The 2026 Tour de France kicks off on Saturday, July 4, with Tadej Pogacar, a four-time champion, set to defend his title against fierce competition.

Pogacar is currently tied with Chris Froome in Tour victories, as Froome recently announced his retirement just before the race. Many believe Pogacar could surpass Froome by the end of this year's event.

Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time champion and recent Giro d’Italia winner, stands as Pogacar's primary rival. Additionally, Remco Evenepoel, who previously finished third and won the Vuelta a España, aims to make a strong comeback after withdrawing mid-race last year.

French cyclist Paul Seixas will represent home hopes during his debut in this prestigious race.

The Tour commences with a team time trial in Barcelona, featuring three stages in Spain before transitioning to France.

Key Details:

• Start Date: July 4, 2026
• Duration: 21 stages plus two rest days
• Finale: July 26, 2026, in Paris

Viewing Options:

• No full free-to-air coverage in the UK this year, as ITV did not secure streaming rights beyond 2025.
• The race will be available exclusively on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
• A free daily highlights show will air at 7 PM BST on Channel 5.
• A TNT Sports subscription starts from £30.99 per month.