The 113th Tour de France
Chasing Yellow Across France
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Tour de France!
On Saturday, 4th July 2026, the world’s most prestigious cycling race returns for its 113th edition. The Tour de France will begin with its Grand Départ in Barcelona, with the first three stages taking place across Catalunya before the race heads into France.
The Tour will then continue across 21 stages, culminating with its traditional finish on the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris on Sunday, 26th July 2026.
First held in 1903 to promote the French newspaper L’Auto, the Tour has since become a global spectacle—drawing the world’s best cyclists and teams into a month-long battle of endurance, tactics, and grit. From legendary mountain climbs to nail-biting sprints and dramatic time trials, the Tour stands as the crown jewel of professional cycling’s Grand Tours.
The Team to Watch: UAE Team Emirates
All eyes will be on UAE Team Emirates this July as they return to the Tour with one mission: win it all . After dominating the first part of the 2026 season and showing incredible form in the early season, their Tour de France squad is shaping up to be a powerhouse.
At the heart of it is Tadej Pogačar, a four-time Tour de France winner and arguably the most complete rider of his generation. Supporting him is one of the strongest teams in the race, featuring rising star Isaac del Toro, experienced mountain lieutenant Adam Yates, powerful all-rounders Brandon McNulty, Tim Wellens, and Felix Großschartner, as well as classics specialists Nils Politt and Florian Vermeersch. Together, they form an elite squad built to control every terrain—from the opening team time trial in Barcelona to the highest mountain passes—as Pogačar bids for a historic fifth Tour de France title.
But it won’t be easy.
Rival teams like Visma–Lease a Bike, INEOS Grenadiers, and Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe are coming in strong with their own GC ambitions. Expect fireworks in the mountains and tactics at every turn.
Watch Every Stage Live at Wolfi’s - Fan Zones Are Back!
We’re just as excited as you are, which is why Wolfi’s will be hosting daily Tour de France Fan Zones in-store!
Come join fellow cycling fans to watch every twist and turn of this epic three-week race. We’ll stream every stage live, from brutal mountain-top finishes to dramatic time trials.
That’s not all:
Connect with the Community!
Meet fellow fans, chat about team tactics, celebrate every stage outcome with Dubai’s cycling community and win amazing prizes!
Let’s Ride with the Best!
Whether you’re backing UAE Team Emirates to repeat their triumph at the Tour or simply love the drama of Grand Tour racing, the Tour de France 2026 promises action, emotion, and edge-of-your-seat moments. And there’s no better place to experience it than at Wolfi’s fan zones.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE JERSEYS
Maillot Jaune – Yellow Jersey:
Awarded to the overall race leader. It’s the most iconic symbol in cycling—honoring consistency, strength, and tactical brilliance.
Maillot Vert – Green Jersey:
For the best sprinter, rewarding points collected on flat stages and intermediate sprints.
Maillot à Pois – Polka Dot Jersey:
Given to the best climber—the King of the Mountains. Earned by conquering France’s toughest climbs.
Maillot Blanc – White Jersey:
Awarded to the best young rider (under 26) in the general classification—highlighting the sport’s rising stars.
THE ROUTE
The 2026 Tour de France begins with a historic Grand Départ in Barcelona, featuring the first Team Time Trial to open the race since 1971. After three stages in Catalunya, the peloton heads into France to tackle a demanding route through the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, and Alps, before the traditional finale in Paris.
This year's route includes 5 official summit finishes, 1 Team Time Trial, 1 Individual Time Trial, and iconic climbs such as the Col du Tourmalet, Col du Galibier, Col de la Croix de Fer, and the legendary Alpe d'Huez, which features as a summit finish on two consecutive stages in the final weekend.
Total Distance: ~3,333 km
Stages: 21
Official Summit Finishes: 5
Time Trials: 1 Team Time Trial + 1 Individual Time Trial
Rest Days: 2 (13 July & 20 July)
THE TOUR STAGES
The 2026 Tour de France starts with a historic Grand Départ in Barcelona, marking the first time since 1971 that the race begins with a Team Time Trial. The opening three stages take place in Catalunya, before the peloton crosses into France and tackles five different mountain ranges: the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, Jura, and Alps.
21 stages
23 Teams
184 Riders
~3,333 km total distance
7 flat stages
4 hilly stages
8 mountain stages
5 summit finishes
1 Team Time Trial + 1 Individual Time Trial
~54,450 m total elevation gain
Rest Days: July 13 & July 20
Stage 1
Barcelona → Barcelona (19.6 km, Team Time Trial)
The Tour starts with a spectacular team time trial through Barcelona. Riders will race from the coast through the city, passing landmarks such as the Sagrada Família, before the decisive final climb towards Montjuïc and the Olympic Stadium. A short but explosive opening stage where every second counts for the first yellow jersey.
Stage 2
Tarragona → Barcelona (168.5 km, Hilly)
The second stage stays in Catalunya with a rolling route back to Barcelona. Expect aggressive racing, breakaway attempts, and a possible reduced sprint in the city.
Stage 3
Granollers → Les Angles (195.9 km, Mountain)
The first real mountain test arrives immediately, crossing the Pyrenees with almost 4,000 metres of elevation gain. Climbers and GC contenders will already be forced to show their form.
Stage 4
Carcassonne → Foix (181.9 km, Hilly)
After entering France, the race continues through the Pyrenean foothills. A stage suited for breakaway specialists and punchy riders.
Stage 5
Lannemezan → Pau (158.3 km, Flat)
A transition day through the southwest of France, offering sprinters their first major opportunity.
Stage 6
Pau → Gavarnie-Gèdre (186.2 km, Mountain)
The first major summit finish of the Tour. A brutal Pyrenean day featuring legendary climbs including the Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet, before the final climb to Gavarnie-Gèdre.
Stage 7
Hagetmau → Bordeaux (175.1 km, Flat)
A classic sprint stage heading towards one of cycling's fastest finishing cities.
Stage 8
Périgueux → Bergerac (180.4 km, Flat)
Another opportunity for the sprinters before the race heads into more challenging terrain.
Stage 9
Malemort → Ussel (185.5 km, Hilly)
A difficult transition stage through the Massif Central, where breakaways could succeed.
Rest Day – July 13
Stage 10
Aurillac → Le Lioran (167.3 km, Mountain)
A demanding Bastille Day stage in the Massif Central with steep climbs and opportunities for attacks.
Stage 11
Vichy → Nevers (161.3 KM, FLAT)
A fast stage likely favouring the sprinters before the second half of the Tour intensifies.
Stage 12
CIRCUIT NEVERS MAGNY-COURS → CHALON-SUR-SAÔN (179.1 KM, FLAT)
A transition stage before the final mountain battles begin.
Stage 13
Dole → Belfort (205 km, Hilly)
The longest stage of the 2026 Tour, crossing eastern France and testing riders before the decisive Alpine stages.
Stage 14
MULHOUSE → LE MARKSTEIN FELLERING (155.3 KM, MOUNTAIN)
A major GC day with a summit finish at Le Markstein, one of the toughest climbs of the race.
Stage 15
Champagnole → Plateau de Solaison (183.9 KM, Mountain)
Another important Alpine stage featuring a summit finish at Plateau de Solaison, where climbers and GC contenders will fight for time.
Rest Day – July 20
Stage 16
Évian-les-Bains → Thonon-les-Bains (26 km, Individual Time Trial)
The only individual time trial of the Tour. A crucial moment for GC riders to gain or lose significant time before the final mountain showdown.
Stage 17
CHAMBÉRY → VOIRON (174.7 km, FLAT)
The race enters its decisive phase with another demanding Alpine test.
Stage 18
VOIRON → ORCIÈRES-MERLETTE (185.2 km, MOUNTAIN)
A final opportunity for climbers and attackers before the decisive weekend.
Stage 19
GAP → Alpe d’Huez (127.9 KM, Mountain)
The first of two consecutive summit finishes at Alpe d’Huez. The iconic 21 hairpins return for a crucial GC battle.
Stage 20
LE BOURG D'OISANS → Alpe d’Huez (170.9 KM, Mountain)
The decisive stage of the Tour. Featuring legendary climbs including Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe, and Col du Galibier, before finishing again at Alpe d’Huez. This stage could decide the yellow jersey.
Stage 21
Thoiry → Paris (Flat)
The traditional finale returns to Paris, featuring circuits around Montmartre before the iconic finish on the Champs-Élysées, where the sprinters will battle for the final stage victory.
Stay tuned to our social media for the full fan zone schedule, prize announcements, and daily Tour de France updates.
A Month of Cycling Magic
The 2026 Tour de France promises epic battles, emotional wins, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the sport, there’s no better way to experience the Tour than alongside the community at Wolfi’s Fan Zones .
Follow us on Instagram for updates, giveaways, and our daily watch schedule.
See you at the Fan Zones—and let’s ride with the best!
Allez UAE Team Emirates!
