Tour de France 2026 Begins Barcelona, Features Double Alpe d’Huez, Closes Montmartre Paris

The 2026 Tour de France will begin with a historic Grand Départ in Barcelona, featuring a technical city loop and the first opening team time trial since 1971, setting early stakes for general classification contenders. The route includes a challenging first week with a visit to the Pyrenees and summit finishes at Gavarnie-Gèdre, followed by a diverse second week through the Massif Central and the Vosges mountains, offering opportunities for breakaways and sprint finishes. The race's climax features a unique double ascent of the iconic Alpe d'Huez on stages 19 and 20, with additional summit finishes at Orcières-Merlette and an individual time trial on stage 16. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar aims for an unprecedented fifth victory, facing strong competition from riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, with the route designed to maintain suspense until the end. The final stage will revisit the Montmartre climb in Paris, adding a historic flair to the conclusion. Overall, the 2026 Tour promises a demanding and scenic course across all five of France's mountain ranges, ensuring a thrilling contest for riders and fans alike.