The route for the 2026 Edition of the Tour de France has just been released. In this episode, Dave discusses the facts and opinions about the route choice.

Facts & totals

• Dates: 4 July to 26 July 2026.
• Grand Départ: Barcelona, Spain. 
• 21 stages. 
• Total distance: ~3,333 km.
• Total climbing (vertical gain): ~54,000 m.
• Stage-type mix (from published summary):
  • One Team Time Trial (TTT) to open.
  • One (or minimal) Individual Time Trial (ITT).
  • 8 mountain stages with ~5 summit finishes.
  • 4 hilly stages (medium mountains/undulating)
  • 7 flat stages (sprinters’ domain).

The decision to start with a team time trial is a bold one — the first such by the Tour since 1971 in that format. 

The route promises a “crescendo” built in: easier stages early in Spain, then progressively tougher terrain across the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Voges, Alps, then Alpe d’Huez double finish.

The highest point of the race will be the climb of the Galibier (via Télégraphe etc) in the Alps.

Sprinters will still get their chances, but the mid-to-late mountains may render some flat stages less predictable.

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