 6:10 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 10:54 a.m. EST

The riders enter the French Alps early. This stage might see a bold breakaway, though general classification riders will conserve energy.

Stage 4: July 7 – Carcassonne-Foix

Type: Hilly
Distance: 113 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:10 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:23 a.m. EST

With descents and plateaus, this stage offers chances for breakaways, although sprinters may disrupt those plans.

Stage 5: July 8 – Lannemezan-Pau

Type: Flat
Distance: 98 miles
Neutralized Start: 8:05 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:37 a.m. EST

A historic delay for a flat stage since 1979, concluding in Pau with a likely sprint finish and KOM points available.

Stage 6: July 9 – Pau-Gavarnie-Gedre

Type: Mountain
Distance: 116 miles
Neutralized Start: 6:25 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:29 a.m. EST

The Col du Tourmalet features, setting the stage for potential battles between general classification contenders.

Stage 7: July 10 – Hagetmau-Bordeaux

Type: Flat
Distance: 109 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:15 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:13 a.m. EST

This flat stage concludes in Bordeaux, a favored city for sprint finishes.

Stage 8: July 11 – Perigueux-Bergerac

Type: Flat
Distance: 112 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:15 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:20 a.m. EST

This is another opportunity for a sprint finish favoring green jersey contenders.

Stage 9: July 12 – Malemort-Ussel

Type: Hilly
Distance: 115 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:35 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:47 a.m. EST

The challenging hilly course precedes a rest day, with climbs favoring endurance racers.

Stage 10: July 14 – Aurillac-Le Lioran

Type: Mountain
Distance: 104 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:10 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:12 a.m. EST

Seven climbs feature on this Bastille Day stage, possibly highlighting top contenders like Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.

Stage 11: July 15 – Vichy-Nevers

Type: Flat
Distance: 100 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:50 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:31 a.m. EST

With 95 green jersey points on offer, sprinters will relish the flat terrain after the previous mountain challenge.

Stage 12: July 16 – Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours-Chalon-Sur-Saone

Type: Flat
Distance: 111 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:30 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:29 a.m. EST

Departing from a former Formula One track, this is a second consecutive flat stage for sprinters.

Stage 13: July 17 – Dole-Belfort

Type: Hilly
Distance: 128 miles
Neutralized Start: 7 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:46 a.m. EST

Ending with an 18.6-mile descent, this longest stage might attract climbers seeking a win.

Stage 14: July 18 – Mulhouse-Le Markstein Fellering

Type: Mountain
Distance: 96 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:10 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:24 a.m. EST

A sharp 9.4% gradient in the final stretch defines this short mountain course.

Stage 15: July 19 – Champagnole-Plateau de Solaison

Type: Mountain
Distance: 114 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:10 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:41 a.m. EST

Before the last rest day, this stage could firm up general classification standings and offers a chance for green jersey points.

Stage 16: July 21 – Evian-les-Bains-Thonon-les-Bains

Type: Individual Time Trial
Distance: 16 miles
First Start: 7 a.m. EST
Last Finish: 11:50 a.m. EST

The only individual time trial runs along Lake Geneva’s flat terrains.

Stage 17: July 22 – Chambery-Voiron

Type: Flat
Distance: 109 miles
Neutralized Start: 7:20 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:18 a.m. EST

A ‘flat’ stage with substantial elevation changes nearing the Alps.

Stage 18: July 23 – Voiron-Orcieres-Merlette

Type: Mountain
Distance: 115 miles
Neutralized Start: 6:35 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:12 a.m. EST

With significant elevation gain, this stage tests endurance as it concludes at Orcieres-Merlette.

Stage 19: July 24 – Gap-Alpe D’Huez

Type: Mountain
Distance: 79 miles
Neutralized Start: 8 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 11:24 a.m. EST

The shortest mountain stage includes a climb up Alpe D’Huez, challenging riders with its hairpin turns and severe gradients.

Stage 20: July 25 – Le Bourg D’Oisans-Alpe D’Huez

Type: Mountain
Distance: 106 miles
Neutralized Start: 5:20 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 10:11 a.m. EST

Featuring a grueling 18,000 feet elevation climb, this stage provides a final opportunity for dramatic shifts in standings.

Stage 21: July 26 – Thoiry-Paris Champs-Elysees

Type: Flat
Distance: 83 miles
Neutralized Start: 10:15 a.m. EST
Estimated Finish: 1:30 p.m. EST

The Tour culminates with a sprint finish on the famous Champs-Elysees. Belgian dominance here might face new challenges.

Viewing Information

• Dates: Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 26
• Start times: Between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. EST
• Watch on: NBC, NBCSN, Peacock
• Daily Highlights: July 4-26, from 7-8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports NOW and Peacock