The 113rd Tour de France will start a team time trial in Barcelona in 2026 in Barcelona for the first time in its story.
As the tour operator ASO announced, the 19.7 kilometer first stage on July 4, 2026 will end at the 1992 Olympic Stadium on Barcelonas Stadtberg Montjuic. The second section also leads there.
“Convinced of the mode”
“The first carrier of the yellow jersey will undoubtedly be a candidate for the overall victory”Tour director Christian Prudhomme said at the presentation of the plans. He is also “convinced of the mode”which is used for the first time in 2023 at Paris-Nizza and also in Barcelona: For the team’s stage victory, the time of the fastest of every team applies, every driver is calculated for the overall ranking.
After the two opening days in the Catalan capital, the third tour section will also begin in Spain, around 25 kilometers northeast of the metropolis in Granollers. How long the stage will be and where it ends is not yet clear.
For the fourth time in Barcelona
It is the fourth excursion to Barcelona after 1957, 1965 and 2009 for the tour of France. However, the city has never been given the honor of the so -called Grand Départ. The fourth tour abroad takes place within five years in the Catalan capital.
The first stages were held in the Basque Country in 2023, and the cycling professionals started in Florence the following year. 2022 was the beginning of the big loop in Copenhagen.
Only 2025 is the start in Lille French and ends in Paris as usual. This was not possible due to the Olympic Games last year.
Sportschau Tourfunk, October 29, 2024 6:00 p.m.