Tour de France 2026 kicks off in Barcelona with new team time trial format and Pogacar-Vingegaard duel

A new twist on the team time trial

For the first time since 2019, the Tour opens with a team time trial, but the rules have changed. Instead of the fourth rider's time counting for the squad, every rider receives their own time. The 19.6-kilometre course finishes with two climbs on Montjuïc: the Côte de Montjuïc (1.1 km at 5.1%) and the Côte de Stade Olympique (800 m at 7%). Teams must decide whether to keep their leaders sheltered for aerodynamic advantage or let them attack the final ramps alone.

The route ahead

After Barcelona, the peloton faces 21 stages covering 3,321 kilometres and 53,950 metres of elevation. The parcours includes 7 flat, 4 hilly, and 8 mountain stages, plus 2 individual time trials. Five summit finishes are on the menu, with the highest point at the Col du Galibier (2,642 m). The queen stage to Alpe d'Huez, with 5,450 metres of climbing, is scheduled for the penultimate day, making it the hardest second-to-last stage in Tour history.

Pogacar and Vingegaard set for another showdown

Tadej Pogacar arrives as the top favourite, aiming for a fifth Tour victory. "The battle with Jonas has been exciting, we push each other to a higher level," he said at the pre-race press conference. "But I think there are more contenders besides Jonas." Jonas Vingegaard, who won the Giro d'Italia in May, called Pogacar "the best rider ever" and said beating him in the past gives him confidence. Remco Evenepoel, now with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, shares leadership with Florian Lipowitz and targets a podium finish. 19-year-old Paul Seixas, making his Tour debut, acknowledged the race will be a "completely new experience."

The battle with Jonas has been exciting, we push each other to a higher level. But I think there are more contenders besides Jonas.

I consider Tadej Pogacar the best rider ever. That I have beaten him makes me proud and gives me confidence to do it again.

The Giro-Tour double gamble

Vingegaard's decision to ride both the Giro and the Tour is a rare and risky move. Only a handful of GC riders have attempted the double in recent years, with Tom Dumoulin finishing second in both in 2018 and Chris Froome winning the Giro and placing third in the Tour that same year. Mathieu Heijboer, performance manager at Visma-Lease a Bike, admitted the team feared a "Dumoulin-scenario" where Giro fatigue compromises Tour form. Vingegaard celebrated his Giro win modestly and immediately shifted focus to July.

Ineos and Arensman eye stage wins

Thymen Arensman, who won two stages in the 2025 Tour, returns with Netcompany Ineos. The team has no designated leader, giving riders freedom to attack. "I have good memories from last year's Tour and I'm motivated to see what I can deliver," Arensman said. Team manager Geraint Thomas expects an aggressive approach, especially in the opening team time trial. "We are not here to follow the race, but to shape it," he said.

I have good memories from last year's Tour and I'm motivated to see what I can deliver.