The iconic Tour de France cycling race is underway in Europe
The iconic Tour de France cycling race is underway in Europe
Updated at: July 11, 2026 at 04:30 AM
The 113th edition of the Tour de France is officially underway, captivating cycling fans across the globe.
Kicking off on July 4, 2026, in the historic city of Barcelona, Spain, this year’s race has already delivered excitement with its unique opening team time trial.
Stretching across 3,321.2 kilometers, the route features a grueling 54,450 meters of elevation gain, challenging the 184 riders participating across 23 teams.
The competition is intense as the peloton moves through diverse terrain, ranging from flat sprints to punishing high-mountain climbs.
A major highlight is the ongoing duel between defending champion Tadej Pogačar and his main rival, Jonas Vingegaard.
Pogačar currently wears the prestigious yellow jersey, boasting a 2:42-minute lead as he aims for his historic fifth victory.
Following recent action in Bordeaux, where sprinter Tim Merlier secured a stage win, the riders are now heading deeper into the mountains.
With double summit finishes at the legendary Alpe d’Huez still to come, the race promises to remain unpredictable until the final stretch on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 26, 2026.
