tour de france speed record

You are using an outdated and unsupported browser!

We recommend you upgrade your browser. Click here for more info.

You may continue to browse the site but certain functions such as video upload may not work as expected.

Road Cycling

Tour de france top speed | riders hit a huge 130kph / 81mph on stage nine of le tour, so the tour de france top speed is higher than the speed limit on the motorway....

What’s the best part of cycling? Going downhill! Obviously. We’re not saying that the odd-ascent can’t be enjoyable, but it’s the views at the top and the promise of the slope swapping around that often gives you – or give us anyway – the will to push on up.

Chris Froome hit the nail on the head recently when he raced to a spectacular descent victory on stage eight of the Tour de France , stating after: “I felt like a kid again, just trying to ride my bike as fast as I could.” And that’s it. At the end of the day, the reason we ride our bikes is for it’s fun.

Now, you might think that the Tour de France would be a place slightly void of fun – what with the brutal Tour de France crashes , the likes of Alberto Contador’s crash , and Chris Froome punching a Tour de France spectator on that same stage eight to get him out of the way – but alas, as long as there are downhills there is always going to be fun. And man, do they tackle those downhills fast.

IAM Cycling sprinter Leigh Howard blew a lot of minds in the cycling community when he showed that at one point during stage nine of the race he was riding at a full 122.7kph. The Australian was chasing the pack back after a full-bike replacement, tweeting that he was “#shittingmyself” later on as he smashed 75mph on a road bike.

But Howard’s crazy effort wasn’t even the Tour de France top speed on stage nine of the Tour. Below are a few stats to remember for next time your friends ask ‘what is the top speed in the Tour de France?’

Jeremy Roy later showed that he had managed to set a high speed of 127kph/79mph on the descent of the Cote de la Comella, while Marcus Burghardt of BMC took the bragging rights managing to aero-tuck his way to 130.7kph/81.2mph.

Just stop and consider that for a moment. Seriously. These three guys all broke the British speed limit for driving on a motorway, while riding a road bike. Think how terrifying that would be if you were in the saddle. You’d feel less stable than the British government and faster than Boris Johnson running away after the Brexit vote.

Seriously though, if Burghardt had been going that speed on the motorway in a car he probably would’ve been pulled over by the police, so needless to say the riders all broke the speed limit of the local French mountain roads. We somehow don’t think they’ll be getting any fines.

If you consider then that the German road cyclist finished 31 minutes down on stage winner Tom Dumoulin and Jeremy Roy only seven minutes quicker though, it certainly puts into perspective how difficult it must be to actually win a stage of the Tour de France 2016.

You May Also Like

Tour de france crashes | the worst bails from history, 16 of the worst and most significant tour de france crashes in the history of the race, privacy overview, newsletter terms & conditions.

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions .

• Race Previews
• Race Reports
• Race Photos
• Tips & Reviews

From Cobbles to Cubicles: Charting the Champions in the Roubaix Showers

Lily williams commits to human powered health until 2026, paris roubaix femmes 2024 race preview, elisa longo borghini sets sights on ardennes, skips paris-roubaix femmes, michaela drummond triumphs in inaugural région pays de la loire tour for women.

Email: [email protected]

The Evolution of Speed in the Tour de France

Mathew Mitchell

• Published on June 23, 2023
• in Men's Cycling

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Tour de France, beyond the dazzling victories and dramatic rivalries, is the evolution of the race’s average speed. Throughout its history, a multitude of factors have contributed to significant changes in the pace of the peloton, from technological advancements to race strategies. Let’s embark on a journey through the annals of the Tour to examine this transformation.

Table of Contents

The early editions

The early years of the Tour de France were characterised by lengthy stages often exceeding 400 km, rudimentary bicycles, and rugged roads, which resulted in a slow pace compared to today’s standards. Maurice Garin, the winner of the first Tour in 1903, achieved an average speed of 25.7 km/h, or approximately 16 mph. This may seem leisurely in the modern era, but given the conditions at the time, it was an impressive feat.

From these humble beginnings, the Tour’s average speed gradually increased as a result of several key factors. First and foremost, technological advancements played a significant role. Innovations such as derailleur gears, lighter frames made from aluminium or carbon fibre, aerodynamic clothing, and improvements in nutrition and training regimes all contributed to an upward trend in the peloton’s pace.

Fastest editions of the Tour de France

Among the fastest five editions of the Tour de France, the 2005 edition holds the record, with an astonishing average speed of 41.7 km/h, or approximately 25.9 mph, achieved by Lance Armstrong. However, it’s worth noting that Armstrong was later stripped of his titles due to doping . 2003, 2015, 2017, and 2019 Tours are also among the fastest, with average speeds ranging from 40.7 km/h (25.3 mph) to 40.9 km/h (25.4 mph). 2022’s Tour de France , won by Jonas Vingegaard, saw a new record set with an average speed of 42.03 km/h (26.1mph). That’s now a jump in the Tour de France average mph of 10mph since the inaugural edition in 1903.

Slowest editions of the Tour de France

Contrastingly, the slowest Tours de France typically date back to the early 20th century, primarily due to the aforementioned factors of longer stages, simpler bicycles, and challenging road conditions. The five slowest Tours were the editions from 1919, 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1926, with average speeds ranging from 24.1 km/h (15 mph) to 24.3 km/h (15.1 mph).

How and why the average speed has changed over time

It’s crucial to mention that strategies have also evolved significantly, with modern cycling teams employing more sophisticated tactics, optimising rider roles, and using advanced data analysis to gain an edge. The increased professionalism in the sport has contributed to the upward trend in speed.

Looking forward, it’s exciting to contemplate what could further increase the Tour de France’s average speed. Advancements in bicycle technology continue at a rapid pace, with continuous improvements in weight, aerodynamics, and power transfer. Similarly, cutting-edge training techniques, informed by genetics and sophisticated performance data, will continue to enable cyclists to push the boundaries of human endurance and speed.

Furthermore, improvements in road surfaces, planning of race routes, and even changes in race rules could have an impact. For example, more downhill finishes could raise the overall average speed, although the safety of riders would always be paramount.

In conclusion, the evolution of speed in the Tour de France is a fascinating aspect of this iconic race. From the early Tours, characterised by their gruelling pace and hardy riders, to the high-speed, technology-driven spectacle of today, the race continues to captivate and surprise. As we look to the future, we can expect the boundaries of speed, just like the race itself, to be continuously challenged and redefined.

Related Posts

• MAGAZINE OFFERS
• BIKE INSURANCE
• Best Products
• Maintenance
• Accessories
• Long-Term Reviews
• BikeRadar Podcast
• First Look Friday
• Bike of the Week
• Tech Features
• Routes and Rides
• Bike Galleries
• BikeRadar Bargains
• Buyer's Guides
• Fitness & Training
• Sizing & Fit
• Mountain Biking UK
• Cycling Plus

Tour de France 2019 in numbers | Can you guess the fastest recorded speed?

The key facts and figures from this year’s Tour de France, including Nils Politt's white-knuckle descent

Alex Broadway/ASO

Colin Henrys

After 23 days, 21 stages and more than 3,000km of racing, there could only be one winner of the 2019 Tour de France — but what were the key numbers behind Egan Bernal’s maiden Tour triumph?

The Colombian took the title in Paris, but an extraordinary three weeks saw Julian Alaphilippe light up the race throughout. Throw in elbow-to-elbow bunch sprints, hair-raising descents and brutally high climbs, and the 2019 race produced the kind of spectacle that only the Tour de France can.

The Tour’s official technology partner, NTT, has crunched the numbers from the 106th edition of cycling’s greatest race. Read on for some of the key facts and figures.

• The Tour tech of tomorrow | 3 predictions for the road bikes of the future
• Oliver Naesen rides final stage of Tour de France on steel Eddy Merckx bike

Top recorded speed: 101.5kph (63.1mph)

The fastest recorded speed at the 2019 Tour de France came on a white-knuckle descent of the Col de Vars by one of the peloton’s hard men.

Katusha-Alpecin’s Nils Politt – a top-five finisher at Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders this year – became the first rider to break the 100kph barrier according to the Tour’s official data feed, hitting a mind-boggling 101.5kph on a section of the descent with a negative 7 percent gradient.

The category one Col du Vars was the second of four ascents on stage 18, coming before the hors catégorie climbs of the Col d'Izoard and Col du Galibier. Politt eventually finished 44th on the stage, 21 minutes, 24 seconds behind Nairo Quintana.

Winner’s average speed: 40.58kph (25.2mph)

Egan Bernal conquered the Tour in a cumulative time of exactly 82 hours and 57 minutes. That gives him an average speed a shade above 40km/h for the 3,365.8km race.

For the numbers nerds, that's 0.35kph faster than Geraint Thomas’s average speed at last year's Tour.

Speed difference between first and last place: 2.11kph (1.3mph)

At the other end of the scale, EF Education First’s Dutchman, Sebastian Langeveld, was this year’s Lanterne Rouge – the last rider on the general classification.

Langeveld’s cumulative time was four hours, 34 minutes and 23 seconds slower than Bernal’s – making his average speed 2.11kph slower.

Average climbing speed: 20.6kph (12.8mph)

Of course, the real difference in the 2019 Tour was made when the road pointed skywards – not least in the Pyrenees and the Alps.

Bernal was in imperious form in the mountains, following in the footsteps of many of his Colombian countrymen — a nation that has produced many fine climbers — and proving he has a head for heights.

Over climbs including the Col du Galibier, Col du Tourmalet and, most tellingly, the Col de l’Iseran, Bernal recorded an average climbing speed of 20.6kph.

Fastest Col du Galibier ascent: 22:28 minutes

Talking of Colombian climbers, while Bernal claimed the yellow jersey, there was also success for his countryman Nairo Quintana.

The Movistar rider ultimately finished eighth overall, failing to make a challenge on the podium, but he did claim a stage win in Valloire – and broke a long-standing Tour record in the process.

En-route to the finish, Quintana climbed the iconic Col du Galibier in 22 minutes and 28 seconds (measured over the final 8.5km from the Col du Lautaret). That's a whole minute faster than the mark Frank Schleck set in 2011.

Number of different individual stage winners: 15

Quintana was one of 15 riders to claim a stage win in this year’s Tour de France – two more than there were in last year’s race.

Caleb Ewan led the way – his victory on the Champs-Elysees was his third of the race – while Great Britain’s Simon Yates won twice in the mountains.

From Mike Teunissen’s opening stage win in Brussels to Ewan’s final triumph, nine different nationalities stood on the podium as individual stage winners in this year’s race.

Number of stages won by overall winner: 0

Despite winning the race overall, Bernal wasn’t among those 15 riders. The Colombian earned his maiden Tour de France triumph without winning a stage.

Chris Froome was the last rider to do that (in 2017), though the four-time champion does have seven stage wins to his name in total.

Number of riders who wore the yellow jersey: 4

Bernal was one of four riders to wear the yellow jersey in all, having claimed the race lead after the shortened stage 19 on the Col de l’Iseran.

Bernal took over from Julian Alaphilippe, who claimed 14 yellow jerseys across two spells as race leader.

In between, Italian Giulio Ciccone led the race for two stages while the only other rider to pull on the maillot jaune was stage one winner Mike Teunissen.

Age of winner: 22y, 196d

Bernal’s triumph not only made him the first Colombian to win the Tour de France, but he is also the youngest winner for 110 years.

Francois Faber was 22 years and 187 days old when he won the Tour in 1909 – just nine days younger than Bernal – while the youngest champion remains 19-year-old Henri Cornet in 1904.

Number of classifications won by Egan Bernal: 2

Bernal’s age means he not only won the yellow jersey but the white jersey for best young rider, too — only the fifth time since the youth classification was introduced in 1975 that has happened.

Bernal joins Laurent Fignon (1983), Jan Ullrich (1997), Alberto Contador (2007) and Andy Schleck (2010) in the record books.

Number of finishers: 155

Some 176 riders set out from Brussels for the 106th Tour de France on Saturday 6 July, with 155 making it all the way to the Paris finish line.

Thibaut Pinot, who had to climb off the bike during stage 19 having been in overall contention, was the last of 19 riders to abandon this year’s race.

A further two – Tony Martin and Luke Rowe – were disqualified after an altercation on the way to the stage 17 finish line.

Share this article

• Terms & Conditions
• Subscribe to our magazines
• Manage preferences

La Vuelta España Femenina

Curiosity lab criterium, spin the district: union city, eschborn-frankfurt, spin the district: hapeville, giro d'italia, gp morbihan (coupe de france), lagrange cycling classic, tro bro leon (coupe de france), uci mtb fort william, spin the district: college park, tour de hongrie, circuit de wallonie (exterioo cycling c, uci bmx freestyle wcup - fise, 4 jours de dunkerque, how does your average bike speed compare with tour de france pros, how does your average bike speed stack up with the fastest riders in the world.

The Tour de France is the pinnacle when it comes to cycling competitions. It is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world and showcases some of the fittest athletes on the planet. The pure athleticism that is on display during this 21-day, 2,200-mile race is inspiring, enlivening, and these cyclists seem somewhat superhuman. 

You might be asking yourself, “So how fast are they even going?” Or, “How do I compare to these athletes?” Luckily for you, with today’s technology, various metrics can be tracked during these cycling competitions, so everyone can compare their statistics to those of the pros. As with any metric, the speeds at which the Tour de France pros cycle will vary, but there are averages that have been tracked for decades now. 

Here are a few of the average speeds for the professional cyclists that race in the Tour de France:

Average Speed on Flat Ground: 25-28 mph

The average speed for professional cyclists while traversing on flat terrain is 25-28 mph. The average amateur cyclist travels about 17-18 mph while on flat ground. For many pro athletes racing in the Tour de France, being able to maintain a fast speed on flat terrain allows them to simply stay competitive with the other athletes. It is in the climbing portions of the Tour de France that the best gain separation from the peloton. 

Average Cobblestone Speed: 22-24 mph

In every Tour de France, there is at least one section of cobblestone that the cyclists must ride through -- sometimes, though, this is replaced with a stretch of gravel pavement. The small grooves in the road and uneven terrain can be difficult to tread, but these athletes still average an impressive 22-24 mph.

Average Speed Climbing: 12.8 mph

In the 2019 Tour de France, the athletes averaged 12.8 mph while trudging through the infamous climbs of the race. These athletes are literally cycling up and through the Pyrenees and Alps during this phase of the Tour de France, making for some of the most memorable moments of the Tour.

Fastest Recorded Speed: 63.1 mph

The fastest recorded speed of the Tour de France came from German Nils Politt while descending Col de Vars during stage 18 of the race. This was the second of four climbs in the stage, and Politt was the first-ever rider to break the 100 km/hr barrier by traveling at a speed of 101.5 km.hr on this descent. 

Jonas Vingegaard Tour de France 2022 | Average Speed: 26.11

Jonas Vingegaard won his first Tour de France in 2022 on his second time participating in the tour. He spent the majority of the race trading leads back and forth with fan-favorite, Tadej Podacar.  Vangegaard pushed through stage 19 and crossed the finish line 2 minutes and 43-second ahead of Podačar. After a total of 79 hours, 33 minutes, and 20 seconds on the bike, Jonas Vangegaard became the first Danish Tour de France champion since 1996

Tadej Pogačar Tour de France 2021 | Average Speed: 25.5 mph

Tadej Podačar was only 22 years old when he earned his second consecutive win at the Tour de France. Podačar made the victory look easy when he also earned a polka-dot jersey for top climber and white jersey for best young cyclist. His quick rise to first place had people consider him one of the most exceptional young cyclists the Tour de France had seen in years. He finished the race in 82 hours, 56 minutes and 36 seconds. 

Tadej Pogačar Tour de France 2020 | Average Speed: 24.77

Tadej Podačar for UAE Team Emirates shocked fans at his 2020 Tour de France debut. At 21 years old he managed to break all expectations and snatch a victory from Primoz Roglic, who was expected to cruise to a first-place finish. In the final stage of the tour, Podačar sped through a 57-second deficit and earned his first yellow jersey, becoming the youngest Tour de France Winner in 111 years. 

Egan Bernal Tour de France 2019 | Average Speed:  25.2 mph

The 2019 Tour de France winner, Egan Bernal of Colombia, averaged 25.2 mph. He is the first Latin American to ever win the Tour de France. At age 22, he is also the youngest Tour de France winner in modern racing history. He finished the 2,091.4 mile race in exactly 82 hours and 57 minutes.

While not every cyclist has aspirations of ever racing in the Tour de France, having these metrics is a fun way for everyday cyclists to compare themselves to the superhuman riders that conquer the most famous cycling race in the world.

• Feature Story

Related Content

Apr 28, 2024

Apr 27, 2024

What Is the Tour de France Average Speed?

We examine the average speed and other metrics of the world’s best cyclists. How would you stack up?

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

We all know that the pro cyclists that race in the men’s Tour de France are the best in the world. We also know that they’re fast— really fast. Have you ever wondered about the Tour de France average speed, though, and how you’d fare against a pro? Well, now you can see for yourself.

Average Time Trial Speed

A Tour pro’s ability to produce more power for longer means that he would complete a 30K time trial about 20 minutes faster than the average rider. In other words, he’s really hammering.

Average Rider: 19 to 20 mph

Tour Pro: 29 to 31 mph

Average Speed on Flat Terrain

Even on flat land, a pro’s average speed in the Tour de France needs to be way up there in order to stay in the race. In fact, it’s usually about double that of an average rider.

Average Rider: 17 to 18 mph

Tour Pro: 25 to 28 mph

Maximum Sprint Power

Sprinters generate incredible amounts of power in the final 15-second dash for the line. A rider like Mark Cavendish might hit 1,500 watts at the end of a flat field sprint.

Average Rider: 600 to 800 watts

Tour Pro: 1,200 to 1,400 watts

Average Speed Over Cobblestones

The Tour de France often features at least one section of cobblestones , known locally as pavé (though sometimes that’s exchanged for a stretch of gravel) . On a tough section, pros can average an incredible 22 to 24 mph.

Average Rider: 14 to 16 mph

Tour Pro: 22 to 24 mph

Average Resting Heart Rate

Team EF Education-EasyPost utilized WHOOP straps during the 2020 Tour to collect detailed biometric data on the athletes 24/7 over the course of the entire 21-stage race, with remarkable results. The data showed an average resting heart rate of 42 beats per minute for the team before the start of the Tour, and 40 bpm after the first rest day. And in other jaw-dropping heart rate stats, team cyclist Neilson Powless spent 38 percent of Stage 8 that year in the 90- to 100-percent zone for his max heart rate .

Average Rider : 60 to 100 bmp

Tour Pro : ~40 bmp

Sandwiches Consumed

Soigneurs (all-purpose team assistants) make lunches for everyone on the team, including the staff. With about 12 to 15 staffers supporting a given team’s nine riders in France, that’s a lot of bread and a lot of sandwiches consumed over the course of three weeks.

Average Rider: 1 to 3 sandwiches

Tour Pro: ~30 sandwiches

Daily Bottles of Drink Mix Guzzled

Depending on conditions, you might mix one or two bottles during one of your ride. A Tour de France soigneur might mix between 40 and 120 bottles for the team on each stage, which means an individual rider may throw back up to a dozen bottles or more.

Average Rider: 1 to 2

Tour Pro: 4 to 13

How Long it Takes to Climb the Col du Tourmalet

A pro climber will probably average about 350 to 375 watts on the climb up the Col du Tourmalet , one of the most famous climbs not just in the Tour, but in the entire cycling world. An ordinary rider would generate closer to 175 to 200—which means the Tour’s top climbers could ascend the Col nearly twice during your trip to the top.

Average Rider: 115 minutes

Tour Pro: 60 minutes

Bikes at Your Disposal

Depending on the rider and the team’s bike sponsor, most pros come to the Tour with an aero road bike for flatter stages, a climbing bike for the mountains, and a time-trial bike—not to mention spares. A general classification contender like Tadej Pogačar might have two or three of each.

Average Rider: 1 to 2 bikes

Tour Pro: 4 to 5 bikes

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Cycling Tips

How to Avoid Bonking on Rides

5 Spring Training Mistakes

Not Reaching Your Goals? Here are Twelve Fixes.

How to Plan a Century Ride Route

Hill Repeats to Help You Dominate Mountain Races

​How to Tell if You’re Ready for a Century Ride

15 Ways to Cycle Faster

How to Improve Cadence, According to Pros

How to Corner on the Bike, According to a Pro

How to Release Your Diaphragm and Why You Should

How to Find the Right Bike Seat Height for You

Tour de France 2021

Latest news from the race.

Tour de France 2022 tech trends: Who won with what?

How much does a Tour de France bike cost?

In the Winners’ Words: Tadej Pogacar

Tadej pogacar wins 2021 tour de france as van aert takes final stage.

Tour de France stage 21 - As  it happened

Wout van Aert ( Jumbo-Visma ) sprinted to the prestigious stage 21 victory in Paris to win the final stage of the 2021 Tour de France . The finish straight on the Champs-Élysées was 700 metres in length, 400 metres longer than in previous years, but that did not afford chasers enough real estate to catch Van Aert, who surged to the front of the peloton with under 250 metres remaining and took his third stage win of the three-week Grand Tour.

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) finished second, less than a wheel length from the line, to get his third second-place finish at the Tour. Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-QuickStep) finished third, but held on to the green jersey as the overall points classification victor, beating Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange) by 56 points.

UAE Team Emirates rode into Paris with Tadej Pogačar wearing the maillot jaune and safely escorted him to the final podium to claim three classifications – overall, mountains and best young rider.

For the first time since 2012, only two riders finished within 10 minutes of the yellow jersey - Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) finished second, 5:20 off the winning mark, and Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) placed third, another 1:43 back.

Bahrain Victorious won the team competition by 19 minutes ahead of EF Education-Nippo, and Franck Bonnamour (B&B Hotels p/b KTM) claimed the super-combativity award after an aggressive three weeks of racing.

Stage 21 started in Chatou with a gentle pace set by UAE Team Emirates, sporting new jerseys emblazoned with yellow bands to celebrate Pogačar’s second consecutive Tour win. The final 52km of the stage took place over the eight laps of the Champs Élysées, and while sprinters looked for glory in the stage win, Pogačar and his teammates eased across the finish to celebrate a job well done.

News and features

• Mark Cavendish misses out on breaking Eddy Merckx's record for the most Tour de France stage wins
• Tour de France: Standings at the 2021 race
• O'Connor: I hope to wear the Tour de France yellow jersey one day
• Mark Donovan completes first Tour de France weeks after family tragedy
• Richard Carapaz: I did everything I could to get a good result in the Tour de France
• Kelderman falls short in battle for Tour de France fourth
• Geraint Thomas: I had dark moments in what was mentally my toughest Tour de France
• Kwiatkowski says Ineos reverted to old-school Sky tactics in Tour de France
• New Factor 'Hanzo' time trial bike ridden by Chris Froome at the Tour de France
• Not a typical domestique: Vingegaard set for podium at debut Tour de France
• Tour de France: Mohoric aims ‘silence’ victory gesture at team doubters
• Tadej Pogacar says there is nothing illegal about his bike at Tour de France
• Mohoric says 'I felt like a criminal' after zipping lips in Tour de France stage win
• Anti-doping agency and French police communicating over Bahrain Victorious Tour de France raid
• Woods and López leave Tour de France with Tokyo Olympics in mind
• De Gendt’s Tour de France circle complete after stage 18
• Tour de France spectator saved from fall into ravine by Gilbert, Froome
• Ben O’Connor: I’m still going to be exactly the same bloke after this Tour de France
• Rigoberto Urán's Tour de France GC challenge collapses on final Pyrenean stage
• Mas falls short of Tour de France stage victory on 'the Spanish mountain'
• No gifts as Tadej Pogacar puts a seal on Tour de France at Luz Ardiden
• Vingegaard: Tour de France has been a big, big learning process for me
• Tour de France podium in view for Carapaz after final mountain stage
• Tour de France: Mark Cavendish survives Luz Ardiden with two chances to beat Merckx's record
• Rigoberto Uran cracks and loses chance of Tour de France podium
• Tour de France: Which GC riders lost time at Luz Ardiden
• Tour de France: I knew Carapaz was bluffing, says Pogacar
• Tour de France: Which GC riders lost time on the Col du Portet
• Pogacar doubles down on overall lead with win on 'hardest stage' of Tour de France
• Vingegaard: Second at the Tour de France is really amazing for me
• Majka: Now nobody can say Pogacar doesn't have a strong team at Tour de France
• Ben O'Connor: If I can keep fifth place at the Tour de France, that would be insane
• Kelderman makes gains in Tour de France GC despite crash on stage 17 descent
• Mark Cavendish survives time cut on hardest Tour de France stage so far
• Gaudu working his way up Tour de France hierarchy in final week
• Steven Kruijswijk abandons Tour de France, leaving Jumbo-Visma with four riders
• Nibali: Racing hard at Tour de France has helped me peak for Tokyo Olympics
• Wright makes his first breakaway of Tour de France to support teammate Colbrelli
• Van Aert sparks late skirmish for Tour de France GC favourites on stage 16
• Tour de France: Going long pays off for Konrad in Saint-Gaudens
• Michael Matthews closes in on Mark Cavendish in Tour de France green jersey race
• Chris Froome: If Pogacar stays on his bike this Tour de France is over
• Tour de France stage 16: Riders stop after cold downhill neutral start
• Tour de France stage 15 analysis: a team sport for individuals
• Pogacar broadens his lead on Tour’s first full day of Pyrenean racing
• Sepp Kuss ends 10-year-drought on American Tour de France stage wins
• Jonas Vingegaard: I'm growing into team leader role at Tour de France
• Guillaume Martin: When you have given everything, you can’t be disappointed
• Tour de France: Ineos vow to fight on despite Pogacar's continued dominance
• Tour de France: Which GC riders lost time on stage 15 in the mountains
• Nacer Bouhanni abandons the Tour de France
• Kelderman expecting 'different racing' in Tour de France's third week
• Tao Geoghegan Hart's Tour de France debut 'far from ideal'
• Mollema chooses his moment wisely at Tour de France
• Konrad: Mollema made smart move on twisty roads to net Tour de France victory
• Tour de France: Carapaz convinced Pyrenean stages will be 'very favourable'
• Tour de France: Vingegaard wears tag of challenger lightly ahead of Andorra test
• Woods 'proud' to lead Tour de France’s King of Mountains ranking
• Tadej Pogacar: Everybody in the top-10 is dangerous at the Tour de France
• Tour de France: Guillaume Martin climbs to second overall thanks to clever day in the break
• Tour de France: Michael Woods crashes in the breakaway but takes polka-dot jersey
• Kragh Andersen and Barguil abandon the Tour de France after stage 13 crash
• Lefevere: Mark Cavendish is the same rider as before but less stressed
• 1959 Tour de France winner Bahamontes warns Pogacar 'there's a long way to go yet'
• Mark Cavendish: I don't think I can ever be compared with the great Eddy Merckx
• Tour de France leader Pogacar congratulates Cavendish on 34th stage win
• Mark Cavendish: It’s another win on the Tour de France and what I’ve dreamed of as a kid
• Simon Yates abandons Tour de France after crash on stage 13 descent
• Tour de France: 3km crash rule extended to 4.5km mark on stage 13
• Vingegaard: We had to change our mindset at the Tour de France after losing Roglic
• Richard Carapaz: The Tour de France isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon
• Tour de France leader Pogacar warns he could attack again in the Pyrenees
• Breakaway denies Cavendish a chance to equal Tour de France stage record in Nîmes
• Politt seizes chance offered by Sagan's early Tour de France exit
• Alaphilippe rolls the dice in another Tour de France attack but misses out again
• Peter Sagan abandons the Tour de France
• Tour de France history made on Mont Ventoux with double ascent - Gallery
• Rowe on Tour de France: I hit the wall, guys who I'd normally out-climb were leaving me for dead
• O'Connor battles through 'hardest in-race moment' to stay in Tour de France top five
• Urán moves up to second in Tour de France after steady Mont Ventoux ride
• Tour de France: Wout van Aert claims 'best victory ever' over Mont Ventoux
• Mark Cavendish beats Tour de France time cut on Mont Ventoux as Rowe misses out
• Tour de France: Which GC riders lost time on the Mont Ventoux stage
• Tour de France: All the riders who have abandoned on the Mont Ventoux stage
• Tadej Pogacar: I push good watts, that's why I'm first at the Tour de France
• Michael Matthews: Mark Cavendish is just too fast these days
• UAE Team Emirates: No room to relax as Tour de France far from decided
• Woods draws up battle plans for Tour de France mountains jersey
• Van Aert: Everyone wants to be on the QuickStep train at the Tour de France
• Mark Cavendish questions BikeExchange tactics after third Tour de France stage win
• Nic Dlamini misses Tour de France time cut by 40 minutes but fights to reach Tignes
• Carapaz: Pogacar is in a different race to us at the Tour de France now
• Ben O'Connor: Tadej Pogacar is the next level above me at the Tour de France
• Pogacar attacks in Tignes to keep O'Connor out of Tour de France yellow jersey
• Ben O'Connor: Winning a Tour de France stage will make your heart stop
• Tour de France: Which GC riders lost time on stage 9 summit finish at Tignes
• Thomas undecided about continuing Tour de France despite Tignes fightback
• Cavendish beats time cut at Tour de France as Démare, Coquard miss out
• Mathieu van der Poel abandons Tour de France to focus on Tokyo Olympic Games
• Primoz Roglic abandons Tour de France
• Mathieu van der Poel’s dream week in Tour de France yellow ends in Alps
• Jumbo-Visma rewrite Tour de France game plan after Roglic loses 35 minutes in the Alps
• Tour de France: Teuns continues Bahrain Victorious’ remarkable run at Le Grand-Bornand
• Tadej Pogacar: I haven't killed the Tour de France, there's still a long way to go
• Woods 'comes apart' in sight of Tour de France breakaway win
• Ineos Grenadiers boss Brailsford says 'expect the unexpected' at Tour de France
• Tour de France: Which GC riders lost time on the first day in the Alps
• Pogacar: I could be my own biggest rival at the Tour de France
• Geraint Thomas' Tour de France challenge ends in the Alps
• Van Aert joins forces with Van der Poel in pursuit of Tour de France yellow
• Dan Martin: My Tour de France has been boring so far but my race starts in the Alps
• Tour de France: Geraint Thomas dropped but digs deep to survive stage 7
• Primoz Roglic’s Tour de France hopes fade on stage 7
• Tour de France leader Van der Poel rejects idea of becoming a future GC contender
• Tour de France prize money: The teams and riders ranked
• Philipsen: There's no shame in being beaten by Cavendish
• Vincenzo Nibali stuck between rock and hard place with Tour de France break aspirations
• Consistent Bouhanni takes another sprint podium at Tour de France
• Cavendish says Châteauroux Tour de France win 'means as much as 13 years ago'
• Mørkøv: It’s the Cavendish at the Tour de France we know from 10 years ago
• Peter Sagan: I'm still in the hunt for the green jersey at the Tour de France
• Van Aert: I still believe in a stage victory at the Tour de France
• 'Don’t say the name!' Mark Cavendish plays it cool as Merckx’s Tour de France record edges closer
• Eisel: Mark Cavendish’s 2008 Châteauroux Tour de France stage win changed everything
• Which GC riders lost time on stage 5 time trial at the 2021 Tour de France
• Tadej Pogacar lands major blow in Tour de France with time trial victory
• Tour de France: Alaphilippe comes up short in quest for yellow jersey in time trial
• Primoz Roglic: I will definitely keep fighting at the Tour de France
• Mathieu van der Poel: I knew I had the watts somewhere, it was just a matter of position
• Geraint Thomas struggles through Tour de France time trial
• Tour de France: Mark Cavendish has proved he is one of the best sprinters in the world says Alaphilippe
• Mark Cavendish: I didn't think I'd get to come back to the Tour de France
• Geraint Thomas: The Tour de France doctor popped my shoulder back in and it was instant relief
• Tour de France peloton to stage go-slow in protest of crash-filled stage 3 route
• Tour de France: Heavily bandaged Roglic shows off his wounds ahead of stage 4
• Merlier celebrates stage 3 Tour de France victory but rules out green jersey
• Tour de France leader Van der Poel: I knew there was going to be trouble
• Tadej Pogacar loses 26 seconds in Tour de France crash but keeps GC ambitions alive
• Which GC riders lost time on stage 3 of the 2021 Tour de France
• Riders criticise crash-marred stage 3 final at the Tour de France
• Madiot makes impassioned plea for cycling to change after chaotic, crash-filled Tour de France finale
• Ewan abandons Tour de France after sustaining broken collarbone in stage 3 crash
• Primoz Roglic vows to fight on at Tour de France
• Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, Caleb Ewan and Peter Sagan among crash victims on stage 3
• Tour de France: Primoz Roglic crashes with team boss stating his leader was 'bumped and sent flying'
• Van der Poel gets custom Canyon with poignant message at Tour de France
• Thomas suffers dislocated shoulder and Gesink abandons after Tour de France crash
• Tour de France: Police use Facebook in search for spectator that triggered crash
• Tadej Pogacar: I'm pleased with how my Tour de France is looking
• Chris Froome in battle for Tour de France survival after crash injuries
• Van der Poel takes Tour de France yellow jersey in honour of grandfather Poulidor
• Tour de France: Geraint Thomas drops 10 places in general classification
• Tour de France: Gamble pays off for emotional Mathieu van der Poel with historic win and yellow jersey
• Tony Martin: The Tour de France is not a circus
• AG2R Citroen to get up and fight at Tour de France after crashes hit hard
• Chris Froome will start stage 2 despite crash injuries
• Tour de France organisers aim to sue spectator who caused mass stage 1 crash
• Tour de France crashes make an immediate impact on Ineos Grenadiers leadership strategy
• Rough Tour de France start for Movistar as Soler abandons, López loses time
• 21 riders injured in Tour de France opening stage crashes
• Concern for teammates overshadows Tadej Pogacar's start at Tour de France
• Matthews outshines Tour de France sprint rivals with second behind Alaphilippe
• Alaphilippe 'raced like there was no tomorrow' for Tour de France lead
• Tour de France: Jumbo-Visma left counting the cost after devastating crash on stage 1
• Which GC riders lost time on stage 1 of the 2021 Tour de France
• Chris Froome crashes on stage 1 of Tour de France
• Tour de France: Spectator causes mass crash on stage 1 with Roglic taken down

The build-up

Here at Cyclingnews we've been counting down the days until the 2021 Tour de France, with a series of special features to build up to the Grand Départ on Saturday June 26. 

• Tour de France 2021: The essential race guide
• Tour de France bikes: who's riding what in 2021
• Form ranking: Tour de France 2021 contenders, pre-race
• Philippa York: I struggle to see Chris Froome as a Tour de France road captain
• Tour de France snubs: The 9 most controversial rider non-selections
• Out of Pinot's shadow and into the glare: David Gaudu takes aim at the Tour de France
• Tadej Pogacar: A life-changing moment captured in a photograph
• Analysing Ineos Grenadiers' 2021 Tour de France team
• Analysing Jumbo-Visma's 2021 Tour de France squad
• Tour de France 2021: 5 key stages
• Brandon McNulty: The Tour de France call-up
• Alberto Contador: Blowing the Tour de France apart

The 2021 Tour de France will start in Brest in Brittany , on Saturday, June 26 having originally been scheduled for a Grand Départ in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The opening two stages to Landerneau and Mûr-de-Bretagne will provide a chance for the puncheurs, versatile sprinters and climbers to take the maillot jaune early on before the sprinters get two chances to win as the race heads east across the centre of France.

An early GC showdown will come on stage 5 with the 27.2-kilometre time trial from Changé to Laval Espace Mayenne before the road racing resumes with two stages that take the peloton to the Alps.

Stage 8 to Le Grand Bornard will see the first major climbing of the Tour, with three first-category climbs – including the Col de la Colombière – in the second part of the 150.8-kilometre stage. The following day to the 21-kilometre long summit finish at Tignes is just as tough, revisiting the Critérium du Dauphiné one-two of the Col du Pré and Cormet de Roselend.

Tignes also hosts the first rest day on July 5, ahead of a sprint stage in Valence and stage 11's visit to Mont Ventoux, which will be tackled twice before a descent straight to the finish in Malaucène.

Nîmes and Carcassonne offer up two more sprint chances on the following days before a nailed-on breakaway stage in the hills to Quillan take the peloton to the Pyrenees.

There, stage 15 to Andorra brings with it three first-category tests, including the Souvenir Henri Desgrange as the race hits 2,408 metres at Port d'Envalira. A rest day in the microstate. A tough stage to Saint-Gaudens follows but all minds will be on the final two mountain stages.

Stage 17 takes the riders over the Col de Peyresourde and Col de Val Louron-Azet before the HC-rated summit finish at 2,215 metres at the Col du Portet. Stage 18 provides two more HC tests in the Col du Tourmalet and the summit finish at Luz Ardiden, the last chance for climbers to make their mark.

A penultimate sprint stage follows, taking the peloton to Libourne, where stage 20 brings the GC finale in the shape of a 30.8-kilometre time trial to Saint-Emilion. If the Tour hasn't already been decided, then it certainly will be here.

As ever, the grand finale and the crowning of the Tour de France champion comes in Paris on the Champs-Élysées following a 108.4-kilometre ride from Chatou on July 18.

Check out the full details of the 2021 Tour de France route here.

The contenders

Once again, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) will be the main favourites for the title. The two are among the strongest climbers in the peloton and are also world-leading time trialists, which could prove decisive with two tests against the clock lying in wait for the riders.

The pair have enjoyed stellar starts to 2020, with Pogačar taking wins at the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, while Roglič took three wins at PAris-Nice and the overall at Itzulia Basque Country.

The main challenge to the Slovenian duo should come from Ineos Grenadiers, who are led by 2018 winner Geraint Thomas and 2019 Giro d'Italia champion Richard Carapaz . The Welshman recently finished third at the Critérium du Dauphiné and looks best placed to challenge in both the mountains and time trials, while Carapaz is arguably the stronger climber.

Movistar's triumvirate will this year be headed up by new signing Miguel Ángel López , alongside Enric Mas and Alejandro Valverde. The Colombian looked in dominant form at the Mont Ventoux Dénivéle Challenge in June and will hope to improve on his sixth place in 2020.

His compatriot Nairo Quintana is a three-time podium finisher at the Tour and once again leads out Arkéa-Samsic. He won the Vuelta Asturias earlier this year but was off form at the Dauphiné.

Another Colombian to watch is EF Education-Nippo's Rigoberto Urán , who finished second in 2017 and has taken two top 10s since. His teammate and countryman Sergio Higuita could end up the team leader this year.

Elsewhere, look out for Ben O'Connor (AG2R Citroën), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Michael Woods (Israel Start-Up Nation), Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe), Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), and Simon Yates (Team BikeExchange). They're all likely to be in the top 10 GC battle, though fighting for the very top spots looks a little tougher.

Finally, the battle for sprint victories and the green jersey looks wide open, with Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) facing challenges from Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious), Tim Merlier and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), Elia Viviani (Cofidis), Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka Assos), Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ), Cees Bol (Team DSM), Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), and more.

Bikes and tech

As the world's biggest bike race, the publicity and global reach that the Tour de France achieves is a sponsor's dream. As a result, the Tour de France is always a hotbed of tech, with new releases and custom colourways unveiled almost daily as brands work to capture the attention of onlookers. 

What's more, with the hard-fought battle for the yellow jersey, teams will do everything within their power to eke out marginal gains with innovative inventions and mechanical hacks. Most of the time this comes directly from their contracted sponsors, but occasionally teams will look further afield, breaking contracts in the pursuit of free speed. 

Here are the tech talking points we've seen so far:

• Tour de France bikes : who's riding what in 2021
• Oakley launches 2021 Tour de France collection
• Lapierre launches new Xelius SL ahead of the Tour de France
• Trek-Segafredo bikes given all-new colour schemes ahead of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia Donne
• Pinarello launches new Dogma F in preparation for the Tour de France
• Michael Matthews gets a custom Bianchi Oltre XR4 for Tour de France
• Why are Jumbo Visma using blue tyres at the Tour de France?
• Ineos Grenadiers switch to sponsor-incorrect Princeton Carbonworks wheels at Tour de France
• Tour de France tech: All the tech and trends from the 2021 race
• Is Canyon's broken Aeroad handlebar now fixed? Van der Poel's Tour de France bike suggests it is
• Tour de France winning bikes : Which brand has won the most Tours in history?
• Julian Alaphilippe's S-Works Tarmac SL7 at the Tour de France
• Radical new sunglasses for Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France
• Tour de France gallery: 40 years of time trial technology
• Mark Cavendish's Tour de France stage-winning S-Works Tarmac SL7
• 10-hour journey delivers sponsor-incorrect wheels for Van der Poel's Tour de France time trial
• Alpecin-Fenix go all-in with sponsor-incorrect tech as Van der Poel fights to keep yellow
• Kasper Asgreen to ride the Specialized Aethos in Tour de France mountain stages
• Tour de France helmets : Who's wearing what?
• Tour de France power analysis: Ben O'Connor's Stage 9 win in Tignes
• Spotted: Jumbo Visma on yet more non-sponsor wheels at the Tour de France

Race history

Pogačar is the reigning champion, having overhauled his Slovenian compatriot Roglič in the final time trial at last year's race. The 21-year-old became the race's second-youngest winner after Firmin Labot back in 1904.

Pogačar broke a Ineos/Sky stranglehold on the race, with the British team having won seven of the previous eight Tours de France with Egan Bernal, Geraint Thomas, Bradley Wiggins and four-time winner Chris Froome. Vincenzo Nibali, then riding for Astana, was the other man to break the British squad's dominance with a win in 2014.

The Tour wins record is currently held by four men, with Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain all on five titles.

2020 was also the year which saw the rare occasion of Sagan getting beaten in the battle for the green jersey. He lost out to Bennett after a race-long battle, but still holds the all-time green jersey rankings with seven wins in nine participations. Erik Zabel's six jerseys lie second, ahead of Sean Kelly's four.

Pogačar is the reigning mountain classification champion, too, having won the yellow, polka dot and white jerseys in 2020. He broke a three-year French stranglehold on the jersey after wins for Romain Bardet, Julian Alaphilippe and Warren Barguil.

Richard Virenque holds the record for polka dot jersey wins at seven, and it won't be beaten anytime soon as Rafał Majka is the only current rider to have won more than one king of the mountains title, with two.

Read on for a list of the riders with the most wins of the Tour de France, the most stage wins, as well as the major jerseys (active riders in bold ).

Most Tour de France wins

• 5 – Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain
• 4 –  Chris Froome
• 3 – Phiilippe Thys, Louison Bobet, Greg LeMond
• 2 – Lucien Petit-Breton, Firmin Lambot, Ottavio Bottecchia, Nicolas Frantz, André Leducq, Antonin Magne, Sylvère Maes, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Bernard Thévenet, Laurent Fignon, Alberto Contador
• 1 – Vincenzo Nibali , Geraint Thomas , Egan Bernal , Tadej Pogačar

Most Tour de France stage wins

• 34 – Eddy Merckx
• 30 – Mark Cavendish
• 28 – Bernard Hinault
• 25 – André Leducq
• 22 – André Darrigade
• 20 – Nicolas Frantz
• 19 – François Faber
• 17 – Jean Alavoine
• 16 – Jacques Anquetiil, René Le Grevès, Charles Pélissiier –
• 12 – Peter Sagan
• 11 – André Greipel
• 7 – Chris Froome
• 6 – Vincenzo Nibali

Most Tour de France green jersey wins

• 7 –  Peter Sagan
• 6 – Erik Zabel
• 4 – Sean Kelly
• 3 – Jan Janssen, Eddy Merckx, Freddy Maertens, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, Robbie McEwen
• 2 – Stan Ockers, Jean Graczyk, André Darrigade, Laurent Jalabert, Thor Hushovd
• 1 – Mark Cavendish , Michael Matthews , Sam Bennett

Most Tour de France polka dot jersey wins

• 7 – Richard Virenque
• 6 – Federico Bahamontes, Lucien Van Impe
• 3 – Julio Jiménez
• 2 – Felicien Vervaecke, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Charly Gaul, Imerio Massignan, Eddy Merckx, Luis Herrera, Claudio Chiappucci, Laurent Jalabert, Michael Rasmussen, Rafał Majka
• 1 – Nairo Quintana , Chris Froome , Warren Barguil , Julian Alaphilippe , Romain Bardet , Tadej Pogačar

• Tour de France 2021 map
• Tour de France 2021: The Essential Race Guide
• Tour de France past winners

• Rest Day 1 2021-07-05

• Rest Day 2 2021-07-12

Latest Content on the Race

Mark Cavendish and his 34 Tour de France stage wins – Gallery

By Patrick Fletcher last updated 29 June 23

Feature Looking back on each and every victory that made his name as the race's greatest ever sprinter

How hard is the Tour de France?

By Josh Croxton last updated 21 June 23

We look at power, calories, recovery data, speed and more to compare a Tour de France rider's efforts to those of an everyday cyclist

It's no secret that pro riders get the very best available, but exactly what would that cost to replicate?

By Josh Croxton published 26 July 22

Tech Which bikes, wheels, and components won the most stages on the biggest stage?

By Tadej Pogacar published 18 December 21

Feature The 2021 Tour de France winner gives his account of this year's race in our latest excerpt from The Road Book

'Opi-Omi' spectator fined €1,200 for Tour de France crash

By Cyclingnews staff published 9 December 21

News Criminal case wrapped up in Brest

10 most memorable moments of 2021

By Jackie Tyson, Laura Weislo, Patrick Fletcher, Daniel Benson, Simone Giuliani published 22 November 21

Feature Highlights and puzzle pieces from the peloton that made headlines this past season

Ineos Grenadiers: Back to the drawing board for the Tour de France

By Sophie Hurcom published 16 November 21

Procycling Procycling speaks to Gabriel Rasch about this year's Tour

Froome suffered bilharzia reinfection at the Tour de France, ISN owner says

By Cyclingnews published 15 November 21

News Froome previously said he suffered 'gut issues' at the race

The Youth of Tadej Pogacar

By Kate Wagner published 13 November 21

Feature Procycling looks at the inexorable rise of the young Slovenian and the likelihood of a long period of domination

Top News on the Race

'Opi-Omi' spectator who caused Tour de France crash to be tried in criminal court Thursday

Procycling Tour de France review issue out now

Finding a way to beat Pogacar is the biggest challenge for years to come, says Jumbo-Visma DS

Colnago launches V3Rs collection inspired by Tadej Pogacar's three Tour de France classification wins

Brailsford reveals health issues could spell the end of his Ineos Grenadiers reign

Tadej Pogacar's Tour de France-winning Colnago V3Rs

Mark Cavendish: My fairytale Tour de France shows you should never give up

Caleb Ewan back on the road after Tour de France crash

Tour de France 2021: Stage 21 highlights - Video

Related features.

Only 122kph? Some riders went even faster on the Tour de France stage nine

Marcus Burghardt descended at 130.7kph on stage nine of the Tour de France, according to his Strava upload

• Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Marcus Burghardt gets low on stage nine of the Tour de France (Sunada)

Leigh Howard showed that he sped along at 122kph at one point on stage nine of the Tour de France , but he wasn't the fastest rider on the road on Sunday.

Jeremy Roy (FDJ) recorded 127kph (79mph) on the descent of the Côte de la Comella while Marcus Burghardt (BMC) topped out at 130.7 (81.2mph) on the long downhill section from the first climb, according to his Strava upload.

The smooth, long straight roads down from the Bonaigua climb as the riders headed towards Androrra provided the peloton with some much needed time to rest their legs, but travelling at over 130kph must be pretty taxing mentally.

Watch: Tour de France stage 9 highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GePAU9ubgko

Burghardt finished 31 minutes down on stage winner Tom Dumoulin , while Roy finished seven minutes quicker, although both were working for teammates on the challenging mountain stage.

They did technically break the speed limit of the road in the area, but I'm sure the authorities won't be chasing them down to pay a fine.

Get The Leadout Newsletter

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters. 

Gaia Realini takes an early lead in the general classification

By Joseph Lycett Published 28 April 24

Coffee connoisseur Adam Becket delves into the storied yet mysterious relationship between cycling and the original energy drink

By Adam Becket Published 28 April 24

Five takeaways from the opening set of races as Opening Weekend edges closer

By Tom Thewlis Published 30 January 24

‘I have no memory of the crash’ says Rudy Molard of Groupama FDJ after incident in Australia

By Tom Thewlis Published 26 January 24

French team split with Lapierre after 22 years together

By Adam Becket Published 6 December 23

Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sanctioned after incident at the Tour of Guangxi

By Adam Becket Published 15 November 23

Jake Stewart is heading to Israel-Premier Tech after six years at Groupama-FDJ, and is changing roles in the process

By Adam Becket Published 14 October 23

Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sent home from Tour of Guangxi after social media post of racist gesture

By Adam Becket Published 12 October 23

The Groupama-FDJ rider will be missed, not just for his performances on the bike, but for his emotion

By Adam Becket Published 6 October 23

David Gaudu and Thibaut Pinot will head up French team at home Grand Tour, Démare to leave FDJ at end of season

By Tom Thewlis Published 14 June 23

Useful links

• Tour de France
• Giro d'Italia
• Vuelta a España

Buyer's Guides

• Best road bikes
• Best gravel bikes
• Best smart turbo trainers
• Best cycling computers
• Editor's Choice
• Bike Reviews
• Component Reviews
• Clothing Reviews
• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

• Sports & Recreation ›

Professional Sports

Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). A paid subscription is required for full access.

• Winner average speed in the Tour de France 1903-2023

Tour de France winner's average speed from 1903 to 2023 (in kilometers per hour)

• Immediate access to 1m+ statistics
• Incl. source references
• Download as PNG, PDF, XLS, PPT

Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

September 2023

1903 to 2023

All figures have been rounded.

Other statistics on the topic Tour de France

Sports & Fitness

• Tour de France riders with the most victories 1903-2022
• Budget of selected Tour de France teams 2023
• Tour de France riders with the most stage wins 1903-2023
• Most Tour de France wins 1903-2022, by country

To download this statistic in XLS format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PNG format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PDF format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PPT format you need a Statista Account

As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic.

As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic.

As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail.

… to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time.

You need at least a Starter Account to use this feature.

• Immediate access to statistics, forecasts & reports
• Usage and publication rights
• Download in various formats

You only have access to basic statistics. This statistic is not included in your account.

• Instant access  to 1m statistics
• Download  in XLS, PDF & PNG format
• Detailed  references

Business Solutions including all features.

Statistics on " Tour de France "

• Tour de France winners 1903-2021, by podium position
• Tour de France entrants and finishers 1903-2023
• Tour de France 2021: general riders ranking, by times
• Tour de France 2021 : general teams ranking, by times
• Tour de France 2021: best sprinters, by number of points
• Tour de France 2021: Best climbers, by number of points
• Salaries of the highest-paid Tour de France riders 2021
• Tour de France performance bonuses 2021
• Riders with the most Tour de France yellow jerseys 1903-2023
• Riders with the most Tour de France entries 1903-2023
• Tour de France best-performing countries 1903-2021, by podium position
• Tour de France total French TV audience 2022-2023
• TV channels broadcasting Tour de France 2021
• Tour de France live broadcasters 2021, by geographical area
• Tour de France sponsor partners 2021, by type
• Tour de France revenue distribution 2019
• Interest in watching Tour de France 2020 and 2021, by country
• Share of the French population intending to follow the Tour de France 2021
• Influencing factors for watching Tour de France 2021, by nation
• Deterrents for not watching Tour de France 2021, by nation
• Sports with the most anti-doping rule violations worldwide 2020
• Tour de France riders who committed anti-doping violations 1968-2023
• Confidence in Tour de France teams for complying with the anti-doping rules 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Tour de France

Event history

• Premium Statistic Tour de France winners 1903-2021, by podium position
• Premium Statistic Tour de France entrants and finishers 1903-2023
• Basic Statistic Most Tour de France wins 1903-2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Winner average speed in the Tour de France 1903-2023

2021 edition

• Premium Statistic Tour de France 2021: general riders ranking, by times
• Premium Statistic Tour de France 2021 : general teams ranking, by times
• Premium Statistic Tour de France 2021: best sprinters, by number of points
• Premium Statistic Tour de France 2021: Best climbers, by number of points
• Premium Statistic Salaries of the highest-paid Tour de France riders 2021
• Premium Statistic Budget of selected Tour de France teams 2023
• Premium Statistic Tour de France performance bonuses 2021
• Basic Statistic Tour de France riders with the most victories 1903-2022
• Basic Statistic Riders with the most Tour de France yellow jerseys 1903-2023
• Basic Statistic Tour de France riders with the most stage wins 1903-2023
• Premium Statistic Riders with the most Tour de France entries 1903-2023
• Premium Statistic Tour de France best-performing countries 1903-2021, by podium position

TV audience and sponsorship

• Premium Statistic Tour de France total French TV audience 2022-2023
• Premium Statistic TV channels broadcasting Tour de France 2021
• Premium Statistic Tour de France live broadcasters 2021, by geographical area
• Premium Statistic Tour de France sponsor partners 2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Tour de France revenue distribution 2019

Fan interest

• Premium Statistic Interest in watching Tour de France 2020 and 2021, by country
• Premium Statistic Share of the French population intending to follow the Tour de France 2021
• Premium Statistic Influencing factors for watching Tour de France 2021, by nation
• Premium Statistic Deterrents for not watching Tour de France 2021, by nation

Anti-doping rule violations

• Premium Statistic Sports with the most anti-doping rule violations worldwide 2020
• Premium Statistic Tour de France riders who committed anti-doping violations 1968-2023
• Premium Statistic Confidence in Tour de France teams for complying with the anti-doping rules 2023

Further related statistics

• Premium Statistic Opinion of cycling fans in France on the future winner of the Tour de France 2017
• Premium Statistic Tour de France presumed winners in France 2021
• Basic Statistic Tour de France: the French's favorite national cyclists in 2016
• Basic Statistic French cyclists who marked the Tour de France according to cycling enthusiasts 2017
• Basic Statistic Opinion of French tennis fans on the future winner of Roland Garros 2017
• Basic Statistic Tour de France: Spanish winners 1903-2023
• Premium Statistic Public interest in Tour de France among French 2018
• Basic Statistic Number of cyclists wearing the Tour de France Yellow Jersey 1919-2019, by country
• Basic Statistic Average vehicle speed on motorways in the United Kingdom (UK), 2014
• Basic Statistic "Best Actress" winners at the Tony Awards 1982-2015, by ethnicity
• Premium Statistic Average connection speed from Q1 2014 to Q1 2017 in Finland
• Premium Statistic Average connection speed from Q1 2014 to Q1 2017 in Switzerland
• Premium Statistic Average internet connection speed in Indonesia Q1 2014-Q1 2017
• Premium Statistic Number of victories of members of Spanish film industry at the Oscars 1969-2020
• Premium Statistic Share of French wishing to follow the 2017 Tour de France
• Premium Statistic Generation Z preferred work model in Poland 2020
• Premium Statistic Repair of household appliances, garden equipment revenue in Luxembourg 2010-2022

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

• Opinion of cycling fans in France on the future winner of the Tour de France 2017
• Tour de France presumed winners in France 2021
• Tour de France: the French's favorite national cyclists in 2016
• French cyclists who marked the Tour de France according to cycling enthusiasts 2017
• Opinion of French tennis fans on the future winner of Roland Garros 2017
• Tour de France: Spanish winners 1903-2023
• Public interest in Tour de France among French 2018
• Number of cyclists wearing the Tour de France Yellow Jersey 1919-2019, by country
• Average vehicle speed on motorways in the United Kingdom (UK), 2014
• "Best Actress" winners at the Tony Awards 1982-2015, by ethnicity
• Average connection speed from Q1 2014 to Q1 2017 in Finland
• Average connection speed from Q1 2014 to Q1 2017 in Switzerland
• Average internet connection speed in Indonesia Q1 2014-Q1 2017
• Number of victories of members of Spanish film industry at the Oscars 1969-2020
• Share of French wishing to follow the 2017 Tour de France
• Generation Z preferred work model in Poland 2020
• Repair of household appliances, garden equipment revenue in Luxembourg 2010-2022

What is the Fastest Average Speed at the Tour de France?

The fastest ever Tour de France stage (excluding time trials) was on Stage 4 in 1999. Mario Cipollini won it in a bunch sprint . He finished the 194.5km (121.6 miles) stage in 3h 51’ 45”, with an average speed of 50.355km/h.

Until now, it’s still the only Tour de France stage (excluding time trials) where the winner’s average speed is above 50km/h.

Pablo Lastras holds the second-fastest Tour de France stage record on Stage 18 of the 2003 Tour de France. He finished the 203.5km (127.2 miles) stage in 4h 3’ 18” with an average speed of 49.938km/h.

The third fastest Tour de France stage record was achieved by Johan Bruyneel, who finished the 158km (98.8 miles) Stage 6 of the 1993 Tour de France in 3h 11’ 50”, with an average speed of 49.417km/h.

Below are the top 10 fastest Tour de France average speeds, excluding time trials .

Tour de France Records and Stats

How Many Rest Days in the 2023 Tour de France?

How Many Riders at the 2023 Tour de France?

How Many Stages in the 2023 Tour de France?

Tour de France Time Trial Winners’ Average Speed

What is the 2023 Tour de France Distance?

Which Rider the Most Tour de France Appearances?

Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.

He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.

Mr. Mamil's content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content is not a substitute for official or professional advice. Please do your own due diligence.

Mr. Mamil participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We also participate in various other affiliate programs, and at times we earn a commission through purchases made through links on this website.

Privacy Policy

Website Terms

© Mr. Mamil, 2023

• Tour de France
• Giro d'Italia
• La Vuelta ciclista a España
• World Championships
• Milano-Sanremo
• Amstel Gold Race
• Tirreno-Adriatico
• Liège-Bastogne-Liège
• Il Lombardia
• La Flèche Wallonne
• Paris - Nice
• Paris-Roubaix
• Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
• Critérium du Dauphiné
• Tour des Flandres
• Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
• Clásica Ciclista San Sebastián
• UAE Team Emirates
• Arkéa - B&B Hotels
• Astana Qazaqstan Team
• Alpecin-Deceuninck
• Bahrain - Victorious
• BORA - hansgrohe
• Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
• EF Education-EasyPost
• Groupama - FDJ
• INEOS Grenadiers
• Intermarché - Wanty
• Lidl - Trek
• Movistar Team
• Soudal - Quick Step
• Team dsm-firmenich PostNL
• Team Jayco AlUla
• Team Visma | Lease a Bike
• Grand tours
• Top competitors
• Final GC favorites
• Stage profiles
• Riders form
• Countdown to 3 billion pageviews
• Favorite500
• Profile Score
• Stage 21 Results
• Startlist quality
• All stage profiles
• Hardest stages
• Winners and leaders
• Prizemoney ranking
• Fastest stages
• Statistics - Statistics
• Startlist - Startlist
• More - More
• Teams - Teams
• Nations - Nations
• Route - Route
• Results - Results
•   »  
• Most constant rider
• Smallest sum of results
• Most bonifications
• Hottest stages
• Leader jerseys
• Best worse result
• Combative riders
• Fastest first and last hour
• Average speed per stage
• Timegap chart
• GC without TTs
• GC Without 1 stage
• GC without time bonusses
• Most GC time changes
• Points GC breakdown
• Least predictable

Grand Tours

• Vuelta a España

Major Tours

• Volta a Catalunya
• Tour de Romandie
• Tour de Suisse
• Itzulia Basque Country
• Milano-SanRemo
• Ronde van Vlaanderen

Championships

• European championships

Top classics

• Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
• Strade Bianche
• Gent-Wevelgem
• Dwars door vlaanderen
• Eschborn-Frankfurt
• San Sebastian
• Bretagne Classic
• GP Montréal

Popular riders

• Tadej Pogačar
• Wout van Aert
• Remco Evenepoel
• Jonas Vingegaard
• Mathieu van der Poel
• Mads Pedersen
• Primoz Roglic
• Demi Vollering
• Lotte Kopecky
• Katarzyna Niewiadoma
• PCS ranking
• UCI World Ranking
• Points per age
• Latest injuries
• Youngest riders
• Grand tour statistics
• Monument classics
• Latest transfers
• Favorite 500
• Points scales
• Profile scores
• Reset password
• Cookie consent

About ProCyclingStats

• Cookie policy
• Contributions
• Pageload 0.0226s

Home Explore France Official Tourism Board Website

• Explore the map

The 5-minute essential guide to the Tour de France

Inspiration

Cycling Tourism Sporting Activities

Reading time: 0 min Published on 8 January 2024, updated on 18 April 2024

It is the biggest cycling race in the world: a national event that France cherishes almost as much as its Eiffel Tower and its 360 native cheeses! Every year in July, the Tour de France sets off on the roads of France and crosses some of its most beautiful landscapes. Here’s everything you should know in advance of the 2018 race…

‘La Grande Boucle’

In over a century of existence, the Tour has extended its distance and passed through the whole country. Almost 3,500 kilometers are now covered each year in the first three weeks of July, with 22 teams of 8 cyclists. The 176 competitors criss-cross the most beautiful roads of France in 23 days, over 21 stages. More than a third of France’s departments are passed through, on a route that changes each year.

A little tour to start

The first ever Tour de France took place in 1903. It had just six stages – Paris-Lyon, Lyon-Marseille, Marseille-Toulouse, Toulouse-Bordeaux, Bordeaux-Nantes and Nantes-Paris – and 60 cyclists at the start line. At the time, the brave cycled up to 18 hours at a stretch, by day and night, on roads and dirt tracks. By the end, they’d managed 2,300 kilometers. Must have had some tight calves!

Mountain events are often the most famous and hotly contested. Spectators watch in awe as the riders attack the passes and hit speeds of 100 km/h. In the Pyrenees and the Alps, the Galibier and Tourmalet ascents are legendary sections of the Tour, worthy of a very elegant polka dot jersey for the best climber…

The darling of the Tour

In terms of the number of victories per nation, France comes out on top, with 36 races won by a French cyclist. In second place is Belgium with 18 wins, and in third is Spain with 12. The darling of the Tour remains Eddy Merckx, holding the record of 111 days in the yellow jersey. This Belgian won 5 times the Great Loop as Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Michael Indurain.

‘Le maillot jaune’

The yellow jersey is worn by the race winner in the general classification (calculated by adding up the times from each individual stage). This tradition goes back to 1919. It has nothing to do with the July sunshine or the sunflower fields along the roads; it was simply the colour of the pages of newspaper L’Auto, which was creator and organiser of the competition at the time.

The Tour de France is the third major world sporting event after the Olympic Games and the World Cup, covered by 600 media and 2,000 journalists. The race is broadcast in 130 countries by 100 television channels over 6,300 hours, and is followed by 3.5 billion viewers.

The Champs-Élysées finish

Each year the Tour departs from a different city, whether in France or in a neighbouring country. Since 1975, the triumphal arrival of the cyclists has always taken place across a finish line on Paris’ Champs-Élysées. It’s a truly beautiful setting for the final sprint.

And the winner is…

Seen from the sky and filmed by helicopters or drones, the Tour route resembles a long ribbon winding its way through France’s stunning landscapes: the groves of Normandy, the peaks of the Alps, the shores of Brittany and the beaches of the Côte d’Azur. In 2017, it was the Izoard pass in Hautes-Alpes that was elected the most beautiful stage, at an altitude of 2,361 metres. Which one gets your vote?

Find out more on the official Tour de France site: https://www.letour.fr

By Redaction France.fr

The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…

Paris Region is the home of major sporting events!

Tour de France : Final stage of glory in Paris

Get in touch with nouvelle-aquitaine in south west of france.

Biarritz-Basque Country

Loire Valley, Champagne and beyond, The perfect blend

Alsace and Lorraine

Cycling, a new key to the Coastline

Along La Loire à Vélo

Loire Valley

Discovering the most beautiful beaches of the Pays de la Loire, by Natigana

#ExploreFrance

Atlantic Loire Valley

Fly, Walk, Pedal - Get Moving on the Côte d'Azur

Côte d'Azur

Mark Cavendish wins record-tying 34th career stage in Tour de France

• Associated Press

CARCASSONNE, France -- Mark Cavendish won a mass sprint Friday to equal cycling great Eddy Merckx's record of 34 stage wins at the Tour de France.

Taking part in cycling's biggest race for the first time since 2018, the 36-year-old Cavendish has been dominating the sprints this summer. The British rider posted his fourth stage win in this year's edition by winning Stage 13, which finished in the southern city of Carcassonne.

"I haven't realized it," he said when asked about the record. "It's still just another win on the Tour de France. It's like my first one. I've won a stage of the Tour de France. It's what I dreamed of as a kid and it's what I dream of now. I've worked so hard for it."

Cavendish secured a new contract with his former Deceuninck Quick Step team for the 2021 season after returning from a bout of depression and several seasons of struggles on and off the bike. But he was not expected to ride in the Tour and did not train specifically for the three-week race. He was a late call-up last month as a replacement for Sam Bennett, the best sprinter of last year's Tour.

Cavendish has never won the overall Tour de France. Merckx won it five times.

Known as "The Manx Missile'' as he comes from the Isle of Man, Cavendish jostled for position in the last two kilometers to stay on the wheel of lead-out man Michael Morkov. He looked trapped in traffic with 300 meters left but zigzagged to the front and comfortably won ahead of Morkov. Jasper Philipsen was third.

"I can't even think about [the record]. I'm afraid I'm so dead after 220 kilometers in that heat, that wind and that finale,'' Cavendish said. "I went deep, I went so deep there. The boys were incredible. I can't believe it. A lot of the day it didn't feel like it, but it had to happen because I had the guys riding like they were. I was so on the limit there.''

There was no significant change in the general classification as race leader Tadej Pogacar enjoyed a quiet day in the peloton. Pogacar kept his 5:18 lead over second-placed Rigoberto Uran, with Jonas Vingegaard in third, 5:33 off the pace.

The race animated immediately with a flurry of attacks in the early stages of the 220-kilometer trek in southern France. But Cavendish's teammates set a fast tempo at the front to prevent large group of riders from breaking away, determined to ensure a mass sprint in the end.

They responded to every dangerous move and relaxed only when a trio of riders formed, knowing that it would be impossible for them to beat the chase of the pack later in the day.

Omer Goldstein, Pierre Latour and Sean Bennett worked well together but were kept on a tight leash.

In the shadow of large plane trees scattered across the route through the Languedoc vineyards, the leading trio was reduced to a pair when Latour and Goldstein dropped Bennett. They were reined in with 50 kilometers left after a crash involving dozens of riders briefly split the peloton. British cyclist Simon Yates, the 2018 Spanish Vuelta champion, was among those who hit the ground and abandoned.

Frenchman Quentin Pacher then launched an ill-fated solo effort to build a lead of more than a minute before Deceuninck Quick Step riders dramatically sped up the pace to swallow him about 19 kilometers from the finish.