The Tour de France, the world’s greatest annual sporting event, kicks of this weekend with an uniquely Spanish twist.
Europe lives and breathes professional cycling. Every July, the greatest bike race captures the imagination of billions, transforming quiet villages, towering Alpine passes and bustling cities into one enormous sporting festival.
The 2026 Tour de France promises to be even more special. For the first time in history, the race begins in Barcelona, bringing the Grand Départ to our home Spain before the peloton heads north into France. It is a fitting celebration of a country that has produced some of cycling’s greatest champions, from Indurain to Contador, and is home to one of the sport’s other legendary Grand Tours – La Vuelta a España.
Whether you’re a lifelong cycling fan or completely new to the sport, the Tour de France 2026 is the perfect place to discover why this race has become a sporting icon, and a Grand Tour is a must see event to experience live.
Read time: 7 min
Le Tour de France, why are we enthralled?
To be there is something else. Apologetically, the German man beside me stepped on my toes whilst the French couple pressed close behind. Two elderly Australians in front are dressed in garbage bags (?), and a very colourful American women wearing a stars and stripes T-shirt holds a wavering telephoto lens waiting at the finish in Paris. Did I mention we have been enjoying the excitement and atmosphere in the street and viewing zone for over 4 hours now before the riders have even been spotted? It doesn’t matter, this is the passion Le Tour creates.
What is the Tour de France?
Simply put, it’s cycling’s greatest prize. Held every July, the three-week race covers approximately 3,300–3,500 kilometres, crossing spectacular mountains, rolling countryside, historic villages and famous cities before its traditional finale in Paris. 21 daily stages, around 180 of the world’s strongest riders battle for one of sport’s most prestigious titles. Success demands extraordinary endurance, tactical intelligence, teamwork, resilience, and a touch of good fortune (avoiding crashes, injury, illness and generally crazy fans on the roadside!). What other world sport enables fans to see world class athletes at touching distance, sometimes passing by your front door?
From brutal mountain climbs to explosive sprint finishes, no other sport combines drama and athleticism quite like cycling. Le Tour is the pinnacle. The person who completes all the 21 stages in the fastest time wins – simple!
History of the Tour de France
This craziness all started somehow
and the public embraced it.
The key, like always,
Great Marketing.
It was just a Sales Gimmick.
Henri Desgrange, editor of the sporting paper L’Auto Vélo, decided that to win the circulation war, a momentous publicity event would be staged. Thus, on Jan 1903 L’Auto announced a cycle race to cover 2428km of France in 6 stages, ending in Paris, and 15 men signed up immediately. 45 more joined them. 60% of these did not even finish.
Some journals called it a “monstrous” race. They still do. They probably aren’t wrong. These folks cycled up to 18 hours a day, unpaved tracks and drank, if you can bear the thought, wine and spirits to get them through it all. Water was considered unhelpful and a cigarette before a mountain climb was considered beneficial for the lungs.
Today’s radio hooked up support vehicles which offer high tech care and medical advice, encumbered with space aged constructed bikes, closely trailing their team riders are a far cry from the self sufficiency demanded in the Tour’s early years. Then cyclists battled snowstorms, injury and boisterous crowds by themselves, having to refuse any help through the race. Incidents like Eugene Christophe’s run to the nearest forge to personally weld together his snapped bike’s forks (under Desgrange’s watchful eyes he was fined ten minutes for having asked a local child to pump the bellows) became legends. That same forge today is a national monument. That is how much we love this race.
Cycling isn’t a game, it’s a sport. Tough, hard and unpitying, and it requires great sacrifices. One plays football, or tennis, or hockey. One doesn’t play at cycling.
Jean de Gribaldy, Sean Kelly’s directeur sportif.
Legendary Tour de France Climbs
Alpe d’Huez, with its 21 hairpins, is probably the famous climb of the Tour de France route. Race organizers use it usually every other year to retain its mythical status (the race route is never the same twice!). After this, it is the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees, a beautiful green pass of 19km (from the west side!) with an average grade of 7.5%.
Among the most famous are:
- Alpe d’Huez
- Col du Tourmalet
- Mont Ventoux
- Col d’Aubisque
- Hautacam
- Col du Galibier
Know these names well to throw them into conversations and sprinkle, stage winner’s names around with abundance. These are the places where champions attack, dreams are realised and races are often won, or spectacularly lost.
It was eleven more than necessary.
Jacques Anquetil, cyclist, 5-time winner of the Tour de France, after winning a race by twelve seconds.
Who are the Famous Tour de France Winners
Winning the Tour de France instantly makes a rider part of cycling history. True legends include:
Eddy Merckx (5 wins) – Belgium
Bernard Hinault (5) – France
Miguel Induráin (5) – Spain
Jacques Anquetil (5) – France
Chris Froome (4) – Great Britain
Greg LeMond (3) – United States
Fausto Coppi (2) – Italy
and to be certain, everyone will have an opinion on who was or is the best.
Like its riders, the Tour has survived, despite two world wars (when many professional cyclists including past Tour winners died on the front), several Tour racing deaths, serious accidents and tarnishing drug scandals (Lance Armstrong claimed an incredible 7 TdF titles that were wiped from the record books).
However, despite its failings, the race makes for thrilling watching and you only have to view a mountain stage, such as the iconic Mont Ventoux being crested in one shiny Lycra line of suffering cyclists to become a convert to the sport.
More recently, a new generation has taken over, creating one of cycling’s great rivalries.
Tour de France 2026 Race Favourites
The 2026 Tour de France brings together an exciting mix of established champions and the sport’s next generation. These are the riders most likely to feature in the battle for the winner’s yellow jersey.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
The defending champion remains the benchmark in professional cycling. Equally brilliant in the mountains, time trials and explosive finishes, the Slovenian starts as the rider to beat as he aims for his 5th title. Are we witnessing the greatest rider ever, a mantle probably Eddy Merckx currently holds.
Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
A multiple Tour winner and one of the greatest climbers of his era, Vingegaard has repeatedly shown he can challenge Pogačar over three weeks and will once again be among the favourites. The rivalry with Pogi is set to continue after his recent win at the Giro.
Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe)
The Belgian superstar continues to mature as a Grand Tour rider. His exceptional time-trial ability and improving climbing make him a genuine contender if he arrives in peak condition.
Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
The young Mexican has rapidly become one of cycling’s brightest stars. His fearless attacking style, climbing talent and composure beyond his years have many predicting that 2026 could be a very big performance from him at Tour de France.
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM)
France’s teenage sensation is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world cycling. While still early in his career, Seixas has the talent to challenge the established names and could become one of the revelations of the 2026 Tour. The home French fans are praying.
The Famous Jerseys – a French fashion show
One of the easiest ways to follow the Tour is by understanding the famous jerseys.
Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune)
Awarded to the overall race leader. Top Dog, winner of the General Classification. This is the one to win.
Green Jersey
The Points Classification for the race’s best sprinter. Lime green initially due to the sponsor being a lawn-mower company. Different points for intermediate sprints and stage wins – it’s a maths class.
Polka Dot Jersey (Pois Rouge – Red Peas)
The King of the Mountains competition for the strongest climber. The harder the climb, the more points are on offer. Light, nimble and those with a great pair of lungs need only apply.
White Jersey
Awarded to the Best Young Rider under 26 years of age. These points will put hair on your chest!
Tour de France Terminology
- Domestique : think work, work, work, a rider who cycles only the benefit of the team and leader, pulling at the front, fetching water, keeping the leader fresh. A servant.
- Flamme Rouge : the red flag indicating 1km remaining of the stage
- Lanterne rouge : the last placed rider (literally “Red Light” highlighlighting the back of the race on the road).
- Hors Categorie : a climb so difficult, it is beyond the norm. The hardest climb category. An HC climb is where the race action often plays out.
Why Every Cycling Fan Should Experience a Grand Tour
Watching the Tour on television is spectacular.
But standing roadside as the peloton races past is unforgettable.
The helicopters arrive. The publicity caravan rolls through. The crowds roar.
Then in a blur of colour and speed, the world’s greatest cyclists appear before your eyes. See the straining, feel the tension, be amazed at the speed on the flat and the power mountainside. Epic, passionate, scintillating – words are not enough.
The memories last forever.
Continue Your Grand Tour Adventure at La Vuelta a España 2026
The 2026 Tour de France starts in Barcelona, placing Spain at the very heart of the cycling world before the race heads into France. It’s the perfect reminder that some of Europe’s greatest cycling experiences aren’t limited to July.
Just a few weeks later, the excitement returns for La Vuelta a España – Spain’s spectacular Grand Tour. Many of the same stars who battle for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France (we are expecting Tadej Pogačar) return to fight for the famous red jersey across Spain’s toughest climbs and most beautiful landscapes.
If watching the professionals inspires you, why not experience the race from the inside?
Cycling Country is proud to be the Official Bike Tour Operator for La Vuelta a España 2026, giving cycling fans the rare opportunity to ride sections of the official race route on race day, often just hours before the professionals arrive.
Our exclusive tours include:
- VIP race access
- Behind the scenes
- Contact with the teams and directors
- Ride La Vuelta stages
- Spectacular Spanish mountain climbs
- Expert local guides
- Premium accommodation
- A small group of passionate cyclists from around the world
- Official operator means we are connected
Watching the Tour de France is unforgettable.
Riding the roads of La Vuelta is something else entirely, on race day as the crowds gather.
From the vibrant streets of Barcelona to Spain’s legendary mountain passes, and an unique finish in Granada, our home base, 2026 is the perfect year to immerse yourself in the world’s greatest cycling culture.
Join Cycling Country’s Official La Vuelta a España 2026 Bike Tour and become part of the race – not just a spectator.
¡Vamos!
Passionate about Pedalling (but not pedalling)?
For spectator only Grand Tour experiences, check these VIP experiences for the La Vuelta.
