Tour de France 2026: Favourites
fotobureau Cor VosIn last year's Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar won the overall classification, underlining his dominance with four stage victories. Thymen Arensman and Tim Merlier claimed two stages each. So far this year, Pogacar has won three stages and also leads the general classification, while Tim Merlier took two sprint victories. The other stage wins were shared among different riders. What can we expect from the remainder of the race?
Read about the main contenders for the final podium.
Please click the links below to access our previews of the stage favourites.
Tour de France 2026 - stage contenders
| # | date | favourites | km | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4-7 | Looking for the best finisher | 19.6 | TTT |
| 2 | 5-7 | Puncher's Paradise | 168.5 | hills |
| 3 | 6-7 | Yellow for the taking | 195.9 | mountains |
| 4 | 7-7 | Half the peloton rolls the dice | 181.9 | hills |
| 5 | 8-7 | For fast men #1 | 158.3 | flat |
| 6 | 9-7 | Clash in the Pyrenees | 186.2 | mountains |
| 7 | 10-7 | For fast men #2 | 175.1 | flat |
| 8 | 11-7 | For fast men #3 | 180.4 | flat |
| 9 | 12-7 | Attackers in the Massif Central | 185.5 | hills |
| 13-7 | rest day | |||
| 10 | 14-7 | Spectacular run to Lioran | 166.6 | hills |
| 11 | 15-7 | For fast men #4 | 161.3 | flat |
| 12 | 16-7 | For fast men #5 | 179.1 | flat |
| 13 | 17-7 | For daredevil descenders | 205.8 | hills |
| 14 | 18-7 | GC showdown in the Vosges | 155.3 | mountains |
| 15 | 19-7 | All-out on final climb | 183.9 | mountains |
| 20-7 | rest day | |||
| 16 | 21-7 | Evenepoel versus Ganna | 26.1 | ITT |
| 17 | 22-7 | Sprinters or attackers | 174.7 | flat |
| 18 | 23-7 | Attackers in the Alps | 185.2 | mountains |
| 19 | 24-7 | Monster stage to Alpe d'Huez | 127.9 | mountains |
| 20 | 25-7 | Who conquers the toughest stage? | 170.9 | mountains |
| 21 | 26-7 | Heroes on the Elysian Fields | 133.0 | flat |
For fast men #4
The riders face 1,400 metres of elevation gain over 161.3 kilometres. That is hardly enough to trouble the sprinters, especially as the only climbs come well before the finish. Barring the unexpected, the 10th stage should end in a bunch sprint.
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For fast men #5
On the route from Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône, the riders tackle just under 1,800 metres of elevation gain, so it is by no means completely flat. Even so, there is every chance that the fast men will have the final say on the banks of the Saône.
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GC showdown in the Vosges
Over 155.3 kilometres, the riders take on 3,800 metres of climbing. Although the finish is not uphill, the GC contenders are expected to go all-out en route to the ski resort of Le Markstein. Whether that also decides the stage win is another question, but we hope it does.
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All-out on final climb
In the 15th stage of the Tour de France, the riders head through the Alps. The route features four categorised climbs, with the final ascent by far the hardest. It is almost certain that the GC contenders will test each other, but whether that will also be for the stage win remains to be seen.
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Spectacular run to Le Lioran
Will Tadej Pogacar be out for revenge? Two years ago, Jonas Vingegaard edged him out in a photo finish in Le Lioran. However it unfolds, stage 10 offers plenty of material for a compelling battle, be it for the GC or just for the stage win.
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More articles
For daredevil descendersAttackers in the Massif Central
For fast men #3
For fast men #2
Clash in the Pyrenees
For fast men #1
Half the peloton rolls the dice
Yellow jersey for the taking
A puncher’s paradise
Looking for the best finisher
Who conquers the toughest stage?
Monster stage to Alpe d'Huez
Heroes of the Elysian Fields
Attackers in the Alps
Sprinters or attackers
Evenepoel versus Ganna
GC Favourites