SuperSport on DStv is your home of cycling, and the sport’s most prestigious event, the Tour de France, will be held from Saturday 5 to Sunday 27 July, starting in Lille and ending on the Champs Elysees in Paris.
This 112th edition of the TDF will have 21 stages. Here is a breakdown of what to expect from each, as reigning champion Tadej Pogacar chases a fourth general classification (GC) triumph, to add to his victories in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
Stage 1: Lille Métropole → Lille Métropole (185 km)
The Grand Départ takes place in Lille, featuring a flat loop around the city. Sprinters will vie for the first Yellow Jersey, with potential crosswinds adding excitement. Climbs like Mont Cassel and Mont Noir may influence the King of the Mountains classification.
Stage 2: Lauwin-Planque → Boulogne-sur-Mer (212 km)
A hilly stage through Artois and Boulonnais regions, challenging sprinters with constant elevation changes and potential wind exposure. Climbs such as Mont Cassel and Mont Noir will test riders’ endurance.
Stage 3: Valenciennes → Dunkerque (178 km)
A flat stage ideal for sprinters, with a route through the vast countryside of French Flanders. Crosswinds could play a significant role, potentially splitting the peloton and leading to a dynamic finish.
Stage 4: Amiens Métropole → Rouen (173 km)
A hilly stage featuring several climbs, including Côte de Saint-Nicolas and Côte de la Montagne de Rouen. The route offers opportunities for breakaways and challenges for both sprinters and
climbers.
Stage 5: Individual Time Trial – Caen → Caen (33 km)
A flat and fast time trial around Caen in Normandy. While it offers limited impact on the overall classification, it provides an opportunity for time trial specialists to make gains.
Stage 6: Bayeux → Vire Normandie (201 km)
A hilly stage with multiple climbs, including Côte de Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe and Côte de la Côte de la Fosse. The route through Normandy presents challenges for both sprinters and climbers.
Stage 7: Saint-Malo → Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan (194 km)
A hilly stage featuring the iconic Mûr-de-Bretagne climb. The punchy ascent will test riders’; explosive power, making it a potential stage for breakaways and GC contenders.
Stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand → Laval Espace Mayenne (174 km)
A flat stage suitable for sprinters, with a route through the scenic countryside of Brittany. The stage offers opportunities for fast finishes and potential breakaways.
Stage 9: Chinon → Châteauroux (170 km)
A flat stage through the Loire Valley, ideal for sprinters aiming for stage victories. The route offers a straightforward profile with limited elevation changes.
Stage 10: Ennezat → Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy (163 km)
A mountain stage featuring the ascent to Puy de Sancy. Climbers will look to make significant gains, with the challenging terrain testing riders' climbing abilities.
Stage 11: Flat – Toulouse → Toulouse (154 km)
A flat stage with a loop around Toulouse, offering sprinters another opportunity to contest for stage wins. The route provides a fast-paced finish in the city centre.
Stage 12: Mountain – Auch → Hautacam (181 km)
A mountain stage concluding with the ascent to Hautacam. The challenging climb will be pivotal for GC contenders, with significant time gaps expected.
Stage 13: Individual Time Trial – Loudenvielle → Peyragudes (11 km)
A short but intense mountain time trial to the Peyragudes ski station. The steep gradients will test Riders’; time trial and climbing skills.
Stage 14: Mountain – Pau → Luchon-Superbagnères (183 km)
A mountain stage featuring the ascent to Luchon-Superbagnères. Climbers will aim to make significant gains, with the challenging terrain testing riders' endurance.
Stage 15: Hilly – Muret → Carcassonne (169 km)
A hilly stage with multiple climbs, including Côte de Saint-Ferréol and Côte de la Cité. The route through the Occitanie region offers opportunities for breakaways and challenges for both sprinters and climbers.
Stage 16: Mountain – Montpellier → Mont Ventoux (172 km)
A mountain stage culminating at the summit of Mont Ventoux. The iconic climb will be a decisive moment for GC contenders, with significant time gaps expected.
Stage 17: Flat – Bollène → Valence (161 km)
A flat stage through the Rhône Valley, ideal for sprinters aiming for stage victories. The route offers a straightforward profile with limited elevation changes.
Stage 18: Mountain – Vif → Courchevel Col de la Loze (171 km)
A mountain stage featuring the ascent to Col de la Loze. The challenging climb will be pivotal for GC contenders, giving them the chance to carve out (or eat into) big time gaps.
Stage 19: Mountain – Albertville → La Plagne (130 km)
A mountain stage culminating at La Plagne. Climbers will aim to make significant gains, with the challenging terrain testing riders’; endurance.
Stage 20: Hilly – Nantua → Pontarlier (185 km)
A hilly stage with multiple climbs, including Col de la Faucille and Col de la Givrine. The route through the Jura Mountains offers opportunities for breakaways and challenges for both sprinters and climbers.
Stage 21: Flat – Mantes-la-Ville → Paris Champs-Élysées (120 km)
The traditional finale on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Sprinters will contest the final stage win, while GC contenders will aim to defend their positions.
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