Tour de France 2025: The Preview
The Tour de France, the most famous and challenging cycling race in the world, is just around the corner and has cycling fans’ hearts beating faster. With its rich history, legendary stages, and elite riders, the Tour de France is an annual highlight on the sporting calendar. The 2025 edition once again promises a spectacular and unforgettable event – featuring a varied route, exciting time trials, and a world-class starting field. Here, we take a look at the official stages, the favorites, and the special features of this year’s Grand Tour.
The Route
The Tour de France 2025 starts on July 5 in Lille Métropole and ends on July 27 traditionally on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The 21 stages take place exclusively in France and offer a balanced mix of flat, hilly, mountainous, and time trial segments.
Stage 1: Lille Métropole – Lille Métropole
Distance: 184.9 km | Flat stage
Opening in the north with a sprint finish.
Stage 2: Lauwin-Planque – Boulogne-sur-Mer
Distance: 209.1 km | Hilly
First opportunities for breakaways.
Stage 3: Valenciennes – Dunkerque
Distance: 178.3 km | Flat stage
Crosswinds and fast sprinters expected.
Stage 4: Amiens Métropole – Rouen
Distance: 174.2 km | Hilly
Classic vibes in Normandy.
Stage 5: Caen – Caen
Distance: 33 km | Individual Time Trial
First battle of the time trial specialists.
Stage 6: Bayeux – Vire Normandie
Distance: 201.5 km | Hilly
Tactical options for puncheurs.
Stage 7: Saint-Malo – Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan
Distance: 197 km | Hilly
Explosive uphill finish.
Stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand – Laval Espace Mayenne
Distance: 171.4 km | Flat stage
Sprint showdown guaranteed.
Stage 9: Chinon – Châteauroux
Distance: 174.1 km | Flat stage
Fast, flat, hectic.
Stage 10: Ennezat – Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy
Distance: 165.3 km | Mountain
First major climbing test.
Stage 11: Toulouse – Toulouse
Distance: 156.8 km | Flat stage
A day for sprinters after the rest day.
Stage 12: Auch – Hautacam
Distance: 180.6 km | Mountain
Pyrenean classic with summit finish.
Stage 13: Loudenvielle – Peyragudes
Distance: 10.9 km | Individual Time Trial
Short but steep mountain time trial.
Stage 14: Pau – Luchon-Superbagnères
Distance: 182.6 km | Mountain
Queen stage in the Pyrenees.
Stage 15: Muret – Carcassonne
Distance: 169.3 km | Hilly
Breakaway chances.
Stage 16: Montpellier – Mont Ventoux
Distance: 171.5 km | Mountain
The legendary Mont Ventoux climb.
Stage 17: Bollène – Valence
Distance: 160.4 km | Flat stage
Recovery for GC riders.
Stage 18: Vif – Courchevel Col de la Loze
Distance: 171.5 km | Mountain
High-altitude Alpine challenge.
Stage 19: Albertville – La Plagne
Distance: 129.9 km | Mountain
Short, explosive mountain stage.
Stage 20: Nantua – Pontarlier
Distance: 184.2 km | Hilly
Final attacks before Paris.
Stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville – Paris Champs-Élysées
Distance: 132.3 km | Flat stage
The grand finale in the capital.
Rest days:
July 15 (Toulouse) and July 21 (Montpellier)
Key Stage Highlights
- Legendary climbs: Mont Ventoux, Hautacam, Courchevel Col de la Loze, and La Plagne bring drama to the Alps and Pyrenees.
- Two individual time trials: Caen and the steep mountain TT to Peyragudes could be decisive for the GC.
- Sprint and breakaway opportunities: Flat stages offer chances for sprinters and clever teams.
- Traditional finale: The Champs-Élysées in Paris once again hosts the grand conclusion.
All 18 UCI WorldTeams as well as five wildcard teams will start the Tour de France 2025:
- Alpecin-Deceuninck (Belgium)
- Arkéa-B&B Hotels (France)
- XDS Astana Team (Kazakhstan)
- Bahrain Victorious (Bahrain)
- Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe (Germany)
- Cofidis (France)
- Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team (France)
- EF Education-EasyPost (USA)
- Groupama-FDJ (France)
- Ineos Grenadiers (United Kingdom)
- Intermarché-Wanty (Belgium)
- Lidl-Trek (USA)
- Movistar Team (Spain)
- Soudal-Quick Step (Belgium)
- Team Jayco-Alula (Australia)
- Team Picnic PostNL (Netherlands)
- Visma-Lease a Bike (Netherlands)
- UAE Team Emirates (UAE)
Wildcard Teams:
- Lotto (Belgium)
- Team TotalEnergies (France)
- Uno-X Mobility (Norway)
- Israel-Premier Tech (Israel)
- Tudor Pro Cycling Team (Switzerland)
Favorites
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates):
The Slovenian record winner dominated 2024 – can anyone stop him or is a fourth Tour victory already written in the stars? - Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike):
After injuries last year, the 2023 Tour winner is more than ready to dethrone Pogačar. - Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe):
The experienced veteran wants to bring the Yellow Jersey to Berlin for the first time. - Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step):
The Belgian prodigy proved with an impressive performance at the Critérium du Dauphiné that he’s in top form for the Tour. - Other contenders:
Carlos Rodriguez, Simon Yates, Sepp Kuss.
Classification & Special Jerseys
- Yellow: General classification
- Green: Points classification
- Polka Dot: King of the Mountains
- White: Best Young Rider
Tip: The classification jerseys, like other pro team clothing, are available in our shop as both “Race” and standard variants. The Race version is an exact replica in terms of functionality and offers a tighter, more aerodynamic fit – ideal for tough training or competition.
Special Features 2025
- 100% France: The entire route stays within French borders.
- New stage towns: Several cities are celebrating their Tour debut.
- Difficult final week: The last mountain stages could upend the GC standings.
Tour de France Femmes 2025 – Key Information at a Glance
The Tour de France Femmes 2025 is the fourth edition of the most important stage race in women’s cycling. From July 26 to August 3, 2025, the world’s best female riders will battle over nine stages and 1,165 kilometers from Brittany to the Alps for the coveted Yellow Jersey. The route is varied and offers chances for sprinters, puncheurs, and climbers – excitement is guaranteed until the final day.
Stage 1: Vannes – Plumelec
Distance: 79 km | Date: July 26
Hilly opening stage with three climbs over Côte de Cadoudal – a classic finish for puncheurs.
Stage 2: Brest – Quimper
Distance: 110 km | Date: July 27
Short, rolling stage with an uphill finish – ideal for explosive riders.
Stage 3: La Gacilly – Angers
Distance: 162 km | Date: July 28
The longest stage of the Tour – perfect for sprinters.
Stage 4: Saumur – Poitiers
Distance: 128 km | Date: July 29
Mostly flat with slight undulations – more sprint opportunities.
Stage 5: Jaunay-Marigny – Guéret
Distance: 166 km | Date: July 30
Demanding mid-mountain stage with several climbs in the final 35 kilometers.
Stage 6: Clermont-Ferrand – Ambert
Distance: 124 km | Date: July 31
Five major climbs, including Col du Béal and Col du Chansert – a climbers’ stage ending with a descent.
Stage 7: Bourg-en-Bresse – Chambéry
Distance: 160 km | Date: August 1
Tough mountain stage with Col du Granier and long descents – great for breakaways and GC attacks.
Stage 8: Chambéry – Col de la Madeleine
Distance: 112 km | Date: August 2
Queen stage with Col de Plainpalais, Côte de Saint-Georges-d’Hurtières, and the legendary final climb to Col de la Madeleine (18.6 km, 8.1%).
Stage 9: Praz-sur-Arly – Châtel
Distance: 124 km | Date: August 3
Final stage with climbs over Col de Joux Plane and Col du Corbier, finishing at 1,300 meters altitude in the Portes du Soleil ski area – GC decision in the high mountains.
Highlights & Features
- Grand Départ in Brittany: The first two stages feature classic finishes for puncheurs.
- No time trials: There will be no individual time trial in 2025 – all decisions will be made on the road.
- Queen stages: The final two stages venture deep into the Alps and will decide the GC.
- Spectacular finishes: Col de la Madeleine and Châtel provide a dramatic backdrop for climbers and the Tour’s conclusion.
Favorites & Teams
The start list features all top teams of the UCI Women’s WorldTour. Favorites include the defending champion and strong climbers like Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky, Annemiek van Vleuten, and Elisa Longo Borghini. Sprinters and all-rounders such as Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos will also be aiming for stage wins.
