TDF 04.07.2026 – 26.07.2026

The history of the Tour de France is a long and fascinating tale of endurance, controversy, and cultural significance.

Here are some key points:

Inception (1903): The first Tour de France was held in 1903. It was created by Henri Desgrange, the editor of the French sports newspaper L’Auto (the ancestor of L’Équipe), and his journalist Géo Lefèvre. The primary motivation was to boost the newspaper’s circulation by sponsoring a new, challenging endurance race around the country.
- The first race had only six stages, but they were extremely long, with one stretching over 400 kilometers (nearly 300 miles).
- The first winner was Maurice Garin.
Early Years and Challenges:
- The early Tours were grueling, featuring long distances, unpaved roads, and often required riders to cycle through the night.
- Cheating and sabotage were rampant in the first few editions, leading to numerous disqualifications.
The Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey): The iconic yellow jersey, worn by the overall race leader, was introduced in 1919 to make the leader more visible to spectators. It is yellow because L’Auto was printed on yellow paper.
Evolution of the Route:
- The race was suspended during both World Wars.
- The inclusion of the Pyrenees and Alps mountain stages in the early 20th century transformed the race into the ultimate test of a cyclist’s ability, establishing the template for the modern Tour.
- The race now typically covers around 3,500 kilometers over 21 stages.
Controversies and the Doping Era:
- The Tour has been rocked by doping scandals, particularly from the late 1990s through the early 2000s, leading to stripped titles and significant changes in anti-doping regulations. The stripping of Lance Armstrong’s seven consecutive victories (1999-2005) is one of the most well-known controversies.
Legends: The Tour has created sporting legends who have dominated the race, including riders who have won five times, such as Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain.

The Tour de France has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious and challenging sporting events, celebrated not only for the athletic competition but also for showcasing the diverse landscapes of France.

The #TDF2026 stage by stage – Week 1 🤩
Etape 1 / Stage 1
🚩 Barcelone – Barcelone 🏁 19 km

Etape 2 / Stage 2
🚩 Tarragona – Barcelone 🏁 182 km

Etape 3 / Stage 3
🚩 Granollers – Les Angles 🏁196 km

Etape 4 / Stage 4
🚩 Carcassonne – Foix 🏁 182 km

Etape 5 / Stage 5
🚩 Lannemezan – Pau 🏁 158 km

Etape 6 / Stage 6
🚩 Pau – Gavarnie-Gèdre 🏁 186 km

Etape 7 / Stage 7
🚩 Hagetmau – Bordeaux 🏁 175 km

Etape 8 / Stage 8
🚩 Périgueux – Bergerac 🏁 182 km

Etape 9 / Stage 9
🚩 Malemort – Ussel 🏁 185 km

Etape 10 / Stage 10
🚩 Aurillac – Le Lioran 🏁 167 km

Etape 11 / Stage 11
🚩 Vichy – Nevers 🏁 161 km

Etape 12 / Stage 12
🚩 Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours – Chalon-sur-Saône 🏁 181 km

Etape 13 / Stage 13
🚩 Dole – Belfort 🏁 205 km

Etape 14 / Stage 14
🚩 Mulhouse – Le Markstein Fellering🏁 155 km

Etape 15 / Stage 15
🚩 Champagnole – Plateau de Solaison 🏁 184 km

Etape 16 / Stage 16
🚩 Évian-les-Bains – Thonon-les-bains 🏁 26 km

Etape 17 / Stage 17
🚩 Chambéry – Voiron 🏁 175 km

Etape 18 / Stage 18
🚩 Voiron – Orcières-Merlette🏁 185 km

Etape 19 / Stage 19
🚩 Gap – Alpe d’Huez 🏁 128 km

Etape 20 / Stage 20
🚩 Le Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez 🏁 171 km

Etape 21 / Stage 21
🚩 Thoiry -Paris Champs-Elysées 🏁 130 km

There will be 21 stages: 7 flat stages, 4 hilly stages, 8 mountain stages including 5 summit finishes at Gavarnie-Gèdre, at Plateau de Solaison, Orcières-Merlette and Alpe d’Huez (twice), 1 team time trial and 1 individual time trial. There will be 2 rest days.