The most prestigious race in the world will start on July 4th in Barcelona, taking the peloton through some of France’s most iconic landscapes and featuring a true mountain finale with two consecutive finishes at Alpe d’Huez. The 113th edition of the Grande Boucle promises spectacle, strategy, and an open battle for the yellow jersey.
The start from Barcelona will be one of the main highlights of this 2026 Tour. The Catalan capital will host the Grand Départ of the race for the first time, becoming the third Tour start from Spain after San Sebastián and Bilbao. The race will begin with a 19.6-kilometre team time trial through the streets of Barcelona, passing iconic locations such as the harbour and the Sagrada Família. This format is not especially common, and its distance (19.6 km) could create the first gaps between the favourites.
The second stage will then start in Tarragona and finish again in Barcelona (with a circuit around the Montjuïc area, which will be familiar to fans of the Volta a Catalunya), before the peloton heads into French territory through the Pyrenees. In fact, the mountains will appear very early in the race: the third stage, between Granollers and Les Angles, already includes a demanding Pyrenean finish that could provide the first real test for the contenders aiming for overall victory.
A varied route with mountains from the very beginning
The route designed for 2026 combines different types of stages. There will be opportunities for sprinters, medium-mountain days where breakaways can play a leading role, and a huge amount of climbing, with eight stages considered highly demanding. As usual, the Tour will visit France’s main mountain ranges, including the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Vosges and the Alps, creating a race that will leave little room for relaxation or even flat stages where the sprinters can shine.
The first week could be crucial because the general classification riders will need to stay focused from the very start. The Pyrenean stages arrive earlier than usual (the Tourmalet will appear on stage 6) and could create important gaps if any favourite struggles on the first major climbs. In addition, the race will feature a 26-kilometre individual time trial on the 16th stage, an element that can always change the classification once fatigue begins to set in.
17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 - Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) - Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) - Credits: © A.S.O./Billy Ceusters
But if there is one point marked in red by all fans, it is the Alpine finale. Alpe d’Huez will be the absolute star with two consecutive finishes: stage 19 will end on the legendary summit after starting from Gap, while stage 20, the final decisive day before Paris, will once again finish at the Alpine resort after starting from Bourg d’Oisans.
The double appearance of Alpe d’Huez could turn those two days into a historic scenario. Its 21 hairpin bends, its unique atmosphere and its history in the Tour mean that any attack can become unforgettable. Furthermore, reaching this point in the third week means accumulated fatigue could play a decisive role: a rider may look unbeatable for two weeks and lose everything in one difficult afternoon.
Pogačar, Vingegaard and a list of elite contenders
When it comes to the favourites, the name at the top of every prediction is Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian arrives as the leading figure in modern cycling and will look to continue building his legacy with another victory in the French race. His all-round ability in the mountains and against the clock makes him the rider to beat.
His biggest rival will once again be Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane has already shown he is one of the few riders capable of challenging Pogačar’s dominance in a Grand Tour. He arrives in strong form after dominating the Giro d’Italia, and his strength on the biggest climbs, together with his ability to manage long efforts, could fit perfectly with a route that saves the ultimate battle for the Alps.
Another rider to watch will be Remco Evenepoel. The double Olympic champion brings a different profile: he is one of the best time trialists in the peloton and continues to improve his consistency in the high mountains. If he reaches the third week with a chance, he could take advantage of any moment of weakness from the two main favourites.
We will also have to keep an eye on ambitious young riders such as Juan Ayuso and the sensation of the season, Paul Seixas, who at just 19 years old is ready to challenge anyone.
The 2026 Tour de France has all the ingredients to become a memorable edition: a spectacular start in Barcelona, mountains from the very beginning and a finale designed for climbers. Alpe d’Huez awaits as the ultimate judge, and there will be no room to breathe in this Tour that we hope to experience at full intensity on Cyclingoo.